Chapter 257: Interested?
The ambulance arrived quickly, and the paramedics loaded Baron onto a stretcher. Just before getting in, Baron suddenly grabbed Elodie's hand. "Dr. Garcia, I really can't thank you enough for today. Could I get your number? I'd love to take you to dinner to properly thank you."
Elodie was about to respond when Daniel suddenly cut in. "That won't be necessary, Baron. Dr. Garcia is very busy and doesn't have time."
Elodie looked at Daniel in surprise, not understanding why he was answering for her.
Baron seemed equally confused. "Daniel, I just want to thank Dr. Garcia."
"I'll thank her for you. You need to get to the hospital for a proper check-up."
Baron glanced between Daniel and Elodie, seeming to catch on to something, and smiled. "Alright then. Dr. Garcia, I'll have Daniel take you to dinner on my behalf sometime."
After the ambulance drove away, Elodie turned to Daniel with obvious irritation. "What exactly was that about, Daniel? Who gave you the right to make decisions for me?"
Daniel adjusted his glasses. "Baron's a playboy who changes girlfriends faster than his shirts. I didn't want him bothering you."
Elodie's voice dripped with sarcasm. "How thoughtful of you, Mr. Scott. But my business is my own. Who I give my number to is my choice."
"I just didn't want you to get taken advantage of. Baron's very skilled at charming women, but he's never serious about any of them. You saved his life—he might develop an interest in you, but it would just be temporary fascination."
Elodie laughed coldly. "So what if he is a playboy? That's still my business. Who do you think you are, Daniel? What gives you the right to interfere?"
Daniel fell silent.
She was right. What right did he have to interfere? They weren't even friends—if anything, Elodie actively disliked him.
Though Elodie spoke defiantly, she privately admitted Daniel had a point. Baron wasn't her type anyway—she'd never been interested in players like him. Besides, she didn't enjoy unnecessary social interactions, and exchanging numbers would just be a hassle.
She snorted dismissively and dropped the subject.
Just then, Emily emerged from the study. Seeing the two in the living room, she looked surprised. "Elodie, Daniel? Were you two arguing?"
Elodie immediately walked over and linked arms with Emily. "No, just someone sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. Come on, Emily, let's go."
Emily glanced between Elodie and Daniel, sensing the strange atmosphere, but nodded. "Alright. Take care, Daniel."
Daniel nodded. "Drive safely, Emily."
Elodie pulled Emily toward the door without sparing Daniel another glance.
Watching them leave, Daniel frowned slightly. He thought about Elodie's professional composure while treating Baron, then her undisguised disdain for him.
How long was this woman going to hate him?
He turned to head upstairs when his phone buzzed. A message from Baron: "Daniel, about that Dr. Garcia... do you have her contact info? I really do want to thank her."
Daniel replied: "No. Focus on getting better instead of chasing women."
Baron quickly responded: "Don't be such a killjoy. I can tell you're interested in Dr. Garcia. But if you really like her, you'd better make a move soon, or I might have to step in."
Daniel stared at the message, his frown deepening. He typed back quickly: "Don't be ridiculous. I barely know her. And stay away from her—she's not someone you want to mess with."
After sending the message, Daniel pocketed his phone, feeling inexplicably irritated.
Elodie—that woman who was so hostile toward him.
Why had he blocked Baron's advances? Why did he care if Baron might deceive her?
Daniel couldn't figure it out and didn't want to think about it.
Anyway, they probably wouldn't cross paths again.
Meanwhile, in the car, Elodie was still fuming. "That Daniel is so presumptuous! Who does he think he is, making decisions for me?"
Emily watched her indignant expression and couldn't help laughing. "Elodie, you seem to particularly dislike Daniel?"
Elodie responded without hesitation. "Of course I do! Have you forgotten? When Clara was impersonating you, Daniel helped her! Even though he was just being deceived, the thought that he once helped that awful woman still makes me angry!"
Emily remembered the incident. Clara had indeed received Daniel's help while impersonating her. Though Daniel had immediately cut ties with Clara once he learned the truth.
"That was all in the past, and Daniel was being deceived, too. Besides, he is Jasper's teacher."
Elodie wrinkled her nose. "So what? I still can't stand him. Always acting so superior, like the whole world should revolve around him."
Emily watched Elodie's agitated state and suddenly had a thought: Was Elodie paying too much attention to Daniel?
Usually, when someone truly dislikes another person, they simply ignore them. But every time Elodie mentioned Daniel, she became particularly emotional.
Emily probed carefully. "Elodie, you don't have feelings for Daniel, do you?"
"Absolutely not!" Elodie immediately interrupted, her voice jumping an octave. "Emily, don't say such ridiculous things! How could I possibly like that arrogant jerk! I'd rather stay single forever than like him!"
Emily looked at her vehement reaction and became even more convinced.
Elodie definitely felt more than just dislike for Daniel.
But she didn't press the issue, just smiled. "Okay, okay, you don't like him. But Elodie, Daniel's actually a good person—professionally capable and very dedicated to his students."
Elodie made a stop gesture. "Enough! Emily, if you say another good thing about him, I'm throwing you out of the car!"
Emily burst out laughing. "Alright, alright, I'll stop. Wait—this is my car!"
As they continued driving, despite her verbal protests about hating Daniel, Elodie couldn't help but recall his expression when he'd refused Baron for her.
"I just didn't want you to get taken advantage of."
When Daniel had said those words, his expression had been serious and focused, completely different from his usual coldness.
Elodie shook her head, trying to banish that image from her mind.
Damn it! Why was she thinking about that arrogant jerk!
She must be too tired today—that's why her mind wasn't clear.
Yes, that had to be it.
Elodie took a deep breath and focused on driving, refusing to think about that man who made her so agitated.
At the hospital, Baron lay in his bed looking at his phone, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Daniel, who was usually ice-cold toward women, had been so protective of that Dr. Garcia today.
Interesting.
He thought for a moment, then sent Daniel another message: "Daniel, I'm serious. If you're not interested in Dr. Garcia, I'm going to pursue her. Women who are lively, cute, and can save lives are rare these days."
A few seconds later, Daniel replied with just one sentence: "What do you think?"
Baron looked at the response and grinned even wider.
It seemed his cold-faced friend had genuinely fallen this time.
But Dr. Garcia didn't seem to have any good feelings toward Daniel.
Baron stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
This show was going to be quite entertaining to watch.