Chapter 278

In these instances, Giselle always felt powerless to resist. Maverick understood her body better than she did herself. Giselle was thoroughly manipulated. ... After Maverick had fallen asleep, Giselle stealthily got up. Her bag was beside the bed. She carefully picked it up, opened the box of vitamins, and swallowed a pill. She took a moment on the bed, then lifted the covers and stepped down. Joining Giselle in the restroom, Maverick's eyes snapped open with the sound of the door. He reached over to Giselle's bag, where the box of vitamins was conspicuous. The doctor's words, 'Are you sure you aren't using contraception?' rang in his ears again. Maverick opened the box, took out a pill, then put Giselle's bag back in its place. The next day at the company, Maverick handed the little pill to Judd, "Have someone test the ingredients." Judd was puzzled, but carried out the task. On the other side, Giselle went to meet Harper, who was still doggedly trailing the pair. Harper seemed weighed down by worries. They went to a coffee shop, still endlessly bombarded by phone calls. Because of Harper's lack of cooperation, the hospital issued her an ultimatum. The underlying meaning is, if she didn't apologize, the hospital will proceed with the dismissal notice. For the reputation of the hospital, they didn't care about the truth of the matter, nor did they choose to trust their own doctor. Instead, they persistently demanded Harper to apologize for things she hadn't done. "Didn't Steward say he would handle it? Have you asked him, why there's still no news?" "I didn't ask," answered Harper. "But we can't wait like this forever. What if your hospital really dismisses you? Upon the release of this notice, this would essentially validate that the problem was yours. It's difficult for a doctor who was dismissed due to mistakes to continue practicing medicine." Giselle made a very realistic point, this could potentially end Harper's career. "This world is really strange—a purposeful video, a story full of lies, can destroy a person. No one cares about the truth, everyone just wants to believe what they assume." Harper took a sip of her coffee and said, "Giselle, I really don't want to deal with all these matters. I just want to work peacefully, cure diseases, save lives, but..." She sighed, feeling helpless. "It's hard. Why can't I live my own life tranquilly?" "Do you know why, Harper?" Giselle asked, "Because there are always some people who like to project their emotions onto others. They never consider what they have done themselves. They only feel that their unhappiness is because of someone else." Just like Belinda. She never realized that she was the shameless mistress herself. It was her who ruined a decade-long relationship for her own gain. She never considered what Harper had lost because of her. She only felt that her miserable life was because of Harper. If Harper wasn't in the picture, Steward would have accepted her. She never even thought that if it weren't for her purposely answering the phone, deliberately letting Harper hear that conversation, Steward wouldn't have been so ruthless towards her. Because of his guilt, he might have even given her more compensation. She didn't blame herself one bit, she put all the blame on Harper and Steward. Clearly, Harper was the most innocent one. She hadn't done anything. When her boyfriend of ten years cheated on her, she let go. She didn't throw a fit and she didn't seek revenge. She swallowed all her sadness, worked diligently, and lived her life well. Yet, some people just wouldn't let her be, wanting not only to ruin her love life, but also her career. Clearly— Harper had never provoked Belinda. "Giselle, I want to go back to my hometown for a while during this period," Harper suddenly said. "I want to see my grandma." Harper's grandma was buried in Harper's hometown. When it was time to bring Harper's grandma back home, it was Giselle who accompanied Harper. Of course, Steward was also there. Steward bought the plane tickets, four seats, one of which was reserved for Zhu's grandma. Steward once made a promise by his grandmother's grave when she was cremated, vowing to take care of Harper for the rest of his life, to ease Grandma Zhu's worries. Harper's grandma was very fond of Steward back then. At that time, Steward treated Harper really well, so much so that when Harper's grandma passed away, it was with peace. Unfortunately... Giselle shook her head, bringing her thoughts back to the present. "If Maverick would let me go, I would want to go with you." "You should stay in the Imperial City." Harper said, "I am just going back to take a look, I will be back soon, I will tell Grandma that you are doing very well now." Speaking to this, Harper hesitated a moment, "Do you still remember the night when Grandma passed away? After she had spoken to me, she also asked you, she said, has your boyfriend found his way back to you yet?" The air suddenly became somewhat quiet. Harper glanced at Giselle, "Giselle, I don't mean anything by this, but Maverick treats you very well now, I can see that, and you seem to care about him a lot, it's just..." After hesitating for a few seconds, Harper still spoke up, "A few days ago, I went to the Nephrology department and asked Director Chen over there. Patrick's condition is very serious, more serious than we had previously imagined, he probably, doesn't have much time left. I don't want you to have any regrets, some things you need to clarify. If you have the chance, you should visit him." ... With a heavy heart, Giselle returned to Shallow Bay. Strangely enough, Maverick was also at home. He was sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed, as if he was dozing, or perhaps deep in thought. Giselle always walked louder than others. Maverick quickly opened his eyes, his gaze landed on Giselle's body, which was deep and quiet, without much warmth. "Where have you been?" He asked her. The tone of his voice inexplicably made Giselle feel a bit strange, as if he was suppressing something. "I had lunch with Harper." Giselle casually replied. After she said this, Maverick didn't make any sound. He didn't speak, nor did he look at her. He sat on the sofa, as if in a trance. Already dressed in a black suit, he looked even more melancholic now. It was a bit strange, but Giselle didn't care when she went upstairs she casually threw her bag on the bed and went to the bathroom to remove her makeup. Having no plans to go out, Giselle usually didn't wear makeup at home. She always loved beauty and cared about her skin. When she came out after removing her makeup, she saw Maverick standing by the edge of the bed. Giselle walked over with a puzzled face, but when she noticed what Maverick was holding in his hand, her heart tightened, and she quickly grabbed it. "You...what are you doing with my vitamins?" Maverick didn't say a word, just stared at Giselle intensely. His gaze inevitably made Giselle feel guilty. "Why...why are you looking at me like this?"