“Took off?” Abel furrowed his brow. “Is everything okay with her?”

Emmeline, standing behind him, grew tense. Kendra and Quincy, could something be wrong?

“Her daughter had a high fever,” the owner said. “She went to the hospital for an IV drip.”

“Do you know which hospital?” Abel asked.

“The private one across the street,” the owner pointed a finger.

Abel turned around and walked towards the door, with Emmeline hurrying to keep up with him.

Kendra and Quincy were alone and vulnerable, and Emmeline couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to them. She hurried across the street to the small private hospital and found the pediatric observation room.

Sure enough, she saw Kendra holding Quincy in her arms, with an IV drip in her head as she slept soundly.

Then, a pair of shiny leather shoes appeared in Kendra’s line of sight.

Without guessing, she knew who it was.

Kendra suddenly looked up.

“Mr… Mr. Abel?” Kendra tried to sit up and hold Quincy, but the IV line was tangled up.

“Don’t move,” Abel pressed her back gently. “Be careful of the child.”

“How did you find us here?” Kendra was a little excited.

“I heard from the owner at the ravioli shop,” Abel said. “I told you to call me if you have any difficulties, why didn’t you?”

“I’m fine,” Kendra lowered her eyes, tears welling up in them. “Quin just has a cold. You don’t have to bother, Mr. Abel.”

“Kendra,” Abel said with a hint of bitterness. “Although you used to work for me, we’re still friends. Don’t make it so awkward.”

“I know, I’ve always been grateful to Mr. Abel and Ms. Emmeline,” Kendra said despondently, “but now that Ms. Emmeline is gone, things have changed. It’s better for me to keep my distance from Mr. Abel to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“Things have changed?” Abel furrowed his brow. “Are you talking about Evelyn?”

“I don’t know Evelyn well, she’s not Ms. Emmeline,” Kendra said. “I don’t want anyone to misunderstand, so it’s better for me to stay away from you. It’s better for everyone.”

“You know that there’s nothing between me and Evelyn!”

“That’s not my concern,” Kendra lowered her eyelashes. “With Ms. Emmeline here, the Precipice was still my home, but with other women coming in now that she’s gone, it’s not my home anymore. I’m not their servant.”

“But I need you now,” Abel said. “Can you come back to the villa with me?”

Kendra raised her head and asked bitterly, “To serve Evelyn? She wants to take Ms. Emmeline’s place, and I can’t do that!”

Emmeline stood behind Abel, listening to the conversation with a sour feeling in her nose and tears welling up in her eyes. She quickly turned her head and sniffed.

“No,” Abel held Emmeline’s hand and explained, “It’s this young man. He’s going to stay with me for a while, and I want you to help take care of him…”

Only then did Kendra turn her gaze to “Emmett”. When she saw him, she was first stunned, then said, “This is a young man?”

“Yes,” Emmeline nodded hastily, “a real man.”

“I must say, you’re quite handsome for a young man,” Kendra said. “If you shave that beard off, you’d look like a pretty lady.”

Emmeline chuckled. “You jest. I grew this beard precisely because people kept mistaking me for a woman.”

“Mr. Abel,” Kendra turned to him, “you want me to take care of this little brother?”

“Yes,” Abel nodded.

“I understand,” Kendra said with a hint of bitterness, “I also know that you’re using this as an opportunity to help me and Quin.”

“That was Emmeline and my intention from the beginning,” Abel replied. “We didn’t want you and your daughter to be homeless.”

“Alright,” Kendra wiped her eyes, “I’ll do it.”

“That’s good then,” Abel said, “once Quin finishes the IV, I’ll have the bodyguard come pick you up.”

“Mm-hmm,” Kendra nodded.

“Let’s go then,” Abel took Emmeline’s hand and left the observation room.

“Mr. Ryker,” Emmeline said, “you didn’t mention that I was going to move in with you.”

“Better late than never,” Abel said, “since you’re interning with me, it’s more convenient for you to live with me rather than drive back and forth every day.”

“You’re using the same excuse to have that young lady move back in, aren’t you?”