Chapter 055 An Unexpected Encounter
Claire's heart was alight with joy, finding the young woman beside her as enchanting as Alice herself. A fleeting thought crossed her mind, a wistful wish that Adrian wasn't already betrothed to Alice. He would have certainly found such a kind-hearted girl irresistible...
Meanwhile, chaos was unfolding in the VIP hospital room that Claire had been occupying. The nurse assigned to her care was in a state of panic.
"What's the matter?" Adrian demanded, his voice laced with concern as he rushed into the room after receiving an urgent call.
Tongue-tied and trembling, the nurse stuttered out her explanation, dreading the blame she was sure to receive. "Mr. Howard, I... I stepped out briefly to fetch some items for Mrs. Howard. When I returned, she... she was gone. I've searched everywhere, but I can't find her..."
Adrian's face hardened into a stern mask. "You won't be needed tomorrow," he said curtly.
Without another word, he pivoted on his heel and strode towards the elevator. As he walked, he barked an order at his bodyguard. "Find her. Now."
He hadn't gone far when the elevator doors slid open, revealing Claire, who was deep in animated conversation with another woman. Adrian's gaze locked onto the woman's face, recognizing Natalie. Natalie, too, was taken aback to see him.
Claire had just reassured Natalie that her son was not around, which was why Natalie had dared to bring her back to the hospital.
Caught off guard, Adrian approached them, his voice tight with restrained anger. "Mother, where have you been?"
Claire could sense Adrian's simmering anger. "I just stepped out for some fresh air. Why did they call you?"
From the moment they had entered the room, Adrian's gaze had been riveted on Natalie.
Feeling his intense scrutiny, Natalie felt a surge of discomfort. "Mrs. Howard, now that you're safely back in your room, I'll take my leave. Goodbye."
"Wait." Claire's hand shot out, catching Natalie's wrist. Her smile was warm and genuine. "Thank you for your help and for bringing me back."
She turned to Adrian, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. "Adrian, would you be so kind as to escort this young lady as a token of our gratitude?"
Adrian's gaze met Natalie's, his lips curving into a smile. "Of course."
Natalie didn't want Claire to suspect anything. Fortunately, Adrian was also playing along, pretending not to recognize her.
As soon as they exited the hospital, Natalie spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "Mr. Howard, you don't need to heed Mrs. Howard's words. I'll be on my way..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Adrian's hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly.
In the next instant, Adrian had maneuvered her into the backseat of his sleek, black Maybach.
Natalie's brow furrowed in confusion as she reached for the car door, only to find it had been auto-locked by Adrian.
Adrian flicked the ashes from his cigarette, his face an unreadable mask. "Natalie, didn't you promise you wouldn't appear before me again?"
Natalie's fists clenched in her lap. "It was an accident. I came to the hospital to pick up some medicine and just happened to run into Mrs. Howard..."
"An accident?" Adrian's voice was a low, mocking drawl. He recalled the first time Natalie had visited the Cullen Villa, when she had accidentally spilled coffee on him. His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint in them as he continued, his tone laced with anger and sarcasm.
"Was it also an accident when you drugged me and climbed into my bed? Was it an accident when you frequently skipped classes and took leaves, only to show up every time I was in class? Was it an accident when you collapsed in front of my car at Alice's birthday party?"
His gaze bore into hers, unyielding. "And now, you expect me to believe it's a mere coincidence that you show up in my mother's hospital room?"
Natalie was left speechless, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Believe what you want. It was an accident..."
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