Chapter 819

Noreen had scheduled an appointment for Rosalind’s check-up today. Rosalind had a kidney transplant five years ago. In the years since the surgery, Noreen had hired someone to carefully manage Rosalind’s diet and daily life. She also had regular physical examinations. For every check-up, Noreen would clear her schedule to accompany her mother personally. The results were good, which put Noreen’s mind at ease once more. As they were heading downstairs to leave the hospital, they ran into a hurried-looking Evelyn. Noreen paused and called out, “Evelyn.” Evelyn turned, saw it was Noreen, and immediately responded, “Noreen, what are you doing here?” “I was here with my mom for her physical,” Noreen explained. Her gaze fell on the insulated container in Evelyn’s hand, and she instantly understood. “Is Mr. Harcourt in the hospital?” she asked. Evelyn sighed. “Yes. Mr. Harcourt’s health has been declining these past few years. He ends up in the hospital five or six times a year.” Noreen hesitated. She felt a flicker of uncertainty. By all rights, she should go visit Mr. Harcourt. But… Beside her, Rosalind spoke up first. “Noreen, you should go see Mr. Harcourt. Abigail can take me home.” Rosalind had always been grateful for Wade Harcourt’s past kindness and knew how much he had helped Noreen in her career. So she was the one to suggest Noreen go see him. “Okay.” Noreen handed the file with the medical records to Abigail, then went upstairs with Evelyn to see Wade. Jude was on the phone just outside the hospital room. When he turned and saw Noreen, he was so startled he stammered out her name, “No- Noreen.” His voice was loud, jarring in the quiet hospital corridor. Noreen frowned at his overly dramatic reaction. She gave him a brief nod and followed Evelyn toward the room. Wade was staying in a private suite reserved for him. When they entered, Wade was the only person in the main room. But on the coffee table beside him, there were clearly two cups. Wade, however, was perfectly composed. He greeted Noreen as he always had. “What brings you here? Shouldn’t you be busy lately?” His words made Noreen feel a pang of guilt. To draw a clear line with Seth, she had explicitly stated that she would avoid visiting the Harcourt family as much as possible. As a result, she hadn’t called Wade once in the past few months, let alone talked to him about her work. And yet, Wade still knew her so well. He must have been keeping up with her. “I was here with my mom for a check-up and ran into Evelyn at the entrance. That’s when I found out you were hospitalized. It was all so sudden, I didn’t even have time to buy a fruit basket,” Noreen said, feeling apologetic. Wade waved a hand dismissively. “You’re busy with work now, I don’t care about these little things. Besides, it’s just the same old problems. I’m in and out of here five or six times a year. I can’t very well make a big fuss and announce it to everyone every single time, can I?” Noreen sat with Wade for a while longer. It wasn’t until a doctor came in to say it was time for his physical therapy that she got up to leave. Wade asked Evelyn to see her out. Noreen said it wasn’t necessary and promised to visit him again tomorrow. “If you’re busy, don’t make a special trip,” Wade told her. Noreen replied, “I’m not that busy. I can always find the time. Please take care of yourself and get well soon.