Sam didn't pick up the phone immediately. Instead, he lifted his gaze to stare at Anne. "If you're not hungry, don't force yourself to eat anything. That'll hurt your body and your mood."
Anne's face and eyes betrayed no emotion. Since he gave the okay, she stopped eating.
But Emily looked at him in disbelief, her eyes wide in surprise. She looked like she wanted to argue with him. Sam ignored Emily and answered the phone.
"What's the matter?" Sam struggled to keep his cool.
On the other end of the line, Kevin was yelling at Sam, "I need a copy of the test results on my desk the moment you get it!"
Hearing Kevin's angry voice, Sam resolved to keep calm. His black eyes were horribly cold. "See you at the Ode To Joy in an hour. I have something to tell you."
"Okay." With a smile at the corners of his mouth, Kevin looked at the sunlight from his office, without any warmth on his face. "What a coincidence. I have something to say as well."
He hung up the phone right after that, and his head was filled with nothing but rage.
Sam was calm, sitting in his car, acting like he'd just gotten a telemarketer on the phone. Kevin's call hadn't done anything to sour his mood.
Sam was the kind of person who would not even blink an eye when the sky fell. Kevin couldn't be more different. Everyone had to show deference to him. He lived to tell people what to do. And if they didn't do what he wanted, he made sure they would.
He was used to being a strong man, so he didn't allow others to disobey him.
He usually held his emotions in check. But when it came to confrontation, he'd never back down. He would unleash his full fury on anyone foolish enough to oppose him.
Hearing the explosive shouts from Sam's phone, Anne lost what little appetite she had. She put down the spoon and looked out the window. There was a touch of sadness in her eyes.
Emily didn't say anything this time, not knowing what to say to make anything better. She took the takeout box from Anne's hand and sat silently with her.
Sam said nothing as he continued driving the car. Anne didn't really want him to say anything anyway.
When the car arrived at the community, Sam sent Anne inside and talked to Emily. "I'm going out for a while," he said in a grave tone. "Take good care of her. I have porridge and boiled eggs in the kitchen."
"Okay, I will." Emily nodded earnestly.
After Sam left, Anne didn't eat much. She ate some vegetables and a fruit salad made by Emily, plus a small bowl of porridge.
Emily's cooking skills were beyond reproach. She was almost as good as Sam, who cooked like a five-star chef.
After Sam left, Anne felt a little uneasy. She walked from the room to the balcony, and then back to the living room, frowning the whole time.
"I have to go." She turned and walked towards the door.
Emily immediately came over to block her way and said seriously, "Sam said not to let you out."
"The two of them..." Without knowing how to explain, Anne asked anxiously, "Do you want to see Sam get hurt?"
Stunned for a moment, Emily shook her head firmly and said, "No!"
"Then I need to get there." Something told her when Sam met Kevin, it wouldn't go well.
And Kevin wouldn't be the one getting hurt. Sam might start something, but Kevin would finish it.
"But... But... " Emily didn't know what to do.
Anne held her hand and said, "If anything goes wrong, I'll take the heat. Just tell him that you couldn't stop me. Let me go!"
"Well...okay. Just be careful! And I'm going with you!" Anne was not slowing her pace for anything. Emily, holding her hand, was practically dragged all the way there. She was panting after a bit.
Sam owned the club—Ode to Joy—across from the private hospital. The first floor was a coffee shop, and the second floor was a tearoom.
He grabbed the test results before he booked a private room on the second floor, waiting for Kevin.
There was a main road that ran though there. Although it was not located in the prosperous city center, the road was wide and saw plenty of traffic. Twenty minutes later, Kevin arrived at Ode To Joy and stepped into the private room Sam booked. His aura was anything but warm and friendly.
Anne sped on her way, trying to reach the club before Kevin and Sam. The car roared around corners at high speed, causing the two to lean into the curves. Anne left the house almost an hour later than Sam! Emily kept repeating "Slow down! Slow down!" But she didn't slow down at all.
Emily feared for their safety. Thankfully, nothing happened and they arrived safe and sound.
"Take me to your boss's private room," Anne said to the receptionist as soon as she arrived at Ode To Joy. She was panting, sweating, and out of breath.
"You are..." The waitress stared at Anne and Emily hesitantly.
Anne said with a serious look, "This is a matter of life and death! Just think of what you'll be responsible for if you don't let me in! Do you want that?"
The receptionist was frightened by Anne's alarming words. Plus, she didn't want to be responsible.
When she was hesitating, a manager came over, stood beside the waitress with a serious face, and then apologized to Anne, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Anne. She doesn't know you. I'll take you there right away."
In the private room, Kevin and Sam were fighting.
Clenching the collar of Sam with one hand, Kevin glared at him and said angrily, "I'm the kid's dad. Why are you trying to keep me away?"
The two of them knew that the conversation today would never be pleasant.
But Kevin didn't expect that the first sentence out of Sam's mouth would irk him so much.
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