CHAPTER 69: A MAN SHE HADN’T SEEN SINCE EVERYTHING COLLAPSED

"So... you’re saying you never told him anything about what I like? Or maybe my obsession over... vanilla?" Daisy asked as she stepped out of the taxi, heading toward the entrance of the care facility building. Her tone wasn’t accusing, more like she was double-checking something she already knew.

"No, I never told him any..." Aurora paused, as if quickly scanning her memory. "Wait... no. I’m sure I never told him anything like that."

Daisy nodded to herself, lips pressed into a thin line. "I figured. Just wanted to make sure."

She pushed open the glass door, holding the phone between her shoulder and ear as she signed in at the front desk.

"How about Elias?" The question slipped out before she could stop it. "Have you ever met him?"

There was a brief silence on the other end before Aurora responded, confused, "Elias? Who’s that?"

Daisy gasped softly, something clicking in her mind. "Ah—never mind. He’s just... a friend of mine."

"A friend of yours?" Aurora’s voice over the line held a hint of doubt. Most of their friends were from the same circle, childhood acquaintances, classmates, people they’d known for years. The name "Elias" had never once come up.

"Yeah," Daisy added quickly, trying to sound casual. "Someone I met recently."

"Huh. New friend? That’s why I don’t think I’ve heard that name before," Aurora murmured, mostly to herself. Then she added lightly, "Is he cute?"

Daisy let out a small laugh, shaking her head, "He’s... complicated."

Aurora chuckled. "Aren’t they all?"

Daisy giggled, putting down the pen, "I have to disagree with that one, we... women are the most complicated creature Aurora."

"Only you, I am different." Aurora dropped a joke before chuckling, "Send my regards to uncle! I need to go back to work, this new director is kind of not friendly and hard to please."

"Liam?" Daisy blinked in surprise. "Seriously?"

"Yes! Can you believe it?" Aurora groaned. "I thought he’d be this sunshine goofball like the way he acts around you—but no! The moment he walked into the office, it was like corporate boot camp. Everyone was holding their breath, as if even breathing might cost them a salary deduction."

Daisy burst out laughing. "Oh no, don’t tell me he used the serious boss voice."

"He did! And the serious face too... like he’s the final boss in a drama about workplace trauma."

She was still chuckling as she said, "I’ll give him a good scolding later."

"Please do. Anyway, I gotta run... text me after your visit, okay?"

"Will do. Talk soon," Daisy smiled, ending the call.

Daisy was just lifting her head when someone rushed towards her. She looked like she was the head staff by the different uniforms she wore.

"Good afternoon, Miss Sinclair," she said, slightly out of breath but still composed. "I apologize for the late welcome... we weren’t informed you’d be visiting today."

Daisy looked baffled, "And...why would you need to be informed about my visit today?"

"Ah-uh..." The head staff was out of words as she looked around, perhaps trying to find a good excuse. "It’s just... we welcome all of our guardians well..."

"Really...?" She tilted her head a bit as her eyes looked at the guardian who was waiting at the waiting area, "All?"

The head staff froze for a second, then quickly put on a practiced smile. "Well, not all, of course. But some guardians or family members do receive... special arrangements."

Daisy tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. "And I fall into that category... why?"

The staff’s smile wavered just a little. "Mr. Sinclair’s case was registered under our premium care plan. It includes priority assistance, dedicated staff, and... well, certain courtesies."

She blinked. "Premium care plan?"

"Yes," the woman nodded, trying not to look too nervous. "All expenses fully covered under a private sponsor."

"Ah yes, the sponsor." Daisy suddenly fixed her posture, "Miss, can I meet the sponsor? I mean... I need to at least say thanks, right?"

The head staff stiffened. "I’m afraid the sponsor requested anonymity, Miss Sinclair."

Daisy raised a brow. "An anonymous sponsor who pays for a premium care plan, for my father... and I’m not supposed to even say thank you?"

The woman offered a tight smile. "It happens more often than you’d think. Some donors or guardians prefer to keep things discreet. It could be someone your father knew... or someone who respects your family."

Daisy’s brows furrowed, but she kept her tone light. "Well, whoever it is, please tell them I am very grateful for their kind gesture."

The woman nodded quickly. "Of course, I’ll make sure the message is passed along... if we hear from them."

Daisy offered a faint smile, but her thoughts were racing.

She couldn’t remember any close family friends who would go to such lengths, especially not anonymously. And her father had long cut ties with most of his old acquaintances.

She followed the staff down the corridor, her heels echoing softly against the polished floor.

A small frown settled on her face as she walked past the familiar paintings hanging on the cream-colored walls. She still couldn’t stop her mind from replaying the events of that morning. The gestures Elias had shown didn’t align with the man she thought he was or at least the one she thought she knew after spending two days with him.

But if it was Theo... when did he change?

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but they soon arrived at her father’s room. Instantly shifting her expression into a bright smile, she pushed the door open.

"Dad! I’m here! Did you miss me?!"

The smile vanished from her lips. Her eyes sharpened.

Standing beside her father’s bed was a man she hadn’t seen since everything collapsed, a man who had gone completely silent the moment their family lost everything.

Tall, composed, out of place and still as infuriatingly good-looking as ever.

Her hand froze on the door handle. Her voice dropped.

"What are you doing here?"