I Become A CEO After Divorce novel Chapter 659

Chapter 659: Two Shops Damaged in the Disturbance

Old Mr. Duncan nodded at Mr. Johnson and asked, "Why did you come to the hospital so early? Are you here for a check-up?" In fact, Old Mr. Duncan had guessed Mr. Johnson's purpose for coming to the hospital, but he intentionally didn't mention it.
Mr. Johnson's face showed a hint of embarrassment as he replied, "I... I came to see Miss Lawrence."
Old Mr. Duncan nodded and said, "Once you've seen her, go back home. Iris and I will go upstairs to say hello." He then turned towards Iris and said, "Let's go."
As they took a few steps forward, they heard Mr. Johnson call out from behind them.
"Old Mr. Duncan," he said hesitantly as he walked up closer.
"What is it?" Old Mr. Duncan asked as he stopped in his tracks.
"Can I speak with you alone for a moment?" askedMr. Johnson.
OldMr. Duncan motioned towards Iris indicating that she should wait on the side while they talked privately.
After hesitating briefly, Iris turned around and walked away several steps before stopping nearby to wait for OldMr. Duncan.
Once Iris was out of earshot, Mrs. Johnson spoke up,"If this is about Anna, I'm sorry, but I can't make any decisions on this matter. I don't have any authority over what happens, and besides, this involves the Lawrences, and therefore, it's not my place to speak."
Before Mrs. Johnson could say anything else, OIdMrs. Duncan had already cut him off by saying what needed to be said first. Mr. Johnson opened his mouth, but no words came out after hearing OIdMrs. Duncan's response. Old Mrs. Duncan patted him on the shoulder before turning around and walking towardsIris who was waiting nearby by pressing an elevator button. She whispered softly under her breath asking,"What did he want?"
"I didn't give him a chance to speak." repliedOIdMrsDuncanafter whichIris let out a soft chuckle saying,"Thank You".
Old MrsDuncansmiled slightly in response, surprised that someone would thank her like that. Irishelped blockthe elevator door open while OIdMrsDuncangot inside. The latter looked atIrisskepticallyandasked,"You're thanking me?"
"Yes, I am."replied Irishonestlybefore letting go of theelevator door allowingitto close shut. Old MrsDuncanshookher head slightly witha smileonherfaceas she rodeupstairsintheelevatorwithIrishowingsome gratitudeforher help earlieron. Their conversation continued untilthey reached their destination floor where their paths diverged once again into different directions leading each one of themtotheir respective destinations withinthehospital premisesOld Mr. Duncan waved his hand helplessly. "Alright, you guys handle this matter. We also need to express our stance to the Lawrence family since their daughter suffered because of you."
Iris nodded repeatedly as she listened to Old Mr. Duncan's words, afraid that he would suddenly say something like "you marry her and take responsibility" at this moment.
Fortunately, Old Mr. Duncan was very sensible and did not mention this topic again.
When Iris brought Old Mr. Duncan to Anika's hospital room, Yanis and Zane were already there.
"Old Mr. Duncan." Yanis stood up and greeted him when he saw him.
Old Mr. Duncan nodded in response, "Yanis is here too."
"Old Mr. Duncan," Zane also stood up and greeted him.
With a hint of apology in his tone towards Zane, Old Mr. Duncan said: "This matter is Iris' fault."
Zane just glanced at Iris without saying much after hearing what was said.
"You've been wronged," Old Mr. Duncan looked at Anika gently as he spoke softly.
Anika shook her head lightly and said: "It's okay."
After asking about Anika's condition, OldMr. Duncan felt relieved: "That's good then; rest well! If you want anything to eat let Iris bring it over for you."
As soon as these words came out of the mouth of old man duncan, Zane took over the conversation:"You don't have to trouble yourself with running errands for us."
Yanis subtly pulled on Zane's clothes when he heard what was said. Zane didn't speak any further. The atmosphere became somewhat awkward because of his words. Yanis blocked himself behind people without leaving any traces, and looked towards old man duncan:"Have you had breakfast yet?"
"I have eaten already; haven't you guys?" replied old man duncan."I'll ask Iris to buy some for you if not."
"No need, no need. We just ate," Yanis replied
Old man duncan didn't stay long either. After showing concern for Anika a few more times , he left the ward .
Zane couldn't stay in the hospital all day due to work matters. He left with Albi after old man duncandid. When they left, the only ones remaining in the ward were Yanis, Iris, and Anika lying on her sickbed ."Um, I'm going out to buy something. You guys chat for a bit." Iris saw Yanis getting ready to leave and offered, "What do you need? I can go get it for you."
Yanis cleared his throat. "No, it's not convenient for you to go."
Iris hesitated briefly before nodding. "Okay then, you go and I'll stay here."
Yanis nodded in response and said goodbye to Anika before leaving the hospital room.
Once Yanis was gone, the room fell silent.
Before they were alone together, the two had been enjoying each other's company.
But now that they were alone together like this, there was an awkwardness between them.
Finally, Iris spoke up first. "I'm sorry about yesterday..."
"You've already apologized and I'm fine now. Let's not talk about it anymore," Anika interrupted softly.
Iris paused at her words and swallowed what she had been about to say next.
Just as Iris was thinking of a way to lighten the mood with some small talk, her phone rang suddenly.
She glanced at the caller ID before looking back at Anika. "Sorry about this but I have to take this call."
Anika nodded in understanding. "Sure thing."
Iris didn't leave the hospital room but instead walked over to the bed where she answered her phone with a greeting of 'Mr. Morris?'
It was Mr. Morris from an antique shop on the line who asked with concern in his voice: "Is everything okay with that little girl Anika?"
Iris turned around briefly to look at Anika's face before answering him: "She's fine now but still needs some time in hospital for recovery."
"That's good news then," Mr Morris replied relievedly before adding: "Did someone call you yesterday?"
Thinking back on yesterday's phone call she received from Mr Morris' end of things herself; Iris responded affirmatively: "Yes."
Mr Morris continued speaking after hearing her answer: "Those people came again today; their attitude wasn't as friendly as yesterday though – they even got Black Market involved causing trouble by smashing two shops up! Would you like me…do you want me come over there so we can check things out together?"
There seemed a hint of probing tone behind his words which made Iris narrow her eyebrows slightly upon hearing them - "Are they still there right now?""Just arrived, the commotion started from the end of the street and it should be reaching my shop soon. My place doesn't have much to offer, but the things smashed in other stores are all top-notch. I'll tell you something you won't like to hear - you're responsible for all this damage."
Iris understood the gravity of the situation. If they had provided false testimony directly, their shops wouldn't have been vandalized. But since they were on his side and didn't want to resort to such tactics, he had to bear their losses.
"I'm going over there now. Make sure nobody gets hurt," Mr. Morris said.
"Okay then, come over here," Iris replied before hanging up.
Turning around and meeting Anika's gaze made Iris pause briefly before speaking again: "Um... Mr. Morris has some business that needs attending to so I'll be heading over there."