CHAPTER 216: CHAPTER 216: THE WEASEL PAYS NEW YEAR’S GREETINGS TO THE CHICKEN

After resolving the issue with the company’s raw material supplier, I felt a lot more at ease. Just then, my phone rang; it was a call from Ivan Underwood.

Earlier, I had hurriedly followed Henry Preston and Young Mr. Levin, completely neglecting his feelings, and I was momentarily at a loss on how to explain it to him.

After all, my relationship with Henry Preston was somewhat special.

I didn’t answer the call. I planned to first go back to the hospital to check on my mom and then return to the company to handle some work-related matters before discussing things with Ivan Underwood.

What I didn’t expect was that Ivan Underwood was still in my mom’s hospital room.

"You’re back." He was sitting quietly by my mom’s bedside, right in front of the doorway. When he saw me return, he stood up, his voice calm without much fluctuation. I had initially thought he’d be angry at me for leaving with Henry Preston earlier.

"Yes, something came up at my company related to that Young Mr. Levin," I explained briefly, then asked, "Did you really resign? Why? You clearly love being a doctor. Initially, you must have put in a lot of effort to break away from your family and work independently. How can you give up so easily?"

Under the white hospital lights, Ivan Underwood’s facial features seemed shrouded in a thin layer of shadow, making it hard to see clearly. His jet-black hair wasn’t styled as usual, but instead, a few strands had fallen loosely, covering half his forehead. Even his clear and handsome eyes were partially obscured.

He seemed to murmur softly, "Yes, I fought with my family for a long time back then..."

"Mm, I know..." I blurted out, but immediately felt something was off, because in this life, Ivan Underwood hadn’t told me about these things. It was in the previous life when we collaborated, and during chats, he occasionally mentioned these things. At that time, he took over the family business to oppose Henry Preston.

Ivan Underwood was originally a perceptive person, and he instantly caught the discrepancy. "You know? Earlier, you said I really love being a doctor and put in a lot of effort to get my family’s approval. But it seems I never told you this. How did you know?"

He took a few steps closer to me. "Explain it clearly, hmm?"

I panicked a little, unsure how to explain it properly. My mind raced, and then I hastily explained, "There’s no need for anyone to tell me. When I was pursuing Henry Preston back then, I’d naturally also learn about his friends, sometimes getting bits of information about you from him."

This reason was actually plausible, and my mind gradually settled down.

Ivan Underwood stayed silent for a minute or two as if contemplating whether there were any holes in my story. Finally, he quirked his lips, "Really? I didn’t think you’d know so much about me when you were pursuing Henry Preston."

I let out an awkward laugh, thoroughly perfunctory.

"It’s already evening. How about grabbing dinner together?" Ivan Underwood looked at the time, changing the subject to ask me.

"No, I still have to return to the company to handle a few things. I’ll take you out for a meal when I’m free." I shook my head, declining Ivan Underwood’s invitation.

"Okay, I’ll go down with you." Ivan Underwood didn’t insist. He followed behind me, and we took the elevator down together. We both remained mostly silent along the way.

The reason I didn’t talk much was that too much had happened recently, exhausting me, leaving me with little desire to chat. Ivan Underwood was probably concerned about resigning, or maybe it was also partly because of me.

Since Ivan Underwood and I both drove our own cars to come, we naturally left in separate cars. Before leaving, he called out to me, "If you need any help in the future, can you consider me first?"

"Hmm?" I was briefly confused because I was distracted, thinking about something else and didn’t catch on immediately.

"I returned to work at my family’s company to become stronger, so that when you need my help, I’d be able to assist you. I don’t want to appear so powerless in front of you." Ivan Underwood seemed to open his heart to me, his tone restrained but increasingly direct.

"How could this make you powerless? Ivan Underwood, don’t pay such a high price for me. How am I supposed to repay you?" I sighed with some helplessness and a sense of imbalance. At this rate, Ivan Underwood was giving too much, and it truly put a lot of pressure on me.

Ivan Underwood’s lips were tightly pressed together, his eyes showing a glimmer of light mixed with complex emotions. I knew he hadn’t listened to what I said. If he did, he wouldn’t have clashed with Henry Preston over a woman in the past life.

Now that I’ve agreed to be with him, I naturally don’t want him to have another terrible confrontation with Henry Preston.

I’ve always thought it’s a pity for a man like Ivan Underwood to become a madman because of a woman he has feelings for. Before that, he was like a pure and unstained gem, and nothing dirty could taint him. He deserved to remain a unique and perfect man, meet another woman suitable for him, and that would be his rightful ending.

"You should head to the company first," Ivan Underwood finally said goodbye, "I’m going home."

"Alright." I had no intention to continue the conversation. To me, my company’s issues and my mom’s situation were the most important.

I first drove towards the company. Ivan Underwood’s home and my company were in opposite directions.

