Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

A few hours later, Alex woke up in his ward. He glanced around at Barry and Layton standing by the bed, tilted his head, and scanned the room. "Who called the doctor?" Barry, eyeing Alex who looked like a complete wreck from head to toe, spoke quietly, "Mr. Warren, I was the one who found you"

Alex's head, which had been tilted in annoyance, immediately dropped back onto the pillow. He closed his eyes and just lay there, utterly defeated.

Layton couldn't help himself and spoke up, noticing how disheveled Alex looked. "You don't seriously think Ellie called the doctor for you, do you?" "Where is she?!" Alex Alex sapped his eyes open and glared at Layton.

Barry said, "Ms. Thompson is off work for the day."

Alex slammed his fist down on the bed, clearly frustrated.

Barry and Layton exchanged a glance. Layton raised an eyebrow and said, "You were covered in cactus needles, bro. What did you do to Ellie to make her treat you like this?"

Alex met Layton's curious gaze and slowly withdrew his own. Last night, he hugged and kissed Ellie, only to get slapped, hit on the head, and-of all things-bitten.

Alex instinctively rubbed the spot on his chest where Ellie had bitten him, still feeling the lingering pain. His chest and neck, where the cactus had pricked him, itched and stung. It was clear-she must have wanted to drive him away with a cactus. Barry cautiously said, "Mr. Warren, it looks like you've been pricked pretty badly by a cactus. Should I call the doctor!"

"No need! Let me diet" Alex lay stiffly on the bed, his tone sharp

Just then, Nancy pushed the door open and heard Alex's reckless words. "Do you dare to say that to Mr. Thompson!" she shot back at him.

Hearing Nancy's voice, Alex immediately lost all the swagger he had a moment ago. Thoughts Ellie's father made him wilt, "What will Ellie do if I die?" he muttered, sounding defeated.

Before he could finish his sentence, Nancy sneered and said. "You can do whatever you want. It has nothing to do with Ellic."

Layton chimed in with a smirk, "If you

died, the one who would benefit the most would be Ellie!"

"Shut up!" Alex shot Layton a warning glare, his heart aching

Nancy said. "Your grandfather is still in the hospital, unconscious, and here you are, promising to take good care of the company, but the moment you see Ellie, you're like a lost soul following her wherever she goes" Nancy stood by the bed, pointing at Alex, scolding him. "Look at you now. I'm embarrassed for you!"

Alex pulled the blanket over his face, trying to hide. "Since you guys handed the company over to me, y

you should just leave me to it. "Not going to the office doesn't mean I'm not working. The projects are in progress, the meetings are still happening, and I'm still getting things done!"

Nancy wasn't having it. "What about tomorrow's senior management meeting"

"The meeting will still happen, Alex replied confidently.

"How are you going to face people looking like this?" Nancy shot back.

Alex gave a nonchalant shrug. "Why do I need to face anyone? I have my private elevator, and I'll just run the meeting on the computer."

Nancy's face turned bright red with anger as she gritted her teeth "Fine! From now on. I'm done dealing with you! With that, she spun around and

stormed out.

Alex watched Nancy slam the door, and after a moment, he couldn't help but mutter, "She's still throwing tantrums. I'm also done with her. Layton just remained silent. 1/5

"Layton, call Ellie and tell her that.." Alex trailed off, struggling to find the words. Finally, he sighed and said, "Just tell her I'm dying and shar to hurry up and come! Layton stared at him. "You're sostumeless

Alex was about to retort when he noticed Barry walking in leading a doctor. Alex immediately recognized the pay-the one who had confessed to

Ellie earlier

Meanwhile, Ellie had just gotten off work and returned to her apartment. She was surprised to find Diana there, along with a middle-aged woman she didn't recognize. Enjoy your meal. I'm leaving the woman said. After the woman left, Ellie turned to Joanna "Mom, who is she?"

up with

Aaron frowned as he went to grab some dishes from the kitchen. Diana tugged at Ellie's sleeve and whispered, "She's here to help set Aaron u

someone

Ellie's gaze instinctively shifted to Joanna, who quickly explained, "She's just a neighbor from downstairs"

Ellie frowned. She had stayed here for a while before, but she hadn't interacted with the neighbors much. Since Joana and Aaron moved in a couple of months ago, they didn't have any close connections either. ly here to set un

The four of them sat around the dining table. Ellie sat next to Joanna, unable to hold back her curiosity. "Mon, was she really

match for Aaron'

to set up a

Joanna busily served Diana some food. "I ran into her at the grocery store the other day. We chatted for a bit, and when she heard Aaron's story, she insisted on setting him up. She has reached out to me multiple times already" Aaron's expression turned serious. "Mom, I'm not interested in this right now. Next time, just visit her and politely decline. Don't waste your time

on this

Joanna nodded and dropped the subject. She knew her family's situation better than anyone. While the gesture was kind, they needed to have some self-awareness

The fish is incredible, Mrs. Thompson, Diana interjected, changing the subject.

