While Laney was busy with the fruits, Natalie pulled Ian to a corner and reminded him, “Pay more attention to the parcels sent to Laney. I’m afraid something awful will come with her new parcels.” Natalie made sure to keep her voice quiet.
Natalie was almost certain that Kailee picked the day Laney gave birth to her baby to set up a trap. It wasn’t a mere coincidence that she and Garrett were at the same hotel at the same time.
Also, it was likely Kailee left some sort of evidence of that day. Photos and recordings, perhaps. Something to provoke Laney.
Ian nodded, his expression turning serious. “Don’t worry. I’ll pay attention to it.”
At this time, a nurse came in to change Laney s dressing. Natalie watched in silence, then went to pour a glass of water for Laney. Just then, Natalie caught a glimpse of a beautifully packaged box under the nurse’s trolley. Red lights flashed in her mind. “What’s that? Is it also for Laney?”
“Yes, this is a gift from Mrs. Harding.” The nurse took out the box from the trolley and was about to hand it to Laney, but Ian stopped her and took it instead. “Let me see it first.”
After Natalie’s advice, Ian was on high alert. He was vigilant toward everything that came from the outside, fearing something in it would put Laney in danger.
On top of feeling a little surprised, Laney’s interest was piqued as well. “A gift from Mrs. Harding?”
Since giving birth, she avoided any contact with the Harding family. She wasn’t expecting Vera would take the initiative to send her something.
The package seemed to be a gift, which was surprising.
Natalie stared at the parcel with a frown. Her instincts told her something was off with it. It was hard to believe Vera would be so kind as to prepare a gift for Laney.
Once Laney’s dressing was changed, the nurse pushed the trolley out. As soon as urged Ian to open the package, her curiosity winning over her.
Ian glanced at Natalie who nodded slightly. With her permission, he opened the package just like Laney ordered.
To everyone’s surprise, there was a letter and a photo album in it.
Natalie’s heart skipped a beat, her expression shifting instantly. Her eyes fixed on Ian as he opened the album, afraid that it would have obscene photos from Kailee.
It was not until she made sure there were only some pictures of Garrett when he was a child that she was able to heave a sigh of relief. Laney opened the envelope. She was more surprised to find it was a handwritten letter from Vera.
Vera seemed sincere in the letter when she mentioned how the whole house was lackluster during Garrett’s absence. She also expressed how much she missed their newly born granddaughter but would not force Laney if she didn’t want to go back. They did hope that once she had recovered, she could take the baby back so they could see her.
Laney was touched by reading Vera’s sincere words.
She flipped through the album, looking at Garrett’s childhood photos. The cute little boy in the pictures amused her. “Look at how dull Garrett was when he was a child.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t have thought he was like this before.” Despite Natalie’s initial worry about the content of the photo album, she still smiled at Laney.
The two of them looked at the photos. There were only Garrett’s childhood photos in the album. It should have nothing to do with Kailee, so Natalie gradually put her guard down.
After taking the medicine, Laney felt a little sleepy. She decided to continue looking through the album after she woke up so she put it down on the bedside table.
When Natalie and Ian left the ward, they were welcomed by a rushing Mesue. She called Natalie in a hurry.
“Mrs. Larson, bad news! Mr. Larson and Garrett are fighting!”
“Excuse me?” Natalie’s voice dripped with disbelief as her eyes widened in shock. “How on earth could they be fighting?”
Mesue’s brow creased in consternation as she replied, “I can’t make heads or tails of it. Please, come with me posthaste and see for yourself!”
With no alternative, Natalie left Ian to care for Laney, while she and Mesue hastened to the rooftop to assess the perplexing scene.
Upon reaching the rooftop, Natalie’s eyes were greeted by the sight of Brandon and Garrett sprawled on the ground, panting heavily and sporting bruises on their faces.
Il appeared they had just partaken in a ferocious altercation, leaving neither man unscathed
“What possessed you two to engage in fisticuffs?” Natalie’s tone betrayed her growing headache as she gazed at the battered duo. She had never anticipated such an incident to unfold in so brief a time.
“Go interrogate your husband!” Garrett jabbed a finger at Brandon, who lay nearby, his response dripping with exasperation.
Brandon curled his lips, emitting a frigid chuckle that showcased his contempt for Garrett.
Earlier, Garrett had come across Brandon on the rooftop, nonchalantly leaning against the railing, puffing on a cigarette, his face expressionless. Garrett assumed that Brandon and Natalie had experienced a dispute.
“What’s the matter? Why are you sulking and smoking up here all by yourself?” Garrett nudged Brandon’s shoulder and taunted him. “Did you have a spat with Natalie?”
Brandon shot him a sidelong glance, snuffed out his cigarette, and responded in a flat, matter-of-fact tone, “What’s happening between you and Kailee?”
Mention of Kailee set Garrett’s mind abuzz and his breathing grew shallow.
He locked eyes with Brandon and demanded. “What are you implying?”
Brandon’s frosty gaze seemed to bore through him as he snorted disdainfully, “Did Kailee ensnare you in some scheme while you were overseas?”
Kailee had laid a trap for him! The revelation struck Garrett like a bolt of lightning, draining the color from his face. Garrett’s mind raced as he recalled the litany of odd occurrences that had transpired abroad, and the overlooked details began to resurface in his memory one by one. Was it, not a coincidence that day? Had it all been premeditated by Kailee? As Garrett’s thoughts spiraled, his head pounded with increasing intensity. His thoughts were a tangled mess, and he struggled to make sense of it all.
Brandon’s eyebrows knit together slightly as he gently cautioned, “Take a moment to reflect and don’t let Kailee deceive you.”
Garrett, ever conscious of his image, refused to concede any ground to his closest friend, even if he harbored suspicions that something was amiss. He stubbornly retorted, “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about. I have no association whatsoever with Kailee.” Seeing his friend’s obstinacy, Brandon shook his head in disappointment and revealed, “I’ve already dispatched someone to dig into the matter. The witnesses and evidence are en route as we speak.”
Garrett gaped at Brandon, dumbstruck. A wave of humiliation washed over him. Garrett knew Brandon to be decisive and thorough. But he never expected Brandon to probe into his private affairs with such swiftness and accuracy, all while remaining completely ignorant of the investigation.
“You secretly scrutinized me?” Garrett’s fists clenched, his voice laced with rage.
“I only did it to prevent you from causing more harm,” Brandon’s tone chilled to an icy whisper. “Have you ever considered your wife and child? They’ll suffer the consequences if you get too entangled with Kailee.”
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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