Chapter 306: Chapter 306: The Collar Opened Even More

Rory Linden’s gaze was caught off guard by the scene before her. She froze for a moment before averting her eyes.

Sean Harrison didn’t seem to notice. He set down his teacup and sat down. "I’ve been looking all over for you."

Rory glanced awkwardly out the window and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before turning back to him. "Is Leo asleep?"

"Mhm, he was exhausted from the trip. He fell asleep right away."

His voice was gentle.

As he spoke, his dark eyes met hers naturally.

Perhaps it was the peaceful quiet of the night, but their conversation flowed with the same tranquility.

The only thing was, the bathrobe Sean wore had no buttons, only a belt tied at the waist.

As he sat down, the lapels of his robe fell open even wider.

Rory didn’t know where to look.

The atmosphere made it hard to know what to say.

"Leo is very happy staying here. What about you?" Sean asked. "Are you getting used to it? If there’s anything that makes you uncomfortable, just tell me, and I’ll have it rearranged."

"That’s not necessary. It’s perfectly fine."

Rory lifted her gaze to the window.

Beyond it lay the villa’s rear garden. From this angle, she had a perfect view of the flower-covered wall in the yard.

Silence descended once more.

Sean was the one who had to break the silence. "Are you going back to work tomorrow?"

Rory nodded. "I’ve been off for too long. If I don’t go back, the director is going to fire me."

Sean seized the opening. "I’ll drive you and Leo in the morning, and then I’ll pick you both up at night."

"That’s too much trouble. Why don’t I ask if Auntie Wagner can come here? She could also be responsible for picking Leo up and dropping him off."

Rory knew Sean couldn’t possibly be anything but busy.

He’d always been like this, compressing his work schedule as much as possible to make time for them whenever they had a chance to be together.

"Ask who?" Sean stared at Rory. "Ryan Sterling?"

When he mentioned Ryan Sterling, his expression and tone were tinged with obvious displeasure.

"Yes. When I first came back, I couldn’t find a suitable nanny, so Ryan Sterling introduced Auntie Wagner to me. Of course I have to ask him." Rory added, "Don’t get the wrong idea."

Her words sounded like an attempt to placate him.

Sean leaned forward a little, draping his arm across the back of the sofa behind her.

They weren’t touching, but the gesture was a clear move to pull her into his personal space.

"I’ll have Noah Sterling ask his mother directly."

Sean’s dark eyes watched her. After a moment, he spoke again. "I know where we stand right now. I have no right to meddle in this, but it’s not like you two absolutely have to stay in contact."

"..."

Rory hadn’t expected Sean to say that at all.

"Weren’t you the one who said it’s exhausting to pretend for a lifetime?" His fingers idly toyed with a strand of her hair. "I don’t like you spending so much time with him. It makes me uneasy."

’I get jealous.’

He spoke more and more slowly, his voice trailing off.

Eventually, he even averted his gaze.

The air fell silent.

He didn’t look at her, merely opening his mouth a few times as if to speak, but ultimately refraining.

Rory smiled. "I understand. You can go ask, then."

Sean looked over at her.

"I’ll leave it to you, then." Rory lifted the teacup in front of her and took a sip. "It’s getting late. You should get some sleep."

-

For the next two days, since she had just come back, Rory worked shifts at the outpatient clinic.

That afternoon, she had just sat down when her first patient knocked on the door and came in.

"Claire Jenkins."

Rory saw the name on her computer screen. It looked familiar, and when she glanced up, she recognized the patient as Ryan Sterling’s friend.

"Hello, Dr. Linden." Claire Jenkins sat down and said politely, "I’m here for another check-up."

Rory wanted to tell her she didn’t need to be quite so diligent with her visits.

Nevertheless, she wrote Claire Jenkins an order for the tests.

When Claire returned from her tests, Rory reviewed the results carefully before saying, "Given your current condition, there is one surgical procedure that is lower risk compared to the others."

"Could you tell me about it?"

Claire Jenkins asked.

Rory was referring to the PEARS procedure.

It uses 3D printing technology to create a customized aortic support.

She explained the procedure in a way Claire could understand, then asked, "Are your parents in Veridia?"

"I’m a student in Veridia. My parents are in my hometown, about an hour’s drive from here." After explaining, Claire asked, "Can I handle the hospital admission myself?"

"Of course, but surgery requires a family member’s signature. At least one of your parents will need to be present."

Rory replied.

Regardless, Claire Jenkins checked into the hospital that same day.

When Rory returned to the inpatient ward, she learned from a nurse that Claire Jenkins had already completed the admission process.

When she went to Claire’s room to check on her, Ryan Sterling was sitting at her bedside.

"Ms. Rory."

Ryan Sterling shot to his feet, looking obviously flustered.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then said nothing.

Rory just gave him a single glance before turning to ask about Claire’s condition, primarily inquiring when her parents would be able to come.

Although Claire was an adult, all surgeries carry risks, so her family had to be informed to avoid potential disputes.

After the routine check-up, Rory left the hospital room.

It was nearly time to clock out. She didn’t have many patients on her caseload recently, so she could leave on time.

Rory changed her clothes, left her office, and had just reached the elevators when...

"Ms. Rory!"

Ryan Sterling was already waiting outside.

Rory turned her head to look at him.

Ryan Sterling explained nervously, "She came to see you on her own this time and decided to be admitted herself. It had nothing to do with me. I only just found out."

"I know," Rory nodded. "Anyone would be scared before surgery. It’s a good thing you can be here to keep her company."

The elevator doors in front of her opened.

Rory stepped inside.

Ryan Sterling stood outside, hesitated for a moment, and then followed her in.

"We’re just ordinary friends. Her parents are coming tomorrow; it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to be here."

Ryan was trying hard to emphasize his relationship with Claire Jenkins.

Rory just hummed in acknowledgement.

More people soon entered the elevator, and Rory deliberately distanced herself from Ryan Sterling.

Once they were out of the elevator, Ryan immediately caught up to her. "Ms. Rory, I heard from my uncle that you were dealing with something a while back, which is why you took such a long leave. What happened? Can you tell me?"

Rory was growing annoyed with his questions and finally stopped walking.

Just as she was about to open her mouth to speak, a bouquet of fresh flowers appeared in her line of sight.

Rory paused, then looked in the direction the flowers were being offered from.

Sean Harrison was dressed in a sapphire-blue suit with a subtle, dark pattern. His dark eyes were fixed on her as he said matter-of-factly, "I came to take you home."