Chapter 76

Deandre couldn't explain it, but watching Rylie pick up those perfectly sized steak pieces made him clench his jaw. The frustration didn't vanish, but he held it in.

Without hesitation, Deandre slid part of his steak toward her. "This is mny first go at taking care of someone,Rylie. I'm not some old guy with all the tricks, but I can manage this much. Go on, eat."

Brad paused mid-cut and glanced up. The look he gave Deandre meant that those words were unpleasant.

Deandre met his stare with one of his own. The message came through just as clearly, as if saying that Brad's words weren't any better.

Rylie gave a small shake of her head. "Thanks, Deandre. But this portion's already enough for me."

With no choice left; he retrieved the plate. "Fine. I'll just cut it up for you next time."

She smiled faintly."Okay."

In moments like that, she felt deeply grateful for the people around her.

After the meal, Rylie made her way to HaloFlow Pharmacy by herself. Selah hadn't seen her in a while.As soon as Rylie stepped inside, Selah reached out and held both her hands, checking her from head to toe."You're safe, right? That Wildes group didn't hurt you?"

"I'm fine, Selah," she said. "Is it busy today?"

"Not really. A few regulars came in for meds. Nothing more."

Rylie fell silent for a few seconds before speaking. "Have you ever considered starting a hospital again?Something official? You run a small clinic and treat everyone all by yourself every day. It looks tiring. If you have a hospital, we can recruit excellent doctors and treat more patients, and you won't be this exhausted."

Selah didn't answer at first. Then, after a long pause, she gave a small shake of her head. "Helping people this way is enough for me."

Rylie kept going. "But haven't you wanted to clear your name?" She looked straight at her. "I don't believe you caused anyone's death. There's probably more to what happened."

Selah froze for a moment but stayed quiet on the details. "It's alright. I'm happy with HaloFlow pharmacy."

Sensing that Selah didn't want to revisit the past, Rylie changed her tone. "Maybe we could expand the HaloFlow Pharmacy? We can build some wards and consultation rooms. Some patients want to stay a few nights. It doesn't feel right to send them away."

Selah didn't say yes, but she didn't say no either.

Rylie figured it was a start. Given time, she believed she could help guide Selah back to leading a hospital again.

After finishing dinner with Selah, Rylie made her way back to Serenity Manor.

The moment she stepped inside, she noticed a servant lingering near the hall who immediately darted away at the sight of her.

Curious, Rylie raised a brow and followed the woman's hurried steps, only to catch sight of Paola slipping out of her bedroom.

"What were you doing in my room?"

She had caught her red-handed. The servant turned pale and backed away without saying a word.

Paola was extremely embarrassed but couldn't admit the truth. She fumbled for an excuse. "Last time the servant cleaned your room, they left something that belongs to me behind."

"Oh?" Rylie tilted her head. "And what exactly was left behind?"

Scrambling to maintain her cover, Paola reached into her pocket and pulled out a hairpin.."This!"

Rylie took one glance and gave a half-smile."This?"

Without hesitation, Paola picked it up and brushed past her. "You probably won't believe it, but Marcus gave this to me." She paused halfway down the hall and tossed a glance over her shoulder."And just so you know, he invited me to his solo concert. He's the main act."

Rylie gave her a calm look. "That so? Then explain why you're rummaging through my drawer for sheet music."

Paola's smug expression vanished in an instant. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

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