<b>Chapter </b>418


    <b>Dr. </b>Andrews set <b>a </b>strict deadline.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>418</b>


    Gratefully, I began, “Dr. Andrews, thank you so much for looking after my grandma during this period. We really appreciate it!”


    “No need to thank me.”


    Dr. Andrews pointed to Bryant, saying, “Thank him. This guy has been pestering me for nearly two months. I hadn’t nned oning back to the States anytime soon, but my wife finally gave in to his persistence and convinced me toe take a look.”


    Hearing this, I looked at Bryant in surprise.


    Two months.


    That meant even before I had returned to RiverCity, when he might have thought I was as good as dead, he never gave up on my grandma’s condition.


    I said, “Bryant, for this… I really owe you one.”


    “Want to really thank me? How about treating me to dinner?”Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “Huh?”


    I was taken aback, not expecting such a request from him.


    Then, turning to Dr. Andrews, I smiled warmly, “Sure, a dinner for you and Dr. Andrews it is, to try some of Vista Town’s local dishes.”


    Gregory had taken me to a private restaurant two years ago, and the food was


    excellent.


    But then, Dr. Andrews waved it off, “No, no, I’ve got old friends to catch up with now that I’m back in town! I have ns tonight.”


    He tapped his assistant, chuckling, “He’sing with me. Ms. Webster, you treat Mr. Ferguson alone. After all, he’s the real hero here. I’m just doing my job.”


    Afterying out the ns for taking over Ramona’s treatment tomorrow, Dr. Andrews left with his assistant.


    na


    <b>Bryant </b><b>eyed </b>me, “<b>Getting </b><b>cold </b>feet <b>about </b><b>that </b>dinner<b>?</b><b>”</b>


    “<b>Not </b><b>at </b><b>all</b><b>.</b><b>”</b>


    I owed him that much, so I said candidly, “It’s just dinner, I’m not <b>that </b>petty<b>.</b><b>”</b>


    “In that case, can I pick the restaurant?”


    “Sure.”


    I agreed readily.


    After all, it was a thank–you dinner, so naturally, he got to choose.


    As he selected the restaurant, I helped Ramona into her room, “Grandma, I’m going out to treat someone to dinner for helping us find a reliable doctor. I’lle see you again tomorrow, okay?”


    “Alright, alright.”


    Ramona agreed cheerfully, then whispered a reminder, “But remember, Greg is your fiancé!”


    “Okay, I remember.”


    Fate had a twisted sense of humor.


    Had I not gone missing, my life these past twenty years would have beenpletely different.


    …


    Bryant chose a riverside restaurant.


    The ambiance and atmosphere were top–notch.


    The only downside was when the waiter, all smiles, asked, “Will it be à carte or a set menu for you? It’s Valentine’s Day today, and we have three special couples‘ menus. Would you like to take a look?”


    I instinctively refused, “A carte…”


    “Let’s have a look.”


    Bryant cut me off,pletely at ease.


    I frowned, “Bryant, I…”


    “It’s just dinner; it doesn’t matter if it’s a set menu or not, Jane, rx.”


    I was at a loss for words.


    Then, he told the waiter, “We’ll take the Valentine’s Day Set C.”


    The waiter confirmed, “So, one Valentine’s Day Set C,ing right up. This setes with a pair of couple’s dolls, would you like them now?”


    Just as he was speaking, I felt a strange gaze upon me.


    Turning instinctively, I locked eyes with Edith.


    The gentleman pulling out her chair was nting a kiss on her cheek, oblivious to anything else, as she looked confusedly at me.


    I was about to go over and say hello when she looked away.


    Bryant managed to grab my attention. “Jane, anything else you’d like to add


    in?”


    “Nothing more.”


    1 sat back down.


    Edith withdrew her gaze, inwardly cringing for her foolish brother.


    The enemy was at their gates, and he was still ying hard to get.


    Thinking this, Edith raised an eyebrow, pretended to take a selfie, but included the other table in the shot.


    She opened WhatsApp and sent a message.


    [At a couples‘ restaurant]


    [Got the couples‘ menu too~]


    That said it all.


    I focused on my meal when my phone suddenly buzzed.


    A friend request.


    [Ms. Webster, I’m Gregory’s cousin, Edith]


    nced towards where Edith was sitting and epted.


    At another table, Edith hadn’t even touched her phone on the side, but my ‘Edith‘ had already sent two messages.


    [Ms. Webster, Greg’s leg is acting up again, really bad. Could you possiblye over?]


    [Location attached]


    After reading the messages, while still looking in Edith’s direction, I deliberately replied, [Not really convenient today]


    Edith was cutting her steak, never touching her phone, yet my phone buzzed


    again.


    [Then… no worries, let him suffer. He’s been in pain so long, he’s probably used to it by now.]


    [Ms. Webster, go ahead with your ns.]


    [Don’t mind him, his dad doesn’t care, and neither does his mom.]


    Three messages in a row.


    I couldn’t help but smile, [I’m on my way now.]


    I turned to Bryant, apologizing with a smile, “We’re almost done, right?”


    Bryant looked up, “Something came up?”


    “Yes.”


    “What is it?”


    I tucked my phone into my purse, straightforward, “Gregory’s leg is hurting. I need to go see him.”