Having Healy around was awkward enough for Noreen.
Now, with Dn added to the mix, it was bing unbearable.<fn943b> Readplete version only at Find[?]ovel</fn943b>
Didn''t these people have jobs? They were the heads of major corporations, yet they seemed to have nothing better to do than hover over her hospital bed.
A bizarrepetition had sprung up between them. If one of them peeled an apple for her, the other would immediately rush to pour her a ss of water. If she so much as reached for something, they would both swarm her, asking if she needed help. The slightest shift in her position had them asking if she was ufortable or if they should call a doctor. They were like hawks, watching each other''s every move, terrified of falling a step behind.
Just when Noreen''s headache was reaching its peak, another visitor arrived.
For the first time in her life, she was actually happy to see Jude Wilder.
Jude had been sent by his father to check on Noreen, and he was clearly surprised to find both Dn and Healy there.
He looked at Healy,pletely baffled. "Weren''t you supposed to be at that industry summit? I called youst night to hang out, and you said you wouldn''t be back for another two weeks."
Healy didn''t show the slightest hint of guilt at being caught. "Something came up. I had toe back early."
"What could possibly be more important than the summit?" Jude pressed, his confusion growing.
Healy simply stopped responding.
Jude''s gaze then shifted to Dn. "And you, Dn, why did you suddenly cancel the quarterly meeting? I was already at the Omniva Group headquarters when I got the notice."
"Something urgent came up, so I canceled it," Dn said with a casual shrug. "What could be more important than Omniva Group''s quarterly meeting?" Dn deflected, changing the subject. "Are you here to see Ms. Gilmore too?" Jude finally seemed to remember his purpose. "Oh, right. My dad heard Ms. Gilmore was in the hospital and sent me to pay her a visit. He hopes you have a speedy recovery, Ms. Gilmore."
"Please thank Mr. Wilder for me," Noreen replied politely.
Jude didn''t stay long. He always felt an inexplicable nervousness around Noreen and quickly made an excuse to leave, which Noreen dly epted.
As he was leaving, however, he called out to Dn, saying he needed to talk to him about something.
The moment they stepped out of the room, Jude said, "Bianca is also a patient here. Let''s go visit her together."
"I have something to do, so I can''t make it. Just get an extra gift from me when you pick something out."
Jude frowned. "What could be more important than visiting Bianca?"
Dn didn''t answer. Instead, he turned and walked back into Noreen''s room.
Left with no choice, Jude went to see Bianca by himself, but he followed Dn''s instructions and bought two gifts.
Bianca was pleased to have a visitor, and her mother, Yvonne, personally poured Jude a cup of tea.
"Please, Mrs. Lowell, don''t go to any
trouble. Bianca and I are friends,''
Jude said. "I brought some
supplements to help with her recovery. This basket is from me, and this one is from Dn
Bianca finally lifted her eyes. "He didn''te?"
"Oh, he''s a little busy and couldn''t get away. He asked me to send his regards."
The light in Bianca''s expression dimmed. She said nothing more and didn''t spare the gifts another nce.
Jude stayed for a while longer.
"Jude, why don''t you take Bianca out for a walk?" Yvonne suggested. "She''s been cooped up in this room all day, and I''m worried she''ll get cabin fever."
"Of course," Jude agreed readily. "The weather''s perfect for it."
It was indeed a beautiful day, and the hospital''s garden was dotted with people enjoying the sunshine Jude pushed Bianca''s wheelchair along the winding path, and her spirits gradually lifted as they made small talk.
She casually asked about the situation at Seymour Group.
Jude chose his words carefully. "Noreen''s team has moved into their offices and is in the process of
auditing the books and liquidating know all the details,
assets: don''t know
though."
***