Early the next morning, when Deanna got up, Shannon approached her with a phone in hand.
"Missus, the boss called last night. Knowing you were resting, he didn't want me to disturb you. Do you want to call him back?"
"I understand. You can go have breakfast now."
Deanna thanked her and took the phone, preparing to call Lance.
The call was quickly connected, and Lance asked with concern, "How are you feeling? Is there any discomfort?"
Hearing this, Deanna knew that Lance must have heard about her competition yesterday.
"I'm fine, don't worry."
"If you know I'll worry, don't do such dangerous things in the future," Lance admonished over the phone.
Deanna couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.
This was the first time Lance had scolded her so sternly since they got back together.
She rubbed her nose awkwardly, knowing that yesterday's events had angered Lance. She quickly tried to soothe him with kind words.
"I know I was wrong. I won't put myself in danger again. Please don't be mad, okay?"
"Just saying you're wrong isn't enough; show some sincerity."
Lance snorted arrogantly.
Seeing this, Deanna understood his thoughts and quickly made several promises.
Finally, after a few minutes of coaxing, Lance calmed down and asked about the competition.
"I heard from Mr. Martinez that there are three rounds in your competition. What's today's challenge?"
"If nothing unexpected happens today, it will be identifying herbs. The final round is collecting herbs."
Deanna truthfully explained the competition's content and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Didn't Master tell you about this?"
Lance was momentarily stumped and coughed lightly to cover up. "I was too worried when I heard you were poisoned, so I didn't really listen to what your Master said."
Not wanting to continue this topic, he shifted the conversation to the Martinez family's main branch.
"From what your Master said, that family is foolish. He has no affection for them. If they provoke you, don't consider your Master's feelings; don't wrong yourself."
He was afraid Deanna would be bullied and kept reminding her.
Deanna felt warm inside and smiled. "I know. You don't need to worry about me. As for the main branch of the Martinez family, I don't take them seriously at all. Honestly, I've never met such brainless people."
"What do you mean?"
Lance sensed there was more to the story and asked with interest.
Deanna replied with a question, "Think carefully about the order of the competitions I just told you."
Upon hearing this, Lance recalled what Deanna had just said and quickly realized the problem.
"You're right; the main branch of the Martinez family is indeed brainless."
He smiled wryly.
After all, who in their right mind would put the most difficult challenge first and then follow it with the simplest one?
Detoxification had many variables. If someone skilled tampered with the poison, they might achieve their goal easily.
The couple chatted on the phone, discussing each other's situations.
At this time, Nightingale entered with breakfast.
Seeing Deanna still on the phone, she didn't interrupt but quietly set the table.
A few minutes later, Deanna reluctantly ended the call.
Nightingale teased her upon seeing her reluctance. "Miss, no need to rush. Mr. Mercer should be here in two days."
Upon hearing this, Deanna's cheeks turned red, understanding the teasing tone.
However, she didn't deny her anticipation for Lance's arrival.
It had been almost a week since she last saw him in person, and she indeed missed him a lot.
After breakfast, Deanna was about to see what her grandmother and the two little ones were doing when she encountered Jagger.
"Mr. Butler, what's the matter?"
"Miss, the main branch has proposed to continue the competition."
Jagger stated his purpose clearly.
Deanna raised an eyebrow. "Can Craig get out of bed?"
She wasn't being arrogant; she knew that even her Master would take several days to neutralize the poison she developed. Moreover, her Master had deliberately aggravated Craig's condition yesterday, causing the poison to attack his heart.
"You'll know once you go over there," Jagger said, making a gesture for her to follow.
Deanna nodded and followed him to the outer courtyard.
When they arrived, she saw that many people had already gathered in the courtyard.
Among them were Gregory, Chloe, and her grandmother, whom she had planned to visit.
The three of them noticed her arrival as well.
The two little ones excitedly cheered her on. "Go Mommy!"
Deanna gave them a sweet smile and then looked towards Craig sitting in a wheelchair not far away. She couldn't help but curl her lips in mockery.
It seemed this family was not only foolish but also stubborn. Even though Craig couldn't stand up anymore, they still wanted to continue the competition.
"Are you sure you want to continue? Don't say I won unfairly by bullying a patient if I win," Deanna said bluntly as she walked over.
Craig's face stiffened.
Clearly, he had intended to use that excuse.
But now that Deanna had pointed it out, he couldn't admit it.
"Rest assured, no matter win or lose, I won't say anything."