Chapter 720
“You’re the one lacking confidence,” Garrett shot back stubbornly. “I would never be jealous over an assistant.”
“Are you sure about that?” Natalie drawled, her tone laced with insinuation. ‘“Forget it! I’m not dealing with you!”
Embarrassed beyond belief, Garrett wanted nothing more than to vanish. He hung up without waiting for a response from the other end.
At the hospital, Laney’s attending physician encountered Lola after leaving the ward. He stopped her in her tracks and said, “Mrs. Harding won’t use those essential oils.” Lola was confused by how panicked the attending doctor appeared.
“Did something happen? Did they find out anything?”
Too nervous to provide a clear explanation, the attending physician vaguely replied, “Ian, the personal assistant, mentioned that essential oils weren’t suitable for pregnant women, so he replaced all of them.”
“What?” Lola was taken aback. She had no idea that Ian had swapped out the essential oils.
“That’s all I know. Just pay more attention to it.” The attending doctor didn’t dare say more and hastily left after offering his warning.
Lola stood in shock for a moment before recovering her composure. She stomped her foot angrily, exclaiming, “Ian is definitely going against me!”
Previously, she didn’t deliver the gift Kailee entrusted her to give Laney due to Ian’s interference. Now, she had once again failed to fulfill Kailee’s assignment.
Kailee had promised her a handsome reward upon completing the task, but what Ian did had scuppered her reward. The mere thought of it made Lola’s heart ache.
Left with no other recourse, she decided to call Kailee and report the situation. “Miss Gibson, the essential oils you asked me to place in Mrs. Harding’s room were all discarded by another personal assistant, Ian. I’m afraid I won’t be able to put the essential oils in her room anymore.”
As soon as the call connected, Lola respectfully relayed the circumstances to Kailee.
“The essential oils were thrown away?” Though Kailee was seething with anger, she maintained an elegant and composed demeanor. But after hanging up, her exp**ssion shifted instantly.
Once again, it was Ian who had foiled her plan! If she couldn’t execute her plan in a covert manner, she’d have to resort to more forceful measures.
With clenched fists, Kailee’s face was twisted with rage.
As the due date of Laney’s childbirth drew near, Garrett was slated to embark on a business trip to another city as scheduled.
Before setting off, Garrett went to the hospital with his luggage in tow, bidding a wistful farewell to Laney.
“Darling, please take care of yourself. If you need anything, just let Ian and Lola know.” With a tender glance, he added, I’ll be back soon.” Garrett gently k**sed Laney’s forehead, his eyes brimming with affection.
Laney softly adjusted Garrett’s collar and reassured him, “I know. You should take care of yourself too, and be careful on your journey. Our baby and I will be here, eagerly awaiting your return.”
“I promise, my love. I have to go.” After one final, lingering k**s, Garrett hurriedly departed with his luggage in tow.
Once Garrett was gone, Lola surreptitiously took out her phone and sent a message to Kailee. “Miss Gibson, Mr. Harding has left.”
Kailee seemed to have been anticipating Lola’s message. She promptly replied, “Good. Once Garrett has driven away, proceed with the original plan.”
Because her due date was drawing closer, Laney’s body grew increasingly cumbersome.
After Garrett’s departure, she returned to her room to rest aided by Ian.
Sensing an opportune moment, Lola immediately informed Ian, “The attending physician has requested our presence in his office. He’ll provide us with essential information on caring for a pregnant woman.” Ian furrowed his brow. A nagging suspicion told him that something was amiss. He swiftly declined, “You can attend and relay the information to me afterward. I’ll stay here and tend to Mrs. Harding.”
Lola’s anxiety spiked upon hearing his refusal. How could she execute Kailee’s plan if this jerk insisted on staying put? Feeling desperate, she remarked, “We should go together. I’m afraid I won’t be able to accurately convey everything the doctor says.”
Ian’s determination to prolong the quarrel remained steadfast, but Laney interjected, pacifying both parties. “It’s alright. I’ll stay put in the ward. Ian, feel free to leave.”
“But…” Ian hesitated, apprehension gnawing at his heart.
A lingering sensation tugged at him, warning that something ill might befall Laney. Casually picking up a magazine from the bedside table, Laney reassured him, “I’ll be engrossed in these pages until your return. Fret not, be on your way.”
Reluctantly, Ian accompanied Lola to the attending physician’s office, unable to shake off his lingering concerns.
Lola exhaled in relief, Kailee’s scheme now partially realized.
Meanwhile, the attending physician had been anxiously awaiting Ian’s arrival, growing increasingly concerned that something had gone awry.
Upon the duo’s entrance, the physician too let out a sigh of relief and promptly approached them, subtly signaling Lola.
Lola, catching the cue, guided Ian towards the couch, saying, “Let’s pay heed to the doctor’s counsel, ensuring the finest care for Mrs. Harding.”
Ian’s eyes narrowed, sensing that something was amiss as he observed the familiarity bet**en Lola and the physician.
The physician produced a hefty pile of notes from his drawer and handed them to Ian with gravity. “These are crucial precautions for Mrs. Harding’s delivery. Commit them to memory or you shan’t leave.”
Aghast, Ian stared at the stack, as thick as a novel, and stammered, “Memorize all of these?”
“Indeed. Every single word,” the physician reiterated.
“Very well. I’ll take them back to memorize,” Ian conceded, rising with the notes in hand, “Mrs. Harding mustn’t be left unattended.”
Lola swiftly seized Ian’s arm, insisting, “I shall tend to Mrs. Harding. You remain here and master these guidelines.”
Ian’s suspicions flared as he observed their disarray, detecting a nefarious plot unfolding. icy, glaring at Lola, “Why are you not the one to stay and learn?”
Lola’s nervousness peaked as she averted her gaze, stammering, “I… I lack the medical expertise to grasp this material.”
“Then you ought to be even more diligent in your studies to properly assist Mrs. Harding,” Ian countered, shaking free of Lola’s grip and striding towards the door.
The physician, sensing the situation spiraling out of control, clenched his jaw and blocked the doorway. “You may not depart until you have perused these documents in their entirety!” Ian’s departure threatened to derail Kailee’s machinations.
“Make way,” Ian demanded coldly. Intimidated by Ian’s imposing presence but unwilling to defy Kailee’s directives, the physician obstinately obstructed Ian’s path. “I reiterate, you must complete your reading. As Mrs. Harding’s attending physician, I…”
“Enough!” Ian’s patience evaporated. He delivered a fierce punch, flooring the physician and departing without hesitation.
