Chapter 629 Especially You
As soon as Nicole opened those food boxes, the tantalizing aroma of meat instantly permeated the entire ward.
It was an especially rich aroma.
In normal circumstances, it would have stirred up a starving person's appetite. But that was not the case now...
Avery couldn't help but shake her head. Nicole must've been too used to being spoiled. That's why she doesn't even know how to care for others.
Nicole did not notice the subtle look of disgust on Claire's face.
She brought a dish near Claire and tried to feed her. “Mom, eat something. The dishes at Decem Restaurant are all meticulously prepared by top chefs. And I've chosen all your favorites. I'm sure they'll suit your taste.”
Unfortunately, Claire felt like retching after smelling the meat dishes.
Shoving the food boxes toward Nicole, Claire suppressed her queasiness and declined, “Nickie, I don't have much appetite right now. Put the food aside first. Oh yes, Avery hasn't eaten yet. You two can go ahead and dig in.”
Claire's rejection left Nicole feeling somewhat displeased. She felt even more frustrated after hearing how her mother wanted her to share the food she had painstakingly queued for with Avery.
I'd rather feed these foods to the dogs than let Avery eat them!
Nicole covered the lids back and placed the food boxes on a table aside. Even though she tried her best to control her emotions, her tone was still laced with sarcasm. “Mom, Ms. Rumpley is used to eating delicacies. How is it possible that she'll like this kind of food?”
Claire peered at Nicole, then cast Avery an apologetic look. “I'm sorry, Ms. Rumpley. Nickie must be shocked by what happened today and isn't in her best state. I hope you won't take it to heart.”
She could not wrap her head around why her well-educated and empathetic daughter would lose control of her emotions and fly into a rage whenever she ran into Avery.
Nickie is probably upset that Avery snatched the man she loves.
Avery shook her head with a smile. “It's fine, Claire. I understand how Ms. Lambert is feeling right now. Since you're all right, I shan't disturb you any longer. Have a good rest.”
Figuring how it wasn't too comfortable for Avery to stay in the ward with her big belly, Claire gently responded, “All right. Let me know once you're back home.”
Her tone was full of sincerity and concern.
Looking at Avery, Claire truly felt as if she was looking at her younger self, which was perhaps why she felt especially sympathetic toward the former.
Avery lifted the corners of her lips into a smile and waved her hand. “I got it, Claire. You should get some rest. I'll be on my way now.”
Claire grunted an acknowledgment, then turned to Nicole and instructed, “Nickie go see Avery off.”
“Okay, Mom.” Nicole reluctantly stood up and followed Avery out.
...
As soon as she stepped out of the ward, she revealed her true colors after seeing no one along the corridor.
A sneer flashed across her eyes as she looked at Avery.
“Avery, what on earth are you trying to do? Do you think you can gain some benefits by pleasing and fooling my mom? Listen, dream on! My mother despises hypocritical and pretentious women like you. I'm warning you. You better stay away from my mom, or don't blame me for not showing you any mercy!”
Avery whipped her head around, only to notice how Nicole's delicate face had contorted with rage. That left her feeling amused.
She fixed her icy gaze on Nicole without blinking. “Really? What do you plan to do, Ms. Lambert? Will you resort to the same trick of using a cat to scratch me like you did at Azure Royal? Or will you put a couple of venomous snakes in my room again? Or perhaps, will you orchestrate another horrific car accident for me?”
Anxiety overwhelmed Nicole's heart upon hearing those words.
She avoided Avery's sharp gaze and stammered, “W-What are you talking about? I don't understand... Stop spouting nonsense! My mom belongs to me only. I will never let anyone else steal her love for me. Especially you, Avery!”
Avery stared at Nicole with a conflicted expression. So, it turns out that she's so possessive of Mrs. Lambert.
At the thought of how the first thing Claire asked after regaining consciousness was regarding Nicole, Avery felt an inexplicable wave of bitterness wash over her.
A hint of disappointment laced her tone. “Nicole, no one wants to steal your mom's love from you. However, people treat others as they would like to be treated. Only when you sincerely treat others can you expect the same in return. There's no doubt that Mrs. Lambert treats you very well. You should cherish that and don't take it for granted. Don't wait until the day when you've drained out all of Mrs. Lambert's love for you that you start feeling regretful.”
“I don't need your fake concerns. I don't need you to remind me how to cherish my mom. She only has one daughter in this life, and that's me. Anyone else is insignificant to her. Please know your place! Get out of here now. Your presence annoys me...” snapped Nicole arrogantly before she stormed back to the ward.
Watching Nicole's figure gradually disappear, Avery let out a sigh.
Nicole is too unpredictable and sinister, and she harbors malicious intentions. I don't care what she might do to me, but what if she harms Mr. and Mrs. Lambert? What exactly should I do?
...
Jake had gone to the parking lot to get the car and had yet to return, so Avery waited for him by the roadside.
Bored out of her mind, she was counting the cars on the road when she received a call from Cayden.
“Cayden?” Avery hit the answer button. The call went through, but she heard no sound from the other end of the line.
She kept fiddling with her phone as she thought something was wrong with it. “Hello? Hello? Cayden, can you hear me? That's strange. There's nothing wrong with my phone...”
“Where are you now?” Cayden's cold and solemn voice sounded from the other end.
Avery had a light-colored scarf around her neck. It was a gift Cayden got for her while he went to Ferropene for a business trip. Because of the recent change in weather, he had specially reminded her to wear it when she was out.
Toying with her scarf, she reckoned Cayden was in another city for his collaboration negotiation with the other party's executives and hence casually replied, “I'm at the hospital entrance right now. Mrs. Lambert got into an accident and ended up in the hospital, so I'm here to visit her.”
“Stay where you are and look to your right.”
With that, the man ended the call.
When the curious Avery turned her head, she spotted a tall, handsome man in a suit standing by the road on the right.
At that moment, Avery felt as if she was seeing an illusion.
She was slightly astounded. He's supposed to be in another city for business negotiation. He even told me yesterday that he'd be busy until dawn the following day. How can he possibly be here right now?
She blinked hard, but even so, she found the man still standing there. He then began crossing the road, weaving through the crowd, and heading toward her direction.
Even though it was only a few dozen meters away, Avery felt almost as if the man had walked for a thousand years.
In that instant, the vehicles and crowd around seemingly froze and became a backdrop, accentuating Cayden's presence.
And in her world, only his existence remained...
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