Chapter 13 She Invites Another Man to Watch a Movie
When Cordelia stepped off the operating table, the sky outside had already darkened.
Both surgeries today had taken longer than expected. Considering the baby she was carrying, Cordelia had avoided any stimulants. Now that she was done, her body felt the weight of exhaustion.
She walked back to her office, took off her white coat, and hung it on the rack. She grabbed her handbag from the cabinet and was about to leave when she noticed Alaric standing at the door, his face sullen.
Alaric didn't look happy. Cordelia raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is Ms. Martin feeling unwell?"
She massaged her temples, trying to push back her fatigue, and made a move to head to Janet's room.
After all, Janet was her patient.
As she reached the door, Alaric didn't budge.
Cordelia looked up, puzzled.
Alaric's deep eyes were calm as they looked at her, his handsome face showing little emotion.
"What's wrong?" Cordelia asked.
Alaric glanced at her tired face and replied coldly, "Nothing."
With that, he turned and left.
Cordelia frowned, finding Alaric's behavior odd.
She took a deep breath and collected herself.
Just then, the nurse responsible for Janet's care walked by. Cordelia asked a few questions and learned that Janet was already asleep and doing fine. Relieved, she returned to her office, grabbed her bag, and left.
She was both tired and hungry, eager to get home, drink some of the hot soup Saskia had prepared, and get a good night's sleep.
When she stepped out of the hospital, Cordelia tried to hail a cab but had no luck. She pulled out her phone and checked a rideshare app, only to find that the wait time was thirty minutes.
Massaging her temples, she remembered it was Valentine's Day, making it harder to get a ride.
Since she hadn't driven to work, she reluctantly opened her contacts to call Hannah for a lift. Just as she was about to dial, she heard Dominic's voice from a distance.
"Cordelia."
Her face lit up at the sound of his voice, and she managed a smile.
She was about to approach him when a black Maybach pulled up in front of her, blocking her path.
The rear window rolled down slowly, revealing Alaric's handsome face, his deep eyes showing a rare hint of anger.
"Get in," he ordered, his voice cold and impatient.
Cordelia hesitated, seeing Dominic approaching. She pressed her red lips together and said, "Someone's already here to pick me up. No need to trouble you, Mr. Hughes."
Alaric shot her a cold look and said, "Cordelia, the Stone Group's fate is in your hands."
The Stone Group was not out of danger yet.
Cordelia paused, seeing the implicit threat in Alaric's eyes.
Alaric pushed open the rear door from inside. Taking a deep breath, Cordelia bent down and got in.
Once she was inside, the rear window rolled up slowly.
Dominic stopped in his tracks as he watched Cordelia get into Alaric's car. The black Maybach drove past him, and his usually gentle expression darkened.
A moment later, Cordelia's phone rang.
Alaric glanced at her with a stern face. "Don't answer it."
Cordelia remained silent.
The phone rang for a while before it fell quiet.
What should have been a twenty-minute drive from the hospital to Garden Vista Estates took half an hour due to traffic.
Alaric's expression grew increasingly impatient.
The driver, sensing Alaric's mood through the rearview mirror, quickly explained, "Sorry about the delay, sir. It's Valentine's Day, so there's more traffic tonight."
Alaric glanced over at Cordelia.
Though they were in the same back seat, the distance between them felt as wide as a canyon.
Cordelia gazed out the window. She watched a young man give flowers to a girl, who accepted them with a bashful smile, prompting cheers from the crowd around them.
Cordelia smiled slightly before she turned away, noticing Alaric tapping on his phone, engrossed in a message.
Her smile faded as she frowned slightly. Despite being married for years, she had never received flowers from Alaric. What a pity.
The driver, noticing the silence between them, softly suggested, "Mrs. Hughes, you like movies, right? I have two tickets here. Maybe Mr. Hughes could join you."
The thought of watching a movie with Alaric seemed tedious to Cordelia. She shook her head immediately.
"No, I just want to go home and rest."
She was exhausted.
Alaric's face turned cold.
The driver fell silent.
Back at Garden Vista Estates, Saskia came out to greet them.
"Dinner is ready, Mr. Hughes, Mrs. Hughes. Please come in."
Cordelia, having texted Saskia earlier to prepare dinner, was starving and quickly headed to the dining room.
Alaric glanced at her retreating figure and said, "I've already eaten."
Saskia paused, looking at Cordelia with sympathy as she ate.
It was Valentine's Day, and Alaric had probably dined with Janet.
Cordelia, satisfied after her meal, headed upstairs.
As she climbed the stairs, she glanced at Alaric sitting on the couch, tapping away on his phone, likely messaging Janet.
Her expression darkened as she continued upstairs.
Hearing her footsteps, Alaric looked up before his phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen.
Robert had messaged him.
[Mr. Hughes, I'm on my way with the flowers.]
Thinking of Cordelia's earlier attitude, Alaric frowned but replied: [Bring them over.]
A few minutes later, Robert entered the living room with a bouquet, looking respectful and cautious. "Mr. Hughes, your flowers."
"Put them down," Alaric said coldly.
Seeing Alaric's displeasure, Robert quickly placed the bouquet on the table and stepped back.
Alaric had impulsively ordered the flowers after seeing Cordelia's envious look earlier. Now, the flowers only added to his irritation. He loosened his tie and waved Robert away.
Robert left promptly.
Upstairs, Cordelia, having finished her shower, heard a car leaving. Her expression was unreadable.
She picked up her phone and checked the time, then called Dominic back.
Dominic had helped her with a significant matter recently, and she didn't want to seem ungrateful.
The call connected quickly.
Alaric, holding the bouquet, heard Cordelia's soft voice from the bedroom.
"I didn't realize that movie was out today. I've been so busy."
"How about we go tomorrow? I have some free time."
"You helped sell that plot of land for my family. I still owe you a thank you. Don't be too modest."
Outside the door, Alaric tightened his grip on the bouquet, his face darkening.