Bryan immediately went to get the car.
"I'm really fine. I just need to rest at home for a couple of days. You don't need to worry about me. Don't you have things to do? Go take care of your business." Erik spoke, putting on an expression full of consideration for her.
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm taking you to the hospital first." You couldn't tell if someone was injured just by looking after a car accident.
Bryan drove the car over, got out, and opened the door for them.
"Erik, we're going to the hospital now," Bryan said, reaching out to support him.
However, Erik ruthlessly swatted his hand away.
"I'm fine. I can do it myself," he insisted, yet weakly slumped against Janelle.
Janelle had no choice but to help him into the car.
Bryan: "..."
Was Erik actually injured?
Once in the car, Erik leaned his head on Janelle's shoulder, looking utterly miserable. Regardless, he had been hit by the car because of her. At this moment, she couldn't bring herself to coldly push him away. She could only let him lean on her. Besides, he genuinely seemed to be in pain. She didn't know where he was hurt.
"Bryan, what are you standing there for?" Janelle frowned. Wasn't Bryan usually quite sharp? What was wrong with him today?
"Coming," Bryan replied, suppressing his doubts as he got in to play chauffeur.
Through the rearview mirror, he could see their usually hard-as-steel Erik now leaning weakly on Janelle's shoulder. It was truly hard to believe.
"Bryan, can you drive faster?" Janelle complained; his speed was slower than a snail. Erik had just been hit by a car!
"Okay, got it," Bryan answered. He wanted to drive faster! But even though it wasn't rush hour, the roads were incredibly congested.
"Sis-in-law, Erik seems to be in a lot of pain. Could you take care of him?" Bryan offered some assistance.
Janelle looked at Erik. He did indeed look terrible.
"Where does it hurt?" she asked.
Erik seized the chance to grab her hand, shaking his head. "It's nothing, I'm really fine. Don't listen to Bryan's nonsense. Janelle... are you concerned about me?" She had been avoiding him all this time, yet now she seemed worried.
"Concerned about you? No," Janelle denied. She didn't understand her own feelings! She had stabbed him without a second thought back then, uncaring if he lived or died. Yet now, seeing him hit by a car, she felt anxious. Maybe it was because he had pushed her out of the way without regard for himself. Although... she probably could have dodged it herself. But still, he had been hit because of her.
Finally, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan pulled up at the hospital entrance. Bryan got out, opened the door, and helped Erik down. Erik shot him a look.
Bryan: "..."
Had he done something wrong again? Was he supposed to just stand by and watch? Wouldn't that look too fake?
Erik continued leaning on Janelle. The young woman was soft and comfortable to lean against. Janelle accompanied him inside. After hearing it was a car accident, the doctor immediately started examinations.
After over two hours of tests, Janelle stayed by his side the whole time.
"Doctor, how is he?" Janelle asked anxiously when the examinations finally ended.
"At the moment, there don't appear to be any major problems. But regardless, he was hit by a car. I recommend admitting him to the hospital for observation for a couple of days."
"Then admit him," Janelle made the decision directly.
"..."
Erik didn't want to be hospitalized. He'd only been grazed by the car and was essentially fine. Besides, hospitals were inconvenient and restrictive.
"I don't want to stay. I want to go home. I hate hospitals," Erik protested. He detested hospitals more than anything; they felt like prisons.
"Erik, have you lost your mind? This isn't about what you want!" Janelle glared at him. "Listen to me. You stay in that hospital bed, or else if you develop any complications later, don't you dare come blaming me."
It was the first time Bryan had seen anyone dare to scold Erik like that. He couldn't help but chuckle.
"What are you laughing at?" Seeing Bryan laugh, Janelle couldn't suppress her irritation.
"Nothing, Sis-in-law. Don't be angry. I'll go handle the admission paperwork," Bryan said, barely containing himself. He stepped out of the room to finally laugh freely.
Was their Erik pretending to be hit? This trick with the 'heroic sacrifice' was really... sigh. How does liking someone turn you into an idiot?
After the doctor left, only Erik and Janelle remained in the room.
Seeing she seemed angry, Erik grabbed her hand. "Alright, don't be mad. I'll stay, okay?" Erik said obediently.
"..."
Seeing how pale and weak he looked, Janelle seriously doubted the doctor's assessment. Was he really okay? Could it be internal injuries? A concussion? Could he lose his memory?
She wanted to pull her hand away, but seeing his fragile state, she relented.
Erik pushed his luck.
"Let me lean on you," he said, resting his head against the young woman.
"Wouldn't lying down be better?" The man was definitely overstepping.
"No, this is more comfortable. Or... do you want to leave? Then go. I'll be fine on my own," Erik said, sounding pitiful.
Janelle genuinely did want to leave. "Alright. I'll leave once Bryan gets back," she said. With Bryan here to take care of him, her presence wasn't needed.
"..."
What a heartless little woman. Didn't she even consider staying to keep him company?
Soon, Bryan returned.
"Erik, there's trouble with the racing team. I need to go back and handle it," Bryan said, looking genuinely flustered. "Sis-in-law, could you please look after Erik here? It's really urgent."
"..."
How convenient.
"It's fine, go ahead," Erik spoke up, his words sounding tragically noble. "Just make sure to take Miss Rovella home on your way. How could I let her stay in the hospital to look after me?"
Bryan looked at the pitiful Erik. Their boss was truly suffering! Hospitalized! And the young lady wouldn't even stay to care for him. How cruel!
"Sis-in-law..." Bryan didn't know what to say. He hadn't known Janelle long and didn't understand this young woman.
"I'll stay and look after him. When do you think you'll be finished?" Janelle asked. Regardless of the severity, it was a car accident. Leaving him alone wouldn't be right.
"Sis-in-law, thank you so much! Then I'll be off," Bryan said, leaving with almost indecent haste. He drove straight home to catch up on sleep.
No way was he staying! Erik clearly wanted Janelle there. If Bryan stayed and Janelle left, he'd ruin Erik's whole plan.
Now, only Erik and Janelle remained in the hospital room.
Erik was covered in blood stains and felt extremely uncomfortable. He wanted to take a shower. Bryan had gotten him a VIP ward with an ensuite bathroom.
"I want to take a shower," Erik stated. He had a mild case of mysophobia. The thought of Nelson's blood still on him was disgusting.