"Just got back." Nathan Moore slipped off his leather shoes.
Olivia Zane glided over in her wheelchair, picked up the briefcase from the shoe cabinet and placed it on her legs, then waited there.
After changing into slippers, Nathan pushed her into the living room.
Auntie Liu had already carried a tray upstairs, but Olivia called out loudly from behind.
"Auntie Liu, is the millet porridge you made for my sister ready? Don’t let it burn to the pot."
"Ah?" Auntie Liu turned around, a puzzled expression on her face. She glanced at the male master behind the wheelchair, then smiled and replied, "Madam, how could I forget what you’ve asked me to do? It’s already in the pot."
After finishing, she continued up the stairs, but couldn’t resist murmuring under her breath, "Hypocritical."
She really couldn’t understand how the master could fancy such a hypocritical woman, calling Miss Zane’s sister venomous and mean, when in fact, it’s the madam herself who is truly venomous and mean, so harsh on her own sister, making one wonder whether they’re truly siblings.
Titus Zane didn’t come down for dinner, and Nathan didn’t insist. Auntie Liu made porridge from leftovers at noon and then claimed she couldn’t finish it. Throwing it out would be wasteful, so she took a bowl up to Titus.
This excuse was one neither the master nor the madam could find fault with.
Titus Zane had received another two days of IV drips, and her body had more or less recovered.
During those two days, Titus stayed in her room without taking a single step outside.
When bored, she sat on the floor mat, doodling on her drawing board. What was once a hobby and a career, now served merely as a pastime to while away the time.
The pattern on the drawing board was already taking shape; in tones of grey, against the dimming night, a woman stood by the window looking out. The woman’s long hair fluttered, a shawl wrapped over her shoulders. Although it was just a silhouette, it exuded an air of ineffable sorrow and loneliness.
Nathan Moore pushed open the door and came in without knocking, his handsome brows deeply furrowed.
"Go change your clothes; we have a social engagement soon."
His voice was devoid of warmth, with an undebatable command, just as expressionless as the look on his handsome face.
Sitting on the floor, Titus Zane looked up at him. Sometimes, she wondered if he wore this same icy face in front of Olivia, or was it just for her?
"What? Didn’t you hear me?" Seeing Titus sitting still, Nathan spoke again, a reminder laced with barely concealed fury on his chillingly handsome face.
"I heard you." Titus Zane lowered her gaze, put down her paintbrush, and supported herself up from the floor to head to the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later, Titus Zane leaned on the banister as she came downstairs.
She wore a tan H-pattern floral blouse tucked into beige pencil pants and topped with a camel-colored coat. It was a casual mix and match without deliberate dressing up, yet her innate ethereal grace could not be concealed.
Both Nathan Moore and Olivia Zane turned towards the staircase. Seeing Titus’s outfit, something flickered in Olivia’s eyes before she turned back and tugged at Nathan’s lapel, pouting coquettishly.
"Nathan, take me with you, please. I haven’t seen Brother Titus in so many years, please take me with you."
"There, there," Nathan squatted down, taking Olivia’s hand tenderly.
"Stay at home. Those smoky places aren’t suitable for you."
"But why can sister go!" Olivia protested discontentedly.
Nathan raised his eyes and glanced at Titus Zane who was descending the stairs gracefully. It was just a fleeting look, but the coldness in his eyes was hard to hide. When he turned his gaze back to Olivia, his dark eyes once again filled with tenderness.
"You know, when men gather to play cards, they like to smoke. Secondhand smoke isn’t good for your health."
Hearing Nathan’s explanation, Titus couldn’t help but let out a sneer.
Ha, what tender concern indeed.
Fully aware of the health risks of secondhand smoke, yet still dragging her along.