“Brilliant idea! I never considered that before!” Vera cried out, her hands pping together in tion at


    Kailee’s inspired n.


    Vera’s spirits soared, and her admiration for Kailee swelled.


    Vera couldn’t resist praising Kailee, saying, “You’re so clever and kind-hearted. Whichever fortunate


    young man marries you will be truly blessed.”


    Kailee smiled demurely but remained silent. During their conversation, the car had reached the


    entrance of the Harding family’s opulent abode.


    Vera enticed Kailee inside to peruse the photographs of Garrett’s youth, and Kailee graciously


    acquiesced.


    Together they sat in thevishly appointed living room, poring over images of Garrett’s innocent days,


    theirughter and chatter filling the air with a warm, convivial atmosphere. “Behold, here’s Garrett


    slumbering. He was so adorable back then.”


    “And here he is, epting his first de. He was far more disciplined in his younger days than he is


    now.”


    Vera gestured to the photos, a wistful sigh escaping her lips as her eyes brimmed with nostalgia.


    Garrett was such an exemry child/ Kailee agreed with a smile, feigning interest in the images.


    Vera failed to notice Kailee’s polite disinterest, and seeing Kailee’s radiant smile, shemented, “If only


    I had fostered a stronger bond between you and Garrett, we might have avoided this dreadful


    situation.” Following the distressing events at the hospital, Vera’s discontent with Laney intensified. She


    frequently rued consenting to Garrett’s marriage to Laney.


    It was all due to Laney that their family faced such upheaval and a tarnished reputation. Now, with the


    virtuous Kailee as a shining example, Vera’s resentment toward Laney reached a boiling point.


    Kailee was the ideal match for the Harding lineage, not only due to her esteemed family background


    but also for her intelligence, sensibility, and devotion. She would make an exemry spouse, yet fate


    had not aligned for Garrett and her.


    As Vera’s remorse deepened, Kailee’s countenance grew somber. “It’s a shame that destiny didn’t unite


    me and Garrett.”


    “Let it be,” Vera sighed, shaking her head. “I’llpose a letter for Laney.”


    After Verapleted her missive, Kailee offered to assist in packaging the photo album and


    envelopes. Seizing an unguarded moment, she surreptitiously slipped a “gift” she had prepared for


    Laney into the parcel. The servant, unsuspecting, refrained from inspecting the package again and


    promptly dispatched it to the hospital. Vera’s letter, ced atop the photo album, imbued the delivery


    with an air of sincerity.


    As the package containing Kailee’s carefully crafted gift was sent under Vera’s name, a thrilling blend


    of anticipation and exhration coursed through her veins.


    Kailee was certain that Laney would not resist opening the gift from Vera, and when she did, the


    unexpected “surprise” concealed within would be revealed.


    The mere thought of the expression that would contort Laney s face upon discovering the “gift” filled


    Kailee with gleeful anticipation.


    Eagerly awaiting the moment Laney would receive the package and uncover the cunning surprise she


    had devised, Kailee’s excitement was palpable.


    From the moment Natalie discovered the potential impropriety between Garrett and Kailee, a


    simmering rage brewed within her, threatening to spill over at any moment.


    Her heart ached to visit Laney, but she feared inadvertently revealing the secret she harbored. After an


    arduous mental struggle to quell her fury, Natalie finally arrived at the hospital, steeling herself for the


    encounter. No sooner had she entered the ward, however, than her eyes fell upon Garrett artfully


    peeling an apple.


    “Ah, Natalie! It’s been ages,” Garrett eximed, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he


    brandished the fruit. “Fancy an apple? I’ve mastered the art of peeling them just so,” he boasted.


    Indeed, after days of practice, he’d perfected the technique, rendering the peeled apple round and


    plump.


    When someone entered the room, he couldn’t resist showing off his newfound skill.


    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    Little did he know, Natalie was in no mood to entertain his antics.


    With a frosty huff, she strode past him, making a beeline for Laney. Her voiceced with concern,


    Natalie inquired, “Laney, how is your recoverying along?”


    “Rest easy. I’m doing well,” Laney assured her, a warm smile lighting up her face.


    Lately, her recovery had progressed by leaps and bounds. Under Garrett’s watchful eye, her


    complexion had brightened, and she’d regained the strength to walk unassisted.


    Noticing Natalie’s icy dismissal, a disgruntled Garrett sidled up to her and whispered, “Why the cold


    shoulder?”


    Natalie rolled her eyes, retorting, “You know full well what you’ve done.”


    Garrett’s pulse quickened, and he let out a nervous chuckle. “What could I possibly have done?” he


    queried, feigning innocence.


    Sensing the tension that crackled between them, Laney furrowed her brow. “What’s going on? Did


    something happen?” she prodded. Recalling Brandon’s earlier counsel, Natalie mustered a smile for


    Laney’s sake. “Nothing to worry about. Brandon just needed a word with Garrett, so I came to borrow


    him for a bit,” she exined.


    Visibly relieved, Garrett exhaled. “I thought it was something else. I’ll go find him,” he dered, and


    promptly departed.


    As soon as he was gone, Natalie summoned the doctor who’d assisted Laney during childbirth. She


    requested aprehensive check-up for both Laney and her baby, haunted by the fear that Garrett


    and Kailee might conspire to harm them.


    Upon seeing the doctor arranged by Natalie, Laney couldn’t help but feel anxious. “Natalie, is


    something wrong with the baby?” she asked, her voice trembling.


    Unwilling to divulge Garrett’s possible indiscretion, Natalie hastily concocted an exnation. “After your


    prematurebor and hemorrhage herest time, I lost faith in the hospital’s doctors. I thought it best to


    have another set of eyes examine you and the baby thoroughly,” she reasoned.


    Hearing Natalie’s words, Laney heaved a sigh of relief.


    Touched by her friend’s unwavering concern, Laney’s heart swelled with gratitude. “Thank you, Natalie,


    for caring for me so deeply,” she said sincerely.


    Natalie smiled, sping Laney’s hand. “Were good friends, no need for thanks,” she replied warmly.


    Her expression then darkened with worry. “Laney, I truly hope you’ll consider leaving this hospital. It


    belongs to the Gibson family, and if Kailee tries to hurt you again, it’ll be hard to protect you,” she


    urged.


    Yet Laney, seemingly unfazed, beamed with a serene sense of happiness and contentment. “Natalie,


    don’t fret. Garrett and Ian are watching over me constantly, so Kailee can’t harm me. Besides, I’ll be


    discharged soon and won’t have to see her again,” she reassured.


    Though Natalie’s concerns lingered, she bit her tongue in the face of Laney’s joyful demeanor.


    Thankfully, the examination results confirmed Laney’s excellent recovery, and her baby was the picture


    of health. This news allowed Natalie to breathe a sigh of relief.


    Just then, Ian entered, bearing a trayden with fruit. Spotting Natalie, he respectfully greeted her with


    a bow, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Larson.” Natalie returned the polite gesture with a nod. Noting the


    meticulously sliced fruit – all of Laney’s favorites – she felt pleased with Ian’s attentive care.


    It appeared she had made the right decision in selecting a personal assistant for her dear friend.