Lance cleared his throat to hide his discomfort and quickly changed the subject. "It's getting late. The kids can stay here tonight."
"No need, it's too much trouble for you. I'll take them home," Deanna politely declined, then turned to her children. "Go change your clothes, Mommy will take you home."
However, the children didn't move.
"Mommy, we want to stay with Uncle," Chloe said sweetly, her bright eyes looking up at Deanna.
Gregory quickly added, "Mommy, let's stay, just for one night, please?"
Deanna was about to refuse when Lance's deep voice interrupted again. "Since the kids want to stay, let them stay for one night. I've already prepared the rooms; it's no trouble at all."
Hearing this, Deanna hesitated. After all, Lance had prepared the rooms, and it would seem ungrateful to leave now. But staying felt a bit awkward.
Lance noticed her hesitation and continued, "Besides, I was hoping you could help me with a treatment. I've been feeling off today and can't seem to focus."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Deanna immediately forgot her reservations and took Lance's hand to check his pulse.
Fortunately, Lance's symptom was just fatigue. She looked at him reproachfully. "Have you not been resting properly? Your stomach seems upset too. Have you been eating irregularly?"
"I..." Lance began to explain but was cut off by Deanna. "I don't want to hear it from you; I want to hear it from him." She looked at Xavier.
Xavier received a glance from Mr. Mercer but decided not to follow his lead. "Dr. Deanna, you wouldn't believe it. When you're not around, Mr. Mercer doesn't take care of himself at all. He skips meals and works tirelessly. When I remind him, he gets angry at me."
Deanna glared at Lance upon hearing this.
Lance looked a bit embarrassed. "I'll be more careful in the future."
"You said that last time too. If you don't take care of yourself, don't come to me for treatment." Despite her words, Deanna began treating him with acupuncture.
However, her movements were not as gentle as usual; she made sure it hurt.
Lance noticed something was off but smiled warmly, his eyes showing a tenderness he hadn't realized himself. He knew this was Deanna's way of teaching him to cherish his health.
Xavier watched Mr. Mercer's expression and thought that Mr. Mercer truly liked Dr. Deanna. He just wondered when Mr. Mercer would realize his feelings for her.
An hour later, the treatment ended, and it was already very late.
"It's late; you should rest early. I'll take the kids home now," Deanna said as she tidied up.
Lance's voice was hoarse as he replied, "The kids fell asleep during the treatment. I had Xavier arrange for them to rest; they're probably fast asleep now. Let's not wake them."
Hearing this, Deanna didn't have the heart to wake her children.
"Alright, I'll come back to pick them up early tomorrow morning," she conceded and prepared to leave.
She was exhausted from the day's activities, and her fatigue was evident on her face.
Lance noticed and suggested, "It's not safe for you to go back alone this late. Why not stay here tonight? It will save you a trip in the morning."
Deanna considered this and found it reasonable, so she hesitated.
Xavier saw this and quickly said, "I'll prepare a guest room right away." He left immediately, not giving Deanna a chance to refuse.
Deanna had no choice but to agree. "Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Mercer."
Soon, the guest room was ready.
Deanna took a relaxing bath before lying down on the bed.
She quickly drifted off to sleep.
At the same time, Lance was in his study working but felt unusually good.
The next day, Deanna woke up more than an hour later than usual.
She hurriedly washed up and went downstairs, where she only saw Lance in the living room. She greeted him proactively. "Good morning, Mr. Mercer. Are Chloe and Gregory still asleep?"
"They woke up early; I had someone take them to kindergarten," Lance replied gently. "Breakfast is on the table. After you eat, I'll drive you."
Deanna felt a bit embarrassed hearing this.
She nodded and quickly ate breakfast.
After a while, Lance asked, "Where do you want to go?"
"To the hilltop estate; I need to check on some herbs," Deanna replied with a smile.
Lance nodded and drove her there directly.