CHAPTER 171: CHAPTER 171: WILLING TO GIVE EVERYTHING FOR ME

I was full of questions, "What?"

"Following up on your mother’s condition. As her daughter, didn’t you know? She recently went for another check-up. Her heart is still not doing well. Currently, I’m her attending physician," Dr. Underwood responded calmly while buckling his seatbelt.

My heart tightened. My mom didn’t tell me about this, probably because she saw I was in a bad mood and didn’t want to worry me.

"Does this really require a home visit from the attending physician?" I frowned.

"It depends on the situation. Let’s go," Ivan replied, his demeanor still cool and impassive.

I swallowed the words I wanted to say. Since it concerned my mom’s health, I couldn’t refuse. I could only drive home in silence.

When we arrived home, my mom’s reaction to seeing Dr. Underwood was quite intense. Her face lit up with joy, "Dr. Underwood, how nice of you to come! Perfect timing, stay and have lunch with us!"

"Mom, is there enough food?" I gave my mom a look, hinting that she should subtly send Ivan away to avoid awkwardness.

My mom glanced at me and responded heartily, "More than enough, absolutely."

My eyelids twitched. It seemed the understanding between mother and daughter was non-existent.

While I was speechless, Ivan and my mom were already in the living room, discussing her heart condition in a very harmonious scene.

As for me, I was just a listener the whole time, but I did manage to understand a bit more about my mom’s situation.

"Okay, Zoe, you chat with Dr. Underwood for a bit while I go whip up a couple more dishes." My mom was beaming. Anyone who saw this scene might think I brought her a wealthy son-in-law.

Damn, the metaphors my brain comes up with are really inappropriate!

Once my mom headed to the kitchen, Ivan and I started staring at each other awkwardly. Frankly, I really didn’t know what to say right now. To sum up narcissistically, I was afraid he might fall for me.

In the end, I turned on the TV and switched to a documentary about hospitals for Ivan. He glanced at me and suddenly smirked, revealing his clean, neat white teeth.

I deliberately ignored him and fiddled with my phone.

Ten minutes later, my mom called us to eat. I heaved a sigh of relief and headed to the dining table with Ivan.

My mom kept serving Ivan food, giving him instructions left and right. Her enthusiasm made me uneasy.

"Thank you, Auntie, for the hospitality. If you ever feel unwell, please feel free to contact me." Finally, after we finished eating, Ivan prepared to leave, gently reminding my mom before he left.

"Alright, Dr. Underwood is truly a great doctor!" My mom smiled until her eyes turned into slits.

Ivan glanced at me, "Yes, Auntie. Is it easy to get a taxi around here?"

That’s when I realized this guy was just like Henry, both of them are schemers. My neighborhood is full of villas, making it hard to get a taxi.

His question directly bestowed me with the role of "temporary driver," as my mom wanted me to drive him home.

With a sour face, I reluctantly had to drive Ivan back.

"Are you unhappy?" On the way, Ivan asked, knowingly.

"No, I’m very happy," I said, forcing an unconvincing fake smile.

Ivan smirked faintly. He naturally had a cold demeanor, especially when looking at others. The aloofness that emanated from his eyes always made people hesitant to meet his gaze directly. I continued to drive, pretending not to notice his gaze, maintaining a silent yet harmonious coexistence.

After arriving at his place, Ivan didn’t immediately get out of the car. His hands were crossed in front of his abdomen, nails clean and healthy pink. These hands not only performed surgeries but also cooked and cared for pets, giving off a charming vibe. Then his voice sounded again, "Zoe Hathaway, I want to pursue you."

My eyes widened like saucers at that moment, as if I had seen something improper, and my heart nearly stopped. "Ivan, are you crazy?"

"Why do you think I’m crazy?" Ivan furrowed his brow slightly, the ebony in his eyes glistening. "Wasn’t I obvious enough before?"

It was exactly because it was obvious that I felt awkward. His hints yesterday were already giving me headaches all night!

"That’s not what I mean. Ivan, you’re truly a great guy, but there will be another woman worthy of your qualities. That woman won’t be me." I struggled to explain, but my reasoning seemed plausible yet lacked any real persuasion.

