Love at First Sight? Mr. Harrison Has Been Scheming All Along-Chapter 213: Someone Is Lying

Ryan Sterling’s tone was a bit like a sulking child.

Rory Linden had probably grown up around young masters like Miles Harrison, so she had a good handle on his type.

She said, "Well, we haven’t known each other long. It’s normal that we don’t know each other well yet."

Ryan Sterling glanced at the rearview mirror again out of the corner of his eye. "You’ll get to know me. I’m actually... not as childish and pathetic as you might think."

’He knew he probably wasn’t as good as Sean Harrison.’

’But he didn’t think he was that bad, either.’

’Besides, it wasn’t like Sean Harrison was all that great.’

’How could a man who let Rory Linden raise their child alone abroad for so many years be any good?’

Leo Linden slept soundly the entire ride.

When the car stopped in the underground parking garage, he was still fast asleep.

Ryan Sterling got out of the driver’s seat and walked over to Rory Linden’s side. "I’ll carry Leo."

"Okay, thank you."

Rory Linden didn’t refuse.

The two of them took the elevator upstairs together.

Ryan Sterling saw Rory Linden home, placed Leo Linden on his small bed, and then got ready to leave.

Rory Linden walked Ryan Sterling to the door and thanked him sincerely. "Mr. Sterling, thank you so much for spending the day with us. But I have a favor to ask."

"What is it?"

Ryan Sterling tensed up a little.

Rory Linden smiled. "If you’re going to buy Legos for Leo in the future, you have to let me reimburse you. Otherwise, I might... have to stop welcoming you over to play with him."

Ryan Sterling nodded hastily. "Okay, I will."

He was cocky as hell in front of Noah Sterling.

But in front of Rory Linden, he inexplicably lost all his bluster.

-

「That Wednesday.」

Rory Linden had thirty-five patients scheduled for her morning clinic.

She had been in her office all morning. After seeing another patient out, she glanced at the list of people waiting.

She immediately spotted a familiar name—

Charlotte Rhodes.

She was next.

After pressing the call button, Rory Linden sat back in her chair and waited for the elderly woman to enter.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK."

There were a few knocks on the door.

A moment later, a tall figure entered.

Rory Linden recognized him at a glance: it was Evan Hollis.

’It seemed Miles Harrison had been right; Evan Hollis had really mended his relationship with Charlotte Rhodes.’

’At this point, she no longer cared about the web of relationships between Charlotte Rhodes, Sean Harrison, and Evan Hollis.’

’She was only responsible for Charlotte Rhodes’s health.’

"Dr. Linden, one moment. I’ll help her in."

With that, Evan Hollis turned and went back out.

Rory Linden felt a flicker of unease.

’Had Charlotte Rhodes’s condition gotten this bad?’

’Did she really need someone to help her walk in?’

’If so, then something must have gone wrong with the surgery.’

Soon, Evan Hollis came in, supporting Charlotte Rhodes.

Rory Linden’s brow furrowed at the sight.

Though it had only been a few months since they’d last met, Charlotte Rhodes looked as if she had aged several years. She was thinner and seemed to have no strength at all, her steps faltering as she walked the short distance into the room.

’How could she seem even worse than before the surgery?’

Rory Linden first asked about the elderly woman’s condition.

Charlotte Rhodes answered all her questions truthfully.

She couldn’t help but remark, "Thank goodness Evan Hollis has been living with me and taking care of me. Even our housekeeper isn’t as thoughtful as he is."

"It’s the least I can do."

Evan Hollis smiled, the faint dimples on his cheeks still visible.

Rory Linden couldn’t understand why Charlotte Rhodes’s condition had deteriorated so severely, so for now, all she could do was order some tests.

Evan Hollis helped the elderly woman to her examinations.

Once the tests were complete.

Rory Linden looked at the series of test results and asked Charlotte Rhodes, "What medications have you been taking recently?"

Before Charlotte Rhodes could answer, Evan Hollis spoke for her.

He explained, "It’s all the medication prescribed by Sanctum Hospital. I’ve been making sure she takes it on time."

’There was nothing wrong with those medications.’

’And Sanctum Hospital wouldn’t prescribe counterfeit drugs.’

Rory Linden asked, "Have you been taking any other medications, or supplements?"

"No."

Charlotte Rhodes’s answer was firm.

Evan Hollis added, "I’m the one who portions out her medication. It’s just what the hospital prescribed. There’s nothing else."

Rory Linden stared at Charlotte Rhodes’s EKG in her hand.

