During the time waiting for the elevator to ascend, Owen Blake scolded his assistant: "How did you do your job as an assistant? Such an important matter, you only told me when I asked about it!"
The assistant immediately apologized, "I'm sorry, Mr. President."
It was indeed a mistake on his part because he believed that for any matters related to the Qin family, it was best not to bring them up to the president unless asked.
When the elevator arrived, Owen Blake stepped in and coldly said, "Dock your wages for half a month. Reflect on yourself well!"
The assistant nodded in agreement: "Yes, Mr. President."
Although the president had a bad temper, he was generous with his hands. Despite saying now that he would dock half a month's wages, when it came time to sign the paycheck, the assistant's wages would only increase, not decrease.
A silver M3 BMW was parked at the entrance of the group.
Owen Blake quickly walked over, took the key from the bodyguard, got into the car, and before closing the door, he commanded, "You are responsible for all matters at the group today. Don't call me unless the group is on the verge of bankruptcy. Otherwise, I will fire you!"
The assistant once again nodded in agreement: "Yes, Mr. President."
With a low roar of the engine, the silver BMW left the group and headed towards the Ye family's Hui Kang Hospital.
The assistant respectfully watched the BMW leave until it disappeared from sight.
Working under such a slightly temperamental president, the assistant believed that as long as there were no major mistakes and the group continued to thrive, a little bit of temper was fine, as long as he was a good president.
---
The silver BMW arrived at the entrance of Hui Kang Hospital.
Owen Blake deliberately slowed down to scan the vehicles at the entrance, confirming there were no cars resembling those of the Qin family before driving into the parking lot.
As expected, he saw his parents' two cars in familiar spots in the parking lot. He parked his car and walked towards the private elevator while muttering, "Mom and Dad didn't tell me about Ann coming to the hospital."
As he entered the elevator, he suddenly realized something. If so, that meant his mother had already met Ann. So, his father was in such a hurry to return to the hospital, partly because of his wife and partly because of Ann. That made sense since his father had been speeding.
Owen Blake understood everything: "So that's how it is."
The elevator reached the top floor, and he quietly stepped out.
He immediately saw his mother's assistant, Lulu, and his father's assistant, Jianshan, standing outside the sickroom door.
When they noticed his arrival, they greeted him in unison, "Thir..."
Owen Blake raised his hand to stop them from continuing. Lulu and Jianshan closed their mouths and greeted him with a nod instead.
Owen Blake approached the sickroom door and quietly looked inside through the window.
The living room was empty, and the bedroom door was ajar, but he couldn't see inside due to the angle.
Suddenly, a "pillow" on the sofa moved, startling Owen Blake. He focused on the "pillow" and realized it was a live goose.
Lulu quietly explained, "Third Master, this is Miss Ann's pet, Snowy."
Owen Blake opened his mouth but didn't say anything.
Ann's pet...how unique, a goose. Interesting.
He turned his attention back to the partially open bedroom door and continued watching for a long time, even though he couldn't see anything.
Lulu and Jianshan exchanged glances and remained silent to avoid inadvertently stepping on the third master's toes and getting scolded.
After observing for about ten minutes, Owen Blake finally straightened up and asked, "How long has Ann been here?"
Lulu quietly replied, "Third Master, Ann arrived at the hospital this morning with the old lady."
"With my mom? How come?" Owen Blake was puzzled for a few seconds.
He looked at the sickroom again and gestured for Lulu to follow him to the end of the corridor, where he listened to her detailed report of the morning's events.
Owen Blake smirked coldly, "No wonder Ethan Foster came to me."
Perhaps he couldn't get into the hospital and wanted to find a back door through him. Dream on!
"Remember, don't let the Qin family into the hospital." Owen Blake sternly instructed Lulu, especially emphasizing Ethan Foster.
Lulu nodded: "Yes, Third Master."
She was a bit puzzled about when the fourth master had specially offended the third master.
After understanding the situation, Owen Blake's expression became more serious, and he lowered his voice to ask, "How is my mother's mood? Has she been taking her medication regularly?"
Lulu looked down and replied, "The old lady is very happy. She has been happy since seeing Miss Ann, and she took her medication on time."
"That's good." Owen Blake was relieved and then added sternly, "If my mother cries or something happens, don't help her hide it from us."
Lulu nodded without looking up: "Yes, Third Master."
Owen Blake returned to the sickroom door, preparing himself by taking deep breaths and adjusting his appearance with a mirror provided by Jianshan.
Finally, after about ten minutes, Owen Blake opened the sickroom door and quietly entered.
Snowy, the goose, heard the noise and woke up. It saw a man sneaking towards the room and immediately jumped off the sofa, flapping its wings and honking loudly:
"Honk! Honk! Honk!"
Intruder alert! Thief alert! Catch the thief!
Snowy attacked Owen Blake's foot with its long beak, trying to drive away the intruder.
"Hiss…hiss…"
Owen Blake was pecked several times by Snowy, causing him to recoil in pain.
"I'm Grace's uncle, not a bad person!" he quickly said in a hushed voice.
"Gah?" Uncle of Grace the hatchling?
Snowy paused its attack, tilting its head to look at him with its tiny eyes.
Yes, this man is indeed Grace the hatchling's uncle!
It sensed the blood relationship between them.
Snowy folded its flapping wings and squawked, "Gah gah!"
Why is Grace's uncle so strange?!
Sneaking around like a thief! Can't he just come in properly?
But it couldn't be blamed for mistaking him for a thief.
Inside the room, the adults heard the noise outside.
Mrs. Blake, holding her little granddaughter, frowned and asked, "Is someone outside?"
Mr. Blake was also displeased and furrowed his brow.
Usually, no one comes around at this hour.
Grace, who was sleeping soundly, let out a soft sound: "Mmm…"
Mrs. Blake immediately looked down and saw Grace waking up, rubbing her eyes.
Grace pointed out, "I think Snowy is saying there's a thief."
"Thief?!" Mr. and Mrs. Blake exclaimed in unison.
They both stood up at once.
It was highly unlikely for a thief to enter the sickroom, especially with their two assistants guarding the door.
Still, they remained cautious and approached the door.
Outside, the goose calls had ceased, and a faint voice could be detected but not deciphered.
Mr. Blake opened the door and found his third son, Owen Blake, standing there awkwardly. "Owen, what are you doing here? You should be at the company at this hour."
Owen hadn't expected the door to open suddenly and greeted his parents hastily. His eyes then fell on Grace in her grandmother's arms, who was now fully awake and staring at him.
Owen Blake's attempt to make a good first impression on Grace had failed miserably. His clothes were disheveled from being pecked by Snowy. He turned and fled the scene.
"No, I can't leave a bad impression on Grace!"
Mr. Blake was bewildered by Owen's abrupt departure. Mrs. Blake, however, found it amusing and explained to Grace that Owen was her third uncle and often acted impulsively.
As Grace reassured Snowy that Owen wasn't a thief, Mrs. Blake decided to check on him outside.
In the corridor, the two assistants, Reve and Jervis, were puzzled by Owen's odd behavior.
Mrs. Blake found Owen re-arranging his appearance and asked about his well-being. Owen complained about Snowy's aggressive behavior and mentioned that his assistant would bring him a new pair of pants. Mrs. Blake returned to the sickroom while Owen waited for his pants to arrive.
Once dressed in his new clothes, Owen re-entered the sickroom, this time with a perfectly rehearsed smile and a dignified demeanor. He introduced himself formally to Grace as her third uncle, Owen Blake.
Grace, however, reminded him that this was their second meeting, as they had seen each other earlier. Owen Blake felt a bit deflated but tried to maintain his composure.