Chapter 183

"I'll call her back right now, and we can go find her brother's attending physician—"

Douglas pulled out his phone, but before he could unlock the screen, Leroy stopped him.

"All the doctors have gone home for the day," Leroy said, spinning a plausible lie. "His name is Hale, right? I'll look over his file myself tomorrow. I'll be in touch if I have any news or questions."

"That works." Douglas put his phone away. "Well, I won't keep you from your evening. See you later."

He hurried off, eager to share the good news with Liliana.

He caught up to her at the hospital entrance, just as she was trying to hail a cab by the side of the road.

A black Maybach was parked conspicuously just ahead of her, and he could faintly make out a tall figure sitting inside.

Douglas stopped in his tracks.

As a man, he understood Cedric.

Not wanting to cause any trouble for Liliana, he turned and walked back toward the hospital parking lot.

It was difficult to get a cab at the hospital entrance. Liliana had already requested a ride-share on her phone when she walked out.

But it was rush hour, and ride-shares were scarce, so she tried flagging down a passing taxi while she waited.

It wasn't until the Maybach across the street pulled into traffic, made a U-turn at the corner, and drove up to her that she realized-

Cedric hadn't left.

The window was halfway down, and he gestured for her to get in.

Liliana's mouth fell open in surprise, her warm breath misting in the cold air and tinting her lips a deep red.

"Get in," Cedric ordered, his brow furrowing when she just stood there, stunned.

"Coming."

She opened the door and climbed in, glancing at Cedric as she fastened her seatbelt.

Cedric didn't seem to notice her strange look as he drove away from the curb.

On the road, Liliana tentatively asked, "Is it because of me that you're not letting the Sewell family get into real estate?"

"Why?" Cedric countered. "Are you trying to plead Douglas's case?"

Liliana quickly shook her head. "I just don't want to feel guilty."

No matter how close she was with Douglas, it wasn't her place to interfere in business matters.

Whether the Sewell family could launch a real estate division depended on their own abilities.

She just needed to make sure she hadn't influenced the situation in any way.

Cedric chuckled, though it was unclear if he was mocking her for overestimating her importance or for her naivety.

"The moment you quit your job, I'll restore your full allowance. Think about it."

Liliana turned to look out the window. The buildings rushing by were a blur, but not nearly as chaotic as her thoughts.

He had already halved her allowance, and she had spent a good portion of it on Hale's medical bills.

Now there was only a small sum left in her account.

She'd have to take it one step at a time, hoping for the best.

And the best course of action depended directly on Cedric's mood.

She rubbed her tense face and turned back to him with a smile. "What would you

like for dinner tonight? I can cook."

Cedric glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

For some reason, her sullen expression had annoyed him.

But now, her smile didn't improve his mood either.

She was like a different person the moment he gave her money.

She was smiling for the money.

"Whatever," he replied nonchalantly.

When they got home, Erma was already preparing dinner.

Liliana changed her clothes and went into the kitchen to help.

"Ma'am, I noticed the groceries in the fridge haven't been touched much. Did you two skip a meal yesterday?"

Erma was in charge of the shopping.

She had planned for four dishes per meal, but it seemed only one meal had been eaten.

"We woke up late yesterday and missed lunch," Liliana said truthfully.

"It's already getting cold out. You can't be skipping meals. A full

stomach keeps you warm andal

che

the Young Master the energyhe needs for work

Erma wasn't scolding her, just showing concern. Then, as if realizing something, she smiled.

"You finally have a day off, so you must have stayed up late. It's normal to not wake

up on time, but do take care of yourselves."

Liliana instinctively explained, "He's

been busy

aet

with work these past two

all night

d up all night. He was

days, staying upa

the

day

catching up on sleep during! "upom the day.

At her words, Erma paused what she was doing. "You don't look so well either Are

Youn

you worried about the

Master? Losing sleepover

him?