Chapter 11

The next day, Steven's villa felt considerably quieter. Satisfied that everything seemed to be back on track, Daphne and Alfred decided to move out of their son's villa. They even insisted on taking Natalie with them, not wanting her to be a third wheel. The young couple should be given some privacy. With them gone, Jolene finally had the freedom to focus on treating Steven. The room was quiet, with Steven seated in his wheelchair and long needles delicately inserted into his ankle. His gaze never wavered from Jolene as she moved about the space, her lips pursed in a frustrated pout. An unsettling silence filled the air. "Jo..." Steven barely managed to utter a syllable before Jolene turned on the television, effectively drowning out his voice and leaving him feeling stifled. "​​This young lady sure knows how to hold a grudge," he thought. Steven stared at her back with furrowed brows, his slender fingers clutching the quilt placed over his legs as he winced in pain. "Ah... it hurts." Jolene panicked upon seeing his discomfort. "Where does it hurt? The acupoint... Hey! Let go, or you'll press against the needle!" Steven pulled her into his arms despite her protests, causing her to straddle his lap. "I'll let go after we talk. Otherwise, you'll run off again." His arms effortlessly wrapped around her waist. Jolene's eyelashes fluttered, her ears burning a bright red. Her lips were delicately stained with a rosy hue. She had never been this close to a man before. "You avoided me last night, and you're sulking this morning," Steven murmured, his hand unconsciously stroking her lower back, eliciting a shiver from her. "You don't trust me. You insisted on trading the project," Jolene said, fully aware that she had no right to be upset yet unable to control her emotions. That project represented Steven's tireless efforts and was the key to his family's comeback. "Of course, I trust you," he replied, his deep voice resonating in her ear. "Xavier was sent by the main family to sabotage me, and I handed the project over on purpose… It's because I trust you that I believe you can help me play this role." Jolene felt her anger dissipating. "What role?" "Don't reveal your exceptional medical skills until I can stand on my own again," he said with a composed tone, his attractive features solemn. "Exceptional, huh?" Jolene mused, lowering her head. "What about Mr. Gibbs?" she asked. "You're a medical student, so treating ordinary ailments is expected. But my legs... they're beyond saving and are already deemed terminal. Even top experts and academicians have failed." "I understand." Jolene nodded obediently. She just needed to avoid flaunting her medical abilities too much. Steven couldn't help but smile at her endearing demeanor. He suddenly recalled the outrageous things Vance had said the night before. His throat tightened as he lightly ran his tongue over his lips, but in the end, he swallowed the question that was on his mind. Jolene's face flushed as she gently pushed against his chest. "Let go of me. I need to remove the needles." Steven's expression remained calm, but his heartbeat was noticeably quicker than usual. Jolene knelt down, her nimble fingers working swiftly to remove the needles. She could feel his burning gaze, which caused her cheeks to flush an even deeper shade of red. Just then, the room's tranquility was broken by the sound of the wall-mounted TV. "Our reporter visited the Nova Foundation, which has provided education for hundreds of children and supported thousands of families since its inception. However, the identity of the founder remains shrouded in mystery..." Jolene was captivated by the report, suddenly recalling that Natalie had mentioned the Nova Foundation before. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at Steven and said, "I was also a beneficiary of the Nova Foundation! My family was very poor back then, and we couldn't even afford my tuition. "A kind soul sponsored all the children in Lunarvale, allowing me to pursue my education. Ever since then, I've always wanted to find that person." Steven's expression grew more complex as he asked, "Why do you wish to find them?" "To express my gratitude, of course." Jolene's delicate features were akin to a serene and gentle autumn breeze, exuding warmth and brightness that pierced through his heart. Steven hadn't expected that a moment of impulse back then would become a beacon of hope in someone else's life. He found himself drawn to her. He reached out to gently brush a lock of her soft hair. The touch was like a jolt of electricity, making them pause as a quiet, unspoken connection blossomed between them. "Mr. Welsh, are you…" Jolene began to ask, but before she could finish, a knock on the door interrupted her. A few firm knocks echoed through the door. "Mr. Welsh, the Gibbs family is here," Rita called out from outside. "I got it," Steven replied. Jolene hastily arranged his attire before offering, "I'll push you downstairs." She rested her delicate hands on the wheelchair handles, and a wave of emotion stirred in Steven's heart. It was a feeling he hadn't had in a long time. He suppressed it, blaming Vance's ridiculous words for his sudden reaction. Downstairs in the living room, Susan scanned the room, relaxing slightly when she didn't spot Daphne. "Mrs. Gibbs, Madam Daphne has moved back home and no longer resides here," Rita said shrewdly, knowing what Susan was thinking. The two women had been at each other's throats since childhood. Henry burst out laughing. "Mom, with your strong and sturdy build, what are you afraid of?" "You insolent child! Watch your mouth!" Susan snapped, smacking him on the back a few times. She preferred to think of herself as pleasantly plump. "Ouch! That hurts!" When Jolene and Steven entered the living room, they saw Henry wincing in pain. Jolene cleared her throat softly, prompting the mother and son to look their way. "Mr. and Mrs. Welsh," Susan politely greeted them. Henry blushed at the sight of Jolene, stammering and unable to get a word out. "Mrs. Welsh, we owe you a great debt of gratitude for rescuing my son. The consequences could have been disastrous otherwise. We came here today specifically to express our thanks." Susan presented a check for 500 grand with an air of extravagance. Jolene quickly declined, "It was just a small effort on my part. Anyone would've done the same." "Are you refusing because the amount is too small?" It seemed as though if Jolene were to utter a simple "yes", Suzan would promptly increase it to five million. Knowing the Gibbs family's penchant for throwing money at problems, Steven took the check directly and placed it into Jolene's hand. "Since they've given it to you, just accept it. Besides, Mr. Gibbs' life is worth far more than 500 grand anyway," he said coolly, his dark eyes giving him an air of impenetrable authority. Lingering in the background, Henry couldn't stop glancing at Steven's legs. Rumors had been swirling that Steven was no longer the man he used to be. Feeling a sense of shared misery, Henry couldn't help but pity him. "What are you staring at?" Steven asked coldly. Henry hesitated before tentatively inquiring, "Mr. Welsh, is it true that you're incapacitated? Wouldn't that leave Jolene in a miserable situation? But since she's a skilled doctor, she should be able to cure you, right?" "What nonsense are you spouting, you fool?" Susan snapped, wishing she could smack the words right out of him. "Ouch!" Henry yelped, ducking as he clutched his head. "I just wanted to ask Jolene to treat me. A single prick from her needle woke me instantly. Perhaps with a few more, I'd be cured!" No man wanted to live with such an affliction. Henry had endured the mockery of Arcadia's elite society for far too long. "You might as well kill me! I can't bear to live like this any longer! What future can a man have without his virility? I've tried every medication under the sun, but none have worked," he wailed, sinking to the floor in a pitiful tantrum. The despair in his eyes deepened with every passing moment. Susan's heart ached as she embraced her son, and the two of them began to weep together. Rita tried for a long time to comfort them, but it was useless. All she could do was stand there helplessly. Jolene bit her lip. Her large, tear-filled eyes reflected her inner conflict. She reached out and gently tugged on Steven's arm. He responded by taking her hand, his thumb lightly brushing over her soft skin as he traced two words in the palm of her hand.