After a bout of chaos, Lance took Deanna to the hospital.
The doctor examined her, put away his medical tools, and said to Lance, "The patient is not in serious condition. Her nerves were overstimulated, causing excessive fright. Combined with recent fatigue, her body couldn't handle it, leading to a high fever. I'll arrange for a nurse to give her an IV drip. She should wake up by tomorrow morning."
"Thank you," Lance nodded and gave Xavier a look.
Xavier understood and immediately stepped forward to lead the doctor out and handle the admission procedures.
By the time they were done, dawn was breaking outside.
Xavier looked at Mr. Mercer guarding the bedside, his face showing undisguised fatigue. He said worriedly, "Mr. Mercer, why don't you rest on the bed next to hers? I'll keep watch here."
"No need. You go rest. You can come in later tomorrow," Lance refused without turning his head, his eyes fixed on Deanna's sleeping face, filled with distress and regret.
Unable to persuade him, Xavier turned and left.
The next morning, Deanna slowly opened her eyes, feeling groggy and uncomfortable.
She struggled to sit up but felt some resistance.
It was then she noticed she wasn't at home but in a hospital.
The resistance came from Lance, who was lying beside her bed, pressing down on her blanket.
Lance woke up from his sleep due to her movement and saw Deanna sitting on the bed, smiling at him.
"You're awake. How do you feel?" he asked, raising his hand to touch her forehead and frowning. "You still have a slight fever."
Seeing this, Deanna's eyes filled with more warmth and affection.
She pulled down his hand and said hoarsely, "Don't worry, I feel much better now. But you, did you stay up all night taking care of me?"
"I slept. You saw it yourself," Lance quickly explained, knowing she was worried about him.
Deanna didn't believe him. She looked at the time and saw it was still early. She moved aside and patted the empty space next to her. "Come up and rest. I haven't slept enough either. I feel safer when you hold me."
Her words were more direct than usual, making her blush and avoid looking at Lance.
Lance noticed her blush and found it endearing.
He chuckled softly, followed her suggestion, lay down on the bed, and held her in his arms. "Let's sleep a bit more."
Deanna nodded lightly, snuggled into his embrace, and closed her eyes.
Perhaps because Lance was with her, Deanna didn't have any nightmares this time.
They slept until almost noon.
After waking up, Lance helped Deanna wash up and then asked, "What would you like to eat?"
"Some porridge. I don't feel like eating meat lately," Deanna said with a frown.
Lance nodded and went out to buy lunch.
Later, after they had lunch, Old Ashley arrived.
She had come earlier in the morning but left when she saw they were still resting. She planned to make some nourishing soup for Deanna before coming back.
"How do you feel now? Any discomfort?" The old lady asked while opening the thermal container. "I heard from Lance that you don't have much appetite now. So I made some ginseng soup for you. It's very light. Try it."
Not wanting to refuse her grandmother's kindness, Deanna took the porcelain bowl and sipped it slowly.
Indeed, as her grandmother said, it was very light and didn't make her feel nauseous at all.
After finishing the soup, Deanna put down the bowl and asked about the situation at home. "Did Gregory and Chloe ask about us when they didn't see us this morning?"
"They did. I told them you and Lance had something to do early in the morning and would be back in a few days. Chloe believed it, but Gregory seemed doubtful. You should call them later; it should be fine," the old lady suggested truthfully.
Deanna nodded, indicating she would call them later.
Meanwhile, at the Howard family residence, Emily lounged lazily in the garden, sipping afternoon tea when her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID, frowned, and answered, "Didn't I tell you not to contact me after taking the job?"
"Plans have changed."
A raspy voice that seemed altered came through the phone.
Emily was startled. "You were discovered?"
"No, Deanna was frightened into the hospital, and security around her has been tightened. We can't proceed with the plan."
"Deanna was frightened into the hospital?" Emily was initially surprised but then couldn't contain her joy. "Haha! Deanna deserves it!"