CHAPTER 215: CHAPTER 215: WE ARE A DOOMED PAIR

My mom’s condition is very bad. When I rushed to the hospital the next day, the doctor told me a lot. In short, if my mom can wake up after being in a coma for a while, that would be the best outcome.

In the days that followed, I was almost always running back and forth between the company and the hospital, feeling for the first time how exhausting life can be.

"Dr. Underwood is really going to resign?"

"Why would he resign just like that? Such a pity!"

"I’m not sure either, but I heard he submitted his resignation letter."

When I went to my mom’s room, I overheard a few young nurses discussing this on the way.

I couldn’t help but slow down my pace. I’ve rarely seen Ivan Underwood these days. He has visited my mom a few times, but always during work.

I didn’t expect he would actually resign??

After arriving at the ward, I immediately called Ivan Underwood.

"Ivan, are you resigning?" I asked, somewhat incredulously, once the call connected.

"Yes, I’m going through the resignation process. Next, I’ll be working at the family company," Ivan replied softly. "Don’t worry, everything’s fine with me."

I helplessly rubbed my forehead. In my previous life, Ivan also gave up being a doctor for Azure Vaughn and chose to return to inherit the family business.

While we were talking, Ivan’s figure appeared at the door of the ward. He must have already been off work today, wearing a beige thin sweater, looking warm and gentle.

"Why did you come?" I quickly hung up the phone.

"Came to see you, sorry I haven’t taken good care of you these days." Ivan came over and touched my hair. "You don’t look too good, are you exhausted?"

Indeed, before my dad retired, he was powerless with the company affairs, so I had to take on more, yet I wasn’t familiar with the company. Just dealing with those senior executives was exhausting.

Sleeping poorly at night, eating poorly during the day, and the little weight I had managed to gain just disappeared.

I forced a smile, "Yes, I’m currently trying to get familiar with the company’s business as quickly as possible. With my mom’s condition like this, I have to learn to take responsibility."

Ivan’s eyes were full of distress, and his gaze moved my heart a little.

The more tired you are, the more you hope someone would care for you a bit. I tried hard to appear strong, not wanting the senior executives and shareholders at the company to see my vulnerability, but inside I was very weary.

I couldn’t help leaning into his embrace, wanting to find a temporary harbor to rest.

Ivan gently rubbed my hair, his movements very soft. I closed my eyes to clear my mind, getting a brief respite.

"Knock knock knock."

Suddenly, a few knocks sounded at the door. I left Ivan’s embrace and turned with him to look at the doorway.

Henry Preston stood there, as cold as ice, with a rather awkward-looking Young Mr. Levin behind him.

I sensed the aura around Ivan instantly turning cold, just like Henry, both full of hostility.

"Sorry to interrupt your coziness," Henry spoke coldly, his gaze finally landing on my face, eyes vicious.

"Anything you need?" Ivan asked coldly.

Henry didn’t speak. He just glanced back at Young Mr. Levin, who immediately stepped forward to say to me, "Miss Hathaway, regarding the cooperation between our two companies, could we discuss it now?"

I was surprised looking at Young Mr. Levin. I had been worrying about this matter for some time, even considering asking my uncle and them, but remembering my mom’s words held me back.

"I’ll go talk with him," I said to Ivan.

"I’ll go with you." Ivan was somewhat concerned. He took my hand, his fingers slightly tightening.

I nodded, but then Henry spoke again, "There’s nothing more to discuss then."

With that, he turned and left, and as soon as Young Mr. Levin heard Henry say this, he also immediately followed and left.

Seeing this rare opportunity about to slip away, I got a bit anxious, and broke free from Ivan’s hand, "Wait a moment, I must talk with him!"

I didn’t have time to see Ivan’s reaction, I just rushed out.

At the elevator, I caught up with Henry and Young Mr. Levin, breathing heavily, "Young Mr. Levin, let’s talk now."

Young Mr. Levin seemed to be following Henry’s lead, glancing at him, waiting for him to speak.

I understood his meaning and then turned to Henry, "Can he talk with me?"

Henry, taller than me, looked down at me with an unreadable expression in his eyes.

"No, okay?" I asked, somewhat anxious.

"I also need to be there, can you talk with me?" Henry asked back.

No matter how much I resented him, I couldn’t joke about the company’s affairs, the loss would be too great.

I agreed, "Fine."

Afterward, I followed Henry and them to a café outside the hospital to talk business.

Young Mr. Levin indicated he could continue cooperating with our company, but with a slight price increase, which was really just a pretext, completely within my company’s affordable range.

Henry drank coffee beside us, saying almost nothing, but Young Mr. Levin occasionally glanced at him, seemingly seeking his approval with his eyes.

"Alright, we’ll proceed with the partnership at the price agreed upon today." The big weight in my heart finally dropped, and the smile on my face felt a bit more genuine.

"Great, looking forward to our pleasant cooperation." Young Mr. Levin smiled as he extended his hand to shake mine, then he stood up to tell Henry, "Mr. Preston, I have something else to attend to, so I’ll be going now."

Henry waved his hand casually, "Alright, go ahead."

In business, indeed, The Preston Family is stronger and more influential than mine, and I had to admit it.

After Young Mr. Levin left, only Henry and I were left. I felt awkward both staying and leaving.

Seeing my dilemma, Henry showed a mocking smile, took another sip of coffee, and stood up, "The matter you were worried about is resolved, why are you still standing there?"

"Thank you," I uttered simply.

"I mentioned, just think of it as compensation for you," Henry gently frowned, "It wasn’t my intention to bring harm to your family."

I chuckled bitterly, "Henry, we really are a doomed pair, suffering the consequences of our actions."

Henry didn’t respond to my lament. He just explained, "The situation with Sanctum Biotech was Azure Vaughn using my name to cause trouble. I’ve warned her, but you still need to be cautious, because Wendy Hawthorne is also involved."

Wendy Hawthorne is the manipulator behind Azure’s confidence. While Azure may listen to Henry, Wendy might not.

"Yeah, I will. I have to go back." It was late, and I picked up my bag, speaking to Henry calmly.

We left the café one after another, with Henry not leaving immediately, instead watching me get in the car first.

It was early autumn, and the wind had a slight chill. I rolled down the car window a bit, watching his figure in the rear-view mirror become a small black dot.