Besides, Henry observed that among the Sherman family, Cheryl was the only truly sensible one.

87%粉

Olivia was just settling into bed after her nightly milk when the phone rang. Andrew’s name shed on the screen

“This better be life–or–death,” she growled into the phone.

On the other end, Andrew asked in a teasing tone, “Were you asleep?”

“Is that a problem?” Olivia rubbed her forehead and sighed. “What do you want?”

Andrew’s voice became serious. “Are you free tomorrow? I need to make an appointment.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Olivia agreed. “Alright. Next time, just send a text.”

“A phone call is more formal,” Andrew replied, his voice taking on a suggestive tone. “Good night, Ms. Summers.”

Andrew stood by the window after hanging up, his gaze lingering on the phone number. The storm in his eyes gradually cleared, leaving them calm and bright.

Jenny muffled augh behind the couch. ‘My brother wasn’t the fool people imed. He even remembered to say proper goodnights,‘ bshe /bthought

Olivia was still dreaming when Sean came charging in the next morning, a piece of bread dangling from his mouth bas /bhe shook her awake.

Blinking sleep from her eyes, Olivia slowly sat up, her mind still foggy with dreams.

With his mouth full of bread, Sean waved his arms excitedly. “Patient… outside… treatment.”

Olivia’s slight frown deepened when she checked the time and saw it was barely eight in the morning. She wasn’t expecting such an unusually early

visitor.

“Early start,” Olivia remarked, pulling on ba /bcoat as she stepped outside. She yawned and nodded toward the inner room. “Bed’s in there.”

Ethan surveyed the herb–cluttered yard. The cramped but well–organized space spoke of modest means,

Andrey nodded obediently. i“/iAlright then.”

Ethan stopped in his tracks when he entered the room. The simple wooden bed had only a thin nket, though the space was adequately heated and carried a faint herbal aroma. The entire setup lookedpletely unprofessional.

Swallowing hard, Ethan turned to his boss with concern. “Perhaps we should find a different clinic?” He knew Andrew’s delicate health might not withstand such basic conditions.

“It’s humble, I know.” Olivia entered with her acupuncture kit, tying up her hair as she spoke. “Feel free to leave, but the payment stays with me.” Once money reached Olivia’s hands, there was absolutely no getting it back.

“Mr. Shea, what do you think?” Ethan began hesitantly.

Andrew had always been particr about his surroundings, demanding pristine cleanliness and keeping even Ethan bat /barm’s length.

The idea of receiving treatment in this makeshift clinic made Ethan worry both about keeping his job and whether Olivia would live to bsee /btomorrow.

“Your choice–lie down ior /isit up,” Olivia said, focusing on sterilizing the long needle rather than looking at bthem /b

She normally used proper treatment rooms, but after Andrew had disturbed her twice, this minor inconvenience seemed appropriate paybart

Noticing his hesitation, Olivia gave him an amused look. It’s just sitting, not stripping. No need to be nervousi” /i

Ethan braced for his boss’s reaction to such boldness, but to his surprise, Andrew just smiled and started unbuttoning his cost.

Olivia finally nced at him. “What are you doing?”

“Following my doctor’s orders,” Andrew replied, his eyes flickering as he took a deep breath.

She moved closer, guiding him down with a hand on his. “You’re being awfully obedient.”

His fingers tensed slightly at her touch. When their eyes met, his gaze had darkened. “Good patients live longer,” he murmured.

Ethan felt ba /bchill run down his spine as he realized he was intruding on something private. Without another thought, he turned and hurried from the

room.

Olivia’s sharp eyes studied Andrew carefully. “Your assistant appears ito /ibe frightened of me.”

Andrew’s eyes crinkled with quiet amusement. b“/bNo, he’s frightened of me.”

Olivia’s skilled fingers began massaging Andrew’s temples. “Just rx,” she said in her professional tone. “This is a standard acupuncture treatment.”

She then picked up a medium–length needle and inserted it near his heart, following the cement with gentle palm pressure.

The room’s warmth made the coolness of Olivia’s fingers even more noticeable when they touched Andrew’s skin, causing him to tense slightly.

They fell into ba /bfortable silence, with only the sound of their breathing filling the quiet space.

Andrew became aware of an unexpected dryness in his throat and adjusted his position slightly.

i“/iKeep still,” Olivia reminded him calmly.

Andrew swallowed hard, his attentionpletely focused on Olivia.

As she worked, each idental brush of her fingers against his skin made him increasingly aware of her presence.

The acupuncture sessionsted about forty minutes. Andrew couldn’t understand his own reaction–every time Olivia’s fingers lightly touched him during the treatment, he had bto /bconsciously stop himself from grabbing her hand.

“That’s enough for today,” Olivia said while putting away her needles. She noticed Andrew’s flushed face and added, “Is the room too warm for you?”

The tips of Andrew’s ears turned pink. He coughed lightly and looked away before mumbling, “Maybe a little.”

“I’ve treated your heart rhythm issues today. I’ll write you an herbal prescription. Take it for ten days for best results.” Olivia tossed him a mint candy. “This will help cool you down. And iyou /ishould really get more sleep.”

A faint blush colored Andrew’s pale cheeks as he nodded. She wasn’t wrong–he had stayed up far toote the night before.

“Your health is alreadypromised. Stop making/t worse by not sleeping,” she added.

As Ethan eavesdropped outside, he nearlyplimented Olivia’s thoughtfulness before her sharp words stopped him cold. He couldn’t shake the worry that his boss might actually harm her in a fit of anger.

When the treatment ended, they gathered in the yard for a simple breakfast Grace had prepared–an assortment of side dishesb, /bba /bbpot /bof nourishing oatmeal, and some toast.

Olivia intercepted Andrew’s hand as he reached bfor /bba /bpiece bof /btoast. “You need to eat lightly after acupunctureb,/bb” /bbshe /bbexined /bbfirmly/b. b“/bbJust /bbhalf /bba /bbbowl /bbof /b

oatmeal for now.”

07:20 Tue, 2 Sept A

Andrew nodded obediently and ate only the small portion she rmended

8487%

I finally dawned on Ethan that Olivia was providing legitimate medical treatment, not just using therapy as an excuse to flirt with his boas

After the meal, Olivia handed Ethan a dietary instruction sheet. “Prepare these for your boss once daily when you return,” she instructed

Ethan looked surprised. “No medicine today?” That didn’t make sense to him his boss had depended on daily medication ever since he was a toddler.

Olivia stretchedzily, rolling her neck. “He doesn’t need it,” she said. “Proper nutrition works better than pills. We only use medication as ast reson.i” /i

Besides, Andrew’s condition went much deeper than what surface–level medication could address.

Nodding in understanding, Ethan quickly put the sheet away. He noticed how his boss always ate heartily at Olivia’s ce, leaving with noticeably better color in his cheeks. ‘Mr. Winston Shea would be absolutely delighted to see this improvement, he thought.

AD