"What's up with you? Are you sick? Why do you look so pale?"
Harper snapped back to reality and glanced at Joseph. He actually had the nerve to ask her what was wrong.
Did he seriously not remember what he did last night?
Harper sneered. Fine, if Joseph wanted to play dumb, she wasn't going to waste her energy on it.
"Nothing," Harper said, shaking her head. "I just took the morning off. I have to go to the office this afternoon. I'm leaving now."
With that, she turned to go.
As Joseph was about to head back to the ward, he saw Mia rushing out. She found him and said worriedly, "I don't know how the media found out about your father's illness, but now the news is all over the company. I'm afraid it will affect The Lucas Group's stock and those big deals we have."
Hearing this, Joseph's brow furrowed even more.
Joseph glanced into the ward, where Henry was waiting for a car. Henry's face showed clear signs of illness, a stark contrast to his usual vigorous demeanor.
"Mrs. Miller, don't worry. I'll handle The Lucas Group."
Mia froze. She didn't expect Joseph, who usually avoided managing the company, to step up now.
After all, Joseph was Henry's only son. Even if he wasn't interested in The Lucas Group, he was still the heir.
"Then you'll have to temporarily stop your work at the hospital," Mia said, looking at Joseph with a probing gaze.
Deep down, she didn't want Joseph to do something he didn't like, but there was no better choice now.
"Don't worry. I'll handle it."
After leaving the hospital, Harper took a cab to the office.
She had taken quite a few days off recently. If she didn't show up this afternoon, it wouldn't look good.
It was just the time for the afternoon shift, and the elevator was packed. Harper stood outside, waiting for the next one.
Meanwhile, Brian, still outside the revolving doors of the company, saw Harper's familiar figure.
A smile appeared on Brian's lips as he recalled the first day he came to the company and saw that familiar back. It had been Harper all along.
Brian walked towards Harper, and Ethan, who was behind him, thought Brian was going to squeeze into the elevator with the staff. Was he trying to experience the daily life of the employees?
But as he got closer, he realized it was Harper.
Just then, the elevator arrived. Harper was lost in thought, staring in one direction when a magnetic male voice sounded behind her, "The elevator's here."
Harper's eyes fluttered, and she turned around instinctively, then exclaimed in surprise, "Bro!"
Brian looked at Harper's smile and couldn't help but reach out and affectionately ruffle her hair. "The elevator's here, silly."
"I didn't notice."
Harper felt a bit embarrassed as she walked into the elevator with Brian.
The elevator doors closed, leaving only her and Brian in the narrow space.
"Did you finish your business?"
"What?" Harper was momentarily stunned before she understood, her eyes flickering. "No."
The divorce didn't go through, and Henry was sick.
Harper's voice dropped unconsciously. "My godfather was diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer today."
'Godfather? That must be The Lucas Group's chairman, Henry,' Brian thought, stunned. He recalled the energetic Henry he saw at the wedding yesterday.
Fate was playing tricks, and everything happened so suddenly.
"Don't be too sad. Medicine is so advanced now that cancer has a chance to be cured."
"But he doesn't want treatment," Harper said, shaking her head helplessly and sighing. "Bro, I might not be able to move in with you for now. I want to move to the Lucas villa and stay with my godparents. They treat me so well, and I'd like to help take care of Dad."
Harper still hadn't figured out how to tell Brian about her complicated relationship with Joseph.
Brian didn't think much of it. His lips curved into smile. "Of course, take care of yourself too."
Then he thought of something and laughed. "By the way, that brother of yours and I are quite close. We should have a meal together sometime."
Harper was stunned for a moment before realizing Brian was talking about Joseph. Feeling a bit guilty, she averted her eyes, deeply conflicted.
Finally, Harper chose to keep it a secret and just smiled. "Sure, when we have time."
That evening, Harper and Joseph moved back to the old house. Joseph had already informed the hospital of the situation, which temporarily put him on probation.
At the same time, Joseph notified Henry's assistant to convene a board meeting at the company the next morning.
Harper knew Joseph was outstanding. Whether as a doctor or a CEO, he could excel in both roles. Perhaps that was why she liked him. It's hard not to like someone so outstanding.
But unfortunately, this affection had come to an end.
At the dinner table, Harper and Joseph sat side by side. Henry and Mia occasionally glanced at them, creating an oddly harmonious atmosphere.
Henry abruptly set down his fork, choked up, and said, "I'm so glad you guys moved back and Joseph's stepping up as CEO. Now, can you two hurry up and give me a grandkid so I can hear 'Grandpa' before I kick the bucket? That's all I ask for."
Mia's slightly swollen eyes flushed red again when she heard Henry say that. She quickly wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes. "Don't say such things. That day will surely come."
Joseph's lips pressed into a straight line, his dark eyes as mysterious as the night, saying nothing.
Harper just kept her head down. If Henry hadn't mentioned children, she would have forgotten something!
Last night, Joseph didn't use a condom!
Harper's heart skipped a beat. It was her first time, and the next day was filled with divorce and Henry's hospitalization. She hadn't even thought about contraception.
Now that the time had passed, could she be...
"What are you daydreaming about?"
Joseph's deep voice sounded in her ear. Harper looked up, meeting Joseph's scrutinizing gaze.