"Why did you need to talk in private?" When Melanie and Linda entered the room, Greg asked arrogantly in his seat. "Girl talk." Linda smiled coyly. "Mr. Hardy, I came today to let you know I'm safe. Last time I left, I was unconscious and couldn't say goodbye to you. This time I wanted to make up for it," Melanie said sincerely after composing herself. "You’re already here, and yet you still want to say goodbye to me?" Greg had hoped Linda would persuade Melanie to stay, so he was somewhat disappointed. "Yes." Melanie nodded decisively. "I have patients who need my care. I don't belong here. I hope my presence tonight hasn't spoiled anyone's mood." "But I also have illnesses. My lungs are bad, and I have heart problems. You know this, don't you? I could also be your patient." Greg made a final effort. "Mr. Hardy, you have a prestigious status and surely no shortage of professional doctors to serve you. My patients need my unique acupuncture to recover. They really need me
Three days later, Melanie, Alex, and Caleb returned to the temporary hospital. The car they were in was tinted. They sat in the back seat, unable to see any scenery along the way. By the time the car stopped and they got out, they were already inside the temporary hospital. Melanie understood that this was to prevent anyone from revealing the location of the temporary hospital. After Nathan's recent assassination attempt, Hank had tightened the management of the temporary hospital even further. Professor Marshall was very happy to see Melanie return safely. He even had the hospital kitchen prepare some bread for her. On the first night after her return, at dawn after her night shift, the two of them ate bread in the cafeteria. It was considered a small welcoming party for her. "Are you full already?" Professor Marshall looked at Melanie and urged her kindly, "Have some more." His tone was like that of a typical elder urging someone to eat. Melanie reluctantly quickened he
"You are a doctor yourself, so you should understand that not feeling hungry doesn't mean you can skip meals." Professor Marshall emphasized with a stern face, "Go eat now. Oh, by the way, I'm planning to go home in the next two days. What are your plans?" Melanie was surprised for a second but then quickly understood. They had been at the temporary hospital for two months, and she had heard that no new patients would be admitted in the near future, so it was indeed time to leave. "I came here with you. If you're leaving, why would I stay?" Melanie replied. "I thought you were so absorbed that you'd want to stay and continue studying the old cases," Professor Marshall teased. "When are you leaving? I'll go with you. I also feel that my health hasn't been great lately, and I need some time to recuperate," Melanie said. Caleb's residual toxins had long been cleared, and Alex's leg had regained sensation. They no longer needed her, as there were professional rehabilitation d
“No.” Alex shook his head. “That Nathan is extremely cunning. My brother managed to find out his hiding place, but he got wind of it somehow and went abroad overnight. We don’t know where he is now.” “Oh.” Melanie felt a bit disappointed. - After saying goodbye to Alex and a few medical staff she had befriended at the temporary hospital, Melanie got into the car with Professor Marshall. They endured a bumpy one-hour ride in the enclosed vehicle until they arrived at the airport. She and Professor Marshall were heading to different places, so they bought separate tickets. Melanie was eager to return to the city where the research base was located and see Ermin and her mother again. As soon as she got off the plane, she saw Gabriel at the exit holding a shiny pickup sign with her name written on it. “What are you doing here?” Melanie was a bit surprised. Before leaving the temporary hospital, she had only contacted Annie and hadn’t even informed Professor Turner. It seeme
“What’s wrong with my belly?” Melanie was a bit angry. She didn’t think she was fat. Perhaps it was Gabriel who had unrealistic expectations about women’s bodies! “You… aren’t you supposed to…” Before Gabriel could finish, Melanie brushed past him and sat down at the dining table before starting to eat heartily. Supposed to what? She should eat more; she even thought she was too thin! Seeing that she was angry, Gabriel nervously clenched his fists. He guessed that during her time away, she must have been very tired and stressed. Given her strong-willed personality, she probably didn’t take good care of herself, and maybe… she had a miscarriage… She clearly didn’t want to talk about it, so he shouldn’t bring up things that would sadden her either… “Cough, cough, cough.” Suddenly, Melanie choked and started coughing. “Slow down.” Gabriel quickly walked over, handing her a tissue with one hand and a glass of water with the other. Melanie took the water from him and had
“When did you know? Why didn’t you tell me?” Melanie excitedly asked a series of questions. She thought perhaps it was because she had been too busy at the temporary hospital recently and hadn’t had the chance to talk to Annie, which was why Annie hadn’t told her. She was also feeling excited, thinking that Ermin would have a playmate when Annie’s baby was born! “I…” Annie furrowed her wavy eyebrows, feeling helpless. “I was talking about you!” As she spoke, Annie pushed aside Melanie’s wool coat and pointed at her belly. “In a few more months, the baby will be born…” Halfway through her sentence, Annie suddenly realized that something was off with Melanie’s belly… “Your belly… this…” “What’s wrong with you all? Who did my belly offend? Do you think I’ve gotten fat? Is it that ridiculous?” Melanie was completely speechless. “Fat?” Annie was even more puzzled. “You’re too thin! But no matter how thin… at this stage, you should show some signs of pregnancy…” What stage?
Melanie walked out of the restaurant and immediately locked eyes with the homeless man. The homeless man saw her too, and there was a mix of hope and embarrassment in his eyes. After a brief pause, he still got up and walked toward her. The two restaurant security guards quickly followed, blocking the homeless man. “Miss, we apologize for our negligence. These beggars are too rampant and have disrupted your dining experience.” They apologized while forcefully restraining the struggling homeless man. Melanie, feeling a pang of sympathy, quickly said, “I know him.” The two security guards looked at her in surprise before releasing the homeless man. Melanie stepped forward and said, “Come in with me!” The homeless man quickly picked up his bag and followed her into the restaurant. Annie was a close friend, so Melanie didn’t need to avoid her or explain much. She began to serve the homeless man some food. Soon, the whole table of dishes was devoured by the homeless man.
Annie originally intended to just show Melanie the address, but seeing Melanie's expression change, she cautiously probed, "Is there something wrong with the address?" "Mm..." "What is it?" Annie asked, both nervous and excited. "…Nothing." Melanie hesitated for a moment, then decided not to say more. Annie pouted, "You’re not telling me again..." "I don't know how to explain it. I'll tell you once it doesn't need to be kept secret," Melanie apologized. Annie waved her hand, indicating it was fine. "It's getting late. Let's go back and see my godson!" She said this while linking arms with Melanie as they left the restaurant. Along the way, Annie kept chattering, saying she had brought many gifts for Ermin. Melanie half-heartedly listened, her mind still on that address. 700 Lucy Street. When she went to find Jefford in the field that day, Jefford had told her about his secret contact point, and the address was also 700 Lucy Street! There was only one Lucy Street in