?Chapter 1022:


    Nobody from Gerald’s former regiment or the employees at the Spencer Group could recall thest time Gerald had seemed this cheerful.


    Gerald reached out and took Elena’s hand, his smile unmistakable. “I heard you were around, so I came over immediately. Hope I’m not getting in your way? And don’t worry—if anyone gives you a hard time, they’ll have to deal with me.”


    Elena let out augh. “You’re not disturbing me at all, Gerald. Honestly, it doesn’t make much difference whether I’m at this event or not.”


    As soon as Gerald realized she was free to leave, he wasted no time. “Perfect! Let’s not stick around. Have lunch with me, will you?” Before leaving the house, he had already asked the butler to prepare a meal using fresh ingredients brought in from the coast that morning—everything timed perfectly to be at its best by lunchtime.


    Gerald was fully prepared to whisk Elena away. Jonah tried stepping in a few times, but Gerald cut him off every single time.


    With Elena still nowhere to be seen, Finley stepped outside to investigate and immediately took in the scene.


    “Gerald,” Finley called out, “you’re not nning to steal away my guest, are you?”


    Finley and Gerald went way back. While the Boyd family couldn’t match the Spencer family in terms of influence, Finley was every bit as stubborn as Gerald.


    Gerald just shrugged. “And what if I am? You going to stop me?”


    The prospect of getting closer to Wesley’s future wife over a meal thrilled Gerald, and he was not going to let a crowded forum stand in his way. More than that, he wanted to get a read on Elena’s feelings toward that stubborn Wesley, and he hated the thought of Wesley facing life alone.


    But Gerald wasn’t the only one nning to pair his grandson up with Elena. Finley was just as determined, hoping Elena might be the perfect fit for his own grandson.


    Jonah was the Boyd family’s golden child—handsome, level-headed, never a troublemaker. And standing next to the Healer, he made quite the picture. Finley had no intention of letting Gerald whisk Elena away.


    Finley stroked his beard and let out a warm chuckle. “Gerald, my friend, joke as you please, but remember where you are. This isn’t just any gathering. The International Advanced Medical Practices Forum has brought together experts from every corner of the globe, and they’re all here to see the Healer. You can’t just take the Healer away and expect them to pack up and leave.”


    Gerald, a longtime friend and colleague of Elena’s mentor, had pieced together her true identity long ago but had chosen to feign ignorance, quietly supporting her from the shadows. With her true identity now out in the open, it was only natural that she had be everyone’s focus. Still, Gerald had already set his course.


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    “If that’s a problem, Finley, it’s yours to solve. Elena and I are having lunch together, and if anyone wants to object, they’re wee to try their luck.”


    The sheer boldness in Gerald’s voice made the moment almostical, and Elena couldn’t help but find his stubborn streak strangely endearing. Since when had he be this funny?


    Refusing to back off, Finley shifted his attention to Elena. “Miss Harper, would you mind if I asked a few medical questions? Your insight would mean a lot to me.”


    Despite their years, both Finley and Gerald were still aspetitive as ever, each determined to win Elena over in their own way. She found the whole thing unexpectedly amusing.


    A gentle smile crossed Elena’s face. “Mr. Boyd, feel free to jot down your questions and pass them on to me through Jonah. But right now, I’m taking my lunch.”


    Nothing could have pleased Gerald more. Elena had chosen him over Finley. Gerald saw through Finley’s intentions immediately and smirked. If Finley thought he could pair Elena with Jonah, that was nothing but wishful thinking on his part.


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