Hearing the little girl's exclamation again, Lance asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Deanna replied, not wanting Lance to know and thinking it was nothing serious.
But when she tried to move, a sharp pain shot through her ankle, making her gasp and almost lose her balance.
Fortunately, Chloe quickly stepped forward to support her, speaking anxiously, "Mommy, you can't walk anymore. If you keep this up, your foot will swell even more."
Deanna looked embarrassed and wanted to say something.
Before she could speak, her daughter's soft voice came again.
"Uncle, can you help my mommy? Her foot is swollen and she can't walk."
Almost immediately, Lance's low voice came from next door, "Got it."
Then came the sound of water as he got up.
Hearing this, Deanna panicked because she was only wrapped in a bath towel and had nothing else on.
As footsteps approached the door, Deanna frantically looked around and saw another bath towel hanging on the nearby rack. She quickly grabbed it and draped it over herself.
Just as she finished, Lance entered wearing a bathrobe, followed by a worried Gregory.
The two men walked in to see Deanna standing in the hallway wrapped in a towel, her hair wet and clinging to her face, looking quite disheveled.
Lance's gaze dropped to her ankle, which was already swollen and bruised, looking rather alarming.
Deanna noticed Lance's gaze and shifted her foot uncomfortably.
"Don't move!" Lance suddenly ordered. Without giving her a chance to react, he stepped forward and scooped her up in his arms.
The sudden action left Deanna stunned.
Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at his chiseled jawline.
In no time, they were back in the room.
Xavier looked surprised as Mr. Mercer carried Dr. Deanna back. Why was Mr. Mercer carrying Dr. Deanna?
As he wondered, Mr. Mercer's calm voice came, "Go ask the receptionist for a first aid kit."
"Is someone hurt?" Xavier regretted asking as soon as the words left his mouth. It was obvious-Dr. Deanna was hurt if Mr. Mercer had carried her back.
Embarrassed, he said, "I'll get the first aid kit right away."
Lance ignored him and placed Deanna on the sofa.
The two little ones immediately crowded around with concern.
"Mommy, does it hurt?"
"I'll blow on it for you; it won't hurt then."
They spoke in unison.
Deanna felt warm inside and reassured them, "Mommy is fine. Don't worry."
As they talked, Xavier returned with the first aid kit and placed it on the coffee table.
Lance took out some anti-inflammatory ointment and walked over to Deanna.
"I'll apply the medicine for you," he said as he bent down slightly to reach for her foot.
Deanna was startled and quickly pulled away.
How could she let the president of Mercer Group apply medicine for her?
She shook her head repeatedly and refused politely, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Mercer. I can do it myself. Just give me the medicine."
She reached out to take the medicine.
But Lance avoided her hand.
"Mr. Mercer?" Deanna looked at him in confusion.
Lance's dark eyes met hers as he said calmly, "This is not the time to be stubborn."
He glanced at her swollen ankle and spoke again.
"Dr. Deanna should know that your ankle needs proper care. Otherwise, you won't be able to walk tomorrow. You should understand this better than I do."
Deanna fell silent at his words.
After a moment of hesitation, she finally agreed, "Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Mercer."
Lance nodded slightly and placed her leg on his knee.
Xavier was dumbfounded by what he saw.
Was this really Mr. Mercer? He was actually helping someone himself.
The two little ones watched their interaction with wide eyes before exchanging a glance and covering their mouths to stifle their giggles.
Deanna didn't notice any of this.
At that moment, she was tense all over, unsure of what to do as she watched Lance.
She had never been this close to a man before and felt a bit embarrassed. She tugged at the towel wrapped around her body.
Lance noticed her discomfort and small movements but said nothing.
In fact, Deanna did look a bit disheveled at that moment. Her body was still wet despite being wrapped in a towel, with her legs exposed to the air.
This made her feel uneasy. Wearing only undergarments underneath, she worried about being exposed and adjusted the towel accordingly.
Lance sprayed some medicine on his hand and placed it on her ankle.
Deanna's leg twitched slightly from the unfamiliar sensation.
Seeing this, Lance reassured her softly, "Relax."
With that, he began to massage her ankle gently, feeling the smoothness of her skin under his touch...