Chapter 301: Chapter 301: You’re My Brother
Ashley Shaw glanced at the crab shells Warren Prescott left behind, feeling a bit puzzled.
Why is Warren’s appetite so good today? He’s even fighting Ariana Grant for the crabs.
She used to make king crabs for him every few days, but he never ate much.
If she had known, she would’ve bought two more, enough for Ariana to eat.
"It’s just as well that you eat less seafood these days. Seafood is stimulating, and your wound hasn’t healed completely. Eating less is better."
Saying this, she mentioned the afternoon’s arrangements.
"When the hospital opens in the afternoon, I’ll go with you to get your stitches removed, then we’ll check with Dr. Tate, and after that, we’ll visit Attorney Coleman."
Mentioning the lawsuit, Ariana Grant suddenly lost her appetite.
She set her chopsticks down and said, "Then once my stitches are out, you can get an IV at the hospital."
"My fever’s gone down. No need to spend that unnecessary money."
"Geez, a rich woman like you cares about a little money?"
Ashley shrugged, "The richer you are, the more stingy you get. Haven’t you heard?"
"Fine, I’ll cover your IV cost, okay?"
"Forget it. I’ll just get some medicine. Is that okay?"
"But you still need to hear what the doctor says. If the doctor insists you need a shot, don’t expect to skip it."
The two laughed as they spoke.
Unknowingly, their bond had grown stronger than that of real family.
In the afternoon, Ashley took another nap, waking up at three.
Ariana didn’t wake her since Ashley was sleeping deeply.
Once Ashley awoke on her own, she felt reenergized, full of vitality.
Upon taking her temperature, it was 36.8 degrees, completely back to normal.
But Ariana was still worried, urging Ashley to get registered while she was waiting in line to have her stitches removed.
Ashley had no choice but to get registered.
At that time, she couldn’t get a same-day appointment, and had to go to the emergency room.
Luckily, the emergency room wasn’t too crowded, so she didn’t wait long for her turn.
The doctor’s advice was not to have an IV, just to take some medication.
"This is a cold that turned into a fever, did you catch a chill recently?"
Ashley recalled that a few days ago she jumped into a pool to save someone and then rode a scooter in the wind afterward.
That’s probably when she caught cold.
Ashley nodded, listening as the doctor continued, "I’ll prescribe you some cold medicine and anti-inflammatories. If your temperature rises to 38.5 degrees or above tonight, come back to the hospital. Otherwise, just take your medicine and drink plenty of water at home."
Today, the doctor was quite patient, perhaps because there weren’t many patients in the emergency room.
"Thank you, doctor."
The doctor smiled, "No need to thank me, please send my regards to Young Master Prescott."
Ashley’s expression stiffened slightly, realizing it was because of Warren.
No wonder she felt the doctor was especially patient today.
It must’ve been on one of her visits with Warren to the hospital when they encountered this doctor.
But doctors wear masks and look alike, so she couldn’t tell which doctor this was.
Ashley’s mood turned from sunny to overcast, and she forced a stiff smile, responding with a quick "Alright" before paying the bill and taking the prescription to the pharmacy on the second floor.
The pharmacy had quite the line.
Fortunately, the queue was automated based on prescription time.
Ashley saw there were over a dozen people ahead of her, so she stepped out of the crowd, waiting by the door until her name was called.
These days, the busiest places seem to be hospitals.
Ashley remembered when Ms. Shaw was sick, how she also stood in long lines at the hospital alone.
Back then, her soul was just a clueless teenage girl—her mindset was completely different from now.
It was, perhaps, the darkest period of her life.
But now, not many details remained in her memory.
She only remembered that, with Leo’s help, her mother was finally able to schedule with the best local surgeon.
Thinking of Leo, Ashley checked the time, seeing it was still early, maybe she should invite him to dinner tonight?
She could also invite Attorney Coleman.
More people, more lively, right?
Without delay, Ashley dialed Leo’s number.
As the phone rang, she was a bit anxious, fearing she’d hear a woman’s voice on the other end.
Once she heard Leo’s voice, Ashley relaxed a little.
But she laughed at herself inwardly.
She really was spooked by Warren’s nonsense, needing to forget it quickly, or how could she face Leo in the future?
"Hey Ashley, what’s up?"
It was quiet on Leo’s end, as if he was in a spacious area.
Ashley quickly said, "I happen to have time tonight. If you’re free, can I invite you to dinner? I might be heading to Aethelgard soon, and who knows when I’ll be available next."
Leo replied, "Of course, I’m quite free these days, anytime is fine."
"That’s great! But I might also invite another friend for dinner tonight, hope you don’t mind?"
"Is it a guy or a girl?"
"A guy, he’s a lawyer."
"A lawyer?"
"Yeah, I have a friend who needs legal help, just thanking him in advance."
"Your friend? Is it Ariana?"
Ashley was momentarily surprised that Leo remembered Ariana’s name.
As expected of a super scholar, his memory was exceptional.
She said, "Yes, it’s Ariana’s lawyer. But if you’re uncomfortable, I can invite him another day."
Leo laughed and said, "Seems like I’m more important than your lawyer friend."
In the past, Ashley would brush off such comments.
But now, she couldn’t help but overthink.
Because now, she no longer saw Leo as just a man—thanks to Warren’s influence.
She shook her head, forcing herself to dismiss these chaotic thoughts, saying, "You’re my brother, of course a brother is more important than a friend."
Leo was silent for a moment, then laughed again.
"As your brother, I’ll pick up the tab tonight, don’t argue with your brother over it."
"Didn’t we agree that I’d treat tonight?"
"Didn’t you say I’m your brother? When has a brother let his sister pay?"
"Well..."
"No more hemming and hawing, it’s decided. Just give me a rough time, I’ll find a restaurant."
Ashley thought, she’s not great at finding restaurants anyway. If she’s inviting Shane Coleman, it should be somewhere proper, so she agreed.
"Alright, around... six?"
"Okay, I’ll book the restaurant and send you the address."
"Alright, see you later."
"Bye-bye."
Leo didn’t hang up, waiting for Ashley to hang up first before putting his phone in his pocket.
Turning around, a man in a planetarium uniform stood behind him.
Standing in the shadows, his face wasn’t visible, but his shiny name tag read "Landon Joyce."