Silas brought Julian along and they happened to sit by the window.
That was the place where they’d had their first date.
Seeing this scene, Chloe felt a pang in her chest.
She looked at Lucy Rhodes: "You invited soone else too?"
Lucy flashed a guilty smile: "My brother wanted to thank you, and Julian said he missed you, so I just set it all up together. Dr. Nash, you don’t mind, right?"
Chloe wanted to say she did mind.
She’d finally spent a few days not seeing Silas, and the air felt less suffocating.
Who would’ve thought Lucy would drag her into a family get-together again?
But on her face, she didn’t show the slightest reluctance. She just shrugged, indifferent: "I don’t mind."
Seeing Chloe again, Julian instantly climbed down from his chair.
With his tiny legs, he dashed into her arms.
He wrapped his arms around her neck, giving kisses and nuzzles, just like a puppy finally reunited with its owner.
Lucy was a little surprised: "Julian, you’ve never been this affectionate even with your aunt—I’m getting jealous here."
She gave Julian’s little butt a tap: "This cheeky brat only likes my brother and our grandpa at ho. To him, it’s like everyone else doesn’t exist. How co he’s so attached to you, Dr. Nash? Do you have so magic about you?"
Otherwise, why were both her brother and his son drawn to her?
Chloe ruffled Julian’s hair a few tis: "Maybe I know a little psychology, so I can understand what he’s feeling."
"That’s great, you should talk to him more. If you can get him to speak, it’ll be our whole family’s dream co true."
Lucy led Chloe over; Silas stood up politely.
After not seeing him for a few days, he seed to have gotten much thinner.
His complexion looked terrible too.
Chloe nodded to him: "Mr. Prescott, you’re too polite."
Silas pulled out a chair for Chloe: "You ca over ten thousand kiloters to do this operation for Grandpa. Of course you deserve to be thanked."
He spoke like a gentleman, polite and calm—no one could tell the kind of madness lurking beneath that face.
Chloe said, "I’m a doctor. Since I took this case, no matter how hard it is, I have to see it through. Luckily the old man’s doing well now—I haven’t let down your expectations."
"It’s because Dr. Nash has excellent skills."
Silas poured her a drink. "No mango in this—drink it without worry."
Watching them interact, Lucy couldn’t help but scream inside.
Her brother actually knew that Dr. Nash didn’t like mango?
She’d spent twenty-six years by his side and he probably didn’t even know what she disliked.
Seems she’d put together just the right group this ti.
Lucy waved to Julian: "Julian, want to sit with your aunt?"
Julian shook his little head like a drum.
He looked up at Chloe, pulling a pitiful face.
Chloe smiled and tousled his hair: "You can just sit here. I’ll watch over him."
With Lucy present, this dinner was anything but dull.
She kept chatting non-stop the whole ti.
Near the end of the al, Chloe stepped outside to take a call.
The call was from Fries’ dad, Albie Kane.
"Chloe, has Silas given you any trouble?"
"No, I won’t let him find out anything."
"For safety’s sake, you should co back soon. The longer you stay, the more risks there are. You two have been together so long, one slip and you could be exposed."
"I’ll leave once Grandpa Prescott wakes up. I’m not comfortable leaving him to anyone else—he’s very important to ."
"Alright, just take care of yourself. If anything happens, just tell —Fries and I will help in any way we can."
Fries was a child Chloe saved from traffickers—a debt Albie would never forget.
At these words, Chloe hesitated for a few seconds and said: "If you can, I’d like you and Fries to pretend to be my family. Last ti Fries called, Silas saw, so I told him Fries was my son to allay his suspicions."
Albie answered without hesitation: "Of course, no problem. Fries and I would be happy to. If we’re going to pretend, let’s do it well. From now on, we’ll contact you more, that way it’ll seem more natural. As long as you don’t think it’s annoying."
Chloe smiled: "How could I? You two have helped a lot these years."
Chloe never worried Albie would cross the line, because Fries’ mom died in a car accident trying to save Albie—he’d always carry that guilt, always cherished her mory.
She and Albie chatted about other things, and when it ca up that two girls had gotten into a fight over who’d have Fries for a boyfriend, Chloe couldn’t help but laugh.
Just then, Silas walked out and happened to see it.
It was the first ti he’d ever seen Chloe laugh so openly since he t her.
She was always cold in front of him, yet in front of another man, she laughed like that.
Silas felt like there was a wad of cotton stuck in his chest.
It left him agitated and restless.
That agitation made his feet move toward Chloe.
Hearing footsteps, Chloe glanced back.
Then she quickly said with a smile, "Honey, it’s almost your birthday. I’ve had so cufflinks custom-made for you here—they’re perfect for you. Hope you’ll like them."
Albie instantly got the hint and replied, "If it’s from you, I’ll love anything."
"Alright, I’ll let you go now—let’s chat on video tonight. Bye!"
After hanging up, Chloe still had a smile on her lips.
But as soon as she saw Silas, her smile vanished, replaced by her usual cool indifference.
This made the agitation in Silas’ chest swell even more.
He walked up to Chloe, stared at her for several seconds, then asked, "Dr. Nash, do I owe you money or sothing?"
Chloe frowned a little: "Why would you say that?"
"You were laughing a minute ago, but when you see it’s all cold faces. Soone might think I must owe you a fortune."
Silas tried to keep his tone calm, but his tightly clenched hands betrayed his mood.
Chloe’s lips curved faintly: "Sorry. I’ve always kept work and family separate. Family and a patient’s family are just not the sa."
With that, she turned and walked off.
When he heard that, Silas felt a flash of anger, inexplicably.
Why, when he saw Chloe being close to her ’husband,’ did he wish he could reach through the phone and beat that man up?
Just like five years ago, seeing Sienna Paxton with another boy in school.
Two entirely different people, yet he acted exactly the sa.
Silas figured he must be going crazy.
Back at the table, he grabbed his ice water and downed it in one go, not even pausing for breath.
Lucy watched his performance and couldn’t help laughing out loud.
"Bro, what got into you? Why’s drinking ice water got you acting like it’s moonshine? Anyone would think you just broke up."
Silas shot her a glare: "Even food can’t shut you up."
Lucy giggled, and gave Chloe a aningful glance.
These two go out for just a few minutes, and her brother cos back looking half-dead. If soone said there was nothing going on, not even a dog would believe it.
Just then, a clear female voice rang out behind them.
"Sienna, when did you get back?"
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