At the entrance of the operating room.
Ashley Shaw’s eye surgery ended even quicker than the doctor had anticipated.
Since her corneal thickness was sufficient, she opted for the relatively simple corneal laser correction surgery among the options for nearsightedness.
The surgery went smoothly.
Ashley Shaw emerged with a light-blocking eye mask, supported by a nurse.
"Family of Ashley Shaw."
Warren Prescott immediately stepped forward.
The nurse glanced at Warren Prescott, seemingly curious as to how the accompanying young girl changed into a handsome man, but she didn’t say anything and just relayed some precautions.
"She’ll be able to see clearly tomorrow, but she should avoid bright lights for the next two or three days, and refrain from using her phone if possible, especially today, it’s best to rest her eyes completely, so we recommend staying in the hospital for observation until tomorrow before discharge."
Warren Prescott nodded earnestly.
Ashley Shaw, wearing the eye mask, felt a soreness in her eyes, continuously tearing up, and her vision was dark because of the mask.
She didn’t feel any pain during the surgery, but she was terrified, and now that the surgery was over, she didn’t dare to open her eyes. Even if she did open them, the mask covered them, so she simply kept them shut.
"The eye drops we prescribed need to be used on schedule, and the diet should be light for the next two days..."
Ashley Shaw could only hear the nurse’s voice, feeling quite insecure inside.
Luckily, the nurse soon placed her hand into "Ariana Grant’s" hand.
Ariana Grant’s hand felt colder than usual, probably because the hospital’s air conditioning was set low.
However, the palm seemed larger than she expected, but since Ariana Grant was originally taller, she didn’t think much of it, being led forward by "Ariana Grant".
"Ding dong."
The elevator doors opened.
She was led into the elevator, and then brought out again.
She couldn’t discern directions at all, obediently being guided by "Ariana Grant".
Before long, she was guided to sit on a hospital bed.
Once seated, she felt slightly more at ease.
Her throat felt a little dry, probably due to her nervousness earlier.
Ashley Shaw recalled bringing an apple with her, so she waved her hand in the air, and upon hitting something hard, she realized it was an arm and reached out to embrace it.
"Dear Ariana, I’m a bit thirsty, could you peel an apple for me?"
After speaking, she shook "Ariana Grant’s" arm playfully.
Warren Prescott looked down at Ashley Shaw softly and affectionately, his eyes showing a hint of surprise.
Did she... think he was Ariana Grant?
Warren Prescott instinctively wanted to speak up, but seeing the two small dimples on Ashley Shaw’s face, he swallowed his words.
Say he was selfish, foolish, or a rogue, he didn’t want to end this "precious" moment so quickly.
Even if she was mistaken.
Even if he was merely... Ariana Grant’s stand-in.
"The apples are in the cabinet; I should have brought a fruit knife." Ashley Shaw reminded with a smile, then added, "I’ll treat you to a big meal once I’m discharged tomorrow!"
Warren Prescott felt two soft lumps on his arm...
His back instantly tensed up, and before his body reacted uncontrollably, he gently withdrew his hand, turned around, and took a deep breath.
Once his breathing calmed, he rummaged through the bedside cabinet and indeed found two apples.
The cheapest kind.
But they looked quite sweet.
What was up with this girl? He helped her get so much money, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to buy a slightly more expensive apple.
But he said nothing, took out the fruit knife, pulled a chair up next to the hospital bed, and diligently began peeling the apple.
Ashley Shaw didn’t hear Ariana Grant speak but did hear the sound of apple peeling.
She grinned.
"Thank you, my dear!"
Warren Prescott’s lips moved slightly without him realizing.
If only... he weren’t a stand-in.
Right then, Ashley Shaw’s phone rang.
Before going for the medication, Ariana Grant had handed the phone over to Warren Prescott.
"Help me answer it."
Warren Prescott pulled out the phone and glanced at the caller ID.
Claire Xavier.
He answered the call, took Ashley Shaw’s hand, and placed the phone in her palm.
Ashley Shaw felt that Ariana Grant was unusually quiet today.
Was she still thinking about the fuss Claudia Jennings caused when she came?
But the phone transmitted the caller’s voice, so Ashley Shaw temporarily set aside the matter of Ariana Grant’s silence and lifted the phone to her ear.
"Hello?"
Claire Xavier’s voice came through.
"Ashley, has your surgery started yet?"
"It’s already over. The doctor said it was very smooth, and I’ll be discharged tomorrow."
"What? It’s already over?"
"Yes."
"Sorry, I was just busy and didn’t realize it was your surgery time. I’ll come by to see you now."
Ashley Shaw hurriedly said, "No need, it’s not like I’m sick. Don’t make a special trip. I’m leaving out tomorrow."
"Then I’ll come pick you up when you’re discharged tomorrow, and treat you to a meal. Haven’t seen you for two days; everyone really misses you."
Ashley Shaw laughed.
"Sure, I miss everyone too."
But she suddenly remembered something and gripped the phone tightly, asking, "Ms. Grant, did that matter at the store get resolved? The day you sent me and Ariana to the hospital for the gastroscopy, I overheard the assistant manager saying someone was causing trouble at the store?"
"It’s been resolved. It’s... actually quite amusing now, but after I explain, don’t think too much, okay?"
Ashley Shaw vaguely felt like it had something to do with her, and asked, confused, "What exactly happened?"
Claire Xavier sighed on the other end of the line.
"The girl was indeed deliberately causing trouble; she wanted to tarnish our store and extort some money."
"Why? Did that girl know us?"
"Not really. Do you remember, shortly after you joined, someone posted your photo on the university forum nearby?"
"Yes, I remember."
"That girl was the girlfriend of the guy who initially posted your photo. They broke up because she thought you were coming between them. In reality, it was the guy who was interested in you... We don’t even know who he is, so how could we interfere, right?"
Ashley Shaw was shocked and moved her lips a bit.
"And, and now? Do I need to explain?"
Claire Xavier chuckled softly.
"No need, she’s just a girl with a strong front but weak inside. When the police came, she confessed everything and cried, asking us not to press charges. I saw it was her first offense, and she was indeed frightened, so we didn’t pursue it further, just had her write an apology and let her go."
Ashley Shaw breathed a sigh of relief.
"It’s good that it’s resolved."
"Yes, now I’ll let you rest and let me know your discharge time."
"Alright, goodbye."
Claire Xavier hung up the phone first.
At the same time, Warren Prescott had already peeled the apple clean.
It was a strip of apple skin that was nearly perfect.
Warren Prescott had never peeled an apple by himself before, but he discovered today that he unexpectedly had this talent.