Falling for a Lie, My Stepbrother’s Hidden Revenge. novel Chapter 85

That afternoon, Matt Ford moved the CEO's laptop, along with contracts, reports, proposals and project documents needed for the next few days, into Sylvia's hospital room. He even arranged for a desk and chair to be set up.

Although Sylvia had hired a private nurse, Asher insisted on personally taking care of her at the hospital.

In truth, there wasn't much for Asher to do. Nurses handled the medications and IV treatments, a housekeeper prepared meals, and the nurse aide managed cleaning and other basic needs.

But despite being incredibly busy, Asher constantly found ways to be useful.

When Sylvia had merely mentioned that he had made soup for Grace—even though he hadn't actually made it—she was clearly bothered. To cheer her up, Asher promised he would make time the next morning to go home and prepare homemade soup for her himself.

When the housekeeper brought food, Asher insisted on arranging it on the bedside table and feeding Sylvia bite by bite.

Sylvia smiled with gentle exasperation. "I'm not a child, darling. I can feed myself perfectly well."

"Absolutely not. You've an IV in your hand—it's far too awkward for you."

After meals, when Sylvia needed to take her medicine, Asher poured water for her and supervised her taking it.

He even insisted on peeling or slicing any fruit she wanted to eat.

Sylvia laughed, glancing at the pile of documents on his desk. "Aren't you dreadfully busy, my love?"

"Never too busy to properly care for the most precious person in my life," he replied warmly.

The nurse aide smiled at the scene. "Miss Lancelot, your husband absolutely adores you."

Sylvia's cheeks flushed pink, her ears turning red, but she didn't correct the nurse aide.

After the nurse aide left, Asher looked up from his desk, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "So you're accepting me as your husband now, are you?"

Sylvia blinked playfully at him. "Didn't you say I'd be your wife sooner or later? I'm not planning to run, and I couldn't escape you anyway, so I might as well accept my fate, mightn't I?"

The man's lips curved into a smile. "That's much better, my love."

...

Under Asher's attentive care, Sylvia recovered quickly and was discharged from hospital.

Asher had finally completed a challenging project and now had some free time. He planned to take Sylvia on a holiday to help her relax.

The last time he'd taken her to see the meteor shower, Grace had interfered and ruined their enjoyment. After that, his grandmother had made Sylvia uncomfortable at the family dinner. Asher felt guilty and wanted to use this trip to strengthen their relationship.

He asked Sylvia for her preferences, and as luck would have it, she had just received verdicts on some cases while others were waiting for court dates, giving her three or four days of free time. She agreed to go on the trip with him.

Due to Sylvia's limited availability, they decided against traveling far.

Their destination was Annecy, often called "the Venice of the Alps," nestled at the foot of the Alpine mountains beside the stunning Lake Annecy in France.

Sylvia had chosen the location, having wanted to visit for the past two years but always being too busy with various matters.

...

When Drake Ashcroft received a call from his friend James, he had just finished a meeting.

"James, what's up?" Drake asked as he walked toward his office.

James replied: "Dude, guess who I just saw?"

"Who?"

James sounded quite excited. "Take a guess, man."

Drake responded impatiently: "Not in the mood for guessing games. I'm swamped. If it's nothing important, I gotta go."

Previously, Drake and James had been similar types—focused on eating, drinking, and entertainment, carelessly spending their family fortunes.

After Ashcroft Capital faced a crisis, Drake had become more restrained, taking a serious interest in the company's affairs and seeking investments everywhere.

After learning of Sylvia's true identity as an heiress, Drake regretted his past actions even more.

Now he had adopted the demeanor of a proper business executive, no longer spending his days in idleness. His contact with James had diminished significantly.

James laughed mockingly. "You'd never guess—I just saw your ex-girlfriend Sylvia Lancelot."

Drake stopped in his tracks.

Asher kissed Sylvia's forehead tenderly. "Look, darling, it's snowing."

Sylvia was still immersed in the film, her mood downcast.

Asher drew her closer, moving his face until their noses touched. With boundless tenderness, he whispered: "My sweet girl, don't cry anymore. If your eyes are puffy tomorrow, how will you look in our photographs of beautiful Annecy?"

Sylvia sniffled, giving him an amused glance that was half exasperation, half adoration.

What a peculiar way to comfort someone.

Yet his words made practical sense—she did want to capture beautiful memories of their trip.

Swollen, red eyes would hardly photograph well.

Sylvia took his advice and gradually composed herself, drying her tears.

Asher gently wiped away the wetness on her cheeks with his thumb. "Such a good girl deserves a reward, doesn't she?"

He extended his hand, revealing a sweet in his palm.

Sylvia spoke with a slightly stuffy nose. "You're treating me like a child again."

Asher smiled indulgently, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You are my child—my darling, my precious love."

Sylvia took the sweet from his palm, unwrapped it, and put it in her mouth.

It was her favorite peach flavor.

After Asher's comforting and finishing the sweet, Sylvia's mood improved considerably.

"Feeling better now, my love?" he asked, his voice slightly husky as he gazed into her eyes.

Sylvia responded with a soft "Mmm," her eyes meeting his.

Asher leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered: "Now that I've cheered up my beautiful girl, perhaps I deserve a little reward of my own?"