In the kitchen...
Hobert comfortably sat down on a stool; he was about to take a big bite of a chicken leg when a grumpy man sat down next to him.
The anticipation that he poured on the chicken was pushed down and swallowed back to his throat, almost choking him.
"I'll fix your dinner, boss!"
Immediately, Hobert announced and hurriedly put down the chicken leg, got down from the stool, washed his hands before arranging the cutlery for his boss, and took out the leftover food from the fridge.
Hobert stuffed the food in the oven at the same time, so it wouldn't take long to preheat it.
However, this silence and the enrage emitted from his boss's body made him bathe in a cold sweat.
His boss hadn't had a proper meal at the hotel but only drank wine the whole time.
He knew that the chairman went overboard in meddling in his grandson's private life tonight. Moreover, the older man involves the princess in his scheme by teaching the innocent girl to convince her dad.
The chairman knows his grandson doted on his daughter very much.
However, if the chairman continued to act like this, Hobert would be in the middle, pressed by two giant rocks. He is more loyal to his boss but cannot also afford not to follow orders from the chairman.
Now, Hobert felt helpless. 'I hope I can keep up with this grandfather and grandson dispute!'
The chairman badly wanted an heir because the princess had weak health. If not for advanced technology and treatment by the William Medical Research Center, the princess would be bedridden all her life.
That is why his boss works hard every day to let his daughter enjoy a normal life.
In Hobert's perspective, both his boss and the chairman have a point. However, the chairman couldn't convince his grandson because he didn't spare time to socialize with women.
That is why the chairman had no choice but to do an evil deed, and one of those was to push a woman toward his grandson.
If he was the one to ask, he could suggest that his boss look for a surrogate mother to bear his child instead.
However, the chairman wanted a mistress for this family, who would become Madam Dale and stand as the princess' stepmother.
But his boss has issues with stepmoms because his stepmother is cruel toward him, and his father is also beating him up for things he didn't do but his stepbrothers.
'Argh! Why do I worry so much about things that aren't my problems?' But it will also reflect on his job if this continues! Hobert thought.
"You seem to be in more trouble than me, Hobert. The food was done preheating a long time ago."
"Ah, I just remembered something, boss!" Hobert laughed nervously.
The ridiculous tone of his boss pulled him back to his senses. He fell into deep thoughts, forgetting that he was in the middle of preparing his boss's dinner.
Hobert hurried to take out the food, arrange them on server platters, and then put them in front of his boss.
The meal was too quiet, but Hobert didn't dare to make a noise. He knew very well that his boss was in a foul mood, so he must watch out not to make a mistake.
Hobert finished eating first. He brought his plates and tableware to the sink cautiously. But he almost dropped them when his boss suddenly spoke.
"Hobert, contact Miss Michaels to get the contract tomorrow."
Hobert was nailed to the floor. Handing the signed contract was entirely entrusted to him; that is why he made his own decision to let the D Company representative set the meeting since his boss refused to meet her this evening.
Now Hobert was in deep trouble.
"Bo-boss, we agreed to meet by the evening tomorrow." Hobert stuttered his words.
"And why is that? I thought they were in a hurry for us to renew this contract?"
"I... I let Miss Michaels choose her convenient time boss as consideration that we let her wait for many hours tonight and…." And you didn't show up! But Hobert cannot voice it out.
Anyway, Christian had already sensed what Hobert meant with his statement.
"What do you think would happen if I met her?" Christian asked his assistant after a brief silence, which caused Hobert to be startled.
'What possibly will happen?' They were just having a dinner meeting. Hobert thought. Besides, they were already aware of what the chairman was plotting tonight.
"I don't know, boss. Miss Michaels seems like a nice person. Ah! She actually looked smart!"
'Because she could tell in my clean shoes, I am only lying to her and making up a story!'
"Ahem. I think everything will be fine if you meet her, boss." Hobert added. "I learned she rejected the waiter's wine and said she didn't drink as she had medical issues."
Christian only nodded at Hobert. He resumed eating, then headed to the study after a meal.
Soon, Hobert followed his boss to the study to serve a coffee.
Hobert is actually living at the Dale mansion. His father is the chairman's family driver, and his mother is the head maidservant. He grew up with this family, so even though he wants to stay in the army, his life is devoted to serving the Dale family.
"Boss, do you need anything else?"
"No. You can take a rest now."
"Then, good night, boss."
"Hmm. Night…" Christian responded timidly.
***
A few hours ago...
Fraine had forgotten that she had brought an umbrella. She quickly pulled out the handkerchief from her bag the moment she got in the car.
"Where are we headed, ma'am?"
"Mainland City Hospital, please."
The Uber driver nodded, then drove out of the hotel premises. He glanced in the rearview mirror to look at his passenger, who was busy drying her hair.
"I have some paper towels, ma'am." The driver quickly handed a box.
"Thank you." Fraine smiled, then took three sheets of paper towel.
"I'm supposed to pick you up at the hotel's door, but the long cue of the vehicle will take me a little longer." The driver felt obliged to explain. The rain is pouring hard, causing heavy traffic, and people decide to take shelter in the hotels around that area.
"It's okay. I'm also in a hurry. Glad you didn't wait for the long line." Fraine smiled at the Uber driver.
She badly wanted to leave that place as soon as possible, so she had no patience to wait for the driver to bring the car in front of the hotel entrance to avoid being drenched by the heavy rain.
Indeed, tonight the hotel suddenly packed with guests to stay overnight, waiting for the rain to pass.
After half an hour of being stuck in traffic, they finally reached the hospital.
"Thank you." Fraine paid the uber driver.
"You're welcome, ma'am."
Before Fraine could open the door, the hospital security guard had already opened it for her, holding an umbrella.
"Good evening, ma'am!"
"Good evening!" Fraine made a live response. She isn't mainly chatting with the security guard, but they are already familiar since it's not her first or second time coming here.
Fraine headed to the concierge and inquired about the night shift receptionist.
"Good evening." Fraine greeted the receptionist.
"Good evening! How can I help you?"
"Um, I already submitted my admittance for inpatient this afternoon."
"Name, please."
"Fraine Michaels."
The receptionist immediately checked the computer data. Once she found it, she printed some documents and handed them to Fraine.
"Please, give this document to the nurse station on the 9th floor to assist you, Miss Fraine."
"Okay. Thank you." Fraine took the papers.
"Kindly sign it here."
The receptionist handed Fraine a thin tablet, then an electronic pen; she quickly scribbled on the screen.
After that, she headed to the elevator. And before her lift arrived on the ground floor, the VIP elevator opened, and a couple got out.
"Ruben Lim, you pregnant me again!"
Fraine was dumbfounded, listening to the woman fretting over her husband, who was only grinning ear to ear despite the facial expression written on his wife that she wanted to beat him up.
"Honey, why are you concerned about it? I can support our family, and I can still give all you want."
"That's not it! I told you not to forget to use protection! I don't want to get pregnant so soon again!"
"It's already inside your womb, and we can do nothing about it. Besides, maybe this time we can have a baby boy. Hmm?"
"Humph! I hate you, Ruben Lim!"
Fraine was astounded, watching the couple in secret. She admires how the husband had the patience to coax his wife, who continued nagging him.
The man looked with great patience, pampered his wife, and doted on her.
How nice to have someone to rely on…
But what's good to have someone by your side when that person is a coward?
She is rather alone. Fraine thought to herself.