Chapter516He's Still A Virgin
A week later, the news of Martin's death was temporarily kept under wraps by Mr. and Mrs. Langley and withheld from public knowledge.
Patricia's emotions gradually steadied, and while she occasionally clutched Martin's clothes, silently shedding tears, the outbursts of deep sorrow had subsided, and she ceased any self-harm.
After spending some time in the hospital, Shane was confirmed to be in good health and discharged. Having composed herself, Patricia went to the hospital to pick him up.
As Patricia busied herself packing up, Shane was visibly concerned. “Hey, you can find all this stuff outside. Why bother taking it home?”
Patricia continued her task. “It's still good; might as well put it to use.”
“Let Jeremy pack it up. I want a talk with you,” Shane said.
Patricia, still focused on her task, folded Shane’s clothes neatly, stacking them in the luggage. “Nah, let me handle it.”
Shane wanted to add more, but a pair of hands came to rest on his shoulders. He looked up to see Riley standing beside him.
Riley, head bowed, shook his head at him and whispered in a voice meant for just the two of them, “Let her be. Being busy keeps the mind from dwelling on things better left unthought.”
Shane stayed silent, allowing Patricia to continue her bustle alone.
As Patricia finished up, Eva walked in, clad in her white coat and wearing a face mask.
"Patricia, you made it! Are you helping Mr. Shane pack his bags?"
Patricia paused, nodding. "Yeah! Are you on day shift today?"
Eva beamed. "I was scheduled for the night shift, but when I heard Mr. Shane was discharged today, I swapped shifts with a coworker."
Patricia looked puzzled. She had no idea. When had Eva become so close to Grandpa?
Mr. Shane chuckled warmly. "Eva here is quite knowledgeable; at my age, it's rare to find someone I can have a proper conversation with, especially a young lady. She's a great conversationalist, able to discuss any topic.”
Eva blushed at the praise. "Oh, it's nothing! I'm a bit curious about many things, but I've only scratched the surface. If we dive deeper, I'll be lost."
Mr. Shane laughed heartily. "Modesty isn't necessary. It's rare to meet a learned young woman like you. You even know about boring stuff like astronomy."
Eva playfully stuck out her tongue. "Mr. Shane, stop it! You're embarrassing me."
Shane enjoyed her candor and glanced at his three grandsons in the room. "I really like you! How about becoming my granddaughter-in-law? Pick any one of my grandsons, and he's yours."
Sebastian, who had been silent on the sofa, looked stunned. Riley was perplexed, as was Patricia.
Jeremy spat out the water he was drinking, protesting, "What are we, cabbages? Shouldn't you ask us how we feel first?"
Mr. Shane gave him a dismissive glance. "Don't worry; she'll never pick you! Look at yourself. What do you have besides a pretty face? You're neither as steady as Riley nor as capable as Sebastian."
Jeremy's face darkened. "Grandpa, I'm your grandson. Do you have to be so harsh? What about my dignity?"
Mr. Shane didn't want to waste words on him and turned eagerly back to Eva. "So, what do you think? Got your eye on someone? Just tell me, and I'll make it happen."
Eva didn't beat around the bush when she liked someone. She went after what she wanted straightforwardly.
Her gaze settled firmly on Riley, and without hesitation, she declared, "I've set my sights on Riley, Grandpa. Hand him over to me!"
Both Patricia and Riley were stunned.
Jeremy had just wiped the water droplets from around his mouth and taken another sip, only to spit it back out again.
Sebastian looked at him with a disgusted expression. Shane also rolled his eyes at him dramatically.
Riley, not often caught in an awkward moment, coughed twice. "Miss Lowell, I—"
Shane chimed in, "Absolutely. Let me tell you, though Riley might be a bit on the older side, he's never been in a relationship and is still a virgin."
Riley's hand trembled, wishing he could just disappear into the ground.
"Grandpa!" His voice was a bit louder than intended
Eva's gaze playfully twirled around Riley, teasingly saying, "Still a virgin, huh?"
Riley was speechless.
Shane nodded vigorously, like a salesman desperate to close a deal, pitching Riley. "Yes, yes, yes, still fresh. You won't have any of those jealous squabbles or backstabbing dramas. You're sure to be supremely happy."
Initially, Eva was merely attracted to Riley's good looks, a slight crush at best. Now, however, she developed a genuine and strong interest in him.
"Thank you for the kind offer, Grandpa! I'm honored, but I'll pursue my crush myself. Believe in me. I'm sure I can win him over."
With these words, she pulled out her phone and offered it to Riley. "Let's exchange numbers on WhatsApp, shall we?"
"Sorry, I don't add numbers from women I don't know."
Eva wasn't offended. Instead, she turned to Shane. "Mr. Shane, let's continue our conversation about your virgin grandson! I think—"
"Okay, I’ll do it!" Riley abruptly took out his phone.
He had lived for over thirty years, and this was the first time he had felt coerced like this. And all the while, he felt he couldn't retaliate because the other party was a woman.
Eva, thoroughly satisfied, added Riley on WhatsApp. Before leaving, she didn't forget to warn, "Be sure not to delete me, or else I'll have a good chat with Mr. Shane about you."
Finished with her piece, she gave Patricia a sly wink. "Patricia, let's catch up when you're free! I've got to go. Bye."
After she left, Jeremy, holding back his laughter to the point of stomach pain, doubled over on the bed, rolling in laughter, tears almost spilling from his eyes.
"Virgin... hahaha... Riley's still a virgin... hahaha... hahaha... My handsome and talented big bro, a virgin... wow, hahaha..."
Sebastian pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose. Although he tried to laugh with restraint, his shoulders kept shaking, betraying his true feelings. Even Patricia couldn't help but join Jeremy in laughter.
The whole hospital ward was filled with cheerful laughter and banter. The clouds of worry looming over everyone seemed to scatter at that moment. The atmosphere was rarefied, relaxed, and harmonious.
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