Aiden Shaw replied unhurriedly.
Laura Lowell took her phone out of her pocket, called Hannah Hale, and briefly explained the situation.
Hannah Hale happened to be on duty at the hospital that night. After hanging up, she came over in just a few minutes.
When she pushed open the door and saw Aiden Shaw, she was genuinely startled.
'Wait, since when did Laura know Aiden Shaw?'
"Dr. Shaw, you're here too?" Hannah Hale asked with a smile.
"She has a fever, so I brought her in."
Aiden Shaw explained concisely, then got up and left.
Hannah Hale watched his tall, imposing figure retreat, clicking her tongue.
'Funny, you never see him "just bring" anyone else over.'
"Alright, spill. When did you get to know our department's heartthrob?"
Hannah Hale sat down in the chair, the flames of gossip already burning brightly in her dark, sparkling eyes.
Laura Lowell snuggled deeper into the bed, looking at Hannah Hale with a wounded expression. "You've been here for how long and you haven't asked how I'm doing even once? I'm the patient here."
"Oh, come on. I already asked the doctor before I came in. He said you just have a high fever from an infected wound and that you'll be fine after a few days of observation. But about Dr. Shaw bringing you here...?"
"Uh, it's a long story."
"That's fine. We've got all night. Take your time."
'Unbelievable...'
Laura Lowell looked at her friend, completely exasperated. She had no choice but to recount the entire story in painstaking detail.
"Laura Lowell, what kind of crazy luck do you have? Getting to be alone in a room with Dr. Shaw... you're way too lucky!"
Hannah Hale was so excited she looked ready to jump for joy. This was some heaven-sent romantic fortune; it couldn't get any better.
'The reactions of her two best friends really were night and day.'
'One was worried she'd lose her virtue, while the other practically wished she'd just sleep with Dr. Shaw already.'
"Starting tomorrow, I'm moving in with you."
"Don't tell me you've been drooling over Dr. Shaw this whole time?" Laura Lowell gave her a look as if she were crazy.
"Oh, relax."
Hannah Hale leaned against the table beside the bed, propping her head up with a slender hand. "Dr. Shaw is a huge name in the medical world. Not only did he graduate from Aethelgard University of Wesland, but he's also won a ton of awards. He's never failed a single surgery, no matter how difficult. My feelings for him are pure admiration, nothing romantic."
Laura Lowell pouted. "What does that have to do with me?"
'What does she mean, "relax"?'
"Don't be so quick to say that. It was the middle of the night, and Dr. Shaw himself was the one who brought you here."
Laura Lowell was speechless. She said airily, "He said neighbors are supposed to help each other. You're reading way too much into it."
"Do you have any idea how many nurses and doctors in our hospital, single or married, have a crush on him? But he won't even give them the time of day. He's got this cold, unapproachable vibe. I can't believe you're the one who managed to snag him. Don't act all innocent when you've hit the jackpot."
An expression of pure injustice appeared on Laura Lowell's face. "I did not! Hannah Hale, are you even my best friend anymore? Whose side are you on? You traitor."
'Unbelievable. So, in this girl's heart, I'm not even as important as Dr. Shaw.'
Laura Lowell felt her heart shatter into a million pieces.
'Putting guys before friends. So heartless.'
.......
For the past few days, it had been raining nonstop in Sudglen, a ceaseless drizzle.
Laura Lowell stood by the hospital room window. Her limpid eyes gazed out at the hospital grounds, shrouded in a layer of mist. Bored, she idly twisted her fair fingers.