Chapter 236: Chapter 236 Daisy Ginger firmly refuses to give Edward Stephens this advantage.
Daisy Ginger was made uncomfortable.
What frightened Daisy Ginger even more was that whenever she came out of the bathroom in her pajamas after taking a shower, she’d always receive a meaningful glance from Edward Stephens, who was lying in bed reading.
His gaze was different from how he used to look at her, carrying a disturbing warmth that seemed to measure her from head to toe, as if she weren’t wearing pajamas at all, making her skin crawl.
This made Daisy Ginger later on avoid wearing thin pajamas in front of him, and she’d wrap herself completely to avoid giving the man any opportunity.
Edward didn’t say much about it, he would just occasionally give her a casual smile when she was bundled up completely, a smile so meaningful that it made Daisy’s legs weak, and she couldn’t help but curse Edward a thousand times in her mind.
Despite sleeping and eating together with Edward for some time, nothing substantial happened between them; they would kiss and hug but were as innocent as elementary schoolers. And now, he’s teasing her with his eyes—this man is really repressed.
Daisy Ginger firmly refused to let Edward take advantage of her.
*
During the end of the year, Edward Stephens was truly enjoying his time.
Reading books, teasing Daisy Ginger, and occasionally taking her to visit Nicholas Woods for re-examination, his days were very relaxed.
He spent almost his whole life surrounded by programs and numbers; except for his carefree youth, there wasn’t much time for his mind to be truly at ease, but in Banyan City, he found the long-lost peace.
Edward Stephens was comfortable, but Daisy Ginger was almost overwhelmed.
Not only did Edward occasionally stare at her predatory-like in bed, but the company’s issues were also unraveling like a tangled yarn, becoming increasingly troublesome.
First, it was a lawsuit with the competitor; as soon as that was over, the board had some issues, and before they finished with the board, a contract worth nearly a billion dollars had problems. Someone stole the company’s private seal and signed the contract with another company, requiring billions in breach penalties.
While handling this series of problems, Daisy Ginger subtly realized someone was deliberately targeting her. She was too busy to settle down and investigate, as if playing Whac-a-Mole, pressing down one here only for another to pop up there.
She was exhausted, her old ailments were about to return, and the leg broken by Ian Linton was aching faintly in the cold winter.
But she couldn’t afford to take a leave; only when Edward Stephens noticed her odd gait did he forcibly carry her to the hospital for a checkup.
Inside the car.
The two had an argument, leading to a cold war.
There was no other way, Daisy Ginger’s leg was nearly crippled, yet she still refused to go to the hospital, which forced Edward Stephens to act, binding her and putting her in the car.
As Daisy Ginger crossed her arms, she fumed over being carried over Edward’s shoulder into the car earlier!
All the servants were watching, how could she maintain her dignity!
That wretched man!
Edward Stephens had looked up Daisy’s company’s recent situation online and asked her indifferently, "Is someone trying to make you leave the board?"
Daisy Ginger paused for a moment. The Gingers used to be Lesser Group, founded single-handedly by her mother’s parents. After their only daughter married Gabriel Ginger, the company shares transferred to him, leading to a complete transformation.
This company is the only thing Alice Lesser left behind, and Daisy has no way to compete for shares against Abigail Perry and her daughter, only gritting her teeth to maintain control over the company’s operations, not letting those relatives eyeing her chairman position take the company away.
Over the years, she’s made no decision-making mistakes; even if some wanted to impeach her, they couldn’t.
Now thinking about it, though the company’s profits lost billions from this series of moves, the most important thing was destroying her reputation among the board members—those shareholders who once supported her were now displeased because she had resigned their relatives and friends they inserted into the company.
At the year-end conference, if the company’s performance drastically decreases, she might really get impeached and ousted from her chairman position.
At that time, she’d just be a high-level employee at the Gingers, a titular president with only operational power but no decision-making authority, completely severing her connection with Alice Lesser’s company.
Seeing her facial expression shift dramatically, Edward Stephens knew he likely hit the mark, not saying anything further to provoke her, only giving a reminder, "See who benefits the most from these operations."
"Hmm." Daisy Ginger had a few suspects in mind, and Edward’s words dampened her earlier anger.
Regarding human nature, she couldn’t see as far as Edward; her insights weren’t as sharp as his.
*
In the orthopedic department of the hospital, the results came out quickly after an X-ray.
Her bones were healing well, but due to inadequate rest, walking too long, and combined with a cold and fever, her leg injury had inflamed again, necessitating anti-inflammatory medication for the coming days.
Knowing her bones were fine, Daisy sheathed a sigh of relief, having had enough of lying in bed unable to move daily. Upon hearing she only needed anti-inflammatory meds, she immediately relaxed, daringly saying in front of Edward, "See, I told you I’m fine. I’m very healthy."
Daisy concealed her expression, casting a doubtful glance at Edward, and shuddered when she met his gaze, wisely choosing to shut her mouth.
She had a premonition that if she dared provoke any further, she’d have a terrible night for sure...
Edward gave her a sidelong glance, snorted, and disdainfully said, "Coward."
He took the prescription to the pharmacy to get Daisy Ginger’s medicine.
Daisy watched his leisurely back, pouting.
Ever since Edward confessed to her, she didn’t manage to control him as expected; instead, he was controlling her thoroughly.
It was no different than before his confession...
*
Pouring a cup of hot water and giving Daisy the medicine, Edward Stephens then let her go.
"Come back early tonight." The man put the medicine in his overcoat pocket, pinched her cheek, "I’ll check on my mom at home, might not make it to pick you up this afternoon."
Daisy hugged him, looking up and pouting, "Then I want a kiss."
Edward chuckled softly and bent down to touch her lips before ruffling her hair, "Good girl."
Daisy pressed down her lips, stubbornly saying, "I know how to drive too, you don’t need to pick me up."
"Then I won’t pick you up anymore?"
"You dare!"
The man chuckled lightly, reaching to adjust her scarf, then held Daisy’s hand, softly saying, "Let’s go."
After a few steps, Daisy’s phone rang; she reached out and took it out, glancing at the caller ID, which was the director from Greenhill Hospital.
Daisy’s brow furrowed, feeling uneasy as she answered the call, "Hello?"
Edward looked down at her expression; Daisy’s face turned instantly pale after hearing what the person on the line said.
"What’s wrong?"
"My mom," Daisy said blankly, lifting her head to look at Edward, "is in this hospital."