Raphael POV
6:00 p.m.
In Royal Group.
The sun was about to set. The clouds were gorgeous and stunningly beautiful.
I stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, raised my wrist to glance at my watch, and my eyes grew cold.
I had put off my entire afternoon schedule in order to talk about cooperation with Araceli, but she had actually stood me up.
This was the first time someone had been so bold as to ignore my offer of cooperation.
Very good...
I would remember that.
"Mr. Lancaster, Ms. Chancey's secretary just called."
My secretary stood in the doorway and said politely.
I glanced at her, only to feel annoyed. "Tell her that I'm in a meeting."
My secretary, Laurel Bayler, nodded and turned to leave at a brisk pace.
I suddenly thought of something and called out to her, "Wait, Ms. Chancey? Which one?"
I subconsciously thought "Ms. Chancey" was Melany, forgetting that Araceli's last name was also "Chancey".
Laurel replied cautiously, "Ms. Araceli Chancey said she had an incident this afternoon and couldn't come to the office to talk to you about cooperation, Mr. Lancaster."
I breathed a sigh of relief. The fact that she called meant that she hadn't forgotten her appointment with me.
What had happened to her?
"Call over and ask what happened to her."
"OK, Mr. Lancaster."
Laurel bowed to me slightly, turned around and walked out, closing the door gently.
I picked up the phone on the desk slowly.
When the call was answered, I heard Araceli's voice.
"Hello, Ms. Chancey, this is Laurel Bayler, the secretary of Royal Group. May I ask what happened to you this afternoon?"
Araceli's somewhat tired voice came. "I feel a little ill and am in the hospital. I'm really sorry, Ms. Bayler."
"Don't be, Ms. Chancey. When you feel better, you can contact me again."
Was she sick?
I frowned slightly, hung up the phone, and walked out.
Laurel hung up the phone and was about to turn around and knock on my office door when she saw me standing behind her.
Laurel was startled and said, "Mr. Lancaster, Ms. Chancey is sick and is in the hospital. I don't think she'll be able to come over today."
I nodded my head and headed for the elevator.
I didn't expect Laurel to catch up with me and say, "Mr. Lancaster, part of your meetings for this afternoon is scheduled for 7:00 this evening. And there's a meeting in half an hour."
"Postpone these arrangements until tomorrow."
I got into the elevator and pressed the door-closing button.
Laurel looked at me confused and sweaty.
I walked to the garage, got into my car, and sped all the way to the hospital Laurel had sent me a location.
Soon, I arrived there. I got out of the car and walked toward the hospital. I asked the hospital reception desk staff for Araceli's ward number and immediately went over there.
Wait...
Why did that little boy look so familiar?
I suddenly stopped in my tracks.
He looked so much like Micah.
He seemed to be walking to Araceli's ward as well.
I remembered. He seemed to be the little boy Araceli was holding that day.
Was this her son?
I took a few steps and reached the door of Araceli's hospital room.
I hadn't thought much about it when I arrived, but when I stood in front of the ward, I suddenly felt a bit baffled.
I had nothing to do with this woman. What was my reason for coming to see her so suddenly?
I began to mull over a perfect excuse in my head subconsciously.
Most of all, I didn't realize why I had come here.
It was as if everything was driven by fate.
However, since I was already here, I wouldn't run away. I was not a man who liked to quit halfway.
Besides, what did I have to be afraid of?
I was about to knock on the door when I noticed that the door of the ward was not closed. I could just see the woman lying on the bed through the doorway.
Araceli was lying on the bed, her face pale. Her long seaweed-like hair was spread out behind her neck, making her skin look fair and smooth.
She seemed to be smiling. Her lips were pale pink.
I felt my heart suddenly skip a beat for a moment.
Araceli was indeed very beautiful. Actually, she was more beautiful than any woman I had ever seen.
For the first time, I realized that a woman could be so attractive to me.
I reached out my hand and gently pushed open the door of the hospital room.
And then...
I saw a man in a suit, sitting by the hospital bed, talking about something. He handed a glass of water to Araceli's mouth, while she opened her mouth slightly and drank the water.
Surprisingly, I felt particularly annoyed in my heart.
I stared at him and saw him staring back at me.
Then, I glanced at the little boy.
He did look very similar to Micah. What was his name? Krish, was it?
Krish looked up at me and walked into the room.
Krish said, "Daddy, the doctor said we can't check out today. Tonight, you can stay with Mommy at the hospital."
I was a little shocked. Could this man be his daddy?
To be honest, I didn't think he looked like a nice guy...
I frowned slightly, as the man's eyes were clearly wide, and he looked shocked as well.
However, after his eyes landed on me, he instantly burst out laughing.
The man got up and lifted Krish up. "Krish, good boy. Of course, I'll stay with Mommy. But could you teach Valeria to call me Daddy? Her voice is so cute and sweet."
He smiled, and took Valeria, who was sitting on the bed, into his arms as well.
I felt a little uncomfortable and was ready to turn away.
Araceli had given this man a son and a daughter.
I admitted, I somehow felt a little jealous.
This man was the father of these two cute children!
I sneered inwardly. I drove half an hour to meet her, and it was like a huge joke.
An endless feeling of irritation and uneasiness came from my heart.
I used all my strength to suppress the emotions and said coldly, "Come to my office at Royal Group tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. to talk about our cooperation. If you stand me up again, I will never consider cooperating with you again."
I said, turned around and left.
Suddenly, Krish jumped out of the man's arms, and Valeria also jumped out and ran towards me.
"Valeria, Krish! Where are you going?"