Chapter 199

Chapter 199

Henry spent the afternoon at the hotel. After handling some work matters, he went out again.

Matthew called him, asking when he'd be back.

"Miss me?" Henry stepped into the elevator, teasing with a smile.

"Just took on a project that needs auditing."

The elevator stopped at the next floor, and someone got in.

Henry glanced over. He had a good memory. It was the girl from last night.

The girl looked at him too.

"I still have some things to handle here. A few more days."

"Haven't met her yet?"

Henry smiled. "I have."

"Then why aren't you coming back?"

"What's wrong with you? Now you understand how hard it is being single?" Henry was full of complaints. "If I come back empty-handed, don't expect me to help you again."

Henry hung up. The elevator had just reached the lobby.

He let the girl exit first, then followed behind her.

After calling Francis, he went outside to get a cab.

"Hey, where are you going? Need a ride?" The girl's car was brought around. Before getting in, she asked Henry.

Henry hadn't expected her to be so forward. He looked around. "Are you talking to me?"

"Yeah."

"Is it convenient?"

"Sure." The girl opened the car door, gesturing for him to get in.

Henry got into the passenger seat without hesitation.

"Where to?"

Henry gave her an address.

The girl glanced at him. "That place is a nursing home. Do you have family there?"

"Meeting a friend."

"Oh."

"Was that your boyfriend last night?"

"No, just fooling around."

Henry looked at her again, surprised by her honesty.

When they arrived at the nursing home, Henry got out.

"Hey, aren't you going to leave your number?" the girl asked.

Henry understood what she was hinting at. He smiled. "I'm going back home tomorrow."

The girl pouted. "But there's still tonight, right?"

Henry laughed.

People abroad really were this bold.

"Sorry, I like someone."

The girl shrugged. "Alright then."

At least she was straightforward and didn't push further.

Henry walked into the nursing home. He found Ophelia's mother, Violet Lowe. She was lying in bed, motionless. A caregiver was peeling fruit for her, feeding it to her mouth as she said thank you.

Francis really did take good care of Ophelia and Violet—a private room, nice environment, good service.

He knocked and walked in. The caregiver looked at him, asking who he was looking for.

Henry mentioned Francis. When Violet heard this, she invited him in.

Up close, Ophelia and Violet looked very alike. Both had delicate features—not stunning, but comfortable to look at, very approachable.

"Thank you for coming to see me." Violet looked at Henry, smiling. "It's been a long time since anyone came to visit me."

She was smiling, but there were tears in her eyes.

Henry felt a bit sorry for her. "Mr. Lowe is very busy, but he's always thinking of you. Rest well, and he'll come see you when he has time."

"I know." Violet kept smiling, looking positive and cheerful. "I also want to get a bit better so I can go home. I miss it."

After chatting with Violet for a while, Henry went to contact her doctor. After asking about her condition, he confirmed that she really shouldn't be moved right now.

Henry saved the doctor's number and went to say goodbye to Violet.

"You're leaving already?" Violet seemed reluctant to see him go.

"Yeah."

"My daughter will be here soon. Why don't you wait a bit? I'd like to introduce you two." Violet actually wanted Ophelia to take him to dinner when she arrived.

Henry had come to visit her, so she should at least show some hospitality.

Henry thought about how Ophelia was avoiding him and hesitated.

Before he could decide, there was movement at the door.

"Mom..." Ophelia called out and froze.

Henry looked at her and saw disbelief in her eyes.

"We were just talking about you coming. This is your brother's friend, Mr. Bennett." Violet smiled, introducing him to her daughter. "Mr. Bennett kept me company for quite a while. Take him to dinner, see him off."

Ophelia frowned.

She thought to herself—we just had lunch, and now she wants me to take him to dinner again?

"That's not necessary." Henry could tell Ophelia didn't want to see him, let alone be alone with him. "Violet, rest well. I'm leaving."

He didn't say he'd come visit another day. That kind of talk would be too fake.

Henry turned to leave.

Ophelia stood there, not looking at him, not saying anything.

"Ophelia, see Mr. Bennett out." Violet urged her daughter.

Reluctantly, Ophelia accompanied Henry out.

Walking through the nursing home's courtyard, Ophelia still didn't speak.

"Do you really not want to see me that badly?" Henry couldn't help himself and stopped to ask her.

"Mr. Bennett, there's no question of wanting or not wanting between us."

Henry saw how she wanted to draw a clear line between them and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I don't think I've done anything bad to you. Why are you treating me so coldly?"

Ophelia bit her lip. He had the nerve to say that.

He had the nerve to say it, but she didn't even have the face to respond.

"I need to go back and take care of my mom. I'll see you out to here." Ophelia's refusal was obvious.

She had just turned to the side when Henry grabbed her hand.

Ophelia was so startled she quickly pulled away, glaring at him, her voice rising. "What are you doing?"

"Don't be nervous." The way she stared at him made Henry doubt himself—had he actually kissed her that day?

"What exactly do you want?" Ophelia took a step back, putting distance between them.

Faced with her wariness, Henry felt helpless. "I just wanted to remind you that your boyfriend has more than one girlfriend."

"What nonsense are you talking?" Ophelia was angry. "I really misjudged you. Before, I thought you were a good person, but now I realize you're a bad person."

Even when angry, all she could say was good person, bad person—she really didn't know how to be angry.

Henry sighed. "It's fine if you don't believe me now. You'll find out eventually. I'm just reminding you to protect yourself."

"That's enough." Ophelia really didn't like him. Every time he showed up, he had bad intentions. "From now on, please don't bother us anymore."

Henry watched her turn and leave angrily, his mood sinking to rock bottom.

But there was nothing he could do.

Back at the hotel, Henry packed his things, bought a ticket for the next day, and prepared to go home.

That night, sudden thunder and lightning, wind and rain woke Henry up.

His phone showed a flight delay notification.

At dawn, the airline sent another message canceling the flight.

Henry looked at the pouring rain outside, frowning.

He went to the front desk to extend his stay. The rain was too heavy. He didn't go anywhere, just stayed at the hotel.

He went to have breakfast.

After eating, as he was about to return to his room, he suddenly heard a commotion in the lobby.

He wasn't someone who liked watching drama, but he heard a voice in the crowd.

"Ophelia, let me explain..."

Henry looked over and saw a slender figure run out from the hotel lobby entrance, disappearing into the heavy rain.