chapter29


    “Stop.”


    Jericho’s deep voice came from behind her.


    Romina stopped, turned back, and nced at him. “As long as


    the discharge procedures are done, I don’t need you to escort <ol><li> I can go back myself…” </li></ol>


    “Was what Joaquin said just now true?”


    The man strode closer, his brows filled with coldness.


    Romina looked up, her face expressionless. “What else could it


    be?”


    Jericho looked down at her, his bright eyes shining in the well-


    lit ward.


    A faint smile lingered at the corner of her lips, as if waiting for


    his response.


    Seeing the man remain silent, Romina gave a cold, thin smile.


    “You don’t actually think I’m trying to seduce Joaquin, do you?”


    As soon as she finished, Jericho’s lips curled into a mocking


    smile. “Seduce Joaquin? You think you’re worthy?”


    His voice was soft, yet full of insult.


    Romina’s expression darkened for a moment. She stared at him


    quietly, not responding.


    “Not to mention you’re useless, you’ve even been to prison,”


    Jericho said, his tone full of ridicule. “Everyone in the Bowman


    family knows how high Joaquin’s standards are. There are


    plenty of beautiful women around him, but what he values


    isn’t just looks and figure. You need something up here too.”


    The man raised his well-defined hand and tapped his forehead


    with his index finger.


    But Romina was not angered by his words.


    Her tone was calm: “If you can fancy Ms. Lambert, it shows


    your taste is not as good as Joaquin’s.”


    As her words fell, Jericho’s brows suddenly furrowed.


    A double-edged remark.


    Not only did she insult his taste, but also implied Nadinecked


    intelligence.


    “If you want to criticize me, just say it. Why drag Nadine into


    it?”


    Jericho looked at her with displeasure, trying to grab her elbow


    to get a clear answer.


    But Romina reacted quickly, stepping back and turning to


    leave.


    The man’s cursing voice came from behind, but Romina had no


    intention of responding, her steps already taking her into the


    corridor.


    When Romina reached the hospital entrance, she saw a figure


    sh by in a hurry.


    She quickly called out, “Elly.”


    At the sound, Elliana’s hurried figure suddenly stopped.


    When she turned and saw Romina, she was momentarily


    stunned. “Romi, weren’t you waiting for me in the ward? Why did you suddenlye out?”


    “I waited for you for a long time and didn’t see youe, so I


    asked Joaquin toe instead, but then Jericho showed up


    too.”


    Romina moved a little closer, her face beaming with a smile as


    she looked at her.


    “Sorry, Romi,” Elliana apologized to her. “That job was too


    important, I couldn’t get out of it. I didn’t even have time to call


    you, I just rushed over as soon as I could.”


    “It’s all right.”


    “So where are they?”


    Elliana looked around, but didn’t see anyone.


    “It’s a long story,” Romina turned to look at her. “It’s almost noon


    anyway. Are you hungry? Let’s go get something to eat!”


    “Okay”


    The two of them chose a restaurant near the hospital, ordered


    two simple stir-fried dishes, and sat down to eat.


    During the meal, they started talking about Lina.


    “That child, I heard she really was sent back to the orphanage.”


    Romina’s hand holding the fork suddenly paused. “You’ve


    already found Lina’s biological father?”


    “I found him, but the child isn’t with him. She really was sent to


    an orphanage. As for which one, I don’t know yet. I’ll have to


    investigate further.”


    “You’ve really worked hard, Elly…”


    “It’s nothing, we’re family, no need to be so polite.”


    As soon as Elliana finished speaking, Romina was distracted by


    a shout from outside the door.


    “Don’t crowd around the car, it’s dangerous!”


    “Move aside! Stop pushing me, will you!”


    “Ms. Lambert, I really like you! I love your movies too, can I


    have your autograph?”


    “I want an autograph too, please sign one for me as well!”


    ***


    Across the street was a hotel, with arge crowd of fans


    gathered at the entrance.


    cha


    Romina looked through the ss window and immediately


    recognized that familiar car, as well as the woman being adored


    by the crowd.


    It was Nadine.


    The car that came to pick her up was Jericho’s.


    Although the rear windows of the Cayenne were tinted and


    nothing could be seen inside.


    But Romina knew that man was definitely in the car.


    He had just left the hospital, and now he was picking up


    another woman.


    Who would have thought, Jericho really is a master of time


    management!


    After Nadine was escorted into the car by her bodyguards, the


    Cayenne drove off amid the cheers of the fans.


    “That must be Jericho’s car, right?”


    “Yeah!”


    Romina lifted her gaze and softly responded to Elliana across


    from her.