Chapter 130

"Bro, why didn't you drive Liliana home?"

Douglas pocketed his phone. "It wouldn't have been appropriate."

Juniper didn't understand his three-word explanation. She grumbled as she got out of the car, "What's not appropriate? You were worried, that's what. A girl like her, taking a rideshare late at night... I can't believe that jerk Forrest won't even let her have a car anymore..."

She continued to mutter under her breath as Douglas followed her inside. When they reached the second floor, he turned toward his study. "You get some rest. I have some work to finish."

"You get some sleep too! Don't work yourself to death. You're all going to be the death of me!" Juniper yawned as she disappeared into her bedroom.

In his study, Douglas opened his laptop and took care of some business for the Sewell Group. When he was done, he composed an email to his assistant with the subject line: [Sponsorship of AuraRun National Competition].

To ensure fairness, AuraRun did not allow design firms to be sponsors. So, he would use the Sewell Group as a corporate sponsor. He knew they were still looking for a major backer for the national event. He could cover the entire cost. That would give him the final say.

Douglas's decision was met with immediate and fierce opposition from the Sewell Group's board. Their company had virtually no connection to the design industry. The older board members immediately called his father, trying to get him to overrule the decision.

For a few days, the Sewell Group was in chaos, which meant Douglas was unable to go to Cyan. Liliana wanted to tell him she had entered the competition, but she never got the chance.

On Friday evening, just as she was leaving work, she received a call from Vida Archer, telling her to come to the hospital to see Hale. The nurses taking care of Hale had her number, but they were instructed to contact Chuck Preston or Vida first in case of an emergency.

"You have to come see Hale, right now!" Vida's voice was choked with sobs before she abruptly hung up.

Liliana immediately hailed a cab and

rushed to Riverbend Central,

Hospital But when she reached

Hale's floor, the nurse at the front

desk stopped her. fo

"Miss Preston, the doctor has given specific instructions. No visitors."

"How is he?" Liliana asked, her chest heaving from running.

The nurse smited reassuringly.

"Don't worry

The initial treatment is

showing positive results. But

because of that, we have to be extra careful. The doctor said he would call you when it's safe to visit remember?"

If she couldn't see Hale, why had Vida called her? Confused, Liliana glanced down the hall toward his room.

"Liliana, over here!" Vida called out, running out of the elevator. She smiled at the nurse and pulled Liliana toward the elevator.

Liliana reluctantly followed. "You said to come see Hale."

"Hale's fine. I

I called you for

nets

something else," Vida said, forcing a smile, acting as if their previous arguments had never happened. Liliana was used to her mother's tactics. Whenever they fought, Vida

wother ever admit she was wrong

She would just find an excuse to see Liliana again and pretend nothing had happened. This time, she had used Hale to lure her here.

The elevator stopped on the fourth floor. The sign on the wall directly opposite the

doors read: OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY.