Wiping his forehead nervously, Dr. Wale stammered, "Young Master, please don't tease me! You're the only son of the CEO-X Group will be yours one day. I... I wouldn't dare disobey you!"
"Hmph! At least Dr. Wale knows which way the wind blows." Xavier replied coolly. "There's a saying: 'Prepare for a rainy day.' I'm sure you've heard it. Since you understand X Group will eventually be mine, then I assume I don't need to spell out what you should be doing right now?"
"Yes, yes, of course!" Dr. Wale no longer dared to refuse. He braced himself and asked, "Young Master, when will your friend arrive? I'll make arrangements immediately to have the staff ready for intake."
With a slight smirk, Xavier didn't answer right away. Instead, he said, "And my father...?"
"Don't worry!" Dr. Wale replied as he continued wiping away sweat. "Regarding the CEO-I'll keep my lips sealed. Not a word will leak from me!"
"Hmm. Dr. Wale, you're truly a thoughtful and capable man."
On the surface, it sounded like praise, but it made Dr. Wale feel a sudden chill down his spine.
"You flatter me, sir. I don't deserve such words. Serving you is my duty."
"As long as you remember that." Xavier said lightly. "My friend is already on the way. Should be there in about ten minutes."
"Oh, okay! And... the patient's condition?"
Xavier furrowed his brow and hesitated for a moment before replying, "Accidental overdose on sleeping pills. She's in a coma."
"What?! Sl-sleeping pills?!"
At that moment, Dr. Wale wanted nothing more than to slap himself.
He deeply regretted agreeing to treat this patient-and keep it secret.
Sleeping pills, and in large doses? How could that be an accident?!
Who would take that kind of stuff for fun?
Clearly a suicide attempt!
But the words were already spoken. He couldn't-and didn't dare-go back on his promise. He could only force himself to respond, "Understood. I'll have the staff prepare gastric lavage equipment immediately."
Xavier said no more and hung up the phone.
He turned and walked back to the still-unaware Serena.
Leaning over and seeing her still reading online comments about Celia, he gently took the tablet from her hands and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Don't keep reading this nonsense. It'll only ruin your mood."
Serena spoke worriedly, "The comments are overwhelmingly against Celia Some of them are horribly vicious. You should stop this now before it gets out of control and something worse happens."
"Okay. I got it."
As he replied, he was already drafting a message to Falcon on his phone:
"Suspend all actions regarding Celia Withdraw all published news as well."
Falcon quickly replied:
"Boss, what's going on?! Didn't you say we'd keep going until she apologized?!"
"Cut the crap. Just do as I say."
"Ugh... Boss, you've always been firm and never gone back on your word. This sudden change? Gotta say-looks like the woman beside you really has power!"
Xavier ground his teeth in silence, feeling like he'd been way too lenient with Falcon.
The guy actually dared to tease him like that?!
He sent back a 'kill to silence' emoji, followed by:
"If you're tired of living, feel free to keep talking."
Falcon immediately replied with a 'spare me, boss' emoji:
"I still want to enjoy the wonders of life. I'll zip it now. Farewell!"
Xavier then took back the tablet and reopened the news sites that had reported on Celia
Sure enough, within seconds, every piece of related content had completely vanished.
The corners of his lips twitched slightly as he shook his head.
Falcon was a technical genius and got things done fast-but that mouth of his could make anyone want to rip it off.
"Serena." He turned to look at the worried woman beside him and gently brushed her cheek. "It's all handled now. Don't worry."
"It's handled?" Serena looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"Here. See for yourself." He handed the tablet back to her.
Serena looked down.
Just moments ago, the internet had been ablaze with criticism. Now, not a trace of it remained.
All the articles were gone, and with them, every single comment.
"What happened?! People were still arguing just now..."
"I followed your advice and had everything taken down."
"That... that was fast!"
"Mhm." Xavier nodded. "He's efficient."
"He?"
The man blinked innocently. "Just a tech-savvy friend of mine."
"Oh." Serena responded softly, not pressing further.
Xavier got up from the bed again. "I have something to take care of. You rest here. I'll have lunch delivered."
Serena felt a strange sense of unease creeping into her chest.
Looking up at him, she blurted out, "Is it something important?"
His fingers paused mid-buttoning. He turned around and gave her a dazzling smile. "Serena... are you worried about me?"
"Uh... I... was just asking."
"You never used to ask about my business."
Serena blinked. "Sorry, I didn't think about it. If you think I'm being nosy, I won't ask again."
Back when she was still married to Clint, any time she asked about his affairs, she'd be scolded for meddling.
She was just concerned, but Clint always made her feel like she was crossing a line.
Instinctively, she thought Xavier meant the same.
But then he said, "Silly girl, what are you thinking?"
He buttoned up quickly and walked back to the bed. Before she had time to react, he leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"I'm thrilled you're asking. Why would you apologize?"
"I've waited my whole life for you to care about my life. I've waited twenty years for this day. You're not meddling at all! And if you insist on calling it that, then I hope you'll meddle even more-the more, the better!"
***