Chapter 660:
His mind raced with possibilities, wondering if they intended to test his endurance, wit, or perhaps something more unexpected.
But Rhysâ assumptions were misplaced. Lonnie had simply decided that being in the same room as Rhys might tempt him to act impulsively. Keeping their interaction at a distance seemed like the safer choice.
As Rhys settled into his seat, a white screen descended from the plain wall in front of him. Moments later, the faces of the Sanderson family appeared on the screen.
âHello, everyone,â Rhys said as he stood up, offering a polite smile.
On the screen, only Skyla returned a weak smile. The rest of the family remained stoic, their gazes steady, not even blinking.
Rhysâ eyes briefly met Clintâs, who appeared calm and unbothered. Internally, Rhys admired the remarkable medical expertise at Bellflower Hospital.
Clint, recently rescued from the brink of death, seemed to have recovered enough to be discharged in less than a month.
What Rhys didnât realize, however, was that Clint was silently enduring immense pain to maintain his composed appearance. Though he sat upright with a seemingly calm demeanor, blood was quietly seeping from the wound on his chest beneath his suit.
When Clint learned that Rhys had bravely put himself in harmâs way to protect Harlee, the walls of hostility built up by his brothersâ negative words began to crumble.
He was surprised to find that his grudging animosity toward Rhys started to fade. It was hard to ignore the courage Rhys had shown, especially when he had risked everything for Harlee.
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After coming out of the operating room and learning that Rhysâ ward was just down the hall from his own, Clint silently acknowledged him as Harleeâs boyfriend. It was a quiet realization, one that didnât require words but spoke volumes about Clintâs shifting perspective.
Clintâs purpose for being here was clearâa directive from Lonnie had firmly stated that every Sanderson man was to return today to assess whether Rhys was a suitable partner for Harlee.
Despite Rhysâ earlier scandalous actionsâcalling off the engagement, only to propose againâLonnie had initially refused to allow Rhys into the Sanderson household.
However, Brenton and Kareem had intervened. Their gentle persuasion, helping Lonnie to see things from Harleeâs perspective, made todayâs tense meeting possible.
Brenton and Kareem, knowing Lonnieâs mindset well, understood that Lonnie valued Harleeâs happiness above all else. Lonnie was merely looking for an excuse to test if Rhys was truly serious about her, despite his earlier rejection of Rhysâ visits.
The room was thick with silence, stretching longer than anyone was comfortable with.
Finally, Lonnie spoke, his voice slow and deliberate as he measured his words.
âDo you have anything to say?â
Rhys, understanding the gravity of the moment, responded, âIâve repeatedly clarified the reasons behind the engagementâs disruption and subsequent renewal. I suspect you might dismiss them as mere excusesâ¦â
Before Rhys could continue, Lonnie unexpectedly interrupted, âI never said I wasnât open to hearing you out.â
Encouraged by this, Rhys felt a glimmer of hope.
âIf youâre truly open to discussion, that would be wonderful.â His voice softened, and he adopted a more earnest tone.
âHow about I start from the day I first met Harlee?â
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