Chapter 488

Chapter 488

"Looks like he's really ticked off this time."

Diana hadn't had to calm Stanley down in ages, and now that he was fuming, she felt a bit lost.

When Diana woke up, the hospital room was quiet, with only a few birds chirping outside the window.

Stanley was sitting in a chair by the bed, peeling an apple with a small knife, the peel forming a continuous red ribbon in his hand.

Diana looked at his face and could tell he was still angry.

These past few days, her world had been reduced to this hospital room and the person in front of her.

The door to the room was gently knocked, then opened a crack, revealing a few familiar faces. It was her colleagues from the department, and her most respected mentor, Steven.

"Diana, can we come in?"

"Sure, come on in," Diana said softly.

Everyone filed in, and seeing Diana propped up in bed, pale but in good spirits, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Then, the suppressed anger erupted.

"That Heidi is absolutely nuts! How could she frame you like this?" The young assistant couldn't hold back, his face flushed with anger.

"Yeah, we heard she even tried to accuse you of hurting her?"

"Diana, don't worry," Steven, who was in his sixties, walked to the bedside, his eyes behind the glasses full of concern and anger. "I've reported the matter to the school. The surveillance footage is clear, no one can deny it. The school won't tolerate such behavior and will definitely give you justice."

For a moment, the room was filled with voices of shared indignation. These voices weren't noise; instead, they felt like warm currents, soothing Diana's heart that had long been cold and stiff. She had been abandoned by her family, tormented by Alex, and had grown accustomed to fighting alone. But now, she was surrounded by pure goodwill.

Diana's nose tingled slightly, and she managed a faint smile. "Thank you, Mr. Bennett. Thank you, everyone. I'm okay."

Her calmness made everyone feel even more sympathetic.

Stanley remained quietly on the side, pouring water for everyone and pushing a plate of sliced fruit to the center of the table. His actions were considerate and attentive, yet carried an undeniable presence. He didn't speak, but his deep eyes swept over everyone, finally resting on Diana with a warmth that could melt ice.

After a few more words of comfort, the colleagues saw that Diana needed rest and didn't stay long. Before leaving, Steven patted Stanley's shoulder, speaking earnestly, "Young man, take good care of Diana. She's been through too much."

Stanley nodded solemnly. "You can count on me."

After everyone left, the room returned to its quiet state. Stanley cut the peeled apple into small pieces and used a toothpick to offer one to her lips. Diana opened her mouth and took it, the sweet juice spreading in her mouth.

Before she finished eating, another figure appeared at the door.

It was Arnold, who had come back from abroad specifically to see her.

He was holding a basket of fruit, standing at the door, looking more nervous than the colleagues earlier.

"Diana," he called softly.

"Arnold, come in," Diana smiled at him.

Stanley glanced at Arnold, said nothing, and silently moved his chair back a bit, creating more space. This subtle gesture was both polite and a silent declaration of territory.

Arnold put down the fruit basket and sat in another chair by the bed, his gaze falling on her leg in a cast, his brows furrowed. "Feeling better?"

"Better. The doctor says I'm recovering well."

A moment of silence. Arnold seemed to be struggling with what to say, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the seam of his pants. Finally, he seemed to make up his mind, looking at Diana with a somewhat awkward expression.

"Diana, about what I told you before... don't worry about it, and don't feel pressured."

Diana was taking small bites of the apple, and upon hearing this, she looked up, her clear eyes showing a hint of appropriate confusion. "What are you talking about?"

She tilted her head, looking innocent, as if genuinely trying to recall a forgotten matter.

Arnold was taken aback by her expression and had to remind her, "I mean... when I confessed to you..."

He stopped mid-sentence.

Because he saw that in Diana's eyes, beneath the clear surface, there was a hint of a mischievous, sly smile, like a small stone thrown into water, creating ripples. That smile was faint but bright, instantly dispelling the coldness between her brows.

Arnold was first stunned, then realized he had been played. He shook his head helplessly, the awkwardness and tension disappearing, replaced by a relieved chuckle.

"You..." he said softly, his tone full of indulgent helplessness.

He looked up and accidentally met Stanley's gaze. Stanley had been sitting quietly, his eyes never leaving Diana, like a silent, strong tree, creating a space of absolute peace for her.

Arnold understood completely.

He looked at Diana, his smile becoming open and sincere. "I guess I was overthinking it." His gaze swept over Stanley and returned to Diana's face. "He loves you very much. Every time I've come to visit, Mr. Visconti has been here, watching over you."

Being pointed out directly, even Stanley's ears turned a bit red. He cleared his throat, picked up an orange, and focused on peeling it, as if it were a precise research project.

Diana's smile deepened. She didn't look at Stanley but seriously looked at Arnold, her tone gentle and solemn. "Arnold, you've always been a great senior to me."

One sentence, clearly defining the boundary, yet retaining all the warmth and respect.

Arnold smiled, a genuine smile of happiness for a friend.

"I know." He stood up. "Seeing you like this, I'm relieved. Take good care of yourself."

After Arnold left, the room was once again just the two of them.

The air carried a faint sweetness, whether from the fruit or something else.

Stanley finally finished peeling the orange, carefully removing all the white pith, and offered a segment to Diana's lips.

His fingertips were warm, accidentally touching her lips, causing both of them to freeze.

Diana lowered her eyelashes and took the orange segment.

The sweet and sour taste spread in her heart.

Arnold's figure had just disappeared down the hallway when Stanley came back in with a thermal food container, his face expressionless.

He walked straight to the bed, placing the delicate dishes from the container on the small table, the porcelain bowls clinking against the table with a crisp yet muffled sound, showing his impatience.

He didn't look up, his voice sounding like it was ground out from his throat. "He was sensible enough. When did he confess to you?"

Stanley's gaze fell on the bouquet of vibrant red roses, as if looking at something annoying.