Back ho, I received a call from Crystal Dawson, who brought the latest information.
Azure Vaughn is hospitalized!
As for why she’s hospitalized, it’s still unclear.
"Is Henry Preston accompanying her at the hospital?" I asked.
"Yeah, he’s the one who took Azure to the hospital," Crystal speculated, "How could soone so young suddenly be hospitalized? Maybe... is she pregnant?!"
My eyelid twitched, feeling as if soone had guessed my secret. Henry had told that he and Azure hadn’t been together, so Azure shouldn’t be pregnant.
I replied, "I don’t know, let them be."
Crystal agreed with , "Yeah, don’t worry about them; let be beautiful on my own!"
After the call ended, I felt a bit distracted, and my eyelid kept twitching. I had an uneasy feeling but didn’t know where it ca from.
Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be flying to Xylos with my uncle, hoping nothing goes awry.
In the evening, Joel Sutton ssaged: Miss Hathaway, I’ve gone back ho for tomb sweeping. I’ll be returning with the afternoon train today. Can we have lunch together tomorrow noon?
: Sure, stay safe.
The next noon, I t with Joel Sutton, who hadn’t returned to his rental to drop off his things. He was carrying a luggage bag.
He seed a bit constrained at first, but after chatting for a while, he gradually opened up.
We found a mall and chose a place inside to eat. Joel started talking more, even asking about things abroad.
"Sutton, did you know Azure also went to study in Xylos?" I suddenly inserted this topic.
Joel Sutton was taken aback, then nodded, "I heard from a friend, but I don’t know the details. I barely have any contact with her."
"Mm, Henry funded it." I took a sip of water to moisten my throat and continued, "I heard sothing—initially, it wasn’t Henry who reached out to Azure; rather, it was the opposite, you know?"
Hearing ntion this matter, Joel Sutton’s expression changed, and he seed a bit guilty but said nothing.
I didn’t an to bla him. From a certain perspective, he is quite honorable. Even after breaking up with his girlfriend, he refrains from speaking ill.
Otherwise, during the ti Azure was attacked online, he could have exposed everything he knew to the dia, adding fuel to the fire. That could have multiplied the criticism Azure faced.
Joel Sutton didn’t do this; he’s not one to kick soone when they’re down.
"Sutton?" I casually asked again, "Did you hear what I just said? Do you know about Azure reaching out to Henry first?"
Only then did Joel look at again, his eyes conflicted.
I also focused on him, my gaze sowhat sharp.
Finally, he nodded, "Yeah, I know."
Joel Sutton had seen the ssages Azure sent to Henry. His despair back then was because he discovered that his beloved girlfriend had reached out to a married man!
Moreover, Azure knew the married man and had given him her contact information.
Barefaced signals of flirtation.
Azure had many pursuers; he always knew that and managed well emotionally.
Until Henry appeared, shattering his ntal defense, yet he still kept it all a secret for Azure, never speaking out.
"I asked her why she proactively texted Henry; didn’t she know what that man wanted?" Joel recalled the past, more at ease, but there was still so confusion in his eyes, "She said her heart told her she loved that man."
This sentence left speechless. Wasn’t it supposed to be Henry who fell for Azure at first sight, not the other way around?
This conversation left entirely puzzled, but it confird one thing: Azure initiated this entire romantic saga.
Even if she hadn’t, Henry had already gotten her number and would’ve contacted her sooner or later. But the aning is different.
I seed to see a little white rabbit, chased by a big bad wolf, suddenly showing its fox tail.
As we were about to part, Joel and I stood by the roadside. I know he’s been stealing glances at .
"Miss Hathaway, are you leaving for Xylos this afternoon?" he asked.
"Yes." I nodded.
His eyes showed a trace of reluctance and loneliness, but he forced a smile, "I wish you a safe trip."
I smiled back at him, and suddenly he opened his arms, hugged tightly, whispering quickly, "I’ll miss you!"
Then he let go, grabbed his luggage, and ran towards a bus stop without looking back.
I hadn’t even had ti to react; Joel had already boarded a bus. He sat by the window, turning his head to look at until the bus disappeared from view. I opened my mouth but said nothing.
What a lovely college student. I hope he maintains this simple and pure nature even after entering society, though, it’s quite challenging.
I didn’t expect that this eting with Joel Sutton would lead to a commotion later on.
Late that night, my uncle and I arrived safely back in Xylos. Sherman Hathaway picked us up. He dropped off first before driving my uncle ho.
As I opened the door, I glanced across; Henry probably hadn’t co over yet. Given Azure’s severe condition requiring hospitalization, he would definitely stay with her.
I didn’t think too much about it. After washing up, I went straight to bed.
It was only the next morning at work that I heard about Azure from an angry Fern Tate.
"Zoe Hathaway, you’re vicious!" Fern furiously pointed at , her eyes red, "If anything happens to Azure, you’ll go to hell!"
"What happened to her? What’s going on?" I frowned at her.
"Don’t you know she has a heart condition? You intentionally provoked her, and now she’s lying in the ICU, her life hanging by a thread. Aren’t you responsible?!" Fern said excitedly.
Colleagues exchanged glances, unable to intervene.
When did Azure get heart disease? I never knew!
"What heart condition does she have, tell ," I asked calmly.
"She..." Fern seed to rember sothing, but what she ant to say didn’t co out. After a pause, she continued, "She has a serious congenital heart disease, can’t handle stress. You’re a murderer for constantly provoking her!"
I kept a composed face, "I never knew she had a heart condition; there’s no reason for to provoke her. Bla her for always flaunting her presence before ."
Fern was furious, "Are you even human, Zoe? You’re so cold-blooded! Truly vicious!"
I ignored her and texted Joel Sutton: Does Azure have a heart condition?
Joel quickly replied: It’s a minor issue. She takes dication regularly and can’t engage in strenuous activity. While with her, she seed normal.
A minor heart issue—certainly not serious enough for a stay in intensive care.
I didn’t reply to Joel Sutton further, instead focusing on my work.
Fern was relentless, suddenly grabbing my hand and shoving aggressively.
She was a bit more robust than , with more strength. If Sherman hadn’t appeared to shield , I might have been knocked to the floor by her.
"Linda!" Sherman called angrily, his tone full of warning, "This is work ti. What are you doing?"
Fern glared at , "Mr. Hathaway, your sister caused Azure’s heart attack. Shouldn’t she take responsibility?!"
Sherman probably never expected Fern and Azure to be so close. He looked back at and then coldly said, "Wasn’t she the one who caused Zoe’s divorce first?"
Fern’s chest heaved, unable to accept Sherman speaking of Azure this way. She suddenly tore off her employee badge, "I quit!"
She’s worked under Sherman for so long; for her to resign in anger shows how much she cares about Azure.
But I don’t understand—is it just because Azure resembles her deceased sister?
"Go to HR and handle your paperwork." Sherman was angry too, having no intention of keeping Fern.
I felt a bit guilty. This issue arose because of . If I hadn’t joined his company, Fern wouldn’t have resigned.
Fern stord off in rage, and Sherman called into the office.
"Sherman, I’m sorry." I apologized sincerely.
"Linda was too impulsive, causing a scene during work hours," Sherman said wearily, pinching his brow.
"Does she really have to resign?" I asked.
I had to admit, Fern was good at her job, and her resignation would be a loss for the company.
Sherman shook his head, "No, I’ll talk to her. Zoe, you need to handle workplace relationships better, understand?"
I nodded.
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