Chapter 138
Monica glanced over instinctively, her gaze landing on his face. She froze for a second.
This was today's VIP client?
This guy, with his college-boy face and fluffy, soft hair, was the one she was meeting?
Monica inexplicably thought of a golden retriever.
Not to be mean, but everything about this guy—his look, his voice—screamed golden retriever. He had that vibe that made you want to ruffle his hair.
When he noticed her staring at his face, he chuckled softly. "Do I have something on my face?"
"Sorry, I zoned out." Caught red-handed, Monica's face flushed.
She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and extended her hand openly. "Hi, I'm Monica Reed."
"Hi, I'm Henry Phillips. I'm currently overseeing HealthNova Pharmaceuticals."
Monica froze again.
He was saying that the globally renowned pharmaceutical company was under his management?
So young and accomplished?
"You zoned out again." Henry chuckled softly, interrupting her thoughts. "You haven't fallen for me already, have you?"
Monica laughed awkwardly again. "Sorry, sorry."
"It's fine. You're really cute." Henry replied with a smile.
The people around them laughed good-naturedly at their exchange.
Monica sighed internally.
Remembering today's business, she brazenly flashed a sweet smile and took a seat at the table. "So, Mr. Phillips, can I get a discount on my project because I'm cute?"
"No rush, no rush. We can talk price later." Henry said leisurely.
Great. He really does look like a golden retriever.
Monica silently complained to herself: That hair looks way too touchable.
The afternoon flew by.
The atmosphere during their project discussion was surprisingly pleasant. Before they knew it, the sun was setting.
Monica saw them off with a smile, lingered in the private room for a bit, then left.
She didn't rush to call a car. Instead, she strolled slowly down the street.
When she kept busy, there was no time for sadness. But the moment she stopped, those thoughts would come flooding back.
She stopped by a corner shop for a bottled cocktail and sat quietly on a bench by the roadside.
A few sips made her nose sting and her eyes well up.
She stared at the river and murmured, "Caspian, how can I truly forget you?"
No one answered.
An evening breeze rippled across the water's surface.
"Monica?" A voice interrupted her thoughts.
Monica looked up to see Henry rolling down his car window and leaning out.
"Mr. Phillips, you haven't left yet?" She immediately straightened her expression and asked with a smile, though her voice was still thick from crying.
"Did something upset you?" Henry asked, his usually relaxed expression turning more serious when he saw Monica's face.
He got out of the car and gently handed her a tissue.
Monica accepted it silently and wiped her tears.
"It's rush hour right now. Hard to get a ride. Let me take you home."
"No need. I can manage on my own."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
Seeing Monica insist, Henry didn't push further, though a barely noticeable hint of regret flickered in his eyes. "Then, can we add each other on WhatsApp? Let me know when you get home safely."
"Sure." Monica hastily pulled out her phone and added him.
"Goodbye—" Before Monica could finish her farewell, her phone rang.
After she answered the call, her expression turned anxious. "Okay, I'll be right there!"
Henry stood where he was, not leaving.
She grabbed Henry's hand. "Mr. Phillips, can you take me to the hospital? My grandma fell and hurt her leg!"
"No problem! Don't worry." Henry agreed immediately and drove Monica straight to the hospital.
Monica rushed out of the car and ran all the way to the hospital room door.
"How's Grandma? What happened? How did she fall and hurt her leg out of nowhere?" She asked the caregiver anxiously.
The caregiver looked furious just thinking about it.
"After dinner, I was pushing Mrs. Reed for a walk. Everything was fine."
"But suddenly this old lady came charging out, shoved me to the ground, and started pushing the wheelchair like crazy."
"She was so strong I couldn't stop her. We were on a slope, and Mrs. Reed fell right out of the wheelchair."
"The doctor said Mrs. Reed has a fracture. She's still in surgery… It's all my fault…"
The caregiver looked remorseful and guilty.
"Where does that old lady live?"
"Right in the next room. I heard she has some dementia. No idea how she got out."
"What old lady? I'm going to find her!" Monica didn't care if the woman was sick or had dementia.
If she knocked someone down, it was her fault.
She stormed out, and Henry, worried, followed quickly behind.
Hearing cheerful laughter coming from the next room only fueled Monica's anger.
Knocked someone down and they're laughing? She'd see if they could still laugh once she walked in there.
She shoved the door open hard, then froze when she saw who was inside.
"Mon?" Caspian asked, somewhat surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that. What are you doing here?" Monica replied coldly.
She looked at Caspian and his fiancée Vesper standing beside him. "Who is the old woman in this room to you?"
"She's my grandmother." Vesper answered gently.
"Your grandmother?" Monica's temper flared instantly.
Her own grandmother was sick, and unless her mother insisted, Caspian had never once gone with her to visit.
But today, he was here at the hospital with Vesper.
"Is something wrong?" Vesper asked timidly, noticing Monica's expression.
"What? Your grandmother knocked someone down and you don't even know? You're all sitting here laughing without even checking on the victim?"
Vesper froze. "Is it someone you know?"
"Yes, my grandmother!"
Vesper went still.
Caspian frowned and said to Vesper, "You go look after Grandma. I'll handle this."
But Vesper didn't listen.
She hesitated, then walked toward Monica.
Seeing her move, Henry instinctively stepped in front of Monica.
Caspian's expression turned cold at the gesture.
"Mon, we're going to be family soon. I don't think there's anything we can't talk about." Vesper's voice was soft. "Today, yes, my grandmother did push yours. But my grandmother has always been a good person. She wouldn't just push someone without reason. Are you maybe missing some of the context here?"
Hearing this twisted logic, Monica almost laughed from anger. "So you're saying my grandmother getting knocked down was her own fault?"