Chapter 111 What Are You Staring At?
"Don't worry." Lillian smiled gently. "I'll have the driver take you home."
Ten minutes later, the car slowly pulled away from the hospital.
Emily leaned against the window, watching the street scenes flash by outside. A flicker of emotion finally stirred in her calm eyes.
Alex was finally going to get engaged to Grace...
Yeah, that was the right path.
Just like Grace said, Alex had always had feelings for her.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have put up with a woman like her around him for so many years.
Emily slowly closed her eyes. Whatever.
That was their business—nothing to do with her.
The car soon arrived back at the Johnson family villa.
Emily went straight upstairs.
In the bathroom, she let the shower pour over her.
From the moment she decided to leave Alex with Eleanor, she had chosen a brand new path for herself and her daughter!
After her shower, Emily idly scrolled through social media.
Suddenly, her finger paused. "What a coincidence."
On the screen was the Baker family's engagement announcement.
She just glanced at it casually and swiped past.
...
Two days later.
In the VIP hospital room, the air was so still you could hear a pin drop.
Michael stood by the bed, holding the engagement schedule booklet, trembling like a leaf. Sweat dripping from his forehead and soaking his hair.
He carefully flipped through the booklet, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mr. Baker, the hotel ceremony next Monday afternoon is all set. The venue has been decorated to your mom's standards. Only family elders and key partners are invited. For the suit... top luxury brands sent over samples from their haute couture lines. Which one do you prefer? And the jewelry—Miss Miller picked out a pigeon blood ruby herself. She said..."
"Get out." The man's voice was ice-cold, without even looking up, he cut off his assistant mid-sentence.
Alex was going through overseas meeting notes, seemingly unfazed by the upcoming engagement.
Michael swallowed hard and pressed on. "Miss Miller... she's come three times today. She’s been waiting outside the room the whole time, saying she'll handle the engagement prep. Said she’d pick the suit and jewelry so you don't have to worry, in case your stomach issues flare up..."
Suddenly, Alex looked up. "Getting bored in your assistant role?"
Michael felt crushed under the pressure.
Heaven knows!
He was stuck in the middle, torn both ways. The Baker family cared a lot about this engagement—it affected the company's stock price.
After all these years with Mr. Baker, how could he not see that he had no feelings for Grace?
But still...
"Alex! You done with the IV?"
Just then, the door opened.
Grace walked in carrying a fancy handbag, dressed in a cream-colored haute couture suit that made her look gentle and refined.
She looked at the man leaning against the bed, the sleeves of his black shirt casually rolled up, radiating a distant, untouchable aura.
A flash of obsession crossed Grace's eyes.
Only a man like this was worthy of her!
"Alex, I just came from Susan's. I brought you some dry-aged beef tartare."
She set it down on the table.
Seeing that he didn’t respond, she bit her lip lightly and reached out to touch the back of his hand. "Does it hurt? Don't rush into work right after the IV. The Baker family doesn't need the money that badly. Let me massage it for you..."
But before her hand got close, he shifted away.
Embarrassment flashed in Grace's eyes, but she kept up her gentle, proper smile. She picked up the suit sample booklet nearby and held it out to him. "Alex, check these out. They’re all new styles this year. I picked a few perfect for the engagement. Which one do you like?"
The suits in the booklet shimmered, diamond-encrusted designs screaming luxury.
But Alex didn't even lift an eyelid. "Whatever."
"Can't be whatever!" Grace's fingertip lightly tapped a white suit. "How about this one? Top luxury brand's new limited edition this year. The cut flatters your build perfectly. And white is so romantic—great for an engagement, right?"
Alex casually scanned his screen, switching smoothly between German and French, reading through without a hitch.
Just not looking at the woman beside him.
Grace's smile froze for a second. Then she picked up the jewelry box. "Alex, help me decide. What jewelry should I wear? Mom wants me to keep up appearances. I think this ruby necklace set works—it's a bit pricey, though... tens of millions. I heard it's great for collecting, and it comes with a matching bracelet. See, the diamond cuts are perfect too."
Suddenly, Alex finally looked up.
But the coldness in his eyes made Grace's heart tighten.
She forced a smile. "Alex, don't look so grim. With all the rumors flying around, we need to lock in the engagement quick to shut down the gossip and steady the Baker family stock. Grandma wants you settled down soon too..."
Every word was for the Baker family's sake.
But Alex just felt annoyed.
"Michael." Suddenly, Alex spoke up coldly.
Michael jumped and hurried over. "Mr. Baker, what do you need?"
"Clear all this out." Alex didn't look up. "And no outsiders in the room!"
Michael hesitated. "Mr. Baker, this..."
Outsiders?
But Miss Miller was the fiancée picked by Mrs. Baker...
Grace's forced smile completely froze.
She never expected Alex to kick her out in front of Michael.
Not leaving her any dignity?
Grace took a deep breath, suppressing her anger. "Alex, don't be upset. I'm doing this for you. You're not well yet—how can you handle all this? It's only right that I help."
Alex suddenly shook off her hand. "Grace, don't make up stories. I let you help because you saved Grandma, not for you to push your luck! The engagement is Baker family business. It's not your place to meddle."
Grace's face went pale. Her eyes reddened, full of grievance. "Alex, I didn't... I just wanted to take some of the burden off you."
"Take some of the burden?" Alex scoffed, looking at her with open mockery. "It's just an engagement. You think the Baker family would really want a woman like you who brings no status or benefits?"
The words stabbed into Grace's heart like a knife.
She bit her lip, fighting back tears. "Alex, how can you say that? Our history and feelings—aren't they worth more than money and background?!"