Chapter 235

Chapter 235

Jada carefully peeled another orange, offering it to Curtis with a meaningful look, “You should really consider giving her those flowers yourself, sir.”

Curtis put on a bitter smile. Was it that he didn’t want to?

If he did, Leanne wouldn’t just find a vase to display them. She wouldn’t lovingly tend to them.

She’d more likely chuck them in the trash, or worse, right back at his face.

But Curtis was curious about Jada’s reasoning, “And why’s that?”

“My mom said Dr. Castillo got hitched.”

“You want me to wish her a lifetime of bliss?”

“Not exactly.” Jada hesitated, torn about whether to spill the beans. After all, this was Dr. Castillo’s private business. She might be young, but she knew better than to gossip.

Still, after a moment of internal debate, she ventured, “You’re Dr. Castillo’s good friend, so it’s okay if I share a secret with you, right?”

Curtis feigned a solemn look, “Of course.”

So, Jada whispered, her hand cupped around her mouth, “Faustina said, Dr. Castillo’s lucked out, her husband’s a real piece of work, got a mistress.”

Curtis’ brows hitched up just a smidge. “Is that so?”

“Yep, Faustina also said he’s quite the sight, a complete baldy, beer gut and all, standing no taller than five feet, practically a modern-day Quasimodo.”

Ugly and unfaithful, Jada thought, such a man didn’t deserve the impeccable Dr. Castillo in her eyes.

Dropping her hand, she declared with fierce conviction, “Sir, you should sweep Dr. Castillo off her feet. You’re handsome, and you two would be perfect together.”

Curtis didn’t respond, just hummed noncommittally, his expression unreadable.

Through the slightly ajar door, Leanne hadn’t caught the entire conversation, especially with Jada’s muffled whispers, but she did hear the last bit.

Concerned Curtis might say something out of line, she pushed the door open and stepped in.

The room fell silent, both pairs of eyes landing on her.

One looked slightly guilty, the other’s gaze was piercing and intense.

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“I brought some snacks.” Leanne’s voice was steady as she handed the treats to Jada, “For when you’re feeling peckish, but don’t go overeating now.”

Jada felt even more remorseful, “Dr. Castillo, I didn’t mean to lie to you.”

A child swayed by Curtis could hardly be at fault.

Leanne gently patted her on the head, “It’s okay, and it’s not your fault.”

Curtis, seated across the room, merely watched her with a meaningful look that made Leanne uneasy.

Belinda still had no clue who the mysterious benefactor was, and here he was, blatantly making himself at home.

“And your mom?” Leanne turned to Jada, changing the subject.

“She went home to cook.”

She should be back soon, dinner time was approaching.

Glancing at Curtis, Leanne hinted, “Aren’t you leaving?”

Curtis smirked slightly, “Me? I’m five feet tall?”

His mock indignation caught Leanne off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless.

As Curtis stood and approached, his towering frame loomed over her significantly smaller stature, a palpable sense of intimidation in the air.

He lowered his gaze to meet hers, his voice cold, “So I’m Quasimodo, and what does that make you?”

Leanne finally caught on.

The offhand remark she had made, which had somehow become hospital lore, involved charming Leanne and her supposed Quasimodo of a husband.

Leanne hadn’t bothered to correct the rumors. After all, a handsome husband’s infidelity wasn’t any less scandalous than that of an unattractive one.

But she hadn’t expected the gossip to reach Curtis himself.

Feeling a bit like a cornered thief, Leanne’s eyes darted away, “Well, you weren’t born six-foot-three

had your five-foot phase too.”