"By the way, Boss, you mentioned Flora was attacked. Our men reported a sudden appearance of a 14-15 year old kid by her side. That night, the kid protected Flora and seems to have earned her trust."
A mere teenager, yet capable of defeating Selena's guards. A force not to be underestimated.
In an intricate dance of elegance and subtlety, if the Whites were just an ordinary influential family, it would be one thing. But their association with the underworld was unnerving.
Winky, their bodyguard, had skills which undeniably placed him among the upper echelon of talents in this clandestine world.
Matthew furrowed his brows: "Have we investigated?"
He asked, albeit without holding out much hope. A force capable of producing someone like that certainly had the capacity to conceal all pertinent information.
As expected, his subordinate shook his head: "We've looked into it, but there's not a shred of evidence. It's as if the kid just appeared out of thin air."
He pondered before suggesting: "Could the bodyguard be someone hired by Patrick?"
"Having such skill at a young age, he must have been trained since childhood. Many organizations in the underworld cultivate assassins this way. Do you think the Jones family could find such a person?"
Without much thought, it was apparent it was unlikely. The Jones family was essentially in legitimate business. Patrick did not have the resources to hire an assassin from the underworld to protect Flora.
A spark lit up in Matthew's mind, and he wore a thin smile: "Investigate the Tremblay family." Patrick couldn't mobilize manpower in the underworld, but Edsel Tremblay could.
After surviving a ghastly assassination attempt, Flora's life regained its normal rhythm. The only abnormality was Patrick's frequent visits.
"Miss, I just looked out the window, he's about to arrive again." Emma rushed into the room like a gust of wind, huffing as she relayed the news to the bed's occupant.
"What does he want?" Without hesitation, Flora buried herself under the blanket. Her voice, a bit hoarse, echoed from under the blanket: "Tell him I have a stomach ache, can't meet him. Ask him to come later..."
"But Miss... if he knows you still have a stomach ache, he would worry even more, and would insist on visiting, then taking you to the hospital. I know him!" Emma shrugged.
"Hold on. Miss, are you really still having a stomach ache?" Noticing Flora's shaky voice, Emma sighed: "You should've gone to see a doctor... Do you want me to massage your stomach?"
Before Flora could refuse, a knock echoed from outside the room.
"Flora, are you in there? I'm sorry, I've been knocking and since the door wasn't locked, I let myself in. I hope I didn't disturb you." a familiar, gentle voice made Flora stiffen under the blanket.
Emma pulled down the blanket from her face, revealing her slightly pale, beautiful face. The visitor was already at the door.
Sighing, Flora gave up: "Fine, let him in."
The door was opened from the inside. Seeing Flora on the bed, her thin blanket pulled up to her neck, Patrick anxiously approached: "How are you feeling? Still having stomach ache?"
"Sir, please convince her to get a medical check-up." Emma crossed her arms, sounding irritated: "I've been telling her since morning but she wouldn't listen."
Flora immediately pulled the blanket up again, hiding like a snail in its shell. She felt everyone was overreacting. It's just a stomach ache, it didn't require a hospital visit.
With a gentle yet firm motion, Patrick pulled down the blanket, revealing Flora's face. His warm hand soothingly caressed her slightly messy hair.
"You haven't changed a bit since you were a child..." He sighed resignedly: "Get dressed, I'm taking you to the hospital."
He knew she didn't want to go to the hospital, but she had been complaining of stomachaches since yesterday morning.
And if they didn't go for a medical examination soon, he feared it might be too late.
If something were to happen, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
Over a day and a night was already too long a time.
Looking at her pale face, he couldn't allow her to stay home any longer.
His hand holding onto her trembling wrist tightened out of worry.
Yet she shrugged him off, her voice refusing him clearly: "I don't need it."
Patrick was slightly taken aback, his immediate reaction was to loosen his grip.
Just a moment ago, he had glimpsed into her eyes and saw an unfathomable distance.
As if the intimacy between them had long gone, replaced by an irreducible distance.
He sighed again, letting his hands fall: "Is the distance between us really that great now?" So great that he was no longer qualified to take care of her.
He didn't know where he had gone wrong, he should be the one who understood her the most, the one who was closest to her.
