Byran gently helped his father to his feet, matching his pace as they moved towards the room door.
As they passed by Ida, Byran leaned closer and whispered, âIâm going to take my dad to the car outside. Iâll be back for you; wait for me!â
After a slight nod from Ida, she turned her attention back to her companions, readjusting her gold-
rimmed glasses as she continued her conversation with Chase and Belinda.
Once Byran and his father had left the room, Chase burst into laughter and teased, âIda, it looks like Byran is quite smitten with you. Have you considered catching up with us and stepping into the realm of wedded bliss?â
As he spoke, Chaseâs arm was draped around Belinda, both of them radiating happiness and love.
Ida rolled her eyes at Chase, âIs this really the time to be making jokes? Our Boss has just woken up from a serious accident, and you think itâs funny?â
Chase sobered up a bit, âYouâre misunderstanding me! I just wanted to lighten the mood a bit.â
Ida ignored him, turning to Belinda with a sympathetic look, âYou really drew the short straw marrying this guy.â
Belinda simply shrugged, âWhat can I do? I had to take him off the marriage market to save other women from his shenanigans.â
Ida patted Belindaâs shoulder, âSisterhood, right?â
At this, Chase pulled Belinda into a corner. âWhat are you two talking about? You had to âtake me off the marriage marketâ? How much of a sacrifice was that, huh?â
Belinda playfully rolled her eyes, âOh, it was quite the sacrifice.â
Chase lifted her chin, âIf itâs such a sacrifice, why donât you just return me? I could go have fun with other girls.â
Belinda glared at him. âYou wouldnât dare!â
Chase immediately burst into laughter, âOf course not! I was just joking! You can joke about me with Ida, but I canât make a joke?â
Belinda just scoffed, and Ida shook her head, leaving the room in silence.
Byran helped his father into the elevator. Just as the doors were closing, he noticed a familiar-looking girl rushing towards them.
McNeil noticed his sonâs distracted gaze and asked, âWhatâs wrong? Did you see someone you know?
If itâs a friend, go say hello. I can go to the car myself.â
Byran shook his head quickly. âNo, itâs not a friend. Itâs just a girl that I saw once at another hospital with my sister. She was visiting a woman there. I donât know who the woman was, but she had a daughter. I just saw the girl running towards the elevator. I wonder why sheâs at this hospital now.â
McNeil simply nodded, not thinking much of it. However, when the elevator reached the ground floor and the doors opened with a ding, McNeil seemed to suddenly realize something. âByran, did you say your sister once visited a woman in this hospital? How old was the woman?â
Byran was a bit taken aback by his fatherâs sudden interest. âUm⦠she was probably in her fifties. But she looked really young, so she must take good care of herself. She was hospitalized due to some injuries. Oh, and the other hospital I mentioned is the one where you stayed. I found it strange that my sister was visiting a stranger, so I had someone look into it. But we couldnât find any information about the woman in the hospital records. It was really strange. They transferred her to another hospital shortly after.â