Aaron glanced at Diana. "If you want to eat fish next time, just call me. I'll buy it for you. Yo

my thorn to cook"

you. You don't need to go out of your way to bring it over for

Diana rolled her eyes, biting down on her fork. "You like tuna, and so do I. Mrs. Thompson cooks it for you because you're her son, but I'm just a guest here for dinner. Shouldn't I at least contribute a little something? Their gazes locked. Aaron frowned slightly and stayed silent.

Ellie quietly observed the exchange between Aaron and Diana, smoothly stepping in to lighten the mood. "It's fine, Aaron. We'll take turns buying groceries. Ms. Grant is always welcome to join us for meals."

"Exactly?" Diana turned and dashed to the kitchen, returning with an opened bottle of wine. "Ellie, let's have a drink!"

u bring that here?"

Aaron eyed the expensive wine in her hand. "Did you bring

"Yep" Diana replied nonchalantly, "I brought a bunch. Enough to last me a year of drinking here."

Aaron was speechless.

During dinner, Ellie silently watched as Diana left Aaron speechless more than once.

After the meal, Aaron insisted on driving Diana home.

drank too much-let me lean on you a bit, Diana murmured as they entered the elevator. Without missing a beat, she slipped her hand under Aaron's jacket, grabbed hold of his belt, and forcefully pulled him closer to her. "Diana!" Aaron called her name for the first time, his tone sharp as he pushed her away. His expression was stern as he lectured her. "If you can't handle it, then drink less next time."

Diana leaned lazily against the elevator railing, her head tilted back. "Who told you I was drunk? As the elevator door opened, she stepped out first. "Go back upstairs. I'll drive myself home"noveldrama

In Check-in

SOTAM ch Chapter 160

Aaron followed her to her car and said, "You're drunk. You re not allowed to drive"

Diana rolled her eyes at him. "So what" I'm not doing anything crazy"

Aaron didn't know what to uy

Duna opened the driver's side door, Aaron

on stepped in to block her. "Il drive you home

Diana didn't move. She turned around, leaning her back against the car door, and closed it with a soft thud. Her gare met Aaron's as asked casually You said you weren't considering dating, yet you're already lining up for blind dates. You're such a hypocrite" Aaron frowned deeply at her accusation, the word "hypocrite" hitting him like a stap.

They stood facing each other, staring silently. Aaron stayed quiet for a long while before finally speaking, his expression more serious than ever. "Mc Grant, we shouldn't be discussing this kind of topic"

Then don't. Why are y

are you so fierer about it? Diana huffed and walked around the front of the car, getting into the passenger seat..

Aaron got in, glancing at Diana's sulking face. He started the engine and said in a calm tone. "I wasn't being fierce.

"You were" Dana snapped, not letting him finish. "I don't want to talk to you anymore. Just drive"

From that point on, Aaron stayed silent, driving Diana back to the Grant Manor without saying a word. When he dropped her off at the gate, he left.

Standing in the garden. Diana watched Aaron leave without another word, her frustration boiling over. She stomped her foot and said. "Dad, your student is a total boring guy! I honestly don't know how he ramed all those degrees with that brain of hist Afterventing. Diana stormed toward the main building. Declan glanced at the butler and asked, "Who upset her!"

The butler quickly stepped forward. "Mr. Grant, all the boys are out, and no one would dare upset Ms. Grant."

When Aaron returned home, he found that both Joanna and Ellie were still up.

"Mom, if anyone tries to arrange a match for me again, just turn them down. I'm not in a place showing the turmoil in his heart, still unsettled by Dianas antics.

to get married right now," Aaron said, his face

Joanna sighed. T've already turned them down several times. I've told them all about it, yet they still insisted. It's awkward, especially since we'll be sering them around. Maybe you should meet with those girls, just to show you're not dismissing their good intentions" Ellie, sensing Joanna's uncase, couldn't help but speak up, "Aaron, since Mom has already agreed, you should at least meet them. Otherwise, they'll think we're being rude."

