Chapter 286: The Secret of the Street Corner

Chapter 286: The Secret of the Street Corner

After reading the message, Zoey had never really liked Stella as a person—too calculating, lacking a certain purity in how she handled things. But thinking it over, the smooth completion of the quality inspection meant the next batch of life-saving medicine would soon reach the battlefield, reaching those struggling desperately amid the gunfire. The unease in her heart faded, replaced by a genuine sense of happiness. She lightly tapped the screen to reply with a simple "okay," then thought of Aiden, whom she hadn't seen in ages, and warmth completely flooded her heart.

She put down her phone and slowly sat up. Morning light leaked through the curtain gaps in thin rays, falling on the edge of the bed. Outside the window came the soft chirping of early birds. Inside, everything was quiet and peaceful—a kind of stability she had never dared hope for during countless mornings in Yemen. She raised her hand to rub her temples, got up, and headed to the bathroom to get ready, waiting for Chase to pick her up.

Zoey had just finished getting ready and sat down on the living room sofa when she heard cheerful humming outside the door. Veda was back.

The moment the door opened, Veda was carrying something. Seeing the person on the sofa, her steps suddenly halted, the basket in her hand nearly hitting the door frame. Her voice was full of surprised disbelief:

"Zoey? When did you get back? Why didn't you let me know?"

Zoey stood up, smiling as she walked over:

"Just got in last night. I figured you might have gone home to take care of your family."

Veda quickly approached and sat beside Zoey, her eyes carefully examining her face and body. Her fingertips lifted slightly, as if wanting to touch Zoey's noticeably thinner cheeks, but in the end, she just gently patted Zoey's hand, her voice soft and gentle:

"It's good you're back, it's good you're back."

The care between them was in their eyes—restrained yet genuine.

As they were talking, a car horn sounded outside, followed by a male voice:

"Zoey, ready?"

Hearing this voice, Veda whipped her head around. When she saw who was standing at the door, her pupils contracted slightly, her face showing even more surprise. She quickly stepped aside, her tone carrying a somewhat formal respect:

"Mr. Anderson? How is it you..."

She never imagined Chase would personally come to pick up Zoey, much less that the two had this kind of connection.

Chase walked in, his gaze landing on Zoey, nodding slightly:

"You look like you've recovered well."

Then turning to Veda, he said politely:

"Thank you for taking such good care of her during this time."

"I wouldn't dare take credit, Mr. Anderson. It's just my job."

Veda quickly waved her hands, then looked at Zoey:

"Are you two going out? Should I prepare lunch for you?"

Zoey shook her head:

"I want to go visit Grandpa."

After saying goodbye to Veda, Zoey followed Chase out to the car.

The car smoothly pulled out of Sunnyvale Gardens. For a moment, the cabin was quiet.

Chase was the first to speak, bringing up work:

"I've looked over the quality inspection report Stella sent. The purity and dosage of this batch are up to standard. It can be packed and shipped to your headquarters next week."

Zoey's eyes lit up:

"That's great. What the field hospitals need most are antibiotics and IV nutrients. This batch will save a lot of lives."

"You spent so long at the field hospital—you know better than anyone how important this batch is."

Chase glanced at her, then changed direction:

"After your leave ends, are you still planning to go back?"

Zoey was somewhat surprised by how Chase phrased the question. She looked at the street scenes flashing by outside the window, silent for a few seconds before speaking:

"I'm not sure if I'll return to the same field hospital. I have to follow the organization's arrangements. Yemen's post-war reconstruction and relief efforts still need people, but..."

Her voice grew softer, and she didn't continue.

Chase's hands on the steering wheel paused, his tone almost pleading:

"It's too dangerous there. You've already done more than enough. Stay in the country. With your medical skills, whether you join a hospital or a research institute, you'll have excellent opportunities, and you can be with Grandpa more often. Grandpa's health..."

Zoey lowered her lashes, her heart a mix of emotions. It wasn't that she didn't know Chase was right, but those faces struggling in the gunfire in Yemen, those eyes desperate to survive, always appeared before her in the quiet of night. She opened her mouth, wanting to explain something, but didn't know where to start.

Just then, from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a familiar storefront on the street corner: a vermillion sign, glass display windows filled with various pastries—it was Grandpa's favorite dessert shop.

Her eyes brightened, and she quickly sat up straight:

"Stop the car, stop!"

Chase froze for a moment, instinctively hitting the brakes. The car slowly stopped by the roadside. He followed Zoey's gaze:

"What, want to buy pastries for Grandpa again?"

Zoey unbuckled her seatbelt, a smile spreading across her face:

"Grandpa loves their cakes. I used to bring them to him all the time."

As soon as she finished speaking, she pushed the car door to get out, but Chase locked it.

Zoey turned to look at him. His brow was furrowed, a barely noticeable panic flashing in his eyes:

"I'll go. You wait in the car."

Zoey paused:

"No need, I'll be quick."

But Chase didn't budge:

"This street... this is where you were hit by Phoenix's car."

One sentence, and Zoey's movements instantly froze.

Those images deliberately buried deep in her memory surged up without warning: the piercing sound of brakes, intense pain, and the fear of being held captive by Felix.

How could Chase forget? When he got the news that year that she'd had an accident on this street, he rushed over from the company like a madman, only to find a mess of skid marks. That suffocating feeling of his heart being squeezed—even now, thinking about it made him go cold all over.

"I'll go with you."

Chase's tone left no room for argument. With that, he pushed open the car door and quickly walked around to her side.

Pushing open the dessert shop door, the sweet aroma hit them.

The owner was bent over organizing pastries. Hearing the sound, he looked up. When his gaze fell on Zoey, he first froze, then showed a delighted expression:

"It's you! Welcome!"

Zoey was also a bit surprised:

"Boss, you still remember me?"

"Of course I remember!"

The owner nodded with a smile. Then he looked at Chase beside her and immediately greeted him warmly:

"Haven't seen you in so long!"

Chase nodded slightly, his tone warm:

"I just got back to the country. How's business?"

"Thanks to you, pretty good."

The owner skillfully packed pastries for Zoey while chatting:

"Speaking of which, when you had that accident back then, Chase was the first one to think of coming to my shop to investigate."

Zoey's hand paused as she took the bag. She looked up at Chase, something gently striking her heart.

She had always thought it was Andrew and Jerry who desperately searched for her back then. She never knew that in places she couldn't see, Chase had done so much too.

Chase felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze. He rubbed his nose and said quietly:

"It's all in the past."

Zoey looked at Chase, the corners of her mouth curving into a knowing smile:

"Let's go see Grandpa."