Chapter 2973


    "Okay," Lulu said, turning to leave the office. She nearly bumped into Er just outside.


    Noticing Er''s haggard look, Lulu frowned with concern." Why do you look so tired?"


    "You''re here," Er replied, a tired note in his voice as he walked into the office.


    His eyes widened slightly when he saw Nicole inside." Nicole, what are you doing here?"


    "I heard from Lulu you weren''t feeling well. Came to check on you," Nicole said, her gaze lingering on


    Er.


    Er felt an ufortable twinge of guilt. Trying to mask any strangeness, he said, a bit stiffly, "No, just


    busy, that''s all. Just tired."


    Nicole''s eyes narrowed a fraction. "You look more than just tired," she said, skepticismcing her


    words. She wasn''t buying the mere fatigue story.


    Er, now more nervous, gave a forced chuckle. "What else would it be? Honestly, just tired." He


    gestured to the mountain of paperwork on his desk. "See? So much worktely. Some I can''t even


    finish in one day."


    "It''s not the work that''s keeping you from finishing. You''re spending time with Patricia," Lulu said,


    teasing him with a knowing smile.


    "Yea... I just went to see her," Er admitted, a hint of embarrassment in his tone.


    His reaction only solidified Lulu''s suspicion. Smiling, she added, "We shouldn''t pry into your personal


    life, but don''t let it affect your work, and also..."


    "And what?" Er asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.


    Inwardly, he was strategizing, trying to mislead Nicole. ''If she thinks I''m just preupied with Patricia,


    she won''t suspect the truth,'' he thought.


    He wondered what Lulu was about to say.


    "You know Patricia''s situation and her feelings for you. You should really think it through," Lulu advised,


    her voice tinged with concern.


    They all knew how Er felt about Patricia, and Patricia had been clear about her feelings. Er needed


    to be ready for that.


    "I''m aware. I''m not expecting anything from her. I just think she needs someone to stand by her now.


    After she recovers, I’ll step back, just wishing her happiness," Er said, a rare seriousness in his


    voice.


    He was doing all this for Patricia without expecting anything in return. He just wanted to be there for


    her, hoping for her happiness in the end.


    Lulu sighed, shaking her head, at a loss for further advice for Er.


    Nicole cast a concerned look at Er. "Even if you''re just keeping herpany, you shouldn’t be this


    drained. Let me check you out."


    She motioned for Er toe closer for a quick check.


    Er''s heart raced. He''d thought Nicole was falling for the cover story about Patricia, but she seemed


    undeterred by it.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    A wave of panic washed over him, and he broke into a cold sweat. ''I can''t let Nicole examine me. If she


    does, she''ll uncover everything, and my ns will be ruined,'' he thought frantically.


    In a sudden move, Er clutched his stomach. "My stomach... it hurts. You guys sit, I''ll be right back,"


    he blurted out and dashed out of the room.


    "Did he eat something bad?" Lulu asked, puzzled.


    Maybe," Nicole replied, her brow furrowed slightly.


    "I thought he was just overworked, but maybe it''s just stomach trouble," Lulu shrugged, turning to


    Nicole. "Doesn''t seem like anything too serious."


    "Yeah," Nicole nodded. "A little medicine and rest should do. " She seemed convinced it was a minor


    issue.


    When Er returned, Nicole didn''t mention checking on him again, much to his silent relief.