Joanna had spent most of her life in the countryside, rarely leaving the house, and had always been busy with chores. She was simple and sincere. without the tricks people downtown might use to navigate such situation.

Out of politeness, Aaron reluctantly agreed to meet the girls

Two days later, Ellie was at work when suddenly, Layton came to her. Upon hearing that Alex had been in a coma for two days without waking up. her first reaction was disbelief.

She knew how strong Alex was. She remembered back when they were stranded on the uninhabited island, even when she hit his head with all her strength, she couldn't injure it. She thought, How could something as trivial as a cactus cause any real injury? Secing Ellie's dabelief, Layton hesitated before speaking. "Ellie, I know Alex I right not to forgive him

hurt you terribly for Hal

Haley's sake. What he did was wrong, and you're

"As for your father-while Alex wasn't the direct cause of his death, he certainly played a part in it, but the reason he went to your parents back then was to apologize. He was going to make amends with them. Layton carefully phrased his words, trying to get to the point. "Things have already happened, and Alex is guilty, but he doesn't deserve to die, don't

You think?"

Ellie put down the work she was doing straightened her back, and looked directly at Layton "Mr. Mosley, just say what you mean to say. I don't have the patience to play games with you". Layton looked at Ellic seriously. I'm not beating angry that she's not taking care of him, and only Barry is by his side.

g around the bush. Mr. Carlos Warren is still in the hospital, and Alex is in a coma. Mrs. Warren is so

Vinthers

907 AM ☐☐

Tuber the company of the Warren family can't function without him. Besides, before Haley, he treated you like treasure and pampered you as if vosi were his everything"

Ellie cut him off, "Get to the point!"

00

Layton sighed, "Well, the fact is, you're the one who caused his coma. You should at least talk to his attending physician and see why he hasn't woken up vet"

Around lunchtime. Ellie went to ask Leonard about Alex's condition

Leonant accompanied Ellie to Alex's ward. "We've done all the tests, but so far, we haven't found a reason for the coma. His family refuses to transfer him or change the treatment, he explained.

At the door of the ward, Leonard hesitated and asked, "Do you know each other?"

Elbe pushed open the door and walked into the room. "Let's go in and check on him."

she didn't know how to respond to Leonard. She and Alex weren't just acquaintances, but she didn't want to acknowledge any connection with him. Although it had been several days, the bruises on Alex's face were still horrific. As Ellic stood by his bed, there wasn't a flicker of emotion in her

After all, it was because of ham that she had endured far worse injuries than these. It was because of him that the wounds in her heart had been far more painful.

Ellie stood at the head of Alex's bed while Leonard stood beside her. They exchanged a few words, and Ellie shifted positions to let Leonard examine Alex's injuries.

As Leonard moved closer, ready to check on Alex's condition. Alex suddenly gripped his hand. Leonard looked down at the hand that Alex had firmly held, the unconscious figure on the bed, and finally at Ellie standing nearby.

Ellie took a step back.

Layton and Barry stood on the opposite side of the bed. Seeing Alex still gripping Leonard's hand tightly, they exchanged tense glances. Layton cleared his throat loudly, hoping to stir Alex awake

However, Alex didn't budge, still lying there motionless. Layton leaned in closer to the bed and, in a subtle move, pinched Alex's leg. Yet, Alex remained completely still with no response. Layton looked over at Barry, whose lips twitched as he cautiously spoke up. "Dr. Stewart, how is Mr. Warren? When can be wake up!"

The moment Barry finished his sentence, Alex's eyes shot open as if he had been resurrected. Seeing that he was still holding Leonard's hand, he immediately jerked it away in shock. Leonard let out a relieved sigh. "Are you feeling any discomfort?

Alex lay on the bed, staring blankly at Ellie. "My whole body hurts-headache, nausea, weakness, sore limbs, tight chest, and my head feels like it's going to explode"

Alex pointed accusingly at Ellie, looking like a child trying to make someone else take responsibility. "She's the one who hurt me, so let her check

Ellie hung up the phone and said, "Dr. Stewart, I have to go. I still have something to do. She didn't even glance at Alex as she turned and walked out of the rooli. As the door shut, Alex's finger at

still hovered in mid-air, pointing toward Ellie.

"It's after hours, so I'll check on you tomorrow: Leonard said awkwardly before leaving as well.

Alex glanced at Barry, then at Layton. "I grabbed the wrong person, didn't you see? Why didn't you say anything sooner!"

Layton, with a disgusted frown, replied. "I've been coughing so hard to wake you up, and you still wouldn't open your eyes. You can't blame me for

that."