Chapter 84 : I’m Listening
Jareth froze for a brief moment, and Allison immediately took advantage of it. She slipped her arms around his neck and leaned closer, her hot breath brushing his ear.
Jareth’s face revealed nothing.
A moment later, he lifted her with one arm and carried her back to the bed.
Outside the room, Archer was slumped against the wall, hands buried in his pockets, wearing a mischievous smile.
Watching Jareth walk straight into the snare, Archer let out a cold sneer. “Moron. Hope you’re ready for what’s coming.”
He glanced at the remaining powder in his palm and lifted his brow. It seemed the stuff really did work.
Elsewhere in the hospital, Sherrie was asking around for Allison’s room.
She didn't expect Ronan to suddenly appear in his wheelchair.
Sherrie walked over, hugging her clipboard to her chest, and called him gently. “Ronan.”
Ronan was utterly startled and turned to look at her. He came here to see Allison and clearly hadn’t expected to run into Sherrie. Recovering from being startled, he gave her a polite smile.
Sherrie spread her arms as if putting herself on display. “Ronan, don’t I look good in a white coat?”
Ronan had always liked seeing her wear a white coat. Back at Rogers Hospital, he had loved it. And the Kansas Hospital coat looked even better. He couldn't help but admire her.
Suddenly, Ronan’s eyes swept over her appearance, from her hair to the expensive designer clip, then down to her manicured hands.
Then, he frowned deeply . “Allison said a proper doctor shouldn’t wear flashy things like that. No one said anything back at Rogers, but here, you’d better keep a lower profile.”
Sherrie’s smile vanished. She quickly removed the clip and jewelry, then crouched and placed her hands gently on Ronan’s legs. “I just wanted to make you proud. I won’t do it again…”
As she said it, her fingers deliberately slid across his inner thigh.
Ronan drew a sharp breath. Sherrie leaned down as she spoke in a soft and sweet voice. “So, Ronan, who looks better in a white coat, me or Allison?”
Whatever crossed Ronan’s mind made his throat bob as he swallowed slowly. Then he gestured for her to come closer.
Sherrie rose to her feet and leaned down, the neckline of her coat perfectly positioned.
Ronan whispered something in her ear that made her giggle.
After a moment, Sherrie stopped laughing. When Ronan asked her something, she didn't respond immediately.
“Sherrie?” Ronan raised his voice slightly.
She blinked, then leaned down again to whisper back. “I’m listening.”
Then she moved behind his wheelchair and began to push him.
What Ronan didn't see was that as she wheeled him forward, Sherrie turned her head and exchanged a flirtatious look with a red-haired man down the hall.
The red-haired man had been nearby for a while. Sherrie noticed him the moment she leaned down to whisper to Ronan. He was looking straight at her.
His stare was bold and uncomfortable. He clearly didn't care that she already had a boyfriend.
Sherrie felt a spark of excitement. He had to be someone powerful, she thought, pleased with herself. And he was interested in me.
She broke their eye contact and pushed Ronan into a room. A small smile lingered on her lips as she locked the door behind them.
An hour later, Sherrie walked out of the room. She kept her legs pressed together as she slipped into a dark stairwell, making sure no one was watching her.
Back in the hospital room, Jareth had just helped Allison onto the bed.
She looked past his shoulder and saw Archer was leaving. It was only then that she loosened her grip around Jareth’s neck.
“Thank you.” Her voice was cold and distant. Nothing like the woman who had been clinging to him moments earlier.
Jareth narrowed his eyes, seeing through her scheme. “Using me again?”
Allison didn't answer. She didn't explain either. She had done it before, and she was not afraid of being exposed again.
Ever since the day she stepped out from behind him and stood up to Nigel and Ronan, she had stopped pretending to be a meek, obedient girl in front of Jareth.
Even his appearance at the Rogers family home to take her away had been part of her plan.
She had locked herself in her room and called Joe ahead of time, hoping Jareth would refuse the marriage on his own.
She never expected him to show up and drag her out instead.
Now, with Jareth watching her in silence, she had no idea whether he was planning to get even with her.
The room fell into silence until her phone rang.
She reached for the old device Sherrie had given her. Even with Jareth there, she paused before answering.
“Ms. Rogers, may I have the honor of buying you a meal?” It was Gabriel.
Allison glanced at Jareth. She hadn't turned on the speaker, but the room was so silent that there was no way he hadn't heard Gabriel’s voice.
She had been waiting for this call. Gabriel was another chance, another card she could play.
When Jareth still didn't react, she lifted the phone and said, “When—”
Before she could finish, the phone was knocked from her hand.
With a single swift motion, Jareth flicked it away.
It spun through the air and landed neatly in his palm.
He stared at her seriously, then said into the phone, “She’s not available.”
On the other end of the line, Gabriel sounded puzzled. “And you are?”
Jareth furrowed his brows as he stared at her in a cold, possessive manner. “I’m her man.”
Allison’s eyes widened. She grabbed the phone back immediately and ended the call in panic.
“Mr. Taylor, you…” She bit her lip, her eyes quivered with forced fear.
Jareth wore a hard expression. “What is it? Are you mad that I spoiled your little chance?”
He knew her little scheme. She was looking for a backup plan. Gabriel was just another option she wanted to secure to carry out her future plans.
Jareth’s voice hardened. “That widower, Gabriel. What does he have that I don’t?”
Widower?
Allison said nothing. But Jareth wasn't finished yet.
“Our marriage is already decided. Do you really think I’d allow my woman to work for another man?”
Allison looked stunned. “So you didn’t stop Mr. Jackson after all?”