Deanna remained silent, her expression gloomy.
In a sad voice, she said, "Indeed."
If it weren't for her, her mother wouldn't have died.
Lance looked at her and suddenly felt a pang of sympathy.
Realizing he was still there, she pushed aside her chaotic guilt and thanked him, "Thank you."
Lance raised an eyebrow, "Why are you thanking me again? I told you, there's no need."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
He had said she didn't need to thank him.
But she truly hadn't expected him to go there.
And he had helped her.
She leaned forward, moving closer to him, and asked mysteriously, "Mr. Mercer, did you really go there to find me?"
Her eyes sparkled with mischief, like a cute little fox.
He caught a whiff of her gentle and warm fragrance, momentarily distracted.
She smelled so nice...
He forced himself to regain focus and shook his head, "Not really. I was invited to attend the wedding. I just happened to run into you... so I helped."
Lance paused subtly halfway through his sentence.
She understood that he didn't finish his words so as not to remind her of her painful memories.
Deanna nodded and gave a self-deprecating smile.
What else did she have to care about?
"Actually, you shouldn't have helped me. Everyone there tonight was influential, and there were media present. This will get out and won't do you any good."
Her voice was clear and melodious, with the charm of a mature woman.
His gaze was intense as he looked back at her.
He opened his mouth but swallowed his words.
When he spoke again, he said, "Let them say what they want. I don't care."
Lance shrugged, looking indifferent.
Seeing him so adorably nonchalant, she couldn't help but laugh.
He seemed a bit stunned.
Earlier, he had actually wanted to say: If you need it, I can always help you.
But given their current relationship, he felt he shouldn't say that.
Deanna had no idea what he was thinking.
Her eyes sparkled as she teased him playfully, "I didn't expect Mr. Mercer to be such a self-centered person."
He chuckled but said nothing.
She couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
For some reason, she felt a growing fondness for him.
Although she understood that he helped her because she was his doctor.
Lance would need to come to her for treatment in the future. That's why he had protected her so much at the wedding, even risking himself.
But that was already enough for her to be grateful.
She watched his back.
In her eyes was a tenderness even she hadn't noticed. Nor did he.
Thinking about his health, she asked with concern, "Mr. Mercer, how have you been feeling lately?"
Lance casually replied, "I'm okay, just a bit tired."
She looked at him suspiciously and insisted, "Stop the car. Let me check your pulse."
He obediently had Xavier stop the car and extended his hand for her to check his pulse.
As she felt his pulse, her brows gradually furrowed into a frown.
His pulse was weak and indicated overexertion.
While checking his pulse, she scolded him angrily, "Mr. Mercer, even with the medicine I prescribed, you can't keep overworking yourself. You need to get at least six hours of sleep every day!"
Lance remained silent under her scolding without arguing back.
Xavier, watching Mr. Mercer being so humble, tried to explain, "Miss Jones, Mr. Mercer has his-" reasons.
Before he could finish, she shot him a sharp look that silenced him immediately.
Xavier wisely closed his mouth and glanced secretly at Mr. Mercer.
It seemed Mr. Mercer would have to undergo her criticism a lot from now on.
Deanna withdrew her hand and told Lance, "Come to my place tonight for at least an hour of acupuncture and an hour of herbal bath."
His body was overly exhausted and needed proper care.
Lance nodded and instructed Xavier, "Head straight to Miss Jones's house."
Xavier hesitated and asked her, "Miss Jones, will it be too late? Wouldn't it be inappropriate?"
If it got out that Mr. Mercer stayed alone with Deanna, it could harm her reputation.
She raised an eyebrow, radiating warmth like a sunflower in the sun.
"I don't mind. Why should you?"
Xavier smiled and drove to her house.
When they arrived home, Old Ashley, Gregory Jones, and Chloe were sitting on the sofa waiting for her.
They all looked worried.
Seeing Deanna enter, Chloe and Gregory immediately ran over and hugged her.
Old Ashley approached with a concerned look, "Deanna, why are you back so late? Did those people give you trouble?"
She was just supposed to retrieve a necklace; she should have been back earlier.
With a relaxed expression, she replied, "No, they couldn't trouble me."
She worried they might overthink things.
So, she decided not to tell them about what happened tonight.
Seeing they were anxious, she said, "I got the necklace back. Don't worry. I ran into Mr. Mercer on the way back and got delayed a bit. Mr. Mercer is here for treatment."
Old Ashley nodded and greeted Lance and Xavier warmly.
She patted the two children's heads to comfort them and gently said, "Chloe, Gregory, let go of mommy. Mommy needs to treat Mr. Mercer."
The two children did as they were told.
One ran to pour water while the other fetched Deanna's acupuncture kit.
Lance took off his shirt and lay down on the bed by himself.
This time the acupuncture took a lot of effort from her, leaving her visibly tired as she yawned.
After finishing, he put his shirt back on and said to her, "Thank you."
Too exhausted for pleasantries, she just nodded and packed up her things.
Turning around, she saw Gregory and Chloe already asleep on the chairs beside them.
Their heads rested on the chair backs while their bodies leaned against each other adorably.