In the ward, Dennis brought a basin of water and prepared a hot towel. He applied the towel to Emma's lower leg and skillfully massaged it.
Albert sat in front of the hospital bed, his peach blossom eyes fixed on Emma. Suddenly, he seemed a bit puzzled and asked, "Dennis, can vegetative patients grow?"
"What does it mean?" Dennis continued his actions after changing the towel.
Albert hesitated and said, "Emma was only sixteen when she entered the hospital. Not only was she small in stature, but also in various aspects. But look at her now, she has clearly grown into a well-proportioned woman."
Dennis fell silent, his gaze following Albert's glance. The position in question should be below Emma's collarbone and above her waist. "Damn it! Those are her breasts. Doesn't Albert know not to stare?
"Dennis, do you really not know that Emma likes you?"
Gently lifting his gaze, he glanced at Albert and then lowered it again. The dark depths of his tea-colored eyes held a few strands of residual warmth as he softly said, "I don't know."
"I told you, didn't I?" Albert smirked with schadenfreude. He had never realized that Dennis could be so socially awkward.
Dennis remained silent, ignoring Albert. Ever since Emma was adopted by his parents, he has always regarded her as his own sister.
After the car accident, he not only carried the burden of family affection on his shoulders but also an additional heavy responsibility. After all, if it wasn't for Emma pushing him away, the person lying in the hospital bed for these six years would have been him.
Albert couldn't help but feel sorry for Emma and said, "The most beautiful years of a woman's life, she is lying in the hospital. If she wakes up, you should really compensate her well."
"How to compensate?" Dennis's words were icy, like fading water temperature.
Albert was considering a compensation plan for Dennis and said, "Money, gifts, or... Person."
"Person?" Dennis suddenly raised his head, with deep dark eyes that seemed bottomless.
Does everyone think he should marry Emma?
Albert didn't overlook Dennis' resistance. He just didn't quite understand and said, "When you were young, didn't you and Emma get along well?'"
"In your eyes, does traditional family affection equate to romantic love?" Dennis's expression turned cold as he put away the towel and ended the massage.
"Of course not. But..." Albert suddenly stopped speaking.
He is no longer entangled. Perhaps, six years ago, they both misunderstood. The so-called childhood sweethearts may just be a beautiful image in the eyes of others, not necessarily a reality.
After all, everyone's time to fall in love is different. Sooner or later. Like it or not. Love or not. Only Dennis himself knows.
.....
At night, as the streetlights came on and the stars sparkled in the sky. In an inconspicuous bar, the lighting was dim and it was crowded with noise.
The air is filled with restless music. Young men and women gather on the dance floor, embracing each other and dancing wildly. This is a release of human nature, indulgent and extravagant.
Because... the night has begun.
"How come you're in this small place today, Master Albert?" A sexy beauty threw herself into Albert's arms in the semi-open private room.
She, with her hands painted in red nail polish, without hesitation, reached into Albert's coat.
Albert's peach blossom-like beautiful eyes were filled with playfulness, and his lips, the color of peach blossoms, lightly curved. He held the beauty's hand and cruelly rejected her kindness: "Be good, go play by yourself for a while. Tonight's expenses will be on my account."
"It's not that he doesn't like sexy women. It's just that he has plans tonight.
"Can I invite my sisters then?" The beautiful woman coquettishly asked, with a sweet smile on her face.
Albert grabbed her waist and lifted her up. He revealed a mischievous smile on his handsome face and said, 'It's better not to let me find any men among your sisters.
"Got it." The beautiful woman planted a kiss on Albert's cheek and happily left.
In the circle of Star City, everyone knows that Albert is passionate yet heartless. Albert never puts any woman in his heart. Therefore, it is fortunate enough for this woman to have earned a night's worth of drinks.
Not long after, two more beautiful women walked over. Albert waved his hand and sent them away using the same method.
Half an hour later, the fourth beauty walked into the elegant seat with small steps. Albert rubbed his forehead and said helplessly, "Beauty, I'm sorry. I'm having a vegetarian meal tonight, no meat."
She didn't leave, but chose to sit next to Albert and said, "Master Albert, what happened today? Why are you eating vegetarian food?"
That was a deliberately lowered male voice. It was calm in the quiet, with a hint of playfulness.
"Is it you?"
Albert heard the voice of a beautiful woman and visibly froze. He couldn't believe his eyes, leaning closer to the woman with wide peach blossom-like eyes, carefully observing her. This beauty had an extremely quiet and delicate face, which was familiar to him.
'She is Abby,'Abby cleared her throat and adjusted her voice again. He picked up his glass, took a sip, and said, "If not me, then who? You're the only playboy here."
"I'm a spendthrift, you're sharp-tongued, is there any difference? Be careful that no one wants you in the future!" Albert teased.
Abby coldly glanced at Albert, expressing extreme disdain: "I am a normal person, thank you."
He met Albert seven years ago, just one year before Dennis had a car accident. When they first met, they sat down and had a long conversation, feeling like old friends who had known each other for a long time.
They share many similar views on affairs within the Vampire Hunter Bureau, possess autonomy in their actions, and have a considerable level of keenness in observing things.
Abby, as the disciplinary inspector of the Vampire Hunter Bureau, has been secretly investigating cases of vampire hunter betrayal since he entered the bureau at the age of seventeen.
He suspects that there is a secret alliance between human hunters and vampires. Their goal is to create chaos and provoke a war between humans and the vampire clan. Furthermore, among these vampire hunters, there seems to be a powerful hidden organization.
Now, that organization may have become even stronger, as they have set their sights on those ancient and noble purebred vampires.
Their goal is to conduct live research. This matter has wide implications and involves a significant number of people. Once it becomes a reality, it will trigger a serious disaster.
Abby had previously reported this matter to the Vampire Hunter Bureau and applied for an investigation approval. However, headquarters forcefully rejected it on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
Therefore, six years ago, after Dennis had a car accident. Abby, in her capacity as the Discipline Inspection Commission of the Vampire Management Bureau, formally issued a black invitation to Albert.
He hopes Albert can secretly cooperate with him to investigate the betrayal of human vampire hunters.
Albert had already sensed a scent of betrayal when Emma had her car accident. However, due to his own identity, he couldn't openly investigate in the opposite direction.
However, if Abby takes on the role of the informant and Albert becomes the undercover agent, they can cooperate with each other and share information from both official channels and the underground black market. This way, they can find more advantageous evidence to expose the mastermind behind it all. Abby didn't expect Albert to have the same idea as his, so he made a decision right away to initiate the undercover operation.
So, Albert began to distance himself from Dennis according to Abby's deployment. He deliberately chose to openly oppose Dennis in crowded places, creating a false impression of their estrangement. Only in this way could he make those hidden hands less vigilant against Dennis and thus lure them out.
For example, a month ago, James tested Albert. And this morning, James exerted academic pressure on Dennis.
Albert pondered these two matters seriously. He was certain that James was definitely involved with those vampire hunter traitors. However, in Albert's view, Abby's reaction at the moment seemed somewhat indifferent.