Returning with Triple Treasures: My CEO Husband Is Obsessed novel Chapter 21

Hearing this, Linda’s cheeks colored slightly, and she said nothing more.

Watching the two of them exchange such affectionate concern, Isabella felt a strong wave of nausea.

Linda’s injury? It would probably heal before she even left the building. What was there to worry about?

“I’m not doing it. This isn’t in my job description. Why should I-”

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“Then submit your resignation,” Xavier cut her off tersely. “The terms for you retaining your shares include not acting against the company’s interests. Refusing a direct assignment is a violation. You would forfeit the equity and be liable for the penalty fees.”

Isabella clenched her fists. The man in front of her looked every bit the polished executive, yet his actions were more tyrannical than any street thug’s.

With that, Xavier turned and walked back to his room, with Linda following closely beside him.

Isabella trailed behind much later, her mood foul.

Losing the shares wasn’t the end of the world. But if she didn’t draw a firm line with Xavier now, the tangled mess with Jason would never be resolved.

By the time Isabella reached the private ward, Jacob was preparing to escort Linda out.

Seeing Isabella, Jacob grew immediately anxious. “Mrs. Moore, Mr. Moore asked me to see Ms. Allen home. If you require anything, please call me anytime…”

“Just go,” Isabella said flatly, before he could finish.

Linda looked at Isabella with feigned concern. “Isabella, Dr. Ashford said Xavier needs several IV bags tonight. Please, you must…”

“Why don’t you go beg Xavier again to let you stay?” Isabella retorted.

“You-”

Before Linda could continue, Harry emerged from the ward.

Isabella immediately stepped forward to speak with him, and they walked together to his office down the hall.

Harry had just checked on Xavier, who had asked briefly about Isabella’s whereabouts. The man had been typically closed–lipped, suggesting the situation between them was complicated.

“Ms. Carter, please don’t worry. The medication I’ve prescribed is primarily to stabilize his system. The IV is on a pump, and the nurses will handle the changes,” Harry explained kindly, assuming her concern.

“Thank you, Dr. Ashford.”

Harry had offered the details thinking to reassure her, but after hearing them, Isabella merely smiled and made no move to leave.

An awkward silence settled for a moment.

Harry smiled again, trying to bridge the gap. “Ms. Carter, we’ve known each other a long time. No need for such formality.”

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2:26 pm P

Chapter 21 Secrets in the Hospital Room

Another pause stretched between them.

“By the way,” Isabella began again, her tone casual. “I heard Xavier suffered a loss of taste?”

“Oh, yes. It was a partial loss. His sense of taste has been gradually returning over time,” Harry confirmed.

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Isabella nodded, her expression neutral. “Earlier, you mentioned his health hasn’t been good. May I ask what happened?”

Harry hesitated briefly. “Well, the truth is, about five years ago, Xavier was the victim of a severe poisoning incident. This is part of the long–term aftermath.”

“Poisoning?” Isabella was genuinely taken aback, her brow furrowing. “What happened?”

“I don’t know all the details,” Harry admitted. “I just remember it was late one night, not long after you… that is, not long after you left.

“It was a very close call that night. Fortunately, his stomach was pumped in time. Otherwise, Xavier might have…

“I asked about it afterward, but never got a clear answer.”

Not long after I left… Is it just a coincidence?

Isabella was about to probe further when the phone on Harry’s desk rang. He answered, then immediately looked at her.

“Ms. Carter, Xavier is asking for you.”

Isabella took the receiver reluctantly. Xavier’s icy voice came through immediately. “If you’re not back here in one minute, don’t bother coming back at all.”

He hung up.

Harry’s office was one floor below the suite. The moment she put the phone down, Isabella sprinted back in her heels.

She burst into the room just as Xavier looked up from the stopwatch on his phone.

“Fifty–nine seconds,” he stated coldly. “It seems I gave you too much leeway.”

Isabella stood bent over, hands on her knees, catching her breath. She wasn’t surprised he had timed her. Xavier was notoriously exacting with his staff, to an almost inhuman degree. It was why none of his personal assistants before her had lasted more than three months.

Once her breathing steadied, Isabella poured herself a glass of water and sank into the armchair by the window. She had no intention of making conversation and pulled out her phone, planning to scroll through some videos.

“Is this how you attend to a patient?” Xavier finally spoke, unable to tolerate her casual demeanor.

Isabella glanced up with a thin smile. “How would you like me to attend to you? I’m afraid I lack Ms. Allen’s particular brand of gentleness and devotion. Shall I call her back for you?”

“You’re not even in the same league as her,” Xavier said ruthlessly. The words stung, more than Isabella wanted to admit.

Even though she said it herself, during those three years she had done everything for him, and more—things she thought impossible. If that still didn’t measure up to Linda, then perhaps some debts could simply never be repaid.

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12:26 pm P

Chapter 21 Secrets in the Hospital Room

“I want some water,” Xavier demanded, his tone still frosty.

Isabella took a steadying breath, poured a glass of water from the pot on the side table, and handed it to him.

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