The sky was overcast that cold winter morning.
It had been a week since Tim last saw Michelle around the neighborhood. He had tried messaging her several times, but she had only replied once to inform him that she was on a business trip.
At first, he believed her. But when Michelle didn't update her WeChat Moments or post photos on Weibo, he gradually became suspicious.
He had ordered Victor to investigate her and finally got the result this morning.
"Mr. Shen, it seems that Michelle is currently staying at Kanner Hospital. As for why she's there or how bad her condition is, I do not know yet. The hospital staff have been very tight-lipped so getting more information is difficult at the moment."
Tim frowned at the possibility that Michelle could be sick.
Decisive as always, he got up from his seat and declared, "Let's go to Kanner Hospital."
"Okay." Victor was quick to obey. "Shall I buy some fruits or flowers for your visit?"
Tim didn't have experience in such things so he asked the other man to handle it. First, Victor drove to a nearby supermarket first to buy fruits. Next, he went to a flower shop and ordered a bunch of pink roses surrounded by baby's breath.
When he returned to the car, he handed the bouquet to Tim who was seated in the back seat. He asked, "Mr. Shen, what do you think of the flowers I chose? Every flower has its meaning: baby's breath for care and roses for love. I thought that these two would convey your feelings best to the woman you like."
Tim lowered his head slightly to smell the fragrance of the pink roses.
He nodded in approval and praised, "Excellent choice."
Victor felt honored even though the compliment was only two words long. What kind of person was Tim? He had a reputation for instilling fear in his followers.
Any sort of praise or compliment coming from the man was rare, so when it happened, his subordinates savored it for as long as they could.
Of course, Victor was not the kind of person who bullied others to be noticed by Tim.
He was so happy that he kept talking throughout the drive to Kanner Hospital.
He tried teaching Tim about courting women, but the latter did not hear a word. He said nothing in reply nor looked at the other man.
But he felt at ease when someone chatty accompanied him.
As long as Victor didn't say anything unpleasant, Tim wouldn't stop him from talking.
Kanner Hospital had an underground parking lot and another spacious parking area outside the lobby. At present, there was only one slot left in the outside parking lot.
Victor noticed that a white car was headed toward the remaining available space.
He was also aiming for that spot because it was more convenient to park outside. Tim would be able to see his sweetheart faster.
In his hurry to beat the white car, he daringly stepped on the accelerator.
"Sit tight, Mr. Shen!"
Victor rushed to park their car in the parking space, cutting off the white vehicle. Caroline, the driver of the white car, braked sharply to avoid getting hit.
She might have been thrown out of her seat if she hadn't been wearing her seat belt.
She felt a little dizzy from the shock.
When she snapped back to her senses, the parking slot she had been aiming for was already occupied.
That morning, she had learned that Michelle was in the hospital due to an injury so she came over to check up on her.
Michelle had always been like a sister to her, so she was very worried about the girl.
When the parking slot she was aiming for got stolen by another driver, she lost her temper and got out of her car.
She knocked impatiently on the window of the other vehicle.
The window rolled down, but before Caroline could say anything, Victor smiled at her and said, "I'm really sorry about that. We're in a hurry to visit someone so you'll have to park in the basement."
He was apologizing but he didn't look sorry at all.
That made Caroline even angrier. She replied coolly, "All visitors are in a hurry to see the patients they're visiting. But it's first come, first served. Since I arrived here before you, please move your car out of the way."
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