Chapter 23
Sienna’s hand missed its mark, her eyes wide with panic.”Mr. Tate, what are you doing out here?”
Lowell stood in his hospital gown, a bandage wrapped around his arm, his cool gray eyes sweeping over Sienna with an authority that made the air feel heavy.
His brow creased, irritation flickering across his face.”And you are?”
Sienna fumbled, tucking her hand behind her back and forcing a smile.”Oh, hi, Mr. Tate! I’m Sienna Rangel, from the design department. I heard you weren’t feeling well, so I came to visit on behalf of the team. Jeremy mentioned you were… resting.”
She’d pulled every string to learn Lowell was in this hospital.
She’d shown up at dawn, arms full of gifts, only to be stonewalled by Lowell’s secretary, Jeremy Lozano.
Just when she’d lost patience and was about to leave, she’d run into Concetta.
“Of all the rotten timing,” she cursed to herself.”Mr. Tate had to come out now?”
Lowell’s expression didn’t soften; he barely seemed to register her.”So, you knew I was sleeping and still decided to make
Sienna’s confidence wavered.”No, it’s not like that!”
His gaze sharpened, a dangerous edge creeping in.”Does the design department have nothing better to do?”
a
scene out here?”
Without his glasses, his chiseled features stood out starkly, the hospital’s harsh light illuminating half his face while shadows cloaked the rest, lending him an air of cold, untouchable arrogance. His voice carried a subtle scorn that seemed to dismiss her entirely.
Sienna was mesmerized, too dazzled to sense the trouble she was in.
She stepped closer, her voice softening.”I was just worried about your health…”
Jeremy moved swiftly, blocking her path.”Ms. Rangel, I believe it’s time for you to go.”
Sienna watched, seething, as the ward door swung shut in her face.
Lowell’s hand still rested lightly on Concetta’s wrist-a sight that burned itself into her mind.
Her manicured nails bit into her palms, fury bubbling up like a storm.
Jeremy stood firm at the door, muttering under his breath.
“Get lost, you lunatic. Stick around, and Mr. Tate will have you exiled to some nowhere post in Africa.
Meanwhile, not far away, Sharon stood silently in the shadows.
She had seen everything and quietly turned to return to her room.
Inside Lowell’s room, it was just him and Concetta now.
Concetta’s heart thudded, rattled by his sharp dismissal of Sienna.
“I’m sorry for interrupting your rest,” she said quietly.
Lowell sprawled on the sofa, his posture loose and effortless, like a cat stretching in the sun.
He raised an eyebrow at her words. “What’s with the formalities?”
Noticing Sienna had called him Mr. Tate, Concetta corrected herself.”Mr. Tate, thank you for saving me. I wasn’t sure what you might like, so I brought some homemade soup and pastries.”
She carefully set out the thermos of soup and a small tray of freshly baked treats, their warm, comforting aroma filling the room.
Lowell nodded dismissively. “It was nothing, Ms. McFarland. No need to go overboard.”
He didn’t reach for the food, but he didn’t push it away either.
Concetta’s eyes fell on the gauze wrapped around his hand and forearm, and it clicked-he couldn’t eat on his own.
She hesitated, a thought flickering.”Does that mean I should… feed him?”
When Jeremy returned, he froze at the sight of Concetta offering Lowell a steaming bowl of soup.
His stomach dropped as he screamed in his mind, “Why didn’t I shut the door?”
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He braced for the explosion.
Menu
Lowell had notoriously picky tastes and a weak stomach. He had a full-time nutritionist for that reason alone. On top of that, he hated soup.
His germaphobia meant he’d never touch food from a stranger.
And he’d just eaten thirty minutes ago.
This woman was trampling all over Lowell’s red lines.
Jeremy kept his head down, dreading the inevitable fallout.
He didn’t even dare breathe as he watched Concetta gently blow on the spoonful of soup and bring it to Lowell’s lips.
Jeremy had only one thought in mind:”She’s toast.”
“Not bad. Thanks,” Lowell said smoothly.
To Jeremy’s surprise, Lowell sipped the soup with an air of refined ease before nodding for another spoonful.-
