Chapter 282
Ian''s cool gaze rested upon them, the corners of his lips curling into a smile that held a hint of
inscrutability. "What gifts exactly are you nning to send?"
The woman chuckled triumphantly. "Reed has got this vintage bowl. Word is it could fetch a pretty
penny. If I gift that to the big boss, my son will be a shoo-in for the branch manager position next
year. We''re talking about a sry with six zeros, darling. Not something your run-of-the-mill family
physician canpete with."
ra watched as the group carried on with their snide remarks, and she couldn''t help but furrow her
brow in frustration. After all these years, why couldn''t they shed their penchant for one-upmanship?
With his formidable skills, Casey had taken the family business handed down from her grandfather
to impressive heights, only to be the object of envy among these people. They would grasp at
any straw to tarnish ra''s mother''s reputation, undermining her father''s standing within the family.
ra had no desire to argue with them. She tugged at Ian''s arm and murmured, "Don''t mind them.
That''s just their way."
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Ian chuckled dismissively. "I was just thinking of picking up an antique for you to y with."
ra shot him a nce. "That''s Grandpa Reed''s treasure, and he won''t part with it for anyone."
"I wasn''t nning on actually taking it. Even if we were to tie the knot, it''s not like just anyone can
bring a wedding gift."
Forget about the position of a minor manager at Hayes Corporation''s branch office— even the
executives at headquarters wouldn''t necessarily get an invite to their wedding banquet.
The doctor finished examining Reed and then dered, "Looks like it''s just a fracture. I can set the
bone right here and then apply a splint. He should be good as new in about a month."
Ian bent down toward Reed and reassured him, "You heard the doc. It''s nothing serious. Don''t
worry."
Reed became increasingly taken with the young man, chuckling heartily. "I told you it was nothing.
It''s Casey who made such a fussing over here. But since he''s brought you and ra along, I
can''t say I mind the interruption."
Ian responded with measured grace, "His concern is natural, sir. And it''s only right for us as the
younger generation toe by and check on you when you''re unwell."
His humble and polite demeanor sharply contrasted with his usual aloof and detached persona,
leaving ra momentarily disoriented.
Reed''s ce, while tidy, was rather rustic, a far cry from the luxurious environment Ian had grown
up in. But far from showing disdain, Ian settled himselffortably on the worn sofa and engaged
in easy conversation with Reed.
ra felt a surge of emotion that she couldn''t quite define. Maybe this was love. For the one you
cared about, you embraced whatever circumstances came your way.
As dusk fell, the vige was enveloped in darkness. The dim light in the old house threw Ian''s
features into sharp relief, his thickshes casting shadows on his eyelids.
Watching Ian, ra felt waves of sweetness wash over her. She tugged at Ian''s arm and
whispered, "I''m sorry the house is so modest. We won''t keep you for dinner. You take the doctor
and head back. I''ll stay a few days with Dad."
Ian''s eyebrow quirked up yfully as he looked at her. "Parting ways so soon after the proposal,
Mrs. Hayes? That''s a tad unromantic." His words,den with both roguish charm and deep
affection, caused ra''s cheeks to color.
She bit her lip, exining, "You''ve been away on business for so long. There must be a pile of
things waiting for you at the office. You go ahead. Once Grandpa Reed''s a bit better, I''lle back."
Casey chimed in, "Grandpa Reed hasn''t seen ra in ages, and he probably won''t want her to
leave. Let her stay a few days before she returns."
While Ian was reluctant to part with ra, his phone was incessantly buzzing with iing calls
and pressing matters.