Seven years had passed, upon seeing her familiar smile on her familiar face again, he thought everything would return to the way it used to be.
Only now did he realize he was wrong.
It was only him, foolish and naive, believing that the seven years hadn't changed their closeness.
"Patrick..." Flora hesitated, eventually biting the bullet to say: "I understand you're worried for me, but I wish you wouldn't anymore.
These past years... I've gotten used to being alone.
When you're like this... I find it difficult."
She knew these words might hurt Patrick.
But her current state was unbearable.
A human heart is so limited, only enough room for one person.
The man she has loved for so long is no longer Patrick.
The more he cared for her, worried for her, the more uncomfortable she felt.
The more she wanted to push him out of her life.
"It's not that I hate you, I just don't love you anymore.
Patrick, you're not in my heart." Because you're not in my heart, please don't waste your time by my side, don't ruin your life.
Patrick stood silently.
It was difficult to accept such ruthless words from the person he loved most.
But for now, the most important thing was to get her to the hospital.
Compared to her health, the nebulous pain in his heart seemed insignificant.
Emma stood off to the side, arms crossed, dark-faced: "Do you two remember that there's a minor in the room?" Before they could react, she continued: "Miss, this uncle is right.
The most important thing right now is to get to the hospital."
Unable to convince them both, Flora had to drag herself out of bed, change her clothes, and then be led by Patrick to the hospital.
However, as soon as they stepped into the hospital entrance, they heard a mockingly high-pitched voice from behind.
"You two are quite a pair, aren't you? Truly the epitome of illicit love, a sight for sore eyes.
Patrick, if Layla Gary knew how fervently you're betraying her, would she go mad, I wonder?"
That sarcastic tone, that smugness at catching someone's weakness, they didn't need to turn around to know who was standing behind them.
"Selena?" It was a question, but also a sort of affirmation.
Selena laughed: "Oh my, I'm flattered! You can still recognize my voice! Flora, it seems I have underestimated your allure.
Women like you can always hook men, can't they? Truly a character of ragged moral fibers!"
She cast her gaze towards Patrick again, expressing pity: "You broke up with her seven or eight years ago, surely you wouldn't know the kind of person she has become, right? A home wrecker like her, who enjoys seducing married men, is unworthy for you to give up your fiancée for."
"Thankfully, my beloved husband realized her true colors early on, or he might've been lured away by her already."
"Is that so? The affection between Young mistress White and your husband is truly touching." Patrick replied nonchalantly: "Please send my thanks to your husband."
"Thanks to his profound love for you, I didn't have to worry about Flora being snatched away. I hope you can keep him on a leash, and not let him come to fight for her."
Selena clenched her fists unconsciously at their indifferent reactions. The calmer they appeared, the more annoyed she became.
Patrick gently embraced the stiff Flora, guiding her into the hospital under Selena's fiery gaze. After they had walked a few steps, he heard her shrill voice from behind: "My husband will never be tempted! He loves me very much!"
In response, Patrick let out a soft laugh. Even the strongest words can be easily pierced through. Still appearing indifferent, he didn't look back, only responding: "Congratulations then. But a pregnant woman shouldn't be outside alone for too long, nor should she be wearing high heels like you are now. Perhaps a husband who loves his wife very much should be aware of that... Hmm, it seems Matthew isn't very considerate of you, is he?"
The city hospital's outpatient clinic was crowded. Flora initially thought that she would have to wait for a long time, but as soon as they arrived, Patrick took her directly into the specialist's office.
"I had already scheduled an appointment for you." He was always so thoughtful.
"Stomach pain can be caused by many factors. We cannot identify the health issue through a preliminary inquiry and examination. I will prescribe an ultrasound for you." The elderly doctor seemed very serious, making Flora tense.
She shook her head: "I think there's no need for such fuss. I'm feeling much better, I don't need an ultrasound..."
"Am I the doctor or are you?" The doctor frowned: "The ultrasound is necessary to rule out certain medical issues and confirm the diagnosis."
As he spoke, he signed a diagnostic test form and handed it to Patrick: "Your family member can go pay, then take her to Block B, the ultrasound room is on the first floor. Once the ultrasound is finished, bring the results back here."
As the doctor had spoken, Flora had no more words to object, and reluctantly followed Patrick to the ultrasound room.