Silly Bride

Chapter 281

pain in his chest had also disappeared.Having realized that Josiah didn’t seem like his usual self, Xavier quickly turned his attention back to his friend. “What’s wrong with you? Did something happen?”“Nothing’s happened!” Josiah snapped as he plopped himself down on a chair and extended a hand toward Xavier. “Hand me my stethoscope.”Xavier did as instructed and added, “Come on. What is it?”“Nothing important. It’s just some family matters. What about you? What made you so angry?”A deep frown once again crossed Xavier’s brow as he began recounting everything that had happened.“You should still go to the hospital if you can. Nothing beats the equipment there,” Josiah advised. “I’ll draw two vials of blood from you today and get them tested.”“Okay. Let’s do that. I’ll head to the hospital once I’ve gotten the test results.”Josiah nodded. “I’ve also read the news about Ms. Garland, and to be honest, I’m not all that surprised. It just feels that her life is full of unexpected twists and turns.”Then Josiah suddenly broke into a cheeky grin. “That said, the two gossipmongers did bring up a good point. From the looks of it, you no longer seem good enough for her. The Fairchild family may be powerful, but the Speisers easily outdo you in all aspects. The influence they hold is simply incomparable. All I can say is it must be true love if your Dumbo has fallen for you. Think about it. She has everything that you have and also those that you don’t. Why else would she stay with you if it weren’t for love?” Instead of replying, Xavier glared at his friend.“Why are you staring at me like that? You’re giving me the chills…”“Are you in cahoots with the two employees I just fired? Must you attack me like that?”“Of course not! I was merely stating the facts! I swear on it!” Josiah exclaimed. “This is nothing more than my objective analysis, and I’m sure I wasn’t as harsh as your employees. Otherwise, you’d have fired me, too, wouldn’t you?”Upon hearing that, Xavier fell silent.Argh! Those thoughts did cross my mind too. How could they not? Ever since I heard what those two had said earlier, I’ve been agonizing over this matter!“I can’t go on waiting like this,” Xavier said as he looked at Josiah. “I’ve barely spoken to her these past few days. If this drags on, I’m worried she might forget about me.”“Huh? Is her love that cheap? Why would she forget about you just because she’s back in Yartran? Besides, didn’t she live there before she met you? Can’t she just be taking a trip back to visit her family?”“I never said her love is cheap!” Xavier snapped. “But you know very well that her attitude toward me has changed after what I did to Christopher. There’s no doubt about that!”Josiah frowned as he pondered about it. “Try putting yourself in her shoes. If you were her, wouldn’t you also want to have some quiet time after such a harrowing incident? So, what are your plans now?”“I want to find her!”“What? You, of all people, should know how firm and assertive she is,” Josiah uttered, his frown deepening. “Do you think she’d be happy if you showed up uninvited at her place? Besides, it’s also possible that the Speiser family may not acknowledge you, Xavier. Or rather, they’re aware of your existence but choose to ignore your marriage in Chanaea. If that happens, how are you going to deal with it? Don’t you think your actions will repulse her? What about her relationship with her family? If the Speisers object to your marriage, will she put family or love first?”When Xavier didn’t reply, Josiah continued, “You don’t have any answers at all, do you? I know your mind’s all clouded now, so I’m advising you from a completely objective standpoint. Don’t be reckless and run off in search of her. You have to communicate with her first! More importantly, you’re still getting used to your new medicine. You can’t just leave whenever you like! Have you forgotten how much hardship she endured while tracking down Professor White to formulate the antidote for you? Have you forgotten how many times she almost lost her life? If you still have an ounce of rationality left, I’m sure you’ll know better than to waste her efforts!”Thankfully, Xavier was clear-headed enough to see sense. “Yes, you’re right. I should give her time and discuss everything with her.”“There you go!” Josiah exclaimed, his lips slowly curling into a smile. “Now, be good and stick your arm out so I can draw your blood.”The next second, Xavier shot his friend a look of disdain. “Please don’t talk to me as if you’re coaxing a child, Dr. Houghton.”Amused, Josiah was about to say something when Louis suddenly knocked on the door.“Come in,” Xavier said and waited for the latter to enter. “What’s the matter?”“Your aunt has come over and is currently waiting in the guest lounge. Is this a good time for you to meet her?”By then, Josiah had drawn a vial of blood from Xavier and was starting on the second one.“You’re done here, aren’t you?” Xavier asked his friend.Josiah nodded and smiled. “You don’t want to worry your aunt, huh?”“Yes, but more importantly, I don’t want Grandpa to find out,” Xavier replied before turning to Louis. “Did my aunt say what she’s here for?”“She came straight from Fraser Group, so I think she’s only dropping in to pass you some snacks.”Beatrice doted on her nephew a lot, and every time she delivered some delicious food to her husband, she’d never forget to include a share for Xavier. As such, the latter had long gotten used to her frequent visits.“Very well, then,” Xavier said as he stood up from the bed. “You can send her in once I’ve cleaned up the place.”“Oh, I think it’d be better to wait until I’m gone,” Josiah hurriedly added.Louis nodded. “Understood!”To everyone’s surprise, Xavier and Josiah had only just tidied up the room when Beatrice suddenly marched toward the office while answering her phone.Even though she was wearing high heels, there was no doubt she could walk fast in them as she soon burst into the room.After exchanging glances, Xavier and Josiah promptly dropped what they were doing and turned to Beatrice.The latter, who had a paper bag in her hand, hastily placed it on Xavier’s table and prepared to leave.Bewildered, Xavier quickly got up to stop his aunt. “Aunt