CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63: RETURNING THE FAVOR

Heart bypass surgery, the cost is not high.

But Declan Hawthorne hired the country’s top expert, and opted for the highest-grade surgical instruments.

That portion of the cost, it’s obvious that it’s covered by Declan Hawthorne.

For him, this amount of money is naturally nothing.

Poppy Hale doesn’t want to owe him.

"Consider it humanitarian aid from the company, is that okay?"

"No."

Poppy Hale stubbornly insisted, "Your personal motives for aid have nothing to do with the company, they cannot be confused."

The company aid is humanitarian.

Declan Hawthorne, what his motive is, Poppy Hale cannot understand.

Is it distant charity?

Or is there another agenda?

Crossing a few white tiles in distance.

The hospital floor was polished brightly, reflecting the woman’s slender silhouette, slanting from the entrance to beside the bed.

Declan Hawthorne’s shadow stops just a few inches away from Poppy Hale.

His peripheral vision catches sight of that shadow, and he subtly shifts toward it.

From the floor’s shadows, they seem to be leaning on each other.

Yet their bodies are separated by miles.

It seems they will never have the chance to intersect.

She avoids him at all costs.

As if he’s some fearsome beast, ready to swallow her whole.

She’s extremely guarded against him.

Yet at another time, she could marry another man.

Back then, she was not on guard.

"Just a bit of money, help me with a small favor, and we’ll call it even."

Poppy Hale insists, "I’ll still transfer the money to you."

Declan Hawthorne feels a bit of a tickle in his throat.

But this is a ward, smoking is not allowed.

Every time he sees her, hears her speak, anger simmers in him, hard to extinguish yet annoyingly rekindled.

It disrupts his peace of mind.

He closes his eyes to calm his emotions, then opens them again.

There’s an added hint of authority in Declan Hawthorne’s eyes.

His tone carries some jest.

"Elder Silver is an internationally recognized expert in cardiology, how do you plan to call it even with me?"

Poppy Hale bites her lower lip.

Indeed.

Though she had checked many documents and papers in advance, knowing the success rate wasn’t low, and with Mrs. Hale’s past good health, the cardiology department’s doctors could manage perfectly well.

But Elder Silver was different.

What was expected to be a five-hour surgery was completed in two hours, not to mention, the suturing was exceptionally good, reducing the possibility of postoperative complications significantly.

Poppy Hale knows Declan Hawthorne is right.

"What favor?"

Seeing her relent, Declan Hawthorne calmly said, "Accompany me to a blind date on the weekend, that’s my condition. If you feel it’s inappropriate, you can bring your daughter."

Never seen a blind date allowing kids to be brought along.

Declan Hawthorne probably isn’t sincere about the blind date.

It’s likely Mrs. Hawthorne is urging him strongly, and he hurriedly needs a familiar person as a temporary shield.

It’s a tactic Poppy Hale is familiar with.

Previously Mason Rivers, didn’t he request the same?

Compared to Mason Rivers’ request, Declan Hawthorne offers a bit more.

So by this calculation, it’s a gain for her.

But when Poppy Hale agreed to Mason Rivers, she didn’t hesitate at all.

Now facing Declan Hawthorne, she hesitated.

Rationally, she doesn’t want any involvement with Declan Hawthorne, nor does she want more entanglement involving her daughter with him.

Yet reality always delivers a harsh blow.

Mrs. Hale’s surgery is a favor.

"Okay, I agree."

-

"Mom!"

Appearing at the kindergarten entrance, Florence Lynch leapt joyfully into Poppy Hale’s arms like a happy little butterfly.

Kissed Poppy Hale’s face several times.

Soft and fragrant, like a fluffy little cake.

Poppy Hale’s fatigue from the past days vanished, she embraced Florence Lynch, pressing her face to hers.

She couldn’t get enough hugging.

"Mom, this dress is from Aunt Amber, is it pretty?"

Florence Lynch wore an Elsa princess dress, with little sequins adorning the blue hem, and the matching Crystal Shoes shimmered as well.

She looked like a little princess.

"Pretty. Did you thank Aunt Amber?"

"I did! I also kissed Aunt Amber many times!"

Watching the little girl in her arms, smiling brightly, Poppy Hale suddenly understood why Amber Yates said several times in her voice messages that she couldn’t bear to part with Florence Lynch.

She said she’s already exploring how to fight for child custody with strangers.

Giving birth can’t be faster.

She’s already chosen a second child, it has to be Florence Lynch!

In just two days, Amber Yates was utterly consumed by thoughts of Florence Lynch, and after seeking Poppy Hale’s permission, she posted an update about her two kids.

Florence Lynch hugged Poppy Hale’s neck, "Is Grandma feeling better?"

"Much better, Mom will take you to see Grandma now."

After not seeing each other for two days, Florence Lynch missed Mrs. Hale too.

She quietly asked, "Can Iris Quill come along?"

"Iris Quill didn’t leave either?"

Poppy Hale arrived a bit late.

Unexpectedly, Iris Quill hadn’t been picked up by anyone.

Florence Lynch got down from Poppy Hale’s embrace, took her hand, and ran to the classroom.

In the spacious classroom, only Iris Quill was there.

Holding a children’s illustrated book, brows furrowed, reading each piece of content.

Occasionally, a few sentences of English popped out.

A kid so young, already reading English picture books?

The Hawthorne Family’s child is certainly competitive.

Florence Lynch quietly called out, "Iris Quill."

Hearing the noise, Iris Quill turned, and upon seeing Poppy Hale standing there, his eyes instantly widened.

An immediate light appeared, bringing more smiles to his face.

He ran toward Poppy Hale, hugging her leg.

"Aunt Poppy."

Poppy Hale crouched down, "Is no one here to pick you up? Where’s your uncle?"

"Mom is busy, uncle is busy too, Grandma is at Aunt Grandma’s house."

An entire family, yet no one remembered to pick up the child.

All assumed each other had already picked him up.

Taking out her phone, Poppy Hale looked at Iris Quill, "You call your mom, remember her number?"

Iris Quill shook his head.

He doesn’t remember mom’s number, grandma never allowed him to remember.

After a phone watch, even less need for it.

Leaving him not knowing mom’s number at all.

Poppy Hale also didn’t have Heather Underwood’s contact, slid her finger across the screen, and had to open Declan Hawthorne’s number.

Made the call.

It rang once, and the other side picked up.

"What’s up?"

That tone, so familiar to the core.

Poppy Hale froze for a moment, then said, "President Hawthorne, could you have someone pick up Iris Quill? Or contact his mom?"

Declan Hawthorne raised his wrist.

Glimpsed at the time, realizing night had already fallen.

"Please take him to a nearby restaurant for dinner, I’ll be there shortly, don’t worry about the cost of an expensive restaurant, I’ll settle the bill."

After speaking, he hung up the phone.

Poppy Hale stowed away her phone, only to see Iris Quill rubbing his tummy, looking at her expectantly.

"Aunt Poppy, did uncle say to let you take me for dinner? I’m hungry!"

In Iris Quill’s mind, there’s no problem one meal can’t solve.

If one meal doesn’t work, then two meals.