Lance said this because he really didn't like seeing Deanna so tired, handling everything herself.
If she had an assistant, many trivial matters wouldn't need Deanna's attention.
Deanna was a bit more awake now and understood what Lance had said, but she shook her head in disagreement. "Although I'm a bit tired now, I can manage for the time being. There's no need for that extra expense."
As she spoke, she removed the needles from Lance.
Seeing this, Lance didn't say anything further.
A few minutes later, all the silver needles were removed. Deanna tidied up briefly and then said, "Mr. Mercer, when you get home, continue soaking in the medicinal bath as before. I'm going to take a bath and then sleep. Please make yourself at home."
With that, she didn't wait to see if Lance had anything to say. She picked up a towel and wobbled into the bathroom.
Watching the bathroom door close tightly, Lance didn't leave immediately but stood there frowning.
He was worried about Deanna's groggy state and decided to wait until she finished her bath before leaving.
Deanna was unaware of this.
After entering the bathroom, she filled the bathtub with water and began undressing.
Soon, a slender, fair leg stepped into the tub, creating ripples. Deanna sat down in the bathtub, the warm water covering her chest. She couldn't help but sigh in comfort and leaned back against the edge of the tub.
She planned to soak for just a while.
Unexpectedly, because it was so comfortable, she fell asleep leaning against the tub.
Outside, Lance waited and waited, but Deanna didn't come out. He started to worry.
"Dr. Deanna?"
He approached the bathroom door and called out tentatively.
There was no sound from inside.
Lance frowned and muttered softly, "Did she fall asleep?"
He knocked on the door again, calling out, but still received no response.
Finally, unable to rest easy, Lance forced the door open. The scene before him nearly stopped his heart.
Deanna was slipping into the water with her eyes closed, her mouth almost submerged.
Without thinking, Lance rushed forward and pulled her out, his heart finally settling down.
It was then that he felt the smoothness of her skin and realized Deanna wasn't wearing any clothes.
Instantly, he froze in place, his gaze involuntarily flickering.
Under the light, her fair skin was hard to avoid seeing even though he tried to look away.
Feeling awkward and unsure of what to do, his eyes caught sight of a towel nearby. Without thinking, he grabbed it and wrapped it around Deanna before carrying her out of the bathroom.
He placed her on the bed; she was still deeply asleep.
Standing by the bed, Lance looked down at Deanna with a mix of amusement and helplessness.
Despite all the commotion earlier, she was still sleeping soundly. She must have been truly exhausted today.
He was also relieved that he had stayed a bit longer; otherwise, the consequences could have been dire.
Thinking of this, Lance finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He covered Deanna with a blanket, but the image of what he had just seen lingered in his mind. The details he hadn't noticed earlier now became vividly clear in his memory.
He hadn't expected that beneath her usually loose and casual clothing lay such a perfect figure.
For some reason, Lance's gaze darkened as he looked at the small woman on the bed. His fingers rubbed together as if they could feel the smoothness from earlier.
The air gradually became warm and filled with a faint fragrance.
Lance knew it was the scent of Deanna's body wash because it had been present in the bathroom when he entered earlier.
Thinking about this made him feel inexplicably hot and thirsty. He realized he couldn't stay there any longer.
Without looking back, he left the room.
On the bed, Deanna slept soundly with a faint smile on her lips, dreaming sweetly.
Outside, Lance found Old Ashley sitting on the sofa, not yet resting.
Old Ashley heard him and turned around with a smile. "Finished with the treatment?"
"Yes," Lance replied hoarsely, his expression somewhat unnatural.
Unfortunately, Old Ashley didn't notice and invited him warmly. "Are you hungry? I have some food kept warm in the pot. Call Deanna to come eat."
Clearly, the old lady hadn't forgotten about supper.
However, Lance felt even more uncomfortable because of this suggestion.
But thinking about Deanna's condition, he finally decided to speak up hesitantly, "Um, Dr. Deanna is very tired... She fell asleep after taking a bath without getting dressed. I couldn't wake her up. Could you... could you help her get dressed?"