Chapter 145: Chapter 132: Family Member

They were holding hands.

Hearing the commotion outside, Uncle Adler pushed the door open and came in.

“Whoops.” Seeing them gazing lovingly at each other, Uncle Adler’s weathered face flushed red, and he quickly backed out of the room. “You two carry on, carry on.”

’Carry on with what?’

’They weren’t even doing anything!’

Morgan Hayes blushed as he snatched his hand back, turning to look away.

Annabelle Leighton asked, “Who was that just now?”

“The caregiver.”

“Oh, so the caregiver’s here.”

“Yeah, so you can go home now,” Morgan Hayes said.

“Go home where?”

“Aren’t you going back to Meritopia?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“My colleague already headed back, so I don’t have a ride. I’ll just stay here. I’ll leave when you do.”

She looked serious, not like she was joking.

Morgan Hayes was speechless for a few seconds. It took him a moment to find his words. “What about your job…?”

“My job isn’t as important as you.”

’There she goes again.’

Morgan Hayes could never win an argument against her, especially not when he was injured and felt awful all over.

“I still don’t know when I’ll be able to return to Meritopia,” he stressed.

“That’s okay. I’m not in a rush.”

“Well, I am.”

“What’s your hurry?”

“I don’t want to hold you back from your work.”

“It’s not holding me back if it’s for you.”

“Miss Leighton!”

“We’ve already kissed, so you don’t have to be so formal. Just call me Annie.”

Morgan Hayes felt a sense of powerlessness, like punching a wad of cotton. He simply gave up and went silent.

Seeing that he had quieted down, Annabelle Leighton smiled and stood up. “I’m going to my hotel to change.”

She had only booked the hotel room for two days, so she needed to extend her stay and take a shower.

“You…”

“I’ll be back to see you later.”

Without giving Morgan Hayes a chance to refuse, Annabelle Leighton left as soon as she finished speaking.

Back at the hotel, Annabelle Leighton extended her booking for another ten days. The owner promised that if she didn’t end up staying the full ten days, he would refund her for the remaining time.

Annabelle Leighton didn’t care about the cost of the ten days—it made no difference to her whether she got a refund or not. But the owner’s sincerity in looking out for her only reinforced her impression that the people in Brieridge were simple and kind-hearted.

After showering and changing her clothes, she went back to the hospital.

Overnight, the story of how Morgan Hayes had been seriously injured while saving someone spread throughout Brieridge.

Early that morning, officials from the city, county, and villages of Brieridge all went to the hospital to visit Morgan Hayes.

Annabelle Leighton had no idea about the scene awaiting her in Morgan Hayes’s hospital room. When she arrived from her hotel and pushed open the door, she was utterly stunned.

Although she’d never really interacted with government employees, these people were all wearing formal jackets, with an upright and distinctly bureaucratic air about them. It was obvious at a glance that they were officials.

Annabelle was startled. Just as she was about to back out of the room, she heard someone in the crowd shout, “Look, it’s his lady!”

It was Finn Jennings.

Finn Jennings had come to the hospital with the Brieridge officials that day, bringing a ceremonial banner to thank his rescuer, Morgan Hayes. Seeing Annabelle, he enthusiastically introduced her to the leaders: “This is Officer Hayes’s girlfriend.”

Annabelle shot a nervous glance at Morgan Hayes. He simply gazed back at her, his expression unreadable, and said nothing.

The various officials nodded at Annabelle in acknowledgment.

The official in the lead even walked up to Annabelle and proactively shook her hand. “You must have worked hard taking care of Officer Hayes. On behalf of Brieridge, we offer you our sincerest thanks.”

Even with her usual thick skin, Annabelle didn’t dare try to bask in Morgan Hayes’s glory at this moment.

She gave a slightly embarrassed smile and explained, “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m not actually a member of Officer Hayes’s family.”

The room instantly fell silent.

Everyone looked from Morgan Hayes to Annabelle, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.

Morgan Hayes’s expression remained impassive, but his meaningful gaze seemed to say, ’See? You’re all talk. When the crucial moment comes, you still chicken out.’

It’s unclear what came over her, but on a sudden impulse, Annabelle declared, “While I may not be part of Officer Hayes’s family right now, I’m determined to become part of it!”

Her tone was as solemn as if she were swearing an oath under the national flag.

The atmosphere instantly became even more awkward.

Fortunately, the officials were emotionally intelligent. The leader who had shaken Annabelle’s hand took a few seconds to react, then patted her on the shoulder and said, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. A determined heart will surely bear fruit. Young lady, I wish you success!”

Annabelle was so excited she nearly saluted him. “Thank you for the encouragement, sir! I’ll do my best!”

On the hospital bed, Morgan Hayes turned his face away. In that moment, when no one was looking, the corner of his lip curled up into a smile he couldn’t suppress.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep