Filed To Story: Finding the Secret Daddy for My Baby Novel
Shirley couldn’t help but wonder about Zacharias’ unwavering insistence. She mused, Why does he need to see me? If it’s about moving things, his bodyguards could easily handle his luggage and accompany him.
However, after three days of rest, she also felt the need to return to work. She got in her car and drove toward the hospital.
When she arrived, everything was already packed and ready on his side. He was sitting in the lounge, his posture suggesting that he was waiting for someone.
Shirley’s heart skipped a beat, and she hoped Zacharias wasn’t waiting for her.
She couldn’t help but notice how much better he looked now, draped in a high neck black woolen sweater that bestowed upon him an air of elegance and sensuality.
“You’re here,” he greeted with a nod. She reciprocated with a nod. Just then,
Freddie entered and informed Zacharias, “They’ve arrived.”
Zacharias then turned to her and said, “Come with me.”
Shirley initially thought that when Freddie mentioned “they’ve arrived,” he was referring to Zacharias’ convoy. She followed Zacharias and stood by his side as they ascended the elevator, heading toward the hospital’s back entrance.
After reaching the private exit, which had already been cleared, several cars were parked, accompanied by more than a dozen vigilant bodyguards. Some stood facing outward, and one, wearing an earpiece, guarded the car door with an air of confidence and competence. That man was none other than Cole.
As she stepped outside with Zacharias, he seized the moment to draw her closer. Before she could react, he had already taken her hand and guided her out.
At the same time, Cole’s gaze lifted to welcome the arriving individuals, and his expression changed when he saw them. He saw Zacharias holding a girl’s hand-none other than Shirley.
When she saw Cole, she instinctively attempted to free her hand from Zacharias’ grip. Soon, a sudden panic coursed through her.
However, Cole’s professionalism remained steadfast. As Zacharias approached him, Cole nodded respectfully and conveyed, “Mr. Oswald is waiting for you in the car.”
Zacharias acknowledged with a smile, promptly entering the vehicle as Cole opened the door.
Shirley, still standing a couple of feet away from Cole, harbored a desire to explain herself. Yet, she was acutely aware of the gravity of the situation, which made it an inopportune moment for such a conversation.
Cole’s gaze remained fixed on her, betraying his curiosity. However, his unwavering professionalism restrained him from displaying any emotional reactions. He offered a slight nod to her and redirected his attention to their surroundings.
Inside the car, the two most important people in the country, Zacharias and Ren, were engrossed in a discussion of crucial matters.
Shirley, being mindful of not disrupting Cole’s work and not wanting to attract attention, chose to stand silently in a corner, quietly observing the unfolding events.
Shirley’s gaze repeatedly darted toward Cole, and her thoughts were in turmoil.
Has Zacharias asked me to come early to engineer misunderstandings with Cole? She dismissed this notion, considering it all to be mere coincidence. She couldn’t understand why Zacharias would resort to such tactics, as she didn’t see herself as being so important to him.
Just then, the car door opened, and Zacharias elegantly stepped out of the car.
He nodded to Cole and exchanged a few words with Ren.
As Ren’s motorcade began to depart, Cole cast a deep and affectionate look in Shirley’s direction. She acknowledged him with a nod. A certain man closely observed this entire scene.
After Ren’s convoy had departed, Zacharias’ motorcade slowly approached.
She turned to Zacharias and said, “I drove here. I won’t be returning with the motorcade.”
“Hand the car keys to someone else and come with me,” he insisted. He didn’t want to grant her any more leave. She had to remain by his side at all times during the coming period. She was resolute. “I’ll drive back by myself.”
Zacharias lowered his head and said in a hushed tone, “Unless you want Imogen’s internship to be tarnished.”
This statement momentarily silenced Shirley, and he appeared pleased. “Come with me,” he ordered.
She turned to one of the team members and told him where her car was, asking him to drive it back for her. Zacharias’ car door remained open as he waited for her to get in. The convoy set off on its way back to Flintstone Residence.
Throughout the journey, they exchanged no words, mindful that the other bodyguards could still overhear their conversations within the car. Shirley was also aware that her private matters with Zacharias were not suitable for public discussion.
After entering the Flintstone Residence, the bodyguards took Zacharias’
luggage and documents inside and then left. The housekeeper was there to assist with his needs, such as sending his soiled clothes for dry cleaning. She accompanied him to the study with the documents.
Finally, alone in the study, she placed the documents on the desk and asked him, “There was nothing important, so why did you ask me to come to the hospital so early?”
Zacharias had clearly anticipated this question. He answered in a calm tone,
“Isn’t it perfectly normal to have my subordinates return to my side?”
Shirley needed to clarify, “Do you know that my great-uncle would find you? Did you also know that Cole would be there?”
He smirked and said, “Do you think I deliberately wanted to make Cole misunderstand us?”
She couldn’t forget how he had deliberately held her hand. “Is it not?”
“I’m busy and don’t have the time to make other men jealous,” Zacharias denied, even though his actions suggested otherwise.
Shirley stared at him in silence, finding him mysterious beyond argument and calculation. I’ll explain everything to Cole,’ she said and wanted to leave.
“What will you explain? That I was the one you were taking care of in the hospital? That you were substituting for Imogen during her internship? Or why were we holding hands?” He suddenly fired a barrage of questions.
She stopped and turned to face him, “I’ll explain my substitution for Imogen to him. He will believe me.”
With a serious tone, Zacharias cautioned her, “Do you want to broadcast the news of your internship replacement to the whole world? You should know that you can escape unscathed, but if this information gets out, Imogen will never be able to work in a government position for the rest of her life.”
Shirley visibly paled at this threat. “So, you can’t explain all of this to Cole. You have to let him misunderstand. If you tell him, I’ll cancel Imogen’s government job qualification, and she’ll never be employed,” he threatened.
She shot him a glare, her frustration mounting. This man was exasperating; he wouldn’t even let her clarify.
“You’re ruthless,” she muttered before storming out of the room.
Zacharias sighed softly, his actions not entirely clear in purpose, but he proceeded nevertheless. He intended to make Cole understand that he was actively pursuing Shirley. If Cole were willing to withdraw from this competition, it would be best for him.
She returned to her room and checked her phone, only to be met with disappointment when she found no message from Cole inquiring about the morning’s events. This left her wondering if there had been a misunderstanding.
However, only Cole was privy to the truth of the matter. At noon, the housekeeper prepared lunch, though Shirley’s lack of appetite kept her from descending to partake. Nonetheless, the servant was diligent and delivered a meal to her room. Gratefully, she accepted the tray and expressed her thanks.