The attending physician was trembling with fear, but as Kailee was the owner of the hospital, the physician didn’t dare to disobey her. “I understand,” he replied.
With the doctor’s assurance, Kailee stared out the window at the soaring birds, her grin turning colder.
A few days later, the time came again for Laney’s prenatal check-up.
Garrett arrived at the hospital quite early in order to be with her during the check-up, but was still too late. By the time he got there, Ian had already accompanied Laney, and they were awaiting the results.
“Sorry I’m late.” Garrett walked over and held Laney’s hand, asking with concern, “How’d the exam go? Is our baby healthy?”
“We haven’t gotten the results yet,” Laney replied with a gentle smile, not at all upset by Garrett’s tardiness.
She knew that he was doing his best for her and the baby.
At that moment, Laney’s attending physician came over with the report and looked at her. Feeling a bit of nervous, he lowered his eyes and glanced at the report in his hand. “Mrs. Harding, you and the baby are both healthy. There are no issues at all.”
“When’s the due date?” Garrett asked anxiously. The Harding Group had grown rapidly in the recent years, with many business issues to attend to. That was why Garrett had been hectic these days. Even with his wife delivering a baby, Garrett still needed to consider the timing and align his schedule with it.
“The due date is around the 15th of the month after next,” the physician replied. His eyes fl**kered nervously as he kept his head lowered. Garrett didn’t notice the physician’s unusual behavior and instead took a look at his busy work schedule.
After confirming that he would be free around the due date, the huge knot he’d felt in his heart quickly dissipated. “Our baby chose the perfect time to arrive. I’ll be back from a business trip on that exact day, and won’t have to leave after that. I’ll stay with you at the hospital for the delivery,” Garrett said to Laney with relief.
The physician’s eyes fl**kered some more upon hearing this, and he said, “I’ll take my leave now. Please contact me if you need anything.”
Upon noticing the physician’s evasive demeanor, Ian frowned and stopped him. “Excuse me, Doctor. Are you sure about the due date? Is it possible that we need to consider making more time in advance for Mr. Harding, just in case?” he asked in a serious tone.
Since the physician was already nervous, he couldn’t help but stutter when he was suddenly stopped.
“N-no… that won’t be necessary,” he replied haltingly.
Ian frowned some more, sensing that there was something not quite right about the physician’s behavior. “Oh, and by the way, I wanted to ask about the essential oils that you sent over not too long ago. What ingredients are in them?” he enquired.
This question made the physician feel even more uneasy. “W-what do you mean? Did Mrs. Harding experience any discomfort after using them?” he asked.
Ian kept his eyes fixed on the physician, with his tone stout and resolute. “I need to know the ingredients that those essential oils contain. We take Mrs. Harding’s health very seriously and wouldn’t want her using any products with unknown or potentially harmful contents,” he added sternly.
“The reason I’m asking this is that I once had a client who had a prolonged delivery after using essential oils with unknown ingredients. That lesson has stuck with me ever since, so I need total clarity on my concerns to avoid any similar incidents. Do you understand?”
Ian’s voice was as cold as ice, sending a chill down the physician’s spine despite the comfortable warmth of the hospital.
The physician hadn’t expected Laneys assistant to be so difficult to deal with. With him around, there was a real risk that Kailee’s plan would be exposed at any time.
As the daughter of the Gibson family, it was unlikely that Kailee would face any repercussions if her plan were exposed.
He, on the other hand, was just an ordinary physician with no power or influence. If the plan were to get out, his career would be irreparably ruined forever.
As the physician was thinking about how to deceive Ian, Garrett, who had never been too fond of Ian, spoke up. “That’s enough, Ian. Do you think you know better than a doctor?”
Breathing a sigh of relief, the physician quickly came up with an excuse and left in a hurry. He was terrified of getting caught, and didn’t want to stay for even a moment longer. Gazing at the physicians back as he rushed off, Ian still felt uneasy. “The fact remains that these essential oils with unknown ingredients aren’t suitable for Mrs. Harding to use,” he said, firmly voicing his concerns.
