Chapter 479
Chapter 479
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Whitney said, “These orchids are incredibly rare and valuable. If someone who doesn’t know how to care for them gets them, they’ll only be ruined. Since that jerk gave them to you, you might as well keep them.”
Ellie nodded, not dwelling on it too much.
Whitney said, “Come on, let’s go inside and help your mom prepare dinner. You still have to work the night shift later.”
In the evening, Aaron had just come home from work, and the family gathered for dinner. “Did you guys catch the news? Haley’s father committed suicide by jumping off a building and it was all over the news!”
Ellie was visibly shocked. Haley’s father had gone through his son’s imprisonment, the bankruptcy of the Owens family, and his daughter’s death, yet he never committed suicide. Why would he suddenly do it now?
Aaron nodded calmly. “The body was discovered this morning. The police have confirmed it was a suicide. He jumped off the rooftop of an unfinished building in the suburbs.”
“Let’s eat our dinner and not dwell on such depressing topics. Aaron, after dinner, take Ellie to the hospital for her shift,” Joanna said, unable to stomach such grim details due to her age.
Aaron quickly intervened, “Got it, Mom. I’ll take Ellie to the hospital shortly.”
Ellie put down her utensils and noticed the serious expressions on everyone’s faces. She said, “Mom, Jason, Whitney, I’m fine now. I can drive myself to and from work. Aaron doesn’t need to keep picking me up and dropping me off.”
During this time, Aaron had been driving Ellie to and from work, no matter how late it was. Even on weekends, Joanna wouldn’t feel at ease unless Aaron was the one picking her up and dropping her off.
Ellie understood that everyone was looking out for her well–being and concerned about her. But she was an independent adult. She couldn’t keep taking up Aaron’s personal time indefinitely.
Due to Ellie’s insistence, the family had to agree to let her drive herself to work. By a little after 7:30 PM, Ellie had safely parked her car in the emergency parking lot of the hospital.
“Aaron, you can relax now,” Ellie said after stepping out of her car and video calling Aaron. As she chatted with him, she walked towards the hospital’s outpatient building, utterly unaware that a stranger was tailing her.
“Ellie,” Diana called, waving at Ellie from the emergency lane near the building while carrying a late–night snack. Ellie hung up the phone and noticed the sudden change in Diana’s expression! Diana shouted, “Who are you?!”
Before Ellie could react, Diana tossed something over her shoulder.
Instinctively, Ellie spun around. Not too far away, a stranger was dashing off.
Ellie stood rooted to the spot, every hair on her body standing on end. She had been followed, and she hadn’t noticed at all.
“Diana.” Ellie grabbed Diana’s arm, her palm slick with sweat.
“Even though he was wearing a mask and a fishing hat, he seemed pretty young. Probably thought you were gorgeous and got some wild ideas, Diana guessed.
“You said you were working the night shift tonight, and I went out of my way to get you your favorite late–night snack. Now it’s all ruined,” Diana complained.
10:35 Sun, 23 Feb
Chapter 479
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Diana wasn’t too worried; she was confident in her abilities, thinking that even if a few guys showed up, she wouldn’t bat an
eye.
Ellie nodded, trying to appear casual, but inside, she felt anything but relaxed.
After Diana left, Ellie remained uneasy. With no emergency patients tonight, she couldn’t help but overthink.
“Here you go, Dr. Thompson,” said the two nurses working with Ellie, handing her a cup of coffee.
Ellie took her coffee to the window, wanting to open the curtains for some fresh air. With a rustle, she pulled back the
curtains, revealing a stranger standing still at the window. He wore a fishing hat and a mask, his eyes fixed intently on Ellie.
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