Joel Russo felt the body in his arms, almost able to entirely envelop one of her thin arms, and his fine brows drew together slightly.
He unconsciously bent his head to look at the excessively thin woman in his arms, but his chin rested on the top of her head instead.
The strands of her hair softly brushed against his chin, tickling him.
As his gaze shifted, it fell upon the slender, pale nape of her neck, and the loose collar of her hospital gown allowed him glimpses of most of her skin beneath the clothes.
His black eyes gradually deepened and grew darker, yet the woman in his arms stirred, sending a warm, fresh fragrance wafting from her neckline, assaulting his nostrils.
He was slightly taken aback.
Arabella Vanderbilt, however, moved again at this moment, feeling the numbness in her legs had passed, so she spoke softly,
"Thank you… I'm fine now…"
Joel Russo's mind stirred slightly, but he still carefully released her!
Only when she was steady on her feet did he draw back his hands.
"Are you okay?"
Arabella Vanderbilt's face flushed slightly, and she nodded.
"I'm fine! Sorry, my legs had just gone numb."
Joel Russo's lips curved, "I know, you don't need to explain."
A simple sentence brought Arabella to a halt, a touch of bitterness stirring in her heart, but her expression remained unchanged.
"Thank you."
To the side, the Old Madam had been startled by the scene moments before, but now, seeing the interaction between the two, her clear eyes quickly filled with intense happiness and satisfaction.
It seemed that her grandson was not entirely clueless after all...
Was Joel Russo just clueless?
Arabella Vanderbilt stood in place for a while, recalling what Oliver Timmerman had said, then she turned to the Old Madam,
"Old Madam, I have some things to take care of now. Which room are you in? I'll come to join you after I deal with my things."
"Over there! Do you see that door? Next time come in through here…"
The Old Madam paused, a cunning glint flickering in her shrewd eyes.
"We should exchange phone numbers, keep in contact! Ah… I didn't bring my cellphone!"
Leila, who was standing by, reached into her pocket, felt for her phone, and stepped forward.
"Old Madam…"
The Old Madam shot her a warning glance, and she quickly understood, retreating back!
"Joel, quick, get your phone out and help me save it!"
Joel Russo frowned, fully aware of the Old Madam's intentions, but he still took out a black phone from his pocket, then looked at Arabella Vanderbilt.
"183…"
After entering the full number, Joel Russo put the phone back in his pocket.
Watching her slender, frail body, he removed his suit jacket and draped it over her.
A wave of warmth, carrying a clean and crisp fragrance, instantly enveloped Arabella Vanderbilt along with the man's body heat still lingering on the garment.
"Wear it, you're too cold," Joel Russo said indifferently, looking into Arabella Vanderbilt's clear eyes with tranquillity.
Arabella Vanderbilt didn't know why but her heart softened, and her eyes unexpectedly began to sting.
She hadn't expected that in the end, it would be a man she'd just met by chance who would offer the warmth and care she needed at that moment.
In the end, Arabella Vanderbilt still took off the coat and returned it to Joel Russo.
"No need, I'm about to go back to my room. It would be a hassle to return it otherwise."
"Hassle?" Joel Russo's brows knitted slightly, "Were you just being polite when you said you'd keep Grandma company?"
Arabella Vanderbilt looked surprised and shook her head.
"I will keep Old Grandma company."
She shoved the coat toward him, nodded at him, and then turned to leave .
Joel Russo stood there watching her slender yet stubbornly indifferent figure recede into the distance, a glint slipping through his profound eyes.
Grandma?
It did sound nice.
"Joel."
The Old Madam suddenly spoke, and he turned his head to look at her.
Her eyes held a laugh that warmed the heart.
"Does Grandma have any orders?"
She looked up at him with an expression that mixed frustration with exasperation.
"You blockhead, see her home!"