Chapter: 39
"Oh, no need," she said hurriedly, waving her hand. "My mother is much better now!"
But her refusal was futile. Jonathan had already gotten out of the car, flowers and gifts in tow.
“Let's go," he said calmly.
Knowing she couldn't change his mind, Bethany walked into the hospital in a daze with Jonathan following her. As they made their way to her mother's ward, she racked her brain for an explanation for his presence.
Nearing the door, she still hadn't come up with a believable Lie, silently praying her mother would be asleep to avoid any complications. Unfortunately, when the door opened, they found Marie chatting animatedly with a nurse, looking quite energetic.
"Bethany!" Marie's face lit up at the sight of her daughter, but her smile faded as she noticed the tall man standing behind her. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Bethany, well aware of her mother's protective nature and aversion to men, felt a pang of anxiety. She needed to diffuse the tension quickly, so she started to say, "Mom, this is..."
"Your boyfriend?" Marie cut in sharply, her voice laced with hostility.
The warmth in her eyes turned to ice, making Bethany's heart sink.
Bethany instinctively shook her head, afraid of what else her mother might blurt out.
“Boyfriend? Of course not! He's my boss! When he heard that you were in the hospital, he told me that he wanted to visit you."
Marie's demeanor softened immediately. She nodded politely to Jonathan and gestured at a chair, saying, "Please, have a seat! I've had troubles getting out of bed. Sorry about that. Bethany, prepare some fruit for your boss!"
"It's no trouble. I'm just here to visit," Jonathan replied coolly, his expression unreadable as he placed the flowers and gifts on the table. “Has the date for your surgery been set?"
“Yes! My daughter's boyfriend even arranged for a specialist to treat me!" Marie announced cheerfully, beaming with pride.
Embarrassed, Bethany interjected, “Mom, please don't mention any unnecessary details."
“Didn't I tell you to prepare some fruit?" Marie chastised, her tone sharp but loving. Bethany had no choice but to obey, leaving the room in a hurry.
As the door closed, Marie let out a heavy sigh, turning to Jonathan.
“Sir, my daughter has been through so much because of me. I'm sure she's sacrificed her work to take care of me, so I hope you can forgive her for any shortcomings.”
Jonathan nodded kindly. “Don't worry. Bethany is exceptional at her job."
“Bethany has been smart and hardworking ever since she was a child. If I hadn't held her back, she wouldn't have ended up at an ordinary university." Marie's eyes lit up with pride. She became more animated as she reminisced about her daughter's achievements. “During her middle school exams, she scored high enough to go to Brokdon's top high school, but she ended up choosing another school because they offered a scholarship of fifty thousand. Who knows where she'd be now if she chose to go to the top school—"
“Mom! What have you been telling my boss?" Bethany interjected. As soon as she returned and saw her mother chatting away wistfully. “Mr. Bates, didn't you say you had other things to attend to? Please, don't let us keep you!"
Catching Bethany's hint, Jonathan acquiesced gracefully. "Ma'am, it was a pleasure to meet you. I'll be taking my leave now. Get well soon!"
“Thank you!" Marie said gratefully. “Bethany, walk your boss out!"
Bethany breathed a sigh of relief and escorted Jonathan out of the ward.