C217 Why Are You Hiding

I hurried through the long hospital corridor, my footsteps echoing against the polished floor. The closer I got to Alicia's VIP ward, the more anxious I became. Did she rest? Did she eat properly? Is my child doing well? Just as I reached the corridor leading to her room, another familiar figure appeared from the opposite direction. Mark. He had just arrived as well. We looked at each other before silently nodding. Without saying a word, we walked to the door together.

The moment we looked through the glass window... We both froze. Inside the room, the atmosphere was nothing like a hospital. Georgia, Mary were chatting happily while Quinton stood beside them smiling. Peter sat comfortably on the sofa drinking tea. And in the middle of everyone... Alicia was already standing. She had changed out of her hospital gown and was wearing one of her casual dresses. Her hair had been neatly tied back, and she looked as though she was preparing to leave rather than recovering from a pregnancy scare.

Mark blinked several times. "...She's dressed?" I nodded slowly. "...Looks like we're too late." Before either of us could enter, Peter noticed us through the glass. He laughed loudly. "You two can stop hiding outside now." The women all turned around together. Mark pushed the door open. "Dad..." He looked directly at Peter before pointing at Alicia. "What is going on?" Peter smiled innocently. "What?" "You discharged her?" Peter shrugged. "I had no choice."

He pointed at Alicia. "She begged me to do it." Everyone burst into laughter. Mark pinched the bridge of his nose helplessly. "Alicia..." "You nearly scared all of us to death yesterday." "And today you're already trying to escape the hospital?" Alicia smiled sheepishly before walking over. "Dad..." "I'm really fine." "The doctor already examined me again." "I only have to rest." She looked around the room before continuing. "And honestly..." "I'm tired of looking at these white walls." Everyone laughed again.

Mary nodded repeatedly. "I understand that." "I hate hospitals too." "They make even healthy people feel sick." Georgia smiled. "But your grandfather was the one encouraging you to stay one more day." Peter immediately protested. "Hey!" "I was only following the doctor's advice." Alicia folded her arms. "And I followed mine." "I'm the patient." "I know how I feel." Peter looked at everyone dramatically. "See?" "Now that she's becoming a mother..." "She has become even more stubborn." Another wave of laughter filled the room.

Mark sighed before looking seriously at Alicia. "Are you certain you're alright?" She nodded without hesitation. "I am." "I promise." Then she slowly turned toward me. Her gentle smile immediately softened. "Besides..." "Someone needs my help." Everyone instinctively followed her line of sight until every pair of eyes landed on me. Mark frowned. "What help?" I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. "It's Lucia Goods..." "Yesterday's meeting didn't exactly go well."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "What happened?" I explained everything from beginning to end. How Thomas Becker and Edward McCarthy questioned Alicia's absence. How they tried to stop Adam Tavez and Leon Wright from taking their new inspector positions. How Charlie Kinlore also objected because of the financial costs. By the time I finished... The room had become completely quiet.

Peter slowly leaned back. "Hmm..." "So they joined hands." I nodded. "That's what it felt like." Mark folded his arms. "Those three didn't speak randomly." "They were prepared." Georgia frowned.."Which means someone encouraged them." Mary looked confused. "But why would anyone oppose inspectors?" Alicia smiled calmly. "Because inspections expose mistakes." Everyone turned to look at her.

She continued confidently. "If every stage of production is monitored..." "Then no one can hide poor workmanship." "If someone benefits from the current system..." "An inspector becomes their biggest enemy." Mark nodded approvingly. "Exactly." Peter smiled proudly at his granddaughter. "Looks like you've already figured them out." Alicia walked over to the bedside table and picked up her handbag. "Which is exactly why I need to return tomorrow."

Immediately. "No." Four voices answered at once. She froze. Peter. Georgia. Mary. And Quinton. All rejected the idea together. She looked around before laughing. "You all planned that?" Mary crossed her arms. "You are carrying our grandchild." "Work can wait." Georgia nodded. "Your grandfather and I have worked our whole lives." "There is nothing more important than your health."

I stepped closer before gently taking her hand. "Wife..." "I handled them today." "And if tomorrow is still too early..." "I'll handle that too." She looked at me quietly. "But..." I smiled. "You trusted me enough to become Vice Director." "So trust me a little longer." For several seconds... She simply stared at me. Finally... She smiled. "...Fine." "But only because you're my husband."

Peter clapped happily. "Good!" "That's settled." Just then.. Knock. Knock. Everyone turned toward the door. Peter frowned. "Were we expecting someone else?" I quickly told them "I came here with Chris and Sarah.." Before anyone could finish... The door slowly opened. Standing outside were Chris and Sarah. Chris was carrying two large shopping bags in each hand, while Sarah stood half-hidden behind him with an embarrassed smile.

The moment they stepped inside, everyone froze. Chris looked around the crowded room before scratching the back of his head. "...Brother." He lifted the heavy bags slightly. "Look what she bought." "I honestly don't understand half of these things." Only then did Sarah slowly peek out from behind him. The moment everyone looked at her... She immediately hid behind Chris again. Mary couldn't help laughing. "My child, why are you hiding?"

Sarah smiled awkwardly. "I... I thought only Mike and Alicia would be here." "I didn't know the whole family was visiting." The room burst into laughter. Chris looked down at the shopping bags again before shaking his head. "I've been carrying these all the way from the parking lot." "My arms are about to fall off." "I don't even know what most of these things are." He turned toward me. "Brother..." "Women are terrifying." "They buy everything." More laughter followed.