As M turned around, she instinctively frowned at the sight of the neer.
Nathaniel Pembroke.
Like Ryan, he was one of Lysander''s closest childhood friends and had quite a good rtionship with Giselle. Naturally, he wasn''t fond of her.
Although he didn''t care for her, unlike Ryan, he hadn''t physically harmed her. Yet, he never missed a chance to make her ufortable...
Thest time she had to visit Lysander at his private club because of Miranda, Nathaniel was there too. After all, that club was one of his properties.
But what was he doing here at the hospital?
Nathaniel was equally surprised to see M at the hospital. His gaze fell on the bandage on her forehead that hadn''t been removed yet, causing him to raise an eyebrow.
"Wow, you''ve really gone the extra mile for Lysander''s attention this time. Self- harm?"
M blinked, baffled. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Nathaniel stepped closer, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Don''t waste your time. Lysander has been spending all his days with Sis Giselle. Your little tricks won''t work. What''s not yours will never be yours."
M took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "So, why are you having a meltdown at me?"
Nathaniel was taken aback by her sharp retort, but she continued.
"Nathaniel, why don''t you get your head checked while you''re here? Conveniently, the neurology department is just a few steps away. Hurry up before you miss the chance and turn into aplete idiot. Then I''d be at fault, wouldn''t I?"
Nathaniel''s expression darkened.
M, not missing a beat, continued, "Oh, wait, do you need directions? Understandable!"
She looked around and grabbed a passing nurse. "Hi, this gentleman seems a bit lost. Could you help him find his way to neurology? Thanks a bunch!"
"M!"
Nathaniel''s face was stormy, about to retaliate, but she turned on her heel and walked away without a second nce.
Just as he was about to follow her, a young man with slightly curly hair ran up to M''s side. Nathaniel paused instinctively, his brow furrowing.
"Eugene?"
"What are those two doing together?"
Surprise flickered across his face, followed by a cryptic smile. "Seems like trash attracts trash."
Nearby, the nurse asked cautiously, "Sir, would you like me to show you the way to neurology?"
Nathaniel scowled, "No need!"
...
On the day M was discharged, Adrian, who had been cooped up at his great- grandfather''s house to recuperate, managed to sneak out.
Leaving the old mansion, he still felt a tinge of fear.
He''d nevere back here again!
Every visit resulted in an injury and disgusting medicine. It was madness!
Adrian patted the car seat and shouted at the driver, "Take me to Giselle''s ce. I need to see her!"
He didn''t want to go home.
During the miserable days at his great-grandfather''s house, his mom hadn''t called to check on him once. It was all her fault! She didn''t care about him at all, and he didn''t want to see her again!
Seeing his dad was even more daunting. After considering his options, hiding out at Giselle''s seemed best.
Before heading over, he had called Giselle. By the time he arrived, she was already waiting at her doorstep.
As soon as she saw him step out of the car, she rushed forward and pulled him into a hug.
"Oh dear, it''s all my fault. I didn''t realize your uncle was such a bad person, letting you suffer like this."
Her voice cracked, tears streaming down as she spoke.
Adrian hurried tofort her.
"It''s okay, Giselle. I''m fine now. Besides, you didn''t know they were bad. If anyone''s to me, it''s the bad apples on my mom''s side!"
Giselle''s lips twitched into a slight smile, and she softened her tone, consoling him
as they walked hand in hand toward the house.
Just before they entered, Adrian hesitated.
He was afraid his dad might be inside. His dad often visited this ce. Thest thing he wanted was to run into him.
Noticing his apprehension, Giselle smiled and tapped his cheek.
"Your dad isn''t here today. Besides, you can''t avoid him forever. You should talk things over; after all, you''re his son. No need to hold grudges between family."