Chapter 174 Martin Intends to Confess to Patricia
The doctor conducted a thorough examination of Charlotte. Her wrist wasn't fractured but had suffered from a dislocation and soft tissue damage.
"Mr. Langley, please hold her tightly. I'm about to reset the bones in her wrist, which may cause some discomfort. Keep her steady, and do not let her move."
"Bone reset!" Just hearing it, Charlotte's eyes widened with fear, and her body trembled. Despite this, she bravely closed her eyes, extended her hand, and prepared herself for the pain. "Go ahead! I'm not afraid of the pain!"
The doctor looked surprised and said, "It's going to be very painful. Are you sure you're not afraid?"
His words instantly drained the color from her face, but she vigorously nodded, clenching her teeth, and refusing to voice her fear.
"I'm not afraid! Back when I was boarding at school, someone pushed me down the stairs, and I broke my leg but didn’t cry. I can handle this pain!" she explained.
"You were pushed down the stairs?" Martin's discerning eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp as daggers.
His voice turned icy, rising from the depths of hell, edged with a chilling frost.
Charlotte, seemingly oblivious to his reaction, chuckled and said, "Right! But it's pretty common, isn't it? They love picking on a kid like me, someone no parent bothers with. I just have to endure a little, and it'll all pass."
Without a father's warmth, without a mother's love, she swallowed her grievances after being bullied.
In Martin's mind, unbidden, images of Charlotte being bullied at school surfaced, tugging at his heartstrings. His hand reached out slowly, drawing her head into his embrace.
Charlotte struggled to break free and asked, "Martin, what are you doing?"
"I'm holding you," he replied, his muffled voice revealing his sour mood.
Charlotte laughed and reassured him, "I really don't mind the pain! You don't have to hold me. I've been through all sorts of things since I was young!"
Martin released her, glancing down with a scowl, "Not mind the pain? Then who was just crying like a child?" Martin pressed on, "And who was crying and screaming about being in pain?"
Charlotte's face flushed crimson, and she bowed her head bowed in embarrassment as she stammered, "I, just now... wasn't mentally prepared!"
Martin's heart ached more for her, and he pulled her back into his embrace, "Alright, be good. Let me protect you from now on! If you're bullied or hurt, come to me."
Charlotte had never experienced the feeling of being cherished. Tears streamed down her face at the realization, and she burrowed into Martin's chest, sobbing, "Martin, I'm so happy! Is this what being loved feels like?"
"What a fool," Martin felt a pang of sorrow as he heard her tearful voice. Gently patting her head, he shot a look at the doctor.
The doctor nodded, took Charlotte's hand, and with a 'click, click,' it was done.
Charlotte, enveloped in Martin’s warmth, didn't even have time to cry out from the sudden sharp pain in her wrist when she heard the doctor proclaim, "There! It's set!"
"Is it... is it already set?" Charlotte asked incredulously.
The doctor smiled and nodded, "Miss Langley certainly didn't exaggerate. You really are tough when it comes to pain!"
"Hehe... Hehe..." Charlotte chuckled dryly, burying her face in Martin's chest. She was too shy to tell the doctor that it wasn't that she didn't feel pain, but rather that she simply hadn't had time to react.
With her wrist taken care of and medications in hand, Martin and Charlotte returned to Randy's hospital room.
After settling Charlotte, Martin couldn't wait to go explain things to Patricia.
Noticing Martin’s intention to leave, Charlotte quickly grabbed his arm and asked, "Martin, where are you going?"
"I have something to take care of. Just wait here for me, I'll be back soon,” Martin replied.
Charlotte pouted and said, "But I'm hungry. It's noon already, let's go have lunch first!"
Martin realized that it was already noon and feared Patricia would finish her shift soon. He hurriedly said, "I'll be back in a moment, just hold on!"
After saying that and prying her hands away, he left the ward and headed for the doctors' office. Unfortunately, he was one step too late. Patricia had already finished her shift.
Seeing the pained expression on his face, the doctor in the office couldn't bear it and kindly said, "Professor Watson just left a while ago. If you hurry, you might still catch her!"
With those words, Martin felt a glimmer of hope and chased after her immediately. Sure enough. As soon as he reached the hospital entrance, he saw Patricia walking towards the parking lot.
He was about to follow her when a champagne-colored Rolls-Royce screeched to a halt next to Patricia, and Hunter poked his head halfway out the driver's side window.
From a distance and over the noise of the traffic, Martin couldn't make out what was said, but he could clearly see Hunter's smile, a smile that rippled across his face.
A sharp pang of hurt flowed through Martin's eyes, clouding his vision with obscurity.
Whatever the two were discussing, Patricia walked around to the passenger's side and got in. The Rolls-Royce pulled away, leaving a trail of blue smoke behind.
Martin's palms clenched suddenly, and a slow pain spread from his heart to his limbs, numbing him to the point where he was rooted to the spot, unable to move.
After what felt like an eternity, he slowly regained his senses and called Alan, "Find out if there's a restaurant booking under the names Patricia or Hunter."
"Right away!" Alan responded without asking any further questions. After hanging up, he immediately began the investigation. In no time at all, the results came in.
"Madame has a reservation for noon at West Rose Restaurant, table 12 by the window."
With the exact location, Martin abruptly hung up and briskly walked to the parking lot, driving as fast as he could to the West Rose Restaurant.
Unbeknownst to him, as soon as he left, Charlotte had followed him, hailing a taxi at the hospital entrance, and discreetly trailing behind.
At the West Rose Restaurant, Hunter, the perfect gentleman, pulled out the chair for Patricia.
"Thank you," she said after taking her seat.
Hunter scanned the QR code on the table with his phone for the menu and handed the phone to Patricia, "What would you like to eat?"
Patricia took the phone, ordering a sirloin steak, Thai beef curry rolls, and a cappuccino.
Hunter chose a filet mignon, a special Hawaiian pizza, an appetizer platter, and freshly made watermelon juice.
Once the order was successful, Hunter turned off his phone and placed it on the table, gently saying, "I remember you like pizza, so I ordered a Hawaiian pizza for us!"
"Do you still remember?" Patricia replied with an awkward smile.
As she recalled why she had arranged to meet him today, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt, uncertain of how to broach the subject.
Hunter quickly changed the topic, "What about Charles and Fannie? If I knew you hadn't invited them, I would have picked them up myself."
Patricia fabricated an excuse, saying, "They have homework to do at home today, no time."
Hunter expressed his surprise, "Homework in kindergarten?"
Patricia chuckled awkwardly and said, "Yes! Their kindergarten is quite strict!"
Hunter seemed oblivious to her discomfort. As he noticed a tall figure approaching briskly from a distance, a hint of malice flickered in his eyes. He deliberately gripped Patricia's hand tightly on the table.
"It's good they didn't come, as today is our first date since making our relationship official, so we should celebrate properly,” Hunter said, just loud enough for every single word to reach Martin's ears without missing a beat.
Martin's steps halted abruptly. The air seemed too thin around him.
His gaze fell on their clasped hands, his forehead's veins bulging. His heart felt as if it was being torn apart, bit by bit, the torment seeping into his bones and blood, almost too much to bear.
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