His father was efficient. He called back shortly after with an answer. Someone had already intervened on the project''s behalf, though he didn''t say who. With the problem solved, Padgett had rushed over to the hospital to tell Noreen the news so she could recover without worry.


    It was, indeed, wonderful news. Noreen thanked him sincerely.


    Padgett''s attention, however, shifted to Dn, his eyes sizing him up with a distinctly male appraisal. Dn felt the scrutiny and met his gaze. For a moment, their eyes locked, sparking a silent battle that filled the room. In Noreen''s presence, however, they both maintained their gentlemanly demeanor.


    With one weight lifted from her shoulders, Noreen found another one settling in. Healy and Dn were already a handful. Now, with Padgett in the mix... she waspletely overwhelmed.


    As she was fretting, her doctor knocked and entered the room. He scanned the crowded space and said sternly, "The patient needs to rest. It''s not good for her to have so many people here. Visiting hours are over."


    That settled it. The three men had no choice but to say their goodbyes and leave.


    Finally, Noreen had some peace and quiet.


    Later that afternoon, Evelyn arrived with a container of nutritious, lovingly prepared food.


    "How did you know I was in the hospital?" Noreen asked.


    Evelyn was honest. "Seth told me."


    Noreen didn''t bother trying to guess Seth''s motives and left it at that. After they chatted for a while, she urged Evelyn to go home; she still had to make dinner for Wade. As Evelyn left, she promised toe back the next day and asked if there was anything specific Noreen wanted to eat. Knowing Evelyn''s persistent nature, Noreen requested two simple dishes, and Evelyn departed happily.


    On his way back from picking up takeout, Jude passed Evelyn hurrying out of the hospital, an empty food container in her hand. A thought crossed his mind: if Seth had already arranged for Evelyn to bring Bianca food, why didn''t he say anything? He''d gone out for nothing.


    But since he''d already bought the food, he took it to Bianca''s room, only to find she hadn''t eaten. He grew even more confused. Who was Evelyn bringing food


    to?


    For once, he had the sense not to mention it in front of Bianca. After saying his goodbyes, he left her room and called Seth. The phone rang until thest second before Seth picked up.


    "Seth, where are you?"


    "At the hospital."


    "I''m here too. I didn''t see you."


    "I''m with the doctor," Seth exined, adding after a beat, "Getting an update on her condition."


    Understanding dawned on Jude.


    Seth was still so attentive to Bianca''s needs He''d worked all day and then rushed straight to the hospital to consult with her doctor. Jude felt foolish for ever doubting him and quickly ended the call.


    Seth was indeed in a doctor''s office-just not Bianca''s.


    The doctor pointed to a brain scan on the light box. "Everything looks normal. No hematoma, no structural damage."


    "Then why did she faint?"


    "It was a moderate concussion, which inevitably affects the body. My initial diagnosis is autonomic nervous system dysfunction,pounded by the patient''s generally weak constitution and low


    vel


    immunity with proper rest and care


    she should recover fully."Content


    As Seth left the office, his phone rang. It was Bianca, asking why he hadn''t arrived yet.<fneb8b> Official source is Find1Novel</fneb8b>


    "I''m on my way," he said.


    But after hanging up, he walked directly toward Noreen''s room. She hadn''t been


    able to rest during the day, and the medication had finally pulled her into a deep sleep.


    ***