Joyce's gaze flickered as her mind whirred at warp speed.
Should I just take them? He probably hasn't poisoned them or something, right?
Considering his capabilities, I don't think he needs to stoop to such a tactic if he wants to
sabotage me. It's a bit too underhanded. He can take the direct approach and make a
move against me instead of beating around the bush. Hence, there's likely nothing wrong
with this plate of plums. Perhaps he wants to give it to me out of the kindness of his heart.
Following that line of thought, she inhaled deeply before picking up the plate of plums. “I'll
take the plums instead of throwing them away, Mr. Quinn. Thank you.”
Stanley opened his eyes, the coldness within them receding slightly. “Whatever.”
Argh! She's really too stubborn that she'd never accept unless I threaten or back her into a
corner. Sure enough, I just told her to throw the plums away with a frosty expression, and
she accepted them. I've long since surmised that she'd be reluctant to discard the plums
and would ultimately agree to take them. Lo and behold, I was right!
As his thoughts veered in that direction, a gleam of triumph flashed across his eyes, and
the corners of his lips turned up. However, he swiftly composed himself in the next
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtheartbeat, so everything went unnoticed.
“Thank you for the plums, Mr. Quinn.” Joyce cradled the plate of plums to her chest.
Consequently, the aroma of the plums pervaded the air and wafted into her nostrils,
making her salivate all the more. She was promptly seized by the urge to snag one and
pop it into her mouth to sample its taste.
Unfortunately, she was embarrassed to do so before the man and could only forcibly
repress that desire.
“Rest first, then, Mr. Quinn. I'll leave you to it and head back to the visitors' room next
door. Call me if you need anything, and I'll come over immediately.” Joyce took her leave
upon recalling that he said he wanted to rest.
Stanley was indeed somewhat tired, so he dipped his head a fraction. “Okay.”
“See you later, Mr. Quinn.” Bowing to him slightly, Joyce whirled around with the plate of
plums in hand to head toward the hospital room door.
She had only taken a few steps when something abruptly occurred to Stanley, and he
cried out, “Wait!”
“Is something else the matter, Mr. Quinn?” Joyce asked with a backward glance, halting in
her tracks in mystification.
Stanley held her gaze. “Starting tomorrow, you don't need to take care of me anymore.”
Joyce's eyes went wide, and panic swamped her. “What? I don't need to take care of you
anymore? If so, will my father—”
“Your father will be fine,” Stanley interrupted with a frown, aware of what she wanted to
say.
Good Lord! All she cares about are her parents. Can't she consider herself for a bit?
Joyce clenched her hands tightly. “Really? You truly won't change your mind and put my
father in prison because you no longer want me to take care of you, Mr. Quinn?”
She was afraid that it was because he found her inept and was sick of her that he did not
want her taking care of him anymore.
After all, she indeed had not done a great job these past two days. In fact, she even
scalded him.
Thus, she feared that that was the reason he suddenly refused to have her continue taking
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmcare of him.
Despite not needing to take care of him further, she could not muster even an ounce of
joy, for it was highly likely that he dismissed her out of fury.
If that were the case, he might go back on his word previously and put her father in jail.
Therefore, she was beyond anxious, panicked, and fearful at that moment.
Clocking her trepidation, Stanley heaved a sigh. “I'm not the kind of person to break my
promise. I gave my word to let your father off the hook if you were to keep the baby, and
I'll naturally abide by that. As such, you don't need to worry so much.”
At his reassurance, relief instantly suffused Joyce. “That's good. Great, in fact.”
She patted herself on the chest lightly. Subsequently, she ventured in puzzlement, “Why
did you suddenly decide not to have me take care of you anymore, Mr. Quinn? If I'm not
doing good enough, I'll improve and work hard. I—”
Lifting a hand, Stanley cut her off. “No, it's okay. Just find me a caretaker. As for you, admit
yourself to the hospital from tomorrow onward to recuperate.”
Joyce was wholly stumped. “What? I'm to be hospitalized to recuperate?”
“You can decline doing so if you don't want this baby.” Stanley shot her a sidelong glance.