Chapter 103 Pretending to be Sick

Daphne knew she had no right to interfere, so she stood up.

"Sorry, I just remembered I have something to do. I'll leave now and not disturb you," she said calmly.

Emily shot Daphne a triumphant look, her eyes full of provocation, as if to say, "Lewis only has eyes for me!"

Daphne couldn't bring herself to look Emily in the eye anymore. She desperately wanted to disappear on the spot, swallowing down the loneliness pooling in her gaze. Snatching up the bag beside her, she spun around and bolted straight for the restaurant exit.

"Lewis, try this. It's my favorite dish from this restaurant," Emily said sweetly, trying to feed Lewis.

Hearing this, Daphne quickened her pace.

She reached the restaurant door and took a deep breath, finally feeling alive again.

Daphne walked to her car and opened the door. Just as she sat down, the passenger door opened.

She looked over, surprised to see Lewis sitting in the passenger seat.

"What are you doing here?" Daphne asked, startled.

Lewis rubbed his temples. "I have a headache. Can you take me to the hospital?"

Daphne glanced out the window and saw Emily standing at the restaurant entrance, looking around.

"Shouldn't Miss Garcia take you?" Daphne sneered.

"I asked you to take me. Why are you asking so many questions?" Lewis replied, feigning discomfort. "I'm tired. I need to rest."

Daphne had no choice but to drive him to the hospital.

Twenty minutes later, the car slowly stopped at the hospital entrance.

Seeing that Lewis hadn't opened his eyes, Daphne gently patted his shoulder. "We're here."

Lewis pretended to wake up, looking at Daphne with sleepy eyes. "Okay."

Getting out of the car, he pretended to be unsteady. Daphne quickly supported him. "Let's go inside."

Lewis lowered his head, a slight smile on his lips. Daphne still cared about him.

At the hospital, the doctor examined Lewis, who was clearly healthy.

The doctor glanced at Lewis, meeting his warning gaze, and was startled.

Under Lewis's threat, the doctor had no choice but to lie. "It's just a minor cold. Some medicine will do."

The doctor looked at Daphne and then at Lewis. With his years of experience, he suspected Lewis was faking illness for sympathy.

Daphne picked up the medicine and helped Lewis to the hospital entrance.

"Call your assistant to pick you up," she said flatly.

"I don't want my assistant. I want you to take care of me. You can't just leave a sick person alone, can you?" Lewis looked at Daphne pitifully.

Seeing Lewis like this, Daphne felt a pang of guilt and had no choice but to drive him home.

At the apartment complex, Daphne parked the car and helped Lewis inside.

As soon as they entered, Lewis pulled Daphne close, switching their positions in an instant.

Daphne found herself pinned against the door, her hands raised above her head, with Lewis's deep eyes staring into hers. "Can you stay by my side?"

Lewis's voice trembled slightly. Their noses almost touched, and Daphne could smell the faint scent of mint on him.

She admitted she couldn't bear to leave Lewis and wanted to stay by his side, but...

Gloria's warning flashed through Daphne's mind. She couldn't agree!

Besides, Lewis didn't love her. She would only be humiliating herself.

"Sorry, I can't." she replied clamly.

Lewis felt a sudden emptiness, as if their future had vanished. He held Daphne tightly, as if trying to merge her into his very being.

"Let go!" Daphne struggled, but Lewis's grip was strong. The more she struggled, the tighter he held her.

Just as Daphne was at a loss, the doorbell rang.

Daphne's breath caught. "Who is it?"

"Daphne, it's me." Lorenzo's voice came from outside, and Daphne's heart slowly settled.

She looked at Lewis and said, "Can you hide for now?"

Lewis was instantly displeased. "Am I someone who needs to hide? Why should I?"

The knocking resumed.

Daphne's palms were sweaty. She glanced around and saw the bathroom nearby.

She dragged Lewis to the bathroom, opened the door, and pushed him inside. Before he could react, she shut the door with a bang.

"Sorry, but you'll have to stay in the bathroom for a bit," Daphne whispered.

Lewis leaned against the bathroom door, covering his eyes and chuckling softly.

Outside, Lorenzo grew impatient. "Daphne, are you busy?"

He raised his hand to knock again, but the door opened.

Daphne adjusted her hair and looked at Lorenzo, puzzled. "What's up?"

"I brought you some chicken soup. They say it's good for you," Lorenzo said, holding up a thermos.

Daphne glanced at the thermos and thanked him.

"Nothing. Aren't you going to invite me in?" Lorenzo asked with a smile.

Daphne opened the door wider and gestured for him to enter.

Lorenzo walked in, looking around. Seeing no one, he placed the thermos on the coffee table. "The soup is still hot. Drink it while it's warm."

"Okay."

Lorenzo sat on the couch, crossing his legs, and casually asked, "By the way, Daphne, do you know what Lewis thinks about the retirement home project?"

Daphne handed Lorenzo a glass of water and heard his question, deepening her confusion. "He wouldn't discuss that with me. I don't know."