Chapter 152 She's two-timing
Alaric's voice was cold and heavy.
Janet's body, which had been leaning in, stiffened.
Cordelia glanced coolly at the displeased Alaric, turned and walked out of the hospital room. As she left, she didn't forget to add a comment.
"Since Ms. Martin is here to keep you company, Mr. Hughes, you'd better not leave the hospital."
Alaric's eyes turned cold as he glanced sideways at her.
But Cordelia had already looked away and left the room.
Janet watched Cordelia's retreating figure, her expression changing slightly. But she quickly regained her composure, put on a smile, and looked at Alaric.
"Alaric, I brought you something you used to really like eating."
"Get out."
Before Janet could finish speaking, Alaric's low, angry voice made her fall silent.
She hesitated, but still placed the food she'd prepared on the cabinet to the side before turning to leave.
Alaric changed out of his hospital gown, put on his own clothes from the wardrobe in the room, and walked out with a dark expression.
Robert had just stepped out of the elevator. Seeing that Alaric wasn't wearing a hospital gown, he immediately quickened his pace.
"Mr. Hughes, you're not staying here tonight?"
Alaric didn't answer his question, only saying coldly, "The lunch box in the room—throw it out."
Robert nodded and immediately headed to Alaric's room.
As soon as he entered, he saw a pink lunch box containing carefully prepared oatmeal porridge.
He picked up the lunch box and tossed it straight into the public trash bin outside the room.
Alaric had already gone downstairs and was sitting in the back seat.
Robert's car was parked right next to Cordelia's.
Cordelia changed out of her work clothes and came downstairs. Just as she stepped out of the elevator, Dominic's call came through.
She glanced at the caller ID, her lips curving slightly as she answered.
"Dominic."
Her gentle voice and smiling face deeply stung Alaric's eyes.
She talked with Dominic while opening her car door and getting in.
After returning to Astoria, Dominic had gone to meet the girl Jade had arranged for him on a blind date.
Hearing this, Cordelia raised her eyebrows slightly and said with a smile, "Do you like her?"
Dominic was silent for a few seconds before answering Cordelia, "She's my type. First impression is pretty good, but we'll have to see how things go."
Cordelia nodded gently. "As long as you like her."
Dominic didn't want to continue this topic with Cordelia.
"Is Amber adjusting okay since coming back?"
"Has she been missing me lately?"
Cordelia smiled slightly. "How could she not miss you? Of course she does."
In the car next door, Alaric sat in the back seat with a cold expression, his eyes dark and deep.
He looked down at the time, his face gloomy.
He had thought that Cordelia and Dominic had broken up recently, which was why she dared to meet Thomas's parents.
He hadn't expected that Cordelia was still in contact with Dominic behind the scenes.
He couldn't hear what Dominic was saying, but from Cordelia's responses and demeanor, they were definitely still dating.
Alaric's face was cold. For some reason, even though he wasn't the one being betrayed, he was filled with anger.
Robert came out of the elevator and, seeing Cordelia, greeted her proactively.
"Dr. Stone."
Cordelia nodded slightly and gave Robert a small smile in response.
He smiled back, then opened the car door and got in.
As soon as he bent down to enter the driver's seat, he sensed that Alaric's mood in the back seat seemed off.
The atmosphere was incredibly tense. Could these two have had a conflict in just a few minutes?
Robert was confused.
The next second, Alaric said coldly from the back seat, "What are you waiting for? Drive!"
Robert didn't dare delay and immediately started the car and left.
Cordelia ended her call with Dominic at that moment.
As she started her car, she glanced sideways and saw Alaric in the back seat of the next car.
As the two cars passed each other, Cordelia saw Alaric's impossibly cold, handsome face.
She paused, thought carefully about whether she'd offended him just now, decided she hadn't, and drove off with a clear conscience.
Back at The Stone Manor.
Donald had already prepared dinner. Seeing Cordelia return, he brought out a thermal lunch box.
"Ruth doesn't know Alaric is hospitalized, so no one's probably sent him dinner."
"Robert might send him something, but it would be from a restaurant. Restaurant food can't compare to home cooking."
"After you eat, take this to Alaric."
Hearing this, Cordelia opened the thermal container and looked inside.
Not knowing that Alaric had thrown away Janet's oatmeal porridge, she replied calmly to Donald.
"Janet brought him oatmeal porridge to his room earlier."
Donald frowned slightly at this.
Thinking of Alaric's attitude toward Amber that afternoon, he felt guilty.
He treated Amber so well without knowing she was his daughter—if he knew Amber was his child, he'd probably spoil her even more.
Although Amber had many people who loved her now.
But when she grew up, she'd eventually want to find her father.
As a father himself, Donald felt they shouldn't deprive Amber of the right to experience a father's love.
Now, hearing Cordelia mention Janet, Donald pushed down his guilt about hiding the truth from Alaric.
Donald's oatmeal porridge looked very appetizing and smelled wonderful. Cordelia was a bit tempted. Seeing there was no oatmeal porridge on the table, it was clearly something Donald had made specially for Alaric.
Cordelia pressed her lips together.
"Dad, how about I just drink it?"
Seeing her like this, Donald smiled indulgently. "If you want to drink it, go ahead."
Cordelia smiled happily at his words.
Donald's phone rang at that moment.
He took out his phone and looked at the caller ID—it was Robert.
When Donald had visited the Hughes Group recently, Robert had given him his number, saying that next time Donald came by, he could call ahead to avoid making a wasted trip if Alaric was out.
He looked a bit puzzled but still answered.
Robert's voice sounded somewhat strained.
"Mr. Stone, this is Robert."
"Mr. Hughes just returned to Crown Hill Estates from the hospital and hasn't had dinner yet. I ordered chicken soup from a restaurant for him, but it doesn't seem to suit his taste."
"I thought that Mr. Hughes has always really enjoyed the meals you cook, so I took the liberty of calling you."
Cordelia had found a spoon in the kitchen and was about to serve herself some oatmeal porridge when Donald suddenly put the lid back on the container and pressed his hand on top of it.
Cordelia looked confused.
Soon, Donald answered Robert.
"Perfect timing. I just made some oatmeal porridge for Alaric. I'll have Cordelia bring it over right away."
Cordelia paused, immediately understanding that the oatmeal porridge she was about to eat had just flown away.