In the night, my feelings were extremely complex, and the road ahead seemed increasingly blurred.

——

Since my mom was hospitalized, I haven’t had any time to rest. Crystal Dawson and a few others, worried I might be overwhelmed, volunteered to find time to go to the hospital and help take care of my mom, handling hospital matters.

I trusted them fully, but there was still an unexpected incident when Azure Vaughn went to visit my mom in the hospital one day.

At the time, Leah Lane was keeping my mom company at the hospital, and upon seeing this, immediately notified me, "Zoe, hurry over, that Azure is visiting Auntie! Damn, she’s so shameless!"

"Alright, I’m coming right away!" I was shocked. Every time Azure showed up, she’d cause trouble. Why was she visiting now, when my mom was in this condition?

Carrying a stomach full of irritation, I rushed over as quickly as possible.

"Miss Hathaway, aren’t you at work?" When I arrived at the hospital room, Azure Vaughn was sitting by my mother’s bedside. She had a strong perfume scent, which didn’t suit her otherwise innocent appearance.

Leah Lane rolled her eyes on the side.

"Who invited you here?" I walked into the room and unceremoniously issued a dismissal order, "Please leave immediately."

"I only came to see Auntie!" Azure looked innocent, pointing to the fruit beside her, "Look, I even brought gifts."

I glanced at the fruits: all wilted and substandard in a transparent plastic bag. Azure was deliberately trying to annoy me.

I picked up the bag of rotten fruit and tossed it directly into the trash can.

Azure looked extremely aggrieved, "I heard Auntie fell into a coma, and I came especially to visit her. How can you treat me like this?"

"Ugh." Leah Lane pretended to gag, "It’s like a weasel wishing a chicken happy New Year—no good intentions at all. You can drop the act, who doesn’t see through your little schemes?"

Azure was a bit embarrassed by Leah’s blatant sarcasm but remained relatively calm.

Seemingly unsatisfied, Leah wanted to say more, but the next moment she received a call from Graham Garrett.

"Yara, I have to step out for a moment!" Leah said to me, looking conflicted, after hanging up the phone.

"Alright, go ahead." I nodded since I was already here, there was no need to delay Leah’s affairs any longer.

Leah glared at Azure and rolled her eyes before leaving.

In the hospital room, only Azure, my comatose mother, and I remained.

I looked at Azure coldly, "Azure, why can’t you leave me alone? You’re already with Henry Preston now. What is there left between us to target?"

The grievance on Azure’s face vanished instantly, replaced by resentment and anger, "Yes, I’m finally with Henry, but where is his heart? You mean more to him than I do!"

"That’s a problem between you and him, don’t drag me into it." I didn’t feel any responsibility at all.

Azure gritted her teeth, "He kisses you, he protects you, and he even solved the Sanctum Biotech problem for you. Zoe Hathaway, you are a thorn in my side, I can’t tolerate it, understand?"

It was truly a blatant declaration of war.

I didn’t want to respond to Azure’s words. Instead, I gestured for her to leave, "If you have any dignity, walk out yourself."

Azure was unwilling to leave, and a smug smile appeared on her face as she looked at my mother, "Auntie’s such a sharp-tongued person. How did she suddenly fall into a coma? Was it karmic retribution for too many guilty deeds?"

"Azure!" I was really infuriated, she dared to insult my mother, "Get out now!"

"You claim Uncle has been in politics for years and hasn’t done anything shady? I’m really curious." Azure not only refused to leave, but also deliberately threatened me.

At this moment, from the corner of my eye, I saw my father’s figure appear at the door. He must have heard Azure’s words clearly.

My father could never stand anyone accusing him of corruption or malfeasance, though with his position, indeed some people offered conveniences to our company.

"You, get out!" My father said angrily to Azure.

With my father here, Azure finally restrained a little. Before he retired, he had the power to make things difficult for their company, but it was up to him whether to do so.

She stood up, "Uncle, I specially came to see Auntie today."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ivan Underwood also appeared behind my father. It was unclear if they met coincidentally or came together.

"What’s going on?" Ivan asked, frowning at the messy scene in the hospital room, "Where is the medical staff? How can unauthorized people be allowed to disturb the patient?"

"Ivan, Auntie is in a coma; I wouldn’t disturb her." Azure smiled sweetly. If it were the previous life, Ivan would have definitely been captivated by this smile.

But everything had changed in this lifetime.

Ivan’s eyes moved slightly as he swept a cold glance over Azure’s face, his voice devoid of warmth, "But you pollute the air."

The smile on Azure’s face disappeared instantly. Wasn’t this a blatant insult? Ivan had never directly insulted her like this before, and she surely felt embarrassed for a moment.

She bit her lip, looking innocent, then grabbed her bag, gave me a tearful glance, and left with her head down.

The air still lingered with the scent of her perfume. I disliked the smell, so I went to open the window a bit wider.