?<strong>Chapter 282:</strong>


    It was already half past three in the afternoon. Shawn and Joelle were together in the hospital room. On the bed, Aurora and Rnd were cracking jokes, trying to keep Joelle entertained.


    The door to the room opened. The first to enter was Katherine, wearing a broad smile. Following her was Gina.


    “Why are you here, Gina?” Joelle asked, surprised.


    Katherine responded casually, “I bumped into her on the way here. She wanted to see you when I mentioned you were in the hospital.”


    “I see.” Joelle gave a rxed smile. “I’m alright, Gina. No need to worry.”


    Gina took a seat, looking a bit uneasy. Katherine had omitted some details. Gina could tell that, perhaps because of her presence, everyone was acting overly friendly, as if theypletely trusted her. But she knew that the three adults in the room were actually suspicious of her.


    After all, she had “bumped into” Katherine at the post office by chance.


    “Joelle, what happened?”


    Joelle responded with a smile, “It’s nothing serious. I’ll be out of here soon.”


    “That’s good to hear.” Gina’s gaze was fixed on therge envelope in Katherine’s bag. She wished for x-ray vision to see what damaging secrets the envelope held against her.


    “Gina? Gina?”


    Shawn had to call her name several times before she snapped back to reality and asked, “What’s up?”


    “What are you lost in thought about? Would you like some pizza? I’m about to order some food for everyone,” Shawn offered.


    In this hospital, deliveries weren’t brought directly to the room. What if she had to go down to pick it up? What if Katherine took that moment to hand the letter to Shawn? The possibility of having to fetch the delivery made Gina anxious. She couldn’t risk stepping away.


    “Forget it. I’m actually on a diettely.”


    “You don’t have to be polite on my ount.” Shawn passed his phone to Gina, prompting her to make a selection, so she reluctantly ced an order.


    Soon, the pizza arrived.


    As expected, Katherine grasped Gina’s hand and suggested, “Let’s head downstairs to pick it up.”


    “What?” With Joelle being a patient and Shawn showing no signs of moving, Gina feltpelled to agree.


    Before they left, she cast a wary nce at the envelope in Katherine’s bag. The envelope was sorge it prevented the bag from closing properly.


    When Gina and Katherine returned with the pizza, Katherine’s bag was neatly closed. Where was the envelope?


    Gina scanned the room anxiously. She finally spotted a corner of the envelope peeking out from under Joelle’s pillow. It hadn’t been opened yet. This meant there was still time for her to intercept it before the Watson family could see its contents. If she could alter the information inside, the Watson family would remain unaware of her secret.


    The group didn’t leave the ward until evening. By then, Joelle had already fallen asleep. Shawn and Katherine needed to take the children home.


    “Gina, do you need a ride?”


    How could Gina leave with them under these circumstances? “No, thanks, Shawn. I’ll catch a bus nearby. It’s quite convenient.”


    “All right.”


    Shawn’s car zoomed off in front of her.


    Gina lifted her head, ncing back at the building cloaked in twilight. Everyone harbored secrets. And some secrets were meant to be buried forever.


    It was growing dark outside, and the light in Joelle’s ward was off. When Gina entered, she found Joelle shifting in her sleep. A significant portion of the envelope peeked out from under her pillow.


    Gina tiptoed into the room, her nerves on edge. She had considered the possibility of being caught. Yet, she believed she wouldn’t fail.


    Gina carefully retrieved the envelope, but her brief moment of triumph was interrupted when Joelle’s eyes fluttered open. “Gina? Why are you back?”


    Gina quickly concealed the envelope behind her back and stammered, “I… I forgot something here.”


    “Okay.” Joelle’s voice was groggy, and her words were nasal as she assisted Gina in searching. “Did you find it?”


    “Yes, I did!” Gina’s hands were damp with sweat. “Joelle, go back to sleep! I’m heading out now!”


    “All right. Be safe on your way home. Let me know when you arrive.”


    “Will do.”


    “Gina.” Joelle suddenly stopped her again.


    Gina’s smile froze, her facial muscles twitching uncontrobly.


    “What’s the matter, Joelle?”


    “Nothing,” Joelle said softly. “Just take care of yourself.”


    “Okay.”


    Gina hurried out of the ward and left the hospital.


    Once she was gone, Joelle pulled out her phone, her smile vanishing. “Shawn, Gina just came by.”


    Shawn grinned, already aware. “I know. Get some rest now.”


    Hearing this, Katherine inquired, “What was in the envelope?”


    “Nothing. Just a nk piece of paper.”


    “What? Didn’t you say it came from Jackie?”


    “I was lying,” Shawn said confidently, looking straight ahead. “But it served its purpose.”


    Even though Katherine had been deceived, her smile didn’t fade. She saw Shawn in a new light at that moment, having previously underestimated him.


    “Shawn, you really are something! You’ve kept this from me!”


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