"Yes." Olivia joked as she cleaned up the medical waste, "I saw them shopping together yesterday, and now he's saved Harper. They must be in love, right? They seem close."
Joseph finally looked at Patrick, his gaze heavy as it fell on Patrick's injured arm.
Harper sensed a hint of displeasure, feeling a bit awkward.
Even though she and Joseph were no longer together, they hadn't finalized their divorce. It was uncomfortable to be misunderstood as being in a new relationship.
"We're not..."
" I'm pursuing Harper." As Harper was about to deny, Patrick preempted her words, his voice cheerfully stating, “Though we have not yet solidified our romantic entanglement, I am endeavoring toward it.”
"Wow, you go for it!" Olivia encouraged, wide-eyed.
Harper felt speechless.
Joseph's expression darkened, and without looking at Patrick or Harper, he said to Olivia, "Are you done? Let's go eat."
Olivia felt the tension. She glanced at Joseph, then at Harper,and suggested, "Why don't we go together? We can be good friends, right?"
Harper didn't want to, but before she could refuse, Joseph's cold voice cut in, "Let's go, everyone."
Harper's refusal seemed to be stuck in her throat.
But she felt it was too awkward.
Why would Joseph take his ex-girlfriend out to eat while bringing her and Patrick along?
But Dr. Lucas had given the order, and it had to be so.
There weren't many people at the hospital's restaurant.
The four of them chose a table by the window. Patrick naturally went over and pulled out a chair for Harper.
Joseph sat across from her and signaled for the waiter.
Olivia took the tablet and ordered two dishes, then handed it to Harper, "See what you want to eat."
Patrick flipped through the menu with one hand and asked Harper gently, "What do you want to eat? I'll order for you."
Since he had said he would pursue her, he had to make a good impression.
Harper was uncomfortable, how could she still be in the mood to order?
"Anything is fine."
Patrick smiled at her. "You appear to be overheating, so I'll order you a mango ice cream."
Harper was about to speak, but someone helped her refuse.
Joseph said coldly, "She can't eat mangoes."
Everyone at the table looked at him in surprise.
After a moment of silence, Olivia and Patrick asked at the same time, "How do you know?"
The atmosphere at the table suddenly became subtle.
Harper's heart skipped a beat.
Why did Joseph suddenly say such a thing?
She forced a smile and tried to cover it up, "No, I quite like mangoes. Dr. Lucas, we haven't had a meal together, maybe you remembered it wrong?"
Harper tried to signal Joseph with her eyes, but he just glanced at her and didn't say anything.
Harper breathed a sigh of relief.
She suddenly felt some regret. She shouldn't have agreed to have dinner with them. Wasn't she just asking for trouble?
Fortunately, there were no more hiccups. The dishes came quickly, and they tasted good.
Olivia ate gracefully and looked at Harper and Patrick, curious. "How did you two meet?"
"He's my schoolmate."
Harper could still handle this kind of normal conversation.
Olivia nodded. "I don't know what major you studied."
"Fashion design."
"Really?" Olivia looked up in surprise as if she was very interested. "That's amazing! I've always thought that those who study art, such as painting and piano, are all very talented!"
"Not at all." Harper waved her hand, sincerely saying, "I think doctors like you are more talented."
Patrick chuckled and put a piece of beef into Harper's bowl. "Everyone is talented."
Olivia couldn't help but laugh, then asked, "Are you about to graduate? What are your plans? Are you going to graduate school or find a job?"
Harper replied truthfully, "I want to work first and see. Patrick has already helped me find an internship at T-shine Company, where he also works. If possible, I hope to stay there."
After Harper finished speaking, she took a sip of lemon water.
When she looked up, her eyes inadvertently met Joseph's.
For that split second, Harper felt that his eyes were so cold and frightening.
Harper almost choked and quickly averted her gaze, feeling inexplicably uneasy.
Halfway through the meal, Harper's skin began to feel unbearably itchy.
She silently placed her hands under the table, trying not to scratch her arms too much.
Just now, under Patrick's expectant gaze, she forced herself to eat a little mango.
And now, the allergic reaction was already starting.
Fortunately, no one seemed to notice her small movements, and she managed to hold on until the end of the meal.
Olivia was still talking, "I just came back to the country and I feel like I don't know what clothing brands are popular here. Harper, can you help me design a few outfits?"
The more Olivia thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. "If you become an internationally renowned designer, I can bask in your glory."
Seeing Harper's silence, Olivia thought she had some concerns and added, "I know that the cost of your designs is high, but you don't need to worry about the price, and I truly believe you can do a great job."
"No, I..."
Harper's tone was somewhat out of control.
The allergic symptoms were more severe than she had anticipated.
In just a few minutes, her face started to itch and flush.
Afraid that it would get worse if she stayed, Harper just wanted to leave, and she couldn't hide it anymore.
"Um, I..."
Harper licked her dry lips, stood up, and prepared to find a random excuse to leave.
But Joseph's voice suddenly sounded, with a hint of displeasure and accusation, "Is it that difficult for you to design a few pieces of clothing?"
Harper blinked, suddenly feeling a wave of frustration.
'Yeah, what's so difficult?'
Not difficult at all.
She wanted to say that she was feeling unwell, that she didn't mind making it for Olivia, and that she wished he could show a little more concern for her.