Chapter 1681
McNeilâs mind snapped back into focus as he turned his gaze towards Bryan, who was chuckling at
something on his phone. His cheeks turned a rosy red. âWho's that from?â He probed.
Startled, Bryan stood up and cleared his throat. âAh, Dad, give me a moment. I need to return a call
to a friend. I'll be back to continue our chat in a bit.â Without waiting for his father's response, he
swiftly exited the room, phone in hand.
McNeil, being a man of experience, could tell that his youngest son was head over heels for
someone.
Even Bryan had someone special, yet Balfour, his eldest, lived like a monk. A grown man of thirty
who had never been seen with a girlfriend was a bit troubling. Perhaps the failure of his own
marriage had influenced Balfour's views on love, making him indifferent towards it.
Sigh.
Once out of the hospital room, Bryan asked the security guard to keep an eye on the door and
walked towards a quieter spot to make his call.
It was a text from Ida, asking about his father's condition. The fact that she cared for his family's
affairs delighted him. It felt like she was genuinely concerned about him. After a few rings, Ida
picked up. She barely managed a âHelloâ before Bryan blurted out, âIda, I miss you so much!â
Ida, who had intended to inquire about McNeil's condition, was taken aback by Bryan's confession
and fell silent.
From Bryan's tone, she could tell that Mr. Howard was probably well on his way to recovery.
Bryan pushed her to speak after a few moments of silence passed. âIda, say something.â
Adjusting her glasses, Ida replied, âWhat should I say?â
Grinning, Bryan teased, âSay you miss me too.â
Ida gave him nothing but a dry laugh. âAs long as everything is okay with your family, I'm relieved.
Stay home and take care.â
With that, she was about to hang up.
Sensing her intention, Bryan quickly intervened. âWait! Ida, donât hang up.â
Ida paused. âAnything else?â
Since he was unable to leave the hospital and was desperate to meet her, Bryan concocted a little
white lie. âIda, I got hurt. Can you come to the hospital to see me?â
Ida frowned. âYou got hurt? Where?"
Feigning injury, Bryan replied, âI hurt my arm. It hurts a lot.â
Ida asked sternly, âHow did it happen?â
Bryan continued his act. âYou know, yesterday... when my dad attempted suicide? I accidentally got
scratched while saving him.â
Ida asked, âWhich hospital?â
"Central Hospital.â
âWait for me.â The line went dead before Bryan could say anything else.
Ida seemed in a hurry. Was she rushing to the hospital to see him? Did she really care for him that
much?
Bryan, who was used to being ignored, felt overwhelmed and flustered by the sudden attention.
The thought of Ida coming to see him made him ecstatic, but he needed to prepare.
If Ida came and saw that he was perfectly fine with no injuries, she would definitely be angry.
With this in mind, Bryan rushed to the nursesâ station, pleading with a nurse to bandage his
uninjured arm. He even borrowed some iodine to make it look like a real wound.
After seeing him like this, Ida would surely be worried, right? Hahaha!