"Chloe, I bought breakfast..."

Just then, Annie York’s voice called out as she pushed open the hospital room door and walked in.

But when she saw the scene inside, she froze.

Walker Grant was lying on one side of the hospital bed, while the blanket on the other side was thrown back, clearly showing the indentation of where someone had been lying.

Chloe Reed’s hair and clothes were a mess, and she was still straightening them out.

Anyone seeing this scene would jump to conclusions.

Annie York tightened her grip on the plastic bag, her gaze falling in awkwardness.

’Didn’t Chloe say he was just her friend?’

’Then why would they be sleeping together?’

’Did they... last night?’

A sudden wave of sadness washed over Annie York.

"Who are you?"

Seeing the girl who had suddenly barged in, Walker Grant’s sharp brows furrowed. He pulled the blanket up, covering himself completely.

Chloe Reed snapped back to her senses and said, "She’s the caregiver I hired, Annie York."

Clutching the plastic bag with both hands, Annie York slightly bowed her head to Walker Grant. "Hello."

Walker Grant looked at Chloe Reed, a mocking smile in his almond-shaped eyes. "You were supposed to be taking care of me, but you slacked off and hired a caregiver? Is this your idea of taking care of someone?"

Chloe Reed felt an inexplicable pang of guilt. She had, in fact, tried to cut corners.

"I just hired some help, to run errands and things for me."

Walker Grant scoffed, clearly not believing a word she said.

Then, he looked at Annie York and said, "You don’t need to come anymore."

Annie York froze, her face paling slightly. She instinctively looked toward Chloe Reed. "Chloe..."

Chloe Reed knew Walker Grant’s temper. If she insisted, there was no telling what he might do.

She looked at Annie York and said gently, "Thank you for the breakfast. He’s being discharged today, so we won’t be needing a caregiver anymore."

Annie York bit her lip. "I understand."

She handed the breakfast to Chloe Reed, then said, "I’ll be going, then."

"Okay. You should head home."

Annie York left, though very reluctantly.

Standing outside the room, her face was etched with disappointment.

’Was it over before it even began?’

"..."

Walker Grant sat up and asked flatly, "Are you two close? How do you know each other?"

Chloe Reed took out the breakfast and said coolly, "What does it have to do with you?"

Walker Grant grabbed her wrist, pulling her right in front of him. His almond-shaped eyes stared at her, cold and heavy. "Chloe Reed, don’t you forget your current situation. You trust anyone who appears by your side. What if she’s a bad person? What if she means you harm? Can you even tell the difference?"

Pulled so close so suddenly, Chloe Reed instinctively put her hands on his shoulders for balance. Listening to his barrage of questions, she pressed her lips together and said, "I understand."

Walker Grant studied her face. "Really?"

Chloe Reed frowned slightly. "I’m not that clueless. And another thing, if you want to talk, just talk. Why did you have to pull me over like that?"

’We almost kissed!’

Walker Grant released her and said unhurriedly, "I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to hear me."

Chloe Reed: "...I’m not that old. My hearing is perfectly fine."

"Is that so?" Walker Grant looked at her coolly. "But you always seem to ignore what I say."

Chloe Reed fell silent.

’This conversation is getting dangerous.’

Walker Grant took a spoonful of the congee, then immediately frowned. "From now on, let our home chef make the food."

Chloe Reed shot him a look. "If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it."