Chapter 25
Sweet Subterfuge
âIâm fine,â Larissa said.
âBut your shoulder-â He glanced at her swollen right shoulder.
âI injured my shoulder about a week ago. My shoulder was refractured because Iâd been hit by a bag, not because of you or your car,â she explained.
The manâs expression did not relax. âDid the doctor prescribe any medication for you? I can go get it for you.â
Larissa shook her head.
âSo, can you walk? Do you need me to help you? Itâs so congested outside right now, trying to call a cab wonât be an easy feat. How about I send you home.â
His eagerness made her wary. âItâs fine,â she repeated, searching for another excuse. âIâll call my friend to come and get me.â
Sensing the distance and resistance in her tone, the man defended himself hurriedly. âDonât get me wrong, I have no intentions of taking advantage of you or anything like that! Iâm just worried about you getting home alone in your condition. If you donât want me to send you home, Iâll wait here with you until your friend arrives.â
Larissa cursed silently. She had no friends who could pick her up right there and then.
Her closest friend, Wendy Simmons, had gone abroad to further her studies two years ago. She hadnât even been able to make it back for her wedding.
She reconsidered her options before finally dialing Dylanâs number.
Her reasoning was simple. Dylan had mentioned before that his new law firm in Covenford was still in the process of being established and hadnât officially opened yet. Since he had no new cases to work on at the moment, he was rather free every day. Moreover, the Covenford branch of Microworks Corporation was just two streets away from the hospital. It wouldnât be too much of a hassle for him to pick her up here.
âMs. Seymour.â Dylanâs voice carried a hint of amusement. âIs there anything that I can help you with?â
Larissa murmured her assent. Hesitantly, she asked, âIs it convenient for come by Victory General Hospital right now?
you to Dylanâs tone turned serious immediately. âWhy are you at the hospital? Are you hurt?
Larsso didnât want to explain too much over the phone. Vaguely, she replied, âYeah. I guess. Sort of.
Dylan arved at the hospital very quickly.
and vet Kevan was even quicker.
Before Dylanâs car had stopped completely, Kevan had already jumped out of the car.
When Dylan heard the sound of the car door closing, he turned and caught sight of a rapidly disappearing figure running toward the emergency room.
Kevan found Larissa in a comer of the lobby on the ground floor. Beside her was a men bevaguely recognized.
He had no time to ponder the manâs identity. At that moment, his full attention was focused on Larisse.
He examined her from head to toe once, but he didnât see any covicus injunes He let out a breath of relief and said. âLetâs go.
Larissa thought she was hallucinating when she heard his voice until she raised her eac and sew his usual cold and aloof face. It was only then that she realized he was truly here âMr. Rogers.â She stood up quickly. âWhy are you here? Whereâs Dylan?â
She looked behind him, all the while standing on the tip of her toes.
Kevan furrowed his eyebrows for two seconds before relaxing them.
âHeâs parking his car outside. His lips curled up slightly as he teased, âWhy? Are you not happy to see me?â
âNo! Of course not!â she denied quickly. âI was just curious.â
Mr. Rogers?â The man beside Larissa widened his eyes. He looked at Kevan, his face ful of disbelief.
âWhy are you here?â
It was then that Kevan spared him a glance.
And you are-
The man introduced himself enthusiastically. âMy name is Lucas Hermes. My father s Xander Hermes of Torqua Lucas Hermes-
That name. It rang a distant bell in Kevanâs mind.
It wasnât because of who his father was, but because his girlfriend was- Kevan glanced at Larissa once and thought to himself, âWhat a coincidence.â