''Mm. Mikael, I know you are the one behind the fire but don't do something so risky like this next time. I know that you did it to get justice for me but it is still risky. I don't want to lose my husband because of something stupid''

''Yes, Mrs. Sun'' Mikael kissed her cheeks and hugged her.

​​

''Alice, I brought all the things that you asked…'' Niania paused at the door when she saw the people in the ward. She squeezed the big red teddy bear in her hands as she looked at Thomas. She had a shy gaze.

''Niania, come… what are you doing at the door?'' Alice hurried to her side and took the bag from Niania, leaving the teddy bear with her.

''Niania…'' Natalie looked at the girl and smiled. ''Come closer, why are you standing so far away?''

''Oo'' Niania went to give the bear to Natalie. She had bought it specially for her. ''This is for you, elder sister''

''Whoa, you bought a big bear for me? thank you so much'' Natalie took the bear and hugged it.

''It's too heavy, let me carry it for you'' Mikael said and stepped closer. He intentionally pushed Niania backwards and she stepped on her sneaker and almost fell.

Thomas immediately stretched his hands and held her, pulling her closer to himself. His hands brushed against her breasts as he tried to steady her. Thomas looked at Mikael who was having a mischievous gaze.

''My apologies, Niania. I mistakenly pushed you. Thank God, my brother caught you before you fell'' Mikael said as he looked at Thomas. His eyes seemed to say, 'if I didn't push her, would you have gotten the chance to hold her?'

''Oo, it's okay'' Niania's face turned red as she stepped away from Thomas. The place his hands touched still burned. She pulled the bag across her chest and still felt the sensation from where his hands touched.

Thomas looked at her face and turned his gaze to his fingers. He rubbed them gently, trying to relive the softness he felt just now.

''Looks like everyone is here…'' Xia opened the door and entered.

''Our reporter Xia is here. Come, let me give you a hug. I was so thrilled by the way you grilled Daniel Song this morning. As expected of our reporter Xia'' Alice hugged Xia and kissed her cheeks.

''Natalie, how do you feel?'' Xia hugged Natalie before asking.

''I feel better but, Niania knows me best. She bought me this giant bear to keep me company. Niania, thank you''

''You are welcome. I still have something to do, so I will leave first''

''Brother, you said you were going to home. since it's on the way, do you mind sending Niania home. It is dangerous for a girl to be alone after all'' Mikael said meaningfully. On the surface, it seemed harmless but only Thomas knew he was teasing him.

''Yes, brother in law. My assistant such a beautiful girl, it's not advisable for her to walk alone''

''You don't have to… I can take a taxi home''

''Are you afraid that I will eat you up on the way?'' Thomas cocked his brows questionably at her.

''No'' Niania shook her head.

''Then what are you afraid of?'' Thomas turned to Natalie, ''Nat, I will come back in the evening. I still have something to do at the company''

Thomas walked to the door and turned to ask Niania, ''aren't you coming?''

''Coming'' Niania hurried towards him.

Alice's phone buzzed and she took it out, ''I have to answer this call. Hello, Zeya, what's wrong?'' Alice turned to the side to answer the call.

''You were eating all this? I'm hungry'' Xia placed her bag down and started devouring the food.

''So, are you going to attend the press conference this evening? Will you be alright alone?''

''Mm, originally sister Lylia thought the situation will die once the PR release their official statement but it seems to be getting worse. I don't know how the netizens managed to dig up old photos of me and Sebastian and started comparing. All those places that we've been to are just coincidences. They are calling me a succubus on the internet. A woman who devours rich men and suck them dry. They are all saying that I should be kicked out of the drama''

''Don't worry, I will be joining you later on. Just follow sister Lylia's instructions. You will be fine. As for those netizens calling you a succubus, don't pay attention to them. They are just frustrated about this own lives''

''Then, I will speak to you later. Greet your sister for me. I will visit when everything dies''

''Mm, bye'' Alice hung up and turned to Xia, ''you glutton, I am also hungry''

''Was that Zeya?'' Natalie asked.

''Mm, they are holding a press conference to address the issue. What was Sebastian thinking? He made things worse''

''It is not entirely his fault. I bet Lucas's family is fuelling things behind the scenes. They are doing what they can to make sure he doesn't suffer much harm. Till now, his side hasn't come out to confirm that he and Zeya were indeed secret lovers. Lucas has always maintained an innocent and harmless man image and everyone thinks he doesn't have a girlfriend. If he comes out to confirm that they were indeed together, people will connect a lot of loose dots together and they will know he even cheated on her. This Lucas isn't ordinary''

''Our Xia is so well informed?'' Natalie chuckled.

''That's a giving. After the party, I ran a background check on him and guess what I found out?''

''What did you find?'' Alice asked curiously. Xia picked a piece of meat with her chopsticks and placed it into Alice's mouth.

''Before the end of last year, when he was still together with Zeya. They bought a house and decided to pay the mortgage together. Zeya gave the down payment while Lucas took care of the things they needed, from furniture to kitchen cabinet. They moved in after a month but because Zeya was busy at that time with her career and endorsement, she wasn't spending time with him''

''So he cheated on her?'' Natalie asked. Mikael looked at them and shook his head. He went back to the couch to do his own things and allowed them to gossip.

''Yes, he cheated on her'' Xia continued. 'He cheated on her not once and not twice. The first one was with Zeya's best friend at that time called Phoebe and then the second time with Zeya's stylist''

''No wonder Zeya prefers to style herself'' Alice sighed and shook her head.

''When Zeya found out, she immediately broke things off with him and moved out. Since it was a secret relationship to begin with, no one knew about it. Zeya only contacted Lucas when she wanted her down payment of the house back but Lucas refused to give it to her''

''Why?'' Natalie asked.

''Because he believes that Zeya was going to come back to him once her anger dies. He felt that she was just throwing a tantrum, but Zeya is quite stubborn than she looks''

''At the party he was so sure that she was going to go back to him. He even had the guts to tell her to stop messing around. How dare he?'' Alice frowned her face.

''I heard from an insider that Lucas' side intends to deny the scandal all the way. They intend to push Zeya under the bus and make her take the fall for Lucas. This kind of man… aye, he is not worthy at all''

''I have to have a good chat with Zeya when this is over. Her choice of men is so bad. Maybe I can set her up with someone. Sis, I remember you told me about the detective you were friends with. Is he single? How is he? Is he a good man?''

''Alice, calm down. Why are you so excited over someone's love life?'' Mikael turned to ask her.

''Zeya is not someone else. She is my friend and I need to look out for her''

''You women…'' Mikael shook his head.

''Alice, Mikael is right. I don't know the detective that well. You can help her with other things but let her decide on her own love life''

''Alright. I won't press it on anymore''

''What time are you going to the press conference? I am going to cover the news too''

''It's starting at 20:00, let's go an hour before that''

''Alright. Eat, I'm almost full'' Xia said and kept feeding Alice.

''You two… are you sure you are here to take care of me? why do I feel that you came to freeload on me? Hey, I am a patient in a hospital. Xia, you didn't even buy me fruits''

''I bought your fruits, but, I left them in the car. I forgot. When I'm leaving, your husband can follow us for them''

Natalie looked at them and shook her head. She turned to look at Mikael, meeting his gaze, they both smiled.