Chapter 7 Encounter at the Hospital

The backseat window rolled down, revealing Katelyn's face, her cheek still bearing the mark of the slap Katherine had left earlier.

Katelyn said, "Katherine, just got off work? Would you like Vincent's driver to take you home?"

Without waiting for Katherine's response, she added, "I left my bag in Vincent's office. He's too tired to go out, so he asked the driver to bring me back to get it."

Her explanation made it sound as though Vincent was being particularly considerate of her.

But Katherine knew Vincent too well. His stamina was remarkable-she knew better than to believe he was too tired to step out.

Katherine looked at Katelyn, her lips curling into a mocking smile. To her, Katelyn resembled a pitifully desperate figure.

Katelyn struggled to keep her emotions in check, her expression remaining calm, though her hands, resting on her lap, had clenched into fists.

At that moment, Carl, the driver, stepped out of the car, walked around the front, and approached Katherine.

He nodded politely and said, "Katherine, the previous car broke down. This is Mr. Murphy's new car. I was delayed picking it up. Please, get in. I'll head upstairs to fetch Miss Todd's bag, and then I'll take you back to Maple Villa."

Hearing this explanation, Katherine was slightly surprised.

She had assumed the driver's absence was orchestrated by Vincent.

She shook her head at Carl, her polite smile returning. "No need. Go ahead and get the bag. I'll take a cab."

Upon hearing this, Carl immediately ran to the roadside, flagged down a taxi, and opened the door for Katherine.

Through the rearview mirror, Katelyn watched Carl's enthusiastic service to Katherine, her composure nearly cracking with rage.

So it was true-Vincent's secret relationship was with Katherine!

Why, after thirteen years, was Katherine still disrupting her life?!

The taxi headed toward Maple Villa.

Midway, however, the car suddenly turned and eventually stopped at Sacford Health Hospital, a prestigious private hospital known for its state-of-the-art medical care and luxurious rehabilitation services.

Two years ago, Katherine had transferred her younger brother, Nolan, to this hospital and rented a nearby apartment for her mother, Emily.

A few days earlier, Katherine had scheduled a meeting with the doctor to discuss Nolan's surgery, which was set for today.

She first visited Nolan in his hospital room.

Her stay was brief, and she declined Emily's offer to accompany her, choosing instead to head to the conference room the doctor had mentioned on her own.

The conference room was on the other side of the hospital.

To save time, Katherine decided to take a shortcut through the medical department.

As she walked through the building, a familiar figure flashed past the end of the corridor.

It was Katelyn.

Katherine's heart tightened.

After that car accident years ago, everyone had believed Nolan was gravely injured and beyond saving.

For all these years, she and her mother had kept the truth hidden, ensuring no one in the Todd family knew Nolan was still alive.

If Katelyn discovered this secret, her mother-Miranda-would undoubtedly cause trouble for them.

Though there was no concrete evidence, Katherine and Emily were convinced that Nolan's car accident back then had been no accident.

Miranda, driven by her ambition for wealth and status, had stooped so low as to harm a five-year-old child. It seemed there was no limit to the despicable things she was capable of.

Katherine tightened her grip on her bag and followed in the direction Katelyn had disappeared.

She had to figure out why Katelyn was at the hospital and whether she had discovered Nolan's secret.

Keeping a safe distance, Katherine trailed Katelyn and watched her enter a hospital room.

To figure out who was inside, Katherine stopped at the door, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"How are you feeling? Does your head still hurt?" Katelyn asked with concern, addressing Vincent, who was sitting on the hospital bed.

Earlier that morning, Vincent had brought her to the hospital to check on her sprained ankle. As he was leaving, he had suddenly felt dizzy and nearly collapsed.

It was only when the driver explained the situation to the doctor that Katelyn learned Vincent hadn't picked her up at the airport as planned because he'd been in a car accident.

Katelyn assumed Vincent's accident had been her fault and that he had delayed his treatment to accompany her. Overwhelmed with both guilt and gratitude, she had stayed by his side to care for him.

Vincent, realizing Katelyn had misunderstood, didn't bother to correct her.

In response to her concern, he replied in a low voice, "I'm fine."

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the door. "Miss, are you going in?"

A nurse entered the room, pushing the door open. But when Katelyn glanced outside, there was no one there.

Curious, she asked, "Who was just outside?"

The nurse answered honestly, "I don't know. It was a stunning young woman."

Katelyn frowned.

Meanwhile, Vincent narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

...

Katherine had hidden herself in a nearby supply closet close to Vincent's hospital room.

Her mind replayed the voice she had just heard.

Though the words were brief, she was certain it was Vincent's voice.

So the person staying in that room was Vincent. Vincent was sick, and she, as his secretary, hadn't even known.

Katherine frowned slightly. After waiting five minutes, she turned to leave, pulling the door open-only to find a tall figure blocking the way.

She looked up and saw that it was Vincent.