It’s not self-deprecation. Objectively speaking, I’m genuinely not a good match for Ivan. I gave my best ten years to Henry, and after divorcing, I also had a miscarriage. Meanwhile, Ivan is clean with no past burdens.

He should find a woman just like him, not focus on me.

"You’re not lacking in anything. Why wouldn’t you match up?" Ivan smiled, "Don’t use self-disparagement to reject me."

Inwardly, I sighed deeply. In this life, Ivan had finally evaded Azure’s trap, yet he seemed to be on the brink of crashing into the metaphorical wall of me.

"I don’t want to waste your time, so don’t waste your thoughts on me anymore. I believe many women will like you, and any one of them will be a better match than me, honestly." I sincerely urged him.

"Could you give me a chance? Before, I was always mindful of Henry, but now I just want to follow my heart." Ivan was unwilling to heed my advice.

Honestly, if I hadn’t stumbled over Henry before, I would definitely be moved now.

Ivan’s eyes had never been so intense, filled with unrestrained fondness, unlike the icy aloof man he usually was.

I’ve truly loved someone before, so I understand those kinds of eyes can’t be faked. But how should I respond?

"Ivan, I..." I was about to speak.

"Don’t be quick to reject me. I’ll say it again, until you find someone you truly love, I won’t give up," Ivan paused, "Zoe Hathaway, I’ve never confessed to any woman before, nor do I know what’s considered romantic or passionate, but I’ll always be by your side. As long as you need me, I’m willing to give you everything."

Even though I didn’t have romantic feelings for Ivan, I couldn’t help but be moved.

I knew he was sincere. He must have thought it over thoroughly before saying that.

"Let’s just go with the flow, okay?" I retreated a bit.

"Alright." Ivan was silent for a moment, then finally smiled. He gently unbuckled his seatbelt, his tone soft, "Be careful on your way back."

I nodded, suppressing the turmoil in my heart. After Ivan got out of the car, I quickly turned around and left.

All the way, my emotions were complex, with Ivan’s words continually echoing in my mind.

Amidst a myriad of thoughts, I hadn’t noticed a white car trailing me. Upon reaching an intersection where I had to turn right, the white car suddenly sped up and chased after me.

"Bang!"

In an instant, I was hit by a strong impact, my mind a chaotic mess, as the car front slammed heavily against a tree. Although the airbags deployed in time, I still felt pain. Trapped in the driver’s seat, shattered windshield glass rained on my face like daggers of pain!

I tried reaching for my phone to call for help, but I couldn’t find it. Outside the car, the damage to the white car wasn’t severe; it appeared specially modified. As it passed by my car, two people inside snapped a photo and then sped away.

My vision blurred. My energy was draining, and I felt sticky blood flow on my face. Weakly, I called for help, yet no one came.

Eventually, darkness consumed me, consciousness slipping away.

——

"Mr. Preston, those two people have been found. They’re thugs under Third Master Lawson."

"Detain them first."

"Understood."

I vaguely heard Henry conversing with someone else. Once I managed to open my heavy eyelids, I saw his figure not too far away.

Another hospital. I seemed to have a never-ending connection with hospitals.

But why is Henry here?

I tugged at the corners of my lips, realizing a faint pain on my face, like a cut from a knife, but the rest of my body felt fine.

Unaware that I was awake, Henry stood by the window, his back towards me, his white shirt slightly rumpled, accentuating his perfect physique, reminiscent of a figure from a comic.

My artful eyes remained objective, never denying Henry’s striking appearance because of his rotten character.

"Silas, Zoe was in a car accident," Henry said to Silas Lockwood on the phone.

He briefly described my condition and then instructed Silas to inform my parents before hanging up.

"Henry, why are you here?" I asked, my voice weak.

"Awake?" Hearing my voice, Henry turned and walked to the bedside, the coldness on his face dissipating somewhat, "Do you feel any discomfort?"

I shook my head, though the only discomfort was from my face, likely injured by the shattered windshield glass.