CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 82: POKING HIS LOWER BACK

The car drove into the hospital parking lot.

Declan Hawthorne unbuckled his seatbelt and took out two gift boxes from the trunk.

Poppy Hale thought he was going to visit Elder Silver.

Based on the previous conversation between Declan and Elder Silver, it was clear they were old acquaintances.

Unexpectedly, the man carried the gift box and followed Poppy Hale into Mrs. Hale’s hospital room.

He gave the gift box to Mrs. Hale.

They were supplements suitable for patients, and from the packaging, it was clear they were quite valuable.

Mrs. Hale, who had lived a life of comfort, had seen many good things.

She recognized the brand of the gift box.

Six-figure supplements.

Mrs. Hale didn’t accept them. Her eyes, resembling Poppy Hale’s, were full of probing and curious expressions.

Smiling widely.

"Would a company leader give such expensive supplements as a gesture of sympathy? Our Poppy hasn’t caused any trouble at the company, has she?"

The young man in front of her, dressed in a suit and appearing suave and refined, had a polite smile and an unreadable depth in his eyes.

"It’s not on behalf of the company; it’s from me personally."

This honest answer satisfied Mrs. Hale.

Mrs. Hale didn’t refuse and turned to Poppy Hale with a smile, "Poppy, can we accept it?"

Poppy Hale lowered her voice and poked Declan Hawthorne’s upright back with her finger.

"Didn’t you bring these for Elder Silver?"

He glanced sideways, bending slightly, appearing as if they were whispering intimately.

"Bribing in public? I don’t want Elder Silver to ruin his late reputation."

The medical staff had strict management over accepting gifts, and Poppy Hale knew that Elder Silver, with his noble integrity, would not accept overly expensive items.

Poppy Hale shook her head and insisted, "It’s too expensive."

"It’s good for Auntie’s health and beneficial for wound recovery, can’t we accept it?"

No matter how good the item is, if it exceeds the limits of what Poppy Hale can reciprocate, it becomes a burden.

Declan Hawthorne withdrew his gaze.

He pushed the gift box forward.

"Auntie, I am Poppy’s date, so giving you some supplements is only right."

Mrs. Hale’s eyes lit up instantly.

"Oh? When did this happen?"

"Last time at the hospital, Poppy agreed to go on a date with me."

However, he was the one who introduced the matchmaking.

The mother of the patient in the next bed, Mrs. Alden, also widened her eyes.

She thought Young Hale was so attractive and must be very popular!

Mrs. Hale’s eyes were filled with joy.

"Then I’ll accept it, but only one box. You take the other one back."

Despite Poppy Hale agreeing to let this young man into the house, which was unprecedented.

But after all, even if he is a match, they can’t accept such an expensive gift.

One box, sufficient to express the sentiment.

Knowing the price, Mrs. Hale took the cheaper one and pushed the other back.

Declan Hawthorne didn’t insist further.

Mrs. Hale turned to Poppy Hale.

She stood behind Declan Hawthorne, beside the curtain, blocking her from view. Without careful observation, she couldn’t be seen.

When Mrs. Hale looked over, Poppy Hale was poking Declan Hawthorne’s back.

Declan Hawthorne seemed unresponsive, unmoved.

He didn’t turn back, but Mrs. Hale saw clearly.

Poppy Hale’s expression was the same as when Mr. Hale annoyed her, making her unhappy yet unable to vent.

The relationship between these two wasn’t simple.

Mrs. Hale pretended not to see, "Poppy, did you attend your brother’s wedding today?"

"I did, but my brother’s new wife scolded me, so I left."

Normally, hearing her daughter say this would make someone angry, especially when Mrs. Hale is a heart patient.

But Mrs. Hale knew Poppy Hale and the Lynch family’s relatives well.

Poppy Hale likely wouldn’t suffer, but she was probably upset.

Her gaze shifted between the two.

She caught a crucial point.

"Did you go with your boss?"

Declan Hawthorne chimed in, "Auntie, just call me Young Hawthorne."

His accommodating attitude left Mrs. Hale slightly surprised.

The man continued with a hint of regret in his tone.

"I once met Uncle in passing, but I didn’t realize he was family, so I was somewhat rude."

Poppy Hale stopped poking Declan Hawthorne’s back.

She frowned, when did he meet dad?

Declan Hawthorne didn’t elaborate, and Poppy Hale couldn’t ask in front of Mrs. Hale.

"You two knew each other before?"

Declan Hawthorne didn’t reply, waiting for Poppy Hale to explain.

She stammered, "We, we were at the same school..."

Mrs. Hale immediately knew Poppy Hale was lying.

Whenever she lies, her eyes drift, and she doesn’t dare look at people.

At the same school? Arvum University has so many graduates each year. Nolan Zane was also a graduate student there, but Poppy never poked Nolan’s back.

Mrs. Hale didn’t expose her.

"We didn’t go together; we bumped into each other at the hotel."

Talking about this matter, Poppy Hale wasn’t very enthusiastic.

Mrs. Hale lay back a bit.

She held a cushion in one hand, placed it properly behind her, adjusted to a suitable position, and then left.

Declan Hawthorne handled it all without a trace of awkwardness.

Though Mrs. Hale initially thought it was inappropriate, seeing his natural demeanor, she accepted it.

"If your uncle speaks harshly, don’t take it to heart."

"Alright, I’m tired. Go pick up Florence. Don’t bring her here; her immunity isn’t great and she could catch something at the hospital even if she’s not sick."

Poppy Hale carefully asked the caregiver and doctor about Mrs. Hale’s condition over the past few days.

Only after confirming everything was fine did she leave.

After she left, Mrs. Hale kept watching Poppy Hale’s back until the smile on her face disappeared.

Eugene Lynch spoke harshly, which she understood.

But she just thought, if she was in poor health and left this world, Poppy would have no one to rely on.

-

Kindergarten ends early.

Many parents have dual jobs, so they find it inconvenient to pick up their children, thus extending the after-school program.

From four in the afternoon till eight at night, there were people picking up their kids.

Florence Lynch almost jumped out of her seat when she saw Poppy Hale.

"Mom! How come you’re picking me up so early today?"

"Got off work early today."

Florence snuggled into Poppy Hale’s arms, shamelessly being coy.

Nearby, Iris Quill saw the car at the door and rushed over.

But seeing her uncle’s frosty face, she held back.

She was afraid she’d turn into an icicle from her uncle’s stare.

Today, Declan Hawthorne’s car didn’t have a child safety seat.

Poppy Hale got in the back seat with the two kids.

Sitting in the front passenger seat, she always felt that Declan Hawthorne’s eyes fell on her when he glanced at the rearview mirror.

Uncomfortable.

Florence nestled against Poppy Hale and pocketed a huge cherry.

The kindergarten’s afternoon tea was of excellent quality; this cherry was almost as big as Florence’s hand.

She held it in front of Poppy Hale.

"Mom, this is the fruit we got today, it’s really tasty. I ate one and saved one for you."

"I also saved one for Grandma."

She obediently patted the other side pocket, which was bulging.

It’s just that there wasn’t one for Uncle Hawthorne, and Florence was a bit troubled.

The kindergarten only gave out three at a time, she ate one, leaving just two for Grandma and Mom, with none left for Uncle Hawthorne.

Poppy Hale wasn’t aware her daughter had such complicated thoughts.

Holding Florence, her heart was warm and sweet.

"Grandma said you shouldn’t go to the hospital, so you eat it yourself, Florence."

Beside them, Iris Quill was not to be outdone.

"I-I’ll save one for Aunt Poppy tomorrow!"

Poppy Hale couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.

The back seat was filled with warmth.