<h4>Chapter 353: The Tampered Phone</h4>


    "Boss, how about I tell her to give you a call?"


    Sensing the tense atmosphere, John quickly suggested in a low voice.


    "No need!"


    Eric cut him off coldly, leaving John frowning on the other end. What’s going on with the boss and E now? Are they arguing again?


    With Eric in a foul mood, John didn’t dare notify E without permission, especially since Eric had called to check on her himself before.


    Meanwhile, E was sitting on a sofa in Henry’s hospital room, her face clouded with worry. Lauren sat by the bed, gently pressing her hand to Henry’s forehead.


    "Henry, please get better soon, will you? Every time I see you like this, I..." Lauren’s voice trailed off, as the handsome man lying in bed appeared as lifeless as a statue, his injured face starkly haunting.


    E leaned back, feeling drained. Henry had ended up in this condition because of her, and now she was at odds with Eric. And to top it off, he wasn’t even answering her calls!


    Damn it. Was she destined to have such rotten luck? She was certain it was all that woman’s doing.


    Clenching her lips tightly, E resisted the urge to call Eric again.


    She slowly stood up, gazing at Henry’s unresponsive face.


    "Henry, wake up soon, or else... things between me and your brother are only going to get worse. If you could just wake up, maybe we could start to make things right."


    "I’ve always believed you were a kind person who thinks of others first. No matter what happens, if you just open your eyes, I’ll be happy. You have your own life, and you shouldn’t be lying here for my sake, with your future slipping away. It’s a terrible fate."


    A pang hit E as she recalled a story she’d read about a woman in another country who’d been assaulted, leftatose, and spent her life as a vegetable, only to die in bed decadester.


    That woman was just twenty-five when it happened—her whole life ahead of her, tragically halted in its prime.


    E certainly didn’t want Henry to end up like that, which was why she was so set on bringing him home to recover quickly.


    Lauren, in tears, whispered, "Henry, did you hear that? E’s right—you have your own life... even if you don’t love me, you can still find someone better..."


    E patted Lauren’s back gently. "Don’t cry. He wouldn’t want to see you like this."


    Sniffling, Lauren muttered, "If you don’t wake up, I’m done with you!"


    Henryy there, silent as wax, unmoved and distant.


    E spoke at length to him, even mentioning her conflicts with Eric. But with no response, she wasn’t hopeful he could hear any of it.


    When E left the room, it was already past seven. She and Lauren had arrived around six, but only now did she feel hunger creeping in.


    After some discussion, she and Lauren decided to grab dinner at a restaurant nearby.


    Just as they began their meal, a striking couple entered, drawing nces from nearby diners.


    "Well, well, Miss Davis, fancy seeing you here. What a coincidence!"


    Be’s voice drifted over, and E looked up, her cool gaze meeting Be’s as she nodded faintly. "Miss Rodriguez. What a coincidence."


    Beside Be stood Mason.


    "E, it’s packed here. How about we sit with you?" Mason’s smile was warm, with a hint of smugness in his expression.


    He knew all about E’s rift with Eric. As to how he knew, Mason had his ways.


    E gave him a frosty look, recalling that Lauren didn’t like private rooms, which was why they were dining out here.


    "There’s plenty of private rooms avable, Mr. Scott. Perhaps you should move there. Honestly, just looking at you makes me feel sick, so please don’t ruin my mood here."


    E let out a coldugh, no longer bothering to keep up any pretense as she eyed Mason’s smug expression.


    Mason’s face darkened. "Miss Davis, just because you had a fight with Mr. Nelson doesn’t mean you need to take it out on me."


    Lauren’s eyes went wide. "How do you even know about that?"


    E pursed her lips, her gaze sharp with mockery. "Mr. Scott is like an octopus, reaching into everyone’s business. His skill at clinging to people is unmatched. Besides, Miss Rodriguez is your girlfriend, so dining with us is hardly appropriate."


    E didn’t spare him any courtesy. She’d avoided him before, refusing his advances time and again, but he shamelessly kepting back, undeterred.


    At this, Mason coolly released Be’s hand and dered, "Miss Rodriguez and I have broken up."


    He said it with ease, pulling out the chair next to E and settling in calmly.


    E’s face flushed with anger, while Be took a deep breath and quietly sat down as well.


    Lauren was stunned. What kind of heart does this woman have? Mason had just publicly dered their breakup, yet she calmly joined them as if nothing had happened.


    Be, everposed, offered a polite smile and said, "Miss Davis, Mr. Scott and I are simply friends now. If you don’t mind, we’d love to join you for dinner."


    E couldn’t help but admire her poise! To be so publicly humiliated yet manage to maintain herposure—only someone from a prestigious family could endure such a situation with grace. Byparison, Mason seemed petty and vindictive.


    Be smiled graciously, her voice gentle but probing. "I heard Mr. Nelson is on a business trip. Are you home alone, Miss Davis?"


    "Mm." E responded coolly. If Be could act this magnanimous, then so could she.


    "Well, as far as I know, Mr. Nelson is likely being entertained by some lovelypany right now." Mason sneered. "I told you, E—one day you’ll find yourself running to me. Mark my words!"


    Heughed wickedly, fully aware that both E’s and Eric’s phones were custom-made by a top-tierpany from Country W. He’d even stumbled upon a few secrets regarding them.


    Their current conflict? Those phones yed no small part in it.


    E’s expression hardened as she suddenly picked up her bowl of soup and threw it straight at Mason!


    Though the soup wasn’t scalding, Mason was left utterly stunned. Soup dripped down his hair, his once-sleek style now a greasy, wet mess.


    The normally suave Mason now looked like a drenched rooster.


    Be shrieked, quickly grabbing a napkin to help Mason wipe off the soup.


    Lauren nearly burst outughing, covering her mouth just in time. She’d heard about Mason before, but this was her first time meeting him, and she already found him repulsive.


    Mason’s face darkened, fury slowly recing his shock.


    "Miss Davis, what is the meaning of this? We’re just here, taking up two seats, and you go and pour soup all over Mr. Scott? How petty and malicious can you be?"