’This didn’t look like the EKG of someone who had just recovered from surgery. It looked more like that of someone in their seventies or eighties with a chronic heart condition!’

Seeing her expression, Evan Hollis asked, "Dr. Linden, perhaps we should have her admitted for observation?"

"No, that’s not necessary." Charlotte Rhodes waved her hand dismissively. "Being in the hospital is such a hassle. I feel it’s just the same at home, and it’s more convenient for you this way."

Rory Linden understood what she meant.

Celestria University Affiliated Hospital was a public hospital; its facilities couldn’t compare to those of a private one.

Most of the wards were rooms for four or six patients.

Private and semi-private rooms were extremely rare.

Charlotte Rhodes’s reluctance to be admitted was mainly out of concern that Evan Hollis wouldn’t be able to rest well here.

"Don’t worry about me. Your health is what’s important. I can sleep anywhere, even on a mat on the floor."

Evan Hollis, however, insisted on having her hospitalized.

Charlotte Rhodes waved her hand. "No, no. Just prescribe me some medication, that will be enough."

Rory Linden had never encountered a situation like this. She stood up and said, "Auntie Rhodes, your condition is rather unusual. I need to consult with some other doctors."

Charlotte Rhodes nodded.

Rory Linden took Charlotte Rhodes’s reports, went to find Jason Stone, and briefly explained the situation.

Jason Stone’s brow furrowed. "This has to be caused by some other medication she’s taking!"

Rory Linden said firmly, "The patient insists she hasn’t taken any other drugs. And the one who portions out her medication is a former anesthesiologist from Elysian Hospital. He shouldn’t make that kind of mistake."

Rory Linden trusted Evan Hollis’s professional competence.

Besides, his feelings for Charlotte Rhodes were complicated, but it was highly unlikely he would do anything to harm her.

Jason Stone didn’t believe his judgment was wrong. "Then we need to admit her and run some blood tests."

Rory Linden replied, "The patient refuses to be admitted..."

Jason Stone said bluntly, "Then tell her to go to another hospital for a second opinion."

Rory Linden hesitated.

Jason Stone couldn’t stand to see her waver. "Look at this EKG. Look at this report. Does this look like the result of someone who’s only taking those few prescribed drugs?"

’No, it didn’t.’

Rory Linden could tell from the EKG alone that the patient had likely ingested some drug or food, causing a decline in biventricular function and triggering a cascade of symptoms.

Seeing her dilemma, Jason Stone said, "Where is she? Come on, I’ll go recommend she be admitted."

Jason Stone had complete faith in Rory Linden’s abilities and judgment.

He just thought...

...that someone was lying.

The two of them returned to the consultation room together.

Jason Stone inquired about the patient’s condition, then said, "Our medical recommendation is for her to be admitted. If you decline, we cannot prescribe any medication. We would advise you to seek an opinion at another hospital."

Evan Hollis looked at Charlotte Rhodes. "Auntie, perhaps we should agree to be admitted for the tests."

Charlotte Rhodes asked, "Are there any private rooms?"

Jason Stone replied, "The private and semi-private rooms in the cardiology department are all full. At the moment, there are only two beds available in a four-patient ward."

Doctors do rounds every day; they know the hospital’s bed situation inside and out.

It was a wonder there were any empty beds at all.

When things got busy, some patients even had to stay in the hallways.

Upon hearing this, Charlotte Rhodes waved her hands. "Oh, in that case, no, I won’t be admitted. It’ll be the same if I just go home and get some good rest."

As a doctor, Rory Linden naturally couldn’t force a patient to stay.

Out of concern for Charlotte Rhodes’s health, she could only turn to Evan Hollis. "Dr. Hollis, when you have a moment, please try to persuade Auntie Rhodes again. Her health is the priority. It’s best she gets a comprehensive examination, no matter which hospital it is."

"Okay, I’ll try to persuade her again when we get home."

After agreeing, Evan Hollis helped Charlotte Rhodes leave.

During a lull in her afternoon clinic, Rory Linden pulled up Charlotte Rhodes’s test results and examined them meticulously.

No matter how she looked at it, she felt that Charlotte Rhodes must have taken something she shouldn’t have.

The issue continued to trouble Rory Linden right up until the end of her shift.

But she had dinner plans with Sean Harrison that evening.

There was no time to waste.

Just as Rory Linden got downstairs, she saw Sean Harrison standing outside the entrance to the inpatient wing.

She suddenly remembered what he had told her several years ago...

He had told her to keep her distance from Evan Hollis.