Noreen nodded.


    He hesitated for a moment. "Since you don''t have anyone with you, why don''t I stay? It''s always good to have someone around."


    "Really, I''m fine. It''s just an IV drip. I can handle it. I''ve done it by myself many times before."


    That was the wrong thing to say. A look of pain shed across Carman''s face. "That was before," he said softly. "You don''t have to be so strong all the time now."


    An awkward silence fell between them. In the end, Noreen gently insisted that he go back to work. InnoCore was in the middle of its IPO preparations, and she knew he was busy.


    Carman had just left when Healy arrived, carrying arge bouquet of sunflowers. Noreen had no idea how he had found out she was in the hospital.


    "I heard the news as soon as Inded," he said, frowning with concern. "I came straight here. How did this happen?”


    "There was an incident in Glenhaven City," Noreen said, offering no further details.


    Healy could tell she didn''t want to talk about it, so he didn''t press, simply urging her to rest. Health, he reminded her, was the most important thing.


    Noreen assumed he would leave after delivering his well-wishes, but instead, he settled onto the sofa and pulled out his phone. After a few moments of silence, Noreen cleared her throat. "Aren''t you busy, Mr. Healy?"


    "Of course, I am," he replied without looking up.


    "Then perhaps you should get back to your work?"


    "It''s fine. Work will always be there. I''ll stay with you while you get your IV."


    Noreen was speechless. Had she been too subtle?


    In truth, Healy knew exactly what she meant. He was just pretending not to understand. The first rule of pursuing a woman was to have a thick skin. You had to stick to her like glue to even have a chance A man who was too concerned with


    with


    his pride would never withe girl. It was a lesson he had learned through years of experience.


    "I can manage on my own," Noreen tried again. "And the nurses here are very attentive. I don''t need anyone to stay with me."


    Healy just smiled. "I know. But you''re a woman, not a machine. No one wants to


    be alone when they''re sick. If my being here makes you ufortable, I can wait outside."


    Noreen sighed in defeat. There was no arguing with someone like him. *Fine,* she thought, closing her eyes to rest. *Let him stay.*


    She had barely drifted off when


    another visitor arrived. Dn Wilder rushed in, stopping short when he saw Healy. The two men locked eyes a silent understanding passing between them. Healy''s friendly demeanor vanished, reced by a cool indifference. Dn feturned the sentiment.


    Ignoring Healy, Dn immediately turned his attention to Noreen, his voice filled with concern as he asked about her condition Noreen gave him the same vague answer she had given Healy.


    "Next time you travel for work, bring a male colleague for security, or hire a bodyguard," Dn advised. "Safety should alwayse first."


    Sophia had already suggested the same thing; she had probably posted the job listing by now.


    Dn showed no signs of leaving either. He pulled out his phone and called his housekeeper, instructing her to make a nourishing chicken soup and bring it to the hospital.


    Noreen silently patted her stomach, which was still full from Carman''s soup, and politely declined.


    Before Dn could protest, Healy cut in. "Then how about some fish soup? My chef makes an incredible one. I''ll have him send some over right away!"


    Noreen wanted to scream. She didn''t want any more soup!<fn3ea2> For original chapters go to Find[?]ovel</fn3ea2>


    Dn shot Healy a look of smug superiority. "Noreen doesn''t like fish soup." Healy fell silent.