Valerie's eyes narrowed immediately. “What?”
With that, Ethan gulped hard. He immediately regretted confessing to Valerie. That was definitely the wrong time for him to tell her that. “I… You…”
“What are you talking about, Sir? I don't understand you.” Valerie snapped at him.
“Are you dumb, or are you just playing dumb? Do you think I will like someone like you? Of course, I only like you because you are my daughter's favorite.” He quickly covered up.
With a mixture of disappointment and relief, Valerie nodded her head. “Why are you here, President?”
Ethan scoffed. “Are you disappointed that I just interrupted your special moment with your dear Nicole?”
“I don't get you, sir. Nicole and I are just good friends. We are not a thing, at least not yet.” Valerie sat on the chair.
“What? Not yet? You really intend to date him, right?” Ethan sounded extremely jealous.
Valerie sniffed. “I'm finding it hard to wrap my head around why you are so concerned about my relationship with Nicole? I don't mean to sound offensive, but you speak as if you're jealous.”
“You….” He paused and exhaled deeply.
Valerie's phone rang aloud, cutting their conversation short. It was Susan.
“Hey, girl.” Valerie snapped.
“Have you had anything to eat? I just went to an eatery.” Susan's voice came from the other end.
Valerie nodded. “Yes, please. I haven't had lunch. It's already dark.”
“Sure. Give me a few minutes.” Susan assured her before hanging the call-up.
However, after ending the call, Valerie turned to Ethan, whose face was as cold as ever.
“President Ethan, what brought you here?” Valerie asked curiously.
Ethan snorted. “That is none of your business. If I were you, I'd focus on taking care of my beloved.”
Just then, a nurse rushed into the ward. She turned to Ethan, who raised his brows with a 'what do you want' look. “President Davison, your daughter's condition is stable now, and she has already regained consciousness. She'll be discharged by tomorrow.”
Upon hearing that, Valerie flinched in shock. “What? Audrey is in the hospital? I thought she was discharged and that she's recuperating?”
“That's none of your business.” Ethan mumbled and stormed out of the ward. Without a second thought, Valerie rushed after him.
They walked into the private ward where Audrey was lying. Immediately she saw Valerie, she jerked up from the bed, grinning from ear to ear.
“Miss old-fashioned!” She called with a teary voice. Valerie, on the other hand, rushed to her.
“My baby!” Valerie kissed her cheek as she hugged her tight, as if she were going to disappear into the thin air if she lets her go.
***
Meanwhile, Susan walked out of the eatery with the takeout she had bought for Valerie.
“That selfless friend of mine will never think of eating. All she does is care about other people without taking care of herself.”
The sun was scorching hot. Beads of sweat ran down Susan's face. She tried flagging down a cab, but there were none available. It was getting dark, darkness was slowly engulfing the earth.
Just then, a young boy snatched her bag from her. She tried to run after him, but couldn't. “Please help me. He… he snatched my bag.” She cried helplessly.
She had already lost hope of getting the bag back when a very handsome looking guy who was riding a bike drove after the robber. He caught up with him and punched him hard on the nose. Blood oozed out of the robber's nose and he fell on the ground. The security guards rushed to the robber and had his hands cuffed and took him away, while the man on the bike drove back to Susan with her bag.
“Thank you so much.” Susan smiled happily.
The man giggled and nodded his head. “You ought to be careful next time.”
Susan thanked him immensely before getting into the cab she flagged down. The man ignited the bike and then spotted something on the ground. It was Susan's identity card.
“Susan Jones.” He mumbled.
At the hospital, Valerie was still in Audrey's room. She was feeding Audrey with the oatmeal that was made for her.
“Miss old-fashioned, are you going to come back with us to the mansion?” She asked anxiously.
Valerie gulped. “Do you want me to?”
“Yes, please. If you're not going to come back with us to the mansion, I'm afraid I will have to go with you. I don't like the new nanny daddy brought into the house.” Audrey cried out.
With that, Valerie smiled heartily. “Why don't you like her? Didn't I tell you to always be nice to everyone?”
“She's such a flirt, Miss old-fashioned. I think she likes my daddy.” Audrey whispered and they shared a laugh.
“Don't worry, I'll be going back to the mansion with you. Look, my ankle is all good now. I no longer limp when I'm walking.” Valerie said.
“Payday!” Audrey rejoiced.
Ethan, who has been mute and focused on the phone he was holding, scoffed and cut in. “Don't make promises that you can't keep. You are going back with us to the mansion, huh? Who then is going to take care of your beloved?”
“Miss old-fashioned will never lie to me, daddy. I trust her.” Audrey snapped.
“What about me, your father? Don't you trust me?” Ethan wrinkled his eyebrows while Audrey chuckled.
Valerie turned to Audrey and assured her. “Trust me, Audrey. I'll go back to the mansion with you once you get discharged tomorrow.”
“What about me, Val? I'm the one who needs care. If you're going to the mansion, I'll come with you.” A voice said from the entrance, and they all turned their gazes to the entrance.
“Nicole? No way!” Ethan freaked out.