Her hand gripping the steering wheel involuntarily tightened, and her expression suddenly darkened.


    After opening the door and walking inside, she looked around but didn’t see any sign of the


    man.


    She thought he might be in her grandfather’s room, but when she opened the door, only the butler and Lenora were inside.


    “You’re here?”


    Lenora’s voice was deep, her gaze fixed on Romina, scrutinizing her constantly.


    Romina nced at her a few more times, feeling that Lenora’s look was somehow different from usual, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what had changed.


    When the check–up was over, Lenora asked tentatively, “How are the results?”


    “The situation is fairly stable. Continue with the regimen I suggested, and he should gradually improve.”


    Romina stood up from the bedside and began packing up the medical kit.


    “Alright.” Lenora studied her for a moment, then said calmly, “Why don’t you stay for dinner tonight?”


    Romina’s heart suddenly leapt into her throat.


    If she agreed to stay for dinner, she would definitely run into Joaquin…


    She refused without hesitation. “No need, I have other things to do tonight.”


    Lenora nodded thoughtfully, and when she saw Romina heading out, she quickly followed.


    Just as Romina was about to go downstairs, Lenora’s voice suddenly called out from behind. “Romina.”


    Hearing her name, Romina abruptly stopped and turned to look at Lenora. “What is it?”


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    “Come with me, I have a few things I want to say to you…”


    Lenora didn’t even finish her sentence before heading straight toward the end of the corridor.


    Romina’s brows furrowed slightly, and a vague sense of uncase welled up inside her.


    After a few seconds of thought, she decided to follow.


    The two of them stood by the window at the end of the corridor, neither speaking.


    Finally, Lenora broke the silence. “Romina, what is your rtionship with Joaquin?”


    As soon as she asked, Romina’s heart began to race.


    Her mind quickly reyed the past, wondering if she had slipped up at some point.


    But she soon dismissed the thought.


    She tried her best to remain calm. “Mrs. Lenora Bowman, do you hear what you’re asking? Other than being rtives, what else could there be between Joaquin and me?”


    “I saw you and Joaquining out of Jericho’s room together that day.” Lenora’s expression was as dark as could be. “Don’t you think you owe me an exnation?”


    The heavy weight in Romina’s heart finally eased.


    So that scene had been witnessed by her.


    Thankfully, she hadn’t seen them kissing or anything even more inappropriate…


    Romina decided to tell the truth. “That day, I had an argument with Jericho. He got physical with me in the room, grabbing my neck. Uncle Joaquin interrupted him–he was probably worried about me, so he came in to check on me.”


    After hearing her exnation, Lenora’s gaze grew even darker.


    Her eyes still held a trace of doubt, as if she didn’t quite believe Romina’s words.


    Romina gave a cold, sharp smile. “Otherwise, Mrs. Lenora Bowman, what other kind of rtionship do you think I could possibly have with Uncle Joaquin?”


    “Mrs. Lenora Bowman? You and Jericho aren’t divorced yet. Shouldn’t you call me ‘Mom“?”


    “In my heart, we stopped being husband and wife a long time ago. He’s the one dragging out the divorce.” Romina’s voice was icy and indifferent. “I don’t think there’s any need for me to


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    call you ‘Mom‘,”


    “You…”


    Lenora was so angry she could barely contain herself, her face flushed with irritation.


    “I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll excuse myself.”


    With that, she quickly turned and headed straight for the stairs.


    From the moment she arrived to the moment she was about to leave, Romina hadn’t seen Joaquin at all. She assumed he hadn’te back and that his car was just parked there temporarily.


    But as she reached her car, the back seat of the car in front suddenly opened from the inside.


    The moment she saw the man, she froze.


    Had he been sitting in the car the whole time?


    Joaquin quickly approached her. “How did the check–up go?”


    Meeting his deep, shimmering eyes, Romina instinctively swallowed.


    After a moment topose herself, she replied softly, “The situation is basically stable now, but regr check–ups are still necessary. I’lle by on schedule.”


    The man lowered his gaze and watched her silently, saying nothing.


    Romina asked tentatively, “Have you been sitting in the car this whole time? Didn’t you go up to see Grandpa?”


    “I came over this afternoon, and only got into the car two minutes before


    you


    arrived…”


    Joaquin spoke in a calm tone, his eyes softening a little.


    Romina nodded gently, then opened the car door.


    The next second, the man’s broad palm closed her door directly: “Ms. Sandoval, don’t you still owe me a meal?”


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