Harper lowered her gaze, a subtle expression on her face. "Olivia chose to pursue medicine, so you want to be her colleague," she murmured.
It was unclear whether Joseph didn't hear her or chose not to respond.
They stood in silence, gazing at the night sky.
In the days that followed, Harper visited the hospital almost daily.
Gregory's surgery went well, and he was moved to a regular ward for further observation.
On a Saturday, after breakfast, Harper took a taxi to the hospital.
As she entered the room, she greeted Gregory with a smile, "Mr. Gregory, watching TV? You seem to be in good spirits today."
Gregory chuckled, "Yes, I'll probably be discharged soon. You've been a great help during my stay. I'll make it up to you." He then asked, "Are you around the same age as Grace?"
"Yes." Harper replied. She and Grace were the same age, with a three-month difference in their birthdays.
Gregory nodded. "That's perfect..." Before he could finish his sentence, there was a light knock on the door.
Joseph entered, followed by two nurses. Ignoring Harper, Joseph took the medical records from the nurse and began reviewing them.
Harper felt a bit uneasy and avoided making eye contact with Joseph.
Grace, observing the situation, asked with a smile, "Dr. Lucas, how much longer will my dad be in the hospital?"
Joseph, expressionless, inquired, "Have Mr. Gregory’s blood pressure and lipid levels been normal these past few days?"
"Yes," Grace replied.
"Has he been experiencing dizziness?" Joseph asked.
This question was directed at Gregory. She turned to Gregory and asked, "Dad, have you been feeling dizzy?"
Gregory thought for a moment and said, "Occasionally, but it's not serious."
Joseph nodded and instructed, "Continue monitoring his blood pressure and have another check-up. If there's no intracranial bleeding, he can be discharged in about three days."
"Okay," Grace said, visibly relieved. She had been feeling restless during her time at the hospital. "Thank you, Dr. Lucas!" Joseph was indeed skilled in medicine.
It was just that Joseph and Harper were secretly married. Otherwise, she would have boasted to her father that the attending physician was Harper's husband!
Joseph nodded slightly and then called the nurse aside to discuss the medical records.
Gregory, done with the doctor's visit, remembered something.
He turned to Harper and said, "Harper, I have a nephew. He's a talented and promising young man, two years older than you. How about I arrange for you to meet?"
Harper was taken aback by the sudden suggestion and didn't know how to respond.
The nurse behind her, with a hint of confusion, asked, "Dr. Lucas, is everything okay? Why did you suddenly stop talking?"
"It's nothing," Joseph replied.
Grace glanced at Joseph in a hurry, feeling extremely embarrassed.
Why did her father suddenly become a matchmaker? And at such an inappropriate time! Her husband was right there!
Grace frowned and said, "Dad, why are you suddenly thinking about my cousin?"
Gregory glared at her. "What's wrong? Harper is such a great girl and your close friend. It would be nice if she became your cousin's girlfriend."
Grace was speechless. They had just talked about arranging a date for Harper and her cousin, and now Harper was already considered her cousin's girlfriend. She looked at Harper, feeling helpless.
Harper's heart was pounding, feeling a burning gaze on her back. She forced a smile and politely declined, "Thank you, Mr. Gregory, but I'm usually very busy with work, so I might not have the time."
"I see." Gregory sighed with regret.
Suddenly, Joseph drew Gregory's attention, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "Actually, in many aspects, Dr.Lucas is more outstanding!"
Joseph looked at Gregory in the hospital bed and said, "Mr. Gregory seems to be in good spirits."
"Not bad," Gregory modestly replied, not catching the implication. He then asked, "Dr. Lucas, you're young and talented. Are you still single? If you're not married, what do you think of my daughter?"
Grace, who was drinking water, was shocked by his words and splashed all over Harper.
Harper felt speechless in every sense.
Grace hurriedly handed a tissue to Harper, trying to please her. In her heart, she complained about her father's behavior. Everything was in chaos!
Harper thought Joseph wouldn't answer such a question. But the next second, he said seriously, "I'm sorry, Mr. Gregory, but I'm married."
Harper's heart trembled, and she instinctively became nervous, quickly looking around.
Fortunately, the two nurses had already left.
She breathed a sigh of relief, but she couldn't help but feel that Joseph was being inexplicable.
They had been in a secret marriage for three years, and now they were on the verge of divorce.
Why would he suddenly mention that he was married?
After Joseph finished speaking, he glanced at Harper. Seeing her obvious nervousness, Joseph's expression turned cold.
Gregory, however, didn't notice the tension between them and just muttered with great regret, "What a pity."
Joseph forced a smile as if bidding farewell. He put the pen back in his pocket, turned around, and walked past Harper without a second glance.
After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and said without looking back, "The patient needs to rest well. It's best for unrelated people not to linger."
Harper watched Joseph's retreating figure in astonishment.
How did she become an unrelated person?
Was this man taking his anger out on her?
It was not like she was the one trying to set him up.