“Are you seriously suggesting that doctors here would harm people?” Garrett fired back at Ian, his patience wearing thin. “You’re only adding stress for the doctor and making Laney anxious, preventing her from getting the rest she needs.”
Having observed Ian for some time, Garrett had to admit he was an incredibly responsible personal assistant. But there was something about him that grated on his nerves. Watching Ian interrogate the doctor relentlessly only fueled Garrett’s irritation. “I’m only doing my job, looking out for my boss,” Ian replied coolly, his gaze never wavering from Garrett.
Anger bubbled up inside Garrett. “You’re being paranoid! This hospital was handpicked by the Harding family—it’s the best maternity hospital in the country! What could possibly go wrong? You think you’re more competent than the doctors here?” he snapped.
“If you’d bothered to read my profile, you’d know I used to be a doctor.” Ian pulled out his medical license and handed it to Garrett.
Upon seeing Ian’s picture and name on the license, Garrett was momentarily speechless. In all honesty, he never expected Ian to be a doctor as well.
Ian wasn’t looking for an argument with Garrett, so he let the subject drop without further discussion.
Given the strange behavior of the attending physician earlier, Ian couldn’t help but caution, “Mr. Harding, if you can, I suggest taking an extra week off to be with your wife during her delivery, or consider switching to a different hospital.”
Garrett frowned, thinking Ian was simply being difficult for no reason.
Work already consumed his time, leaving little left to spare. An extra week off to accompany Laney was the best he could manage.
Besides, with Laney so far along in her pregnancy, switching hospitals on a whim wouldn’t be a feasible option.
Due to the tension growing by the second, Laney took Garrett’s hand and attempted to defuse the situation with a soft voice. “Garrett, don’t worry about me. This hospital seems top -notch, and the doctors here are clearly professionals. Besides, Ian is a skilled personal assistant. With him here, I feel safe and well taken care of.”
Garrett’s frown deepened, a surge of bitterness swelling within him.
He couldn’t comprehend why his wife’s words of reassurance only intensified his jealousy towards Ian.
What did she mean by feeling safe and well taken care of with Ian around? Garrett thought to himself, dep**ssed.
As Garrett stewed in his frustration, he remembered that it was Natalie who had recommended Ian. So, on his way back, Garrett felt so dejected that he decided to call Brandon so that he could vent.
“Brandon, you’ve landed me in a heap of trouble,” Garrett said through gritted teeth, gripping his phone tightly.
Hearing the exasperation in Garrett’s voice, Brandon was puzzled. “What happened?” he asked.
Garrett scoffed, “It’s all because of your oh-so -helpful wife. Why did she have to find a male assistant? He’s putting a damper on the closeness bet**en my wife and me!”
Brandon was dining with Natalie when Garrett’s complaints filled the air. Amused, he put the call on speakerphone, gesturing for Natalie to listen.
After Garrett’s tirade went unanswered, he grew even more aggrieved. “Brandon, have you no empathy? How can you just ignore me like this?” Natalie couldn’t contain her laughter any longer, so she decided to chime in, “Who would’ve thought that even you could have moments of insecurity?”
Caught off guard by Natalie’s presence, Garrett flushed with embarrassment, his handsome face stiffening with discomfort.
“Relax, Garrett! Ian is just an assistant. Surely, he won’t try to take Laney away from you,” Natalie bantered. “Come on. Have some confidence in yourself and stop being so insecure!”
New Book: Beginning with a Daring Encounter
Celsie was tired of being labeled as an introvert, workaholic, and dull virgin by her friends. Determined to prove them wrong, she made a bet that she would do something daring on her 25th birthday. Now that the day had arrived, it was time to fulfill her promise. On her daring to-do list, there was one task: a one-night stand with someone.
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