Chapter 110 The Engagement is Settled
Emily looked up, "Alex is getting engaged to Grace?"
She repeated it, her tone so light you couldn't detect any emotion.
Andrew sighed deeply. "The Baker family just made the announcement. They're saying they'll have a quiet ceremony next Monday. Emmie... these past few years, Dad knows you've been hurt. Right now, the Baker family and Grace are all over the news, and the company's stock has already dropped two points. Plus, Grace saved Margaret, so getting engaged is pretty reasonable."
Matthew stood to the side, his eyes falling on her tense profile, "Emmie, are you okay? Do you feel... uncomfortable?"
Emily was silent for a moment. "Uncomfortable? Not really. Alex and I have been over for a long time. Who he marries has nothing to do with me. But the Baker family, tying people together over this little favor - that's pretty ridiculous."
If Grandma were awake, she'd probably be furious.
Andrew looked at the calm in her eyes, feeling even worse.
He knew his daughter too well.
"Emmie, Eleanor is already two years old now... If you've really moved on, how about Dad sets you up with someone? Definitely no worse than that Baker family boy."
Emily laughed. "Dad, stop teasing me. Right now I just want to live a good life with Eleanor. I don't want to think about anything else."
"But..."
"Eleanor still needs rest. You should head back. Matthew and I can handle things here."
Andrew wanted to say more, but was cut off.
Matthew pressed his lips together and stepped forward. "Andrew, don't worry, I'll take good care of Emmie."
Andrew had no choice but to nod at the end.
He stood up and reminded her, "Alright, I'll head back to the company first. Emmie, take care of yourself. Your mom will come by this afternoon too. You should at least go home and rest."
"I know, Dad."
After Andrew left, the hospital room became quiet again.
Matthew stood to the side, feeling conflicted.
Emily sat back down by the bed, tucking in Eleanor's blanket, her movements gentle, as if the engagement meant nothing to her.
Matthew hesitated several times before finally asking, "Emmie, have you really... let go?"
Emily heard this and turned to look at him, her eyes showing some relief: "Matthew, what do I have to care about? Let's not bring up the past anymore. Who he gets engaged to or who he marries has nothing to do with me. Eleanor is my daughter, and I'll protect her as she grows up. As for Alex... he should have his own life."
Her words were frank and firm.
Matthew's worries eased slightly. "Emmie, you deserve better."
Emily smiled but didn't respond.
That afternoon.
Sunlight streamed through the hospital room window, falling on Eleanor's sleeping face.
Emily leaned against the headboard, looking through the company's design drafts.
Just then, the hospital room door was gently pushed open.
Lillian came in carrying exquisite food. "Emmie, oh my precious daughter, you've had me so worried."
Behind her followed a string of household staff. "Ms. Emily, this is the tacos your mother made for you herself. She specially added extra cheese. You have dark circles under your eyes now - you definitely haven't been resting well these past few days. Let me take care of the little miss."
As she spoke, she efficiently disinfected and sterilized, even bringing Eleanor's favorite doll.
Emily put down her tablet and rubbed her temples. "Thank you all for your trouble."
"Mom, come sit here." She made room beside herself.
Lillian quickly walked to the bedside, her eyes full of concern. "How's Eleanor? Has the fever completely gone down?"
"She's stable now. Don't worry." Emily took the tacos the staff handed her. The blend of beef and sour cream was perfect.
With the savory cheese on top, it was exactly the taste she liked.
She ate about half, then turned to look at Lillian, "Mom, don't overwork yourself either. I'm here with Eleanor. Besides, I'm planning to discharge her. I just need to observe for another half day."
Lillian sighed. "I heard about the Baker family situation. Emmie, if you're upset, tell Mom..."
"Mom, really, it's not necessary." Emily didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Why do you and Dad always worry about these things? Alex and I are over. I don't want to deal with his business, and I won't. You, on the other hand, don't worry about my affairs. I'm not a child anymore. I won't let these things affect my life."
Lillian looked at her daughter , knowing she had truly let go. She felt both relieved and heartbroken. "It's good you can think this way, but... Eleanor is Alex's daughter after all. What will you do in the future?"
Suddenly, Emily's eyes flashed coldly. "Eleanor is my daughter. No one can take her away from me! Besides, who knows what the future holds?"
Lillian held her hand, her eyes brightening, "Anyway, Matthew needs to go on blind dates too. Why don't you two go together? That way you can eliminate the problem at its root! Otherwise, if Alex sets his sights on Eleanor someday, that would be bad."
Hmm?
That actually makes sense.
Emily raised an eyebrow. "Looks like Matthew and I can't escape blind dates."
Matthew's eyes flickered with bitterness, but his face still wore a gentle smile. "This isn't exactly a pleasant task."
"But the people Uncle and Auntie introduce will naturally be good."
He suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, and suddenly a thought flashed through his mind.
Since they both had to go on blind dates anyway, and the Johnson and Moore families were old friends with close ties, then...
Matthew couldn't contain his excitement and immediately stood up, "Emmie, Aunt Lillian, I need to go back and handle some company matters. I'll come by again tomorrow."
"Okay, you do your thing. You don't need to come by all the time." Emily walked him to the door.
Matthew looked at her, wanting to say something but stopping himself. Finally, he said softly,"Emmie, no matter what happens, I'm here."
Emily smiled, "I know."
After Matthew left, Lillian saw it was getting late and immediately had the staff pack up.
"Emmie, don't stay at the hospital all the time. Go home and rest a bit. I'll watch Eleanor here, don't worry."
"I'm fine, Mom. I'll stay here with Eleanor!" Emily shook her head, not feeling tired.
This little one had been afraid of shots and medicine since she was small.
If she wasn't here, wouldn't she cry her eyes out?
"Listen to me, " Lillian put on a stern face. "If you wear yourself out, what about Eleanor? The people I brought are all very reliable, and I've already told them to call you immediately if anything happens. Go home right now, take a shower, get some sleep, and come back tomorrow. Otherwise your body won't hold up."
Emily paused. Seeing her mother's expression, she knew she couldn't argue. Reluctantly, she agreed, "Fine, I'll go home. I'll come first thing tomorrow morning. When Eleanor wakes up, tell her for me."