?<strong>Chapter 341:</strong>


    Adrian watched Joelle’s face, noting the seriousness etched across it. He was pleased they were reconciling, yet the nagging thought that it was mere pretense soured his mood.


    “Try to lighten up,” Joelle urged.


    Adrian mustered a smile and held her hand as they entered the hospital ward.


    Inside, Michael was helping Lacey with her breakfast. Catching sight of them hand in hand, Lacey nearly sputtered her porridge.


    “What’s going on with you two?” she inquired.


    Michael, already aware of the n, stayedposed. He continued feeding Lacey, spooning up more porridge. “I guess I forgot to mention that Adrian and Joelle are together again,” he said casually.


    “Really?” Lacey looked skeptical.


    Joelle beamed. “Yes, it’s hard to believe, isn’t it? But I’ve decided to give Adrian another shot.”


    Sharing a smile with Adrian, she draped an arm around her shoulders.


    Lacey, knowing Joelle’s usual reluctance to physical affection, found it hard toprehend this change. How could she suddenly befortable with Adrian so close? Watching their joyous interaction, she began to ept that their reunion might be genuine.


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    As Michael helped her eat, he said, “Remember how you said their reunion was as likely as a snowball surviving in hell? Well, look at them now. What’s there to worry about?”


    “Michael, let’s take a walk downstairster!”


    And just like that, she changed the subject again.


    Pushing the issue further might upset Lacey, so Michael’s expression clouded slightly, but he held his temper in check.


    After breakfast, the group took Lacey for a leisurely stroll in the hospital’s garden.


    Lacey kept ncing back, noticing each time that Adrian was sping Joelle’s hand.


    She felt they might be faking their affection, yet she saw no clear proof to confirm her suspicions.


    Earlier, Leah had spent the morning with Aurora and Rnd ying. Then Aurora expressed a desire to visit Dunn.


    Leah then took the children there.


    “Unfortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Finch have taken Dunn to the hospital for a vination today,” said the servant. Navigating the bustling hospital, Dunn masked and moved with purpose.


    He often thought of his parents as rather unreliable. His family frequently said that he was born from a great love.


    While this brought joy within the family, it also had its drawbacks. Dunn’s parents were so in love with each other that they often neglected him.


    By the age of one, Dunn was sleeping through the night on his own. By two, he could tuck himself in with a quilt, and by three, he was independently asking to use the restroom in kindergarten.


    His increasing independence only highlighted his parents’ck of responsibility.


    During their hospital visit, Gracie got sidetracked by another baby and wandered off after it.


    Fred chased after Gracie, leaving Dunn feeling quite abandoned.


    “Hey, where are your parents?”


    “They’re missing.”


    After his inquiry, Dunn hopped off the examination chair and coughed his way out. Fred and Gracie had talked about visiting Lacey in the hospital during Dunn’s check-up.


    Checking his watch, Dunn decided to go see Lacey on his own.


    Walking through the garden, he stumbled upon a surprising scene: Aurora’s mother, Joelle, disying affection with Adrian.


    This revtion was startling for someone as young as Dunn. He swiftly pulled out his smartwatch, captured a quick photo, and dashed away.


    Lacey mentioned she felt exhausted, and Michael assisted her back to her room.


    “Did you catch that? Adrian and Joelle are getting serious. Remember our wager?”


    Lacey sighed inwardly, pondering if she was indeed on the losing end. “What brought Adrian and Joelle back together? I want to hear the full story.”


    Since there wasn’t an actual story to tell, Michael risked tripping over his words if he tried to fabricate one. “Just ask Adrian.”


    Adrian nced at Lacey and then at Joelle. After a weighty silence, he finally uttered, “It was fate.”


    Lacey looked skeptical at his response. Joelle took Adrian’s hand. “It all happened in Bristania. He was gravely hurt while defending me. His bravery touched me deeply. Plus, he vowed to be amitted father! I felt he deserved another shot!”


    Her exnation seemed convincing enough, but Michael worried that delving deeper might unravel their fabricated narrative. “Did you get all that? Now, can we discuss your uing surgery?”


    Lacey acted as though she hadn’t heard him. “Joelle, could you borate a bit more?”


    “Well…” Joelle lightly pulled on Adrian’s sleeve.


    Adrian remainedposed. “Truthfully, I’ve had feelings for her for so long, I didn’t even recognize them at first.”


    Michael rose to his feet. “We can sort this outter, Lacey, we need to—”


    Lacey interrupted with enthusiasm. “You’ve had feelings for Joelle?”


    Michael’s patience snapped. “Lacey! That’s enough!” Was it not clear to him why she was pressing? She was clearly trying to dodge the subject.


    “Adrian, Joelle, why don’t you two head out first?” Michael suggested.


    “Sure.”


    Joelle picked up on the strained vibes in the room before their departure.


    Sure enough, as soon as they exited, the sound of a heated argument followed.


    “Michael, why are you getting so angry? Can’t I ask a few questions?” Lacey asked.


    “It’s not about the questions! What matters now is you, your heart! Can’t you focus on what’s important?”


    “It’s my heart! It’s my business, not yours!”


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