Chapter 102 Concern for Me
Screams came from downstairs, one after another.
"Charlie!" Nina screamed and fell to the ground. She was probably scared too.
Charlie turned to look at her but remained silent.
After a long pause, Nina said, "Come down. I promise you. We won't get rid of this child."
"Nina, are you really willing to keep our child? Are you willing to give me a chance, to forgive me?" Charlie asked.
Nina nodded wearily. "You come down first."
"Okay. I'm coming down now," Charlie said as he withdrew his hand.
The police officers lurking around also moved forward to pull him up.
But at that moment, the rusty railing suddenly broke with a crisp sound.
Charlie's hand lost support, and he was thrown out.
The sudden accident terrified Charlie but he was lucky because the officers caught his arm in time.
What fell down was just a piece of rust.
Charlie turned back, looking at the rust that fell. He was relieved that it wasn't him falling, or he would have turned into a puddle of flesh by now.
After being pulled up by the officers, Charlie staggered to Nina and hugged her, crying loudly.
After the commotion, everyone returned to the hospital room.
Nina sat on the bed, trembling despite being covered with a blanket and the room being heated. Her face was pale and bloodless.
Charlie poured a cup of hot water attentively for her. "Nina, here, have some hot water to warm up."
As the cup was handed to Nina, Isabella brushed it aside. "You leave!"
Charlie was taken aback. "Bella, I know I was wrong, but your sister has forgiven me."
"Who said my sister forgave you?" Isabella's face turned pale with anger.
Clearly, this was Charlie's tactic.
Charlie counted on Nina's soft heart. Nina couldn't bear to watch himself die in front of her, so he staged this scene.
Isabella felt sickened for Nina. She didn't allow Charlie to get close to Nina and protected her vigilantly.
Unable to stay longer, Charlie had to leave after a moment.
As he walked out of the room, Charlie saw Seb. Charlie approached him with a smile, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and offered one. "Mr. Landon, care for a smoke?"
Seb shook his head.
Seeing Charlie about to light up, Seb said, "This is a hospital."
Charlie was taken aback.
Seb frowned slightly. "Smoking is prohibited."
Charlie took the cigarette out of his mouth and put it back in the pack. "I forgot."
Seb looked at him coldly. "Did you cause the injuries on Nina's face?"
Charlie was surprised again, not giving a direct answer but trying to excuse himself. "This isn't solely my fault. It's normal for couples to have arguments."
Seb sneered, "Putting someone in the hospital is normal?"
Charlie could sense that Mr. Landon held a significant grudge against him. "I admit I may have been too harsh. But Mr. Landon, as a man, you should understand my situation. Nina stays at home all day, only doing household chores without earning money. I work alone, supporting my wife, and paying the mortgage. I was under a lot of pressure."
Seb watched Charlie's acting expressionlessly, waiting for him to finish before debunking his story. "I remember Nina used to work and earned quite a decent income last year. Why did she suddenly give it up?"
Charlie choked up.
Since Seb could say these things, it meant he knew quite a bit. He probably even understood the reasons why Nina suddenly stopped working for money.
The image Charlie tried so hard to maintain had completely crumbled in front of Seb.
Especially since Seb was someone he couldn't afford to offend, Charlie gave an awkward laugh and said, "I forgot, how could someone as high and mighty as Mr. Landon ever understand us commoners?"
As they conversed, Isabella emerged. She held a hot water bottle, seemingly going to fetch hot water.
Upon seeing Charlie, her wariness immediately surfaced. "Why are you still here?"
"I'm leaving soon." Charlie didn't bother to pretend anymore. After being reprimanded by Seb, he felt annoyed and left without saying another word.
Only then did Isabella turn to Seb. "Mr. Landon, thank you for escorting me back."
If he wasn't there, Isabella felt she couldn't even make it to the rooftop.
Strangely, with him around, Isabella felt a sense of security, as if someone had her back even in times of trouble.
Seb walked over, took the hot water bottle from her without saying a word, and headed towards the water cooler.
Isabella hesitated for a moment, then followed.
By the water cooler, Seb was already there, pouring hot water.
His posture was upright, his shoulders broad, exuding a noble air even while pouring water.
Isabella approached and whispered, "Let me do it."
Suddenly, Seb turned his head and asked, "Why did you resign?"
The topic changed too quickly, causing Isabella's mind to blank for a few seconds.
During those moments, the hot water quickly filled the container. Seeing it about to overflow, Isabella hurriedly reached to turn off the tap.
But she was a bit late, and some hot water spilled, flowing over Seb's hand.
A visible red burn mark appeared on Seb's hand.
"Let's rinse it with cold water first." Isabella took the hot water bottle and placed it aside, then, in a rush, she grabbed his wrist and led him to the nearby cold water sink.
Turning on the tap, she continuously rinsed Seb's scalded hand with cold water.
Seb's hand remained red.
"This won't do. I'll go downstairs to buy burn cream." She turned to leave, but Seb grabbed her wrist.
He pulled her back, gazing steadily into her eyes. "You concerned about me?"
Isabella hesitated. "Your hand is more important."
Seb didn't release her hand. "Answer my previous question first."
He stared at her intensely as if trying to see through her.
Isabella avoided his gaze at first, then blinked and said, "It's not concern. It's responsibility. You got burned because helping me with the hot water, so I should take responsibility."
"I was referring to the earlier question!" Seb said.
'Why did I suddenly quit my job? How can I answer this question in a way that sounds natural and doesn't raise suspicion?' Isabella was still racking her brains for an answer when the pressure on her wrist suddenly disappeared.
Seb released his grip and said calmly, "Forget it."
Isabella felt a pang of emptiness inside.
He turned off the tap and regained his usual calm composure. "I've already approved your resignation report, Isabella. I hope you find happiness. If you encounter any trouble in the future that you can't handle, you can seek Jack's help. He might be able to assist you."
Isabella felt a pang in her heart, nodding, still keeping her head down without looking at him.
After a moment, Seb left.
Isabella was left alone by the water cooler. She stared at the hot water bottle and was lost in thought for a long time.
