Flash Marriage To The Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 57: Chapter 57

Then, he pulled up the covers and shut his eyes, completely ignoring Hallie, who had collapsed on the floor with her mental defenses in shambles.
Hallie curled her fingers into fists, taking deep breaths to steady herself and silently chanting, 'I'll just pretend I kissed a dog. He's just a dog and nothing else.'
Early the next morning, Hallie got up twenty minutes ahead of schedule and headed to the bathroom to shower.
Nelson woke up shortly after, and hearing the water running, he frowned and thought, 'Why couldn't she shower last night? Of all times, she had to pick now and mess up my routine.'
Ten minutes later, Hallie opened the door and stepped out, only to find Nelson sitting outside with his arms crossed, looking impatient. He snapped, "Couldn't you have showered last night? What's this? A payback?"
Of course, she wasn't going to tell him she'd skipped her shower last night so she wouldn't disturb him. Instead, she kept her poker face and stayed silent.
Although Hallie was still brooding over what happened last night, she didn't want Nelson to see it on her face. She refused to let him think she couldn't move on, or worse, that she actually cared.
Nelson's irritation only deepened at her cold silence. As he walked into the bathroom, he tossed her a warning over his shoulder. "The next time you mess up my schedule, I'll just barge into the bathroom. I wouldn't care if you were inside."
The day had barely started, and they were already throwing daggers at each other with their eyes. But under Scott's watchful gaze, they had no choice but to play nice and sit through breakfast together as if nothing had happened.
Breakfast felt like chewing on cardboard for Hallie, and Nelson wasn't enjoying his meal any more than she was. After they finally finished, the two of them—rarely ever seen leaving together—stepped out of the house side by side.
Just then, Nelson's phone buzzed with a message from Scott. [All of us finally got to have breakfast together. What's with the long face? Drop Hallie off at the hospital before you head to work!]
Nelson frowned, locking his screen with a click. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the maid standing behind them, watching them leave. He had a sneaking suspicion that Scott was keeping real-time tabs on him and Hallie through the surveillance camera.
After all, Scott was bedridden, and most of his old-time war buddies had passed, so this little bit of drama between Nelson and Hallie was probably one of his few remaining amusements.
"Get in. I'll drive you," Nelson said curtly.
Hallie turned just in time to see him slip his phone into his pocket. She didn't need to ask to know that Nelson would never offer her a ride out of the blue. "Grandpa Scott's idea?"
Nelson arched an eyebrow and cast a sidelong glance at Hallie, not expecting her to know her place. "Yeah," he replied flatly, then pulled open the passenger door, and Hallie slid into the seat without another word.
When they were about half a mile away from the hospital, Hallie asked Nelson to pull over and prepared to walk the rest of the way.
Nelson's car was way too flashy. Regardless of whether others knew his identity, she didn't want anyone guessing at their relationship. Nelson understood Hallie's concerns and, without a word, pulled over.
"Dr. Levine, what a coincidence." Just as Hallie stepped out of the car, she suddenly heard a familiar girl's voice from behind her. Hallie froze, groaning inwardly, 'Perfect. Just what I needed.'
Hallie turned to see Celine Payne from the gynaecology department. Celine was two years older and infamous for sticking her nose into everyone's business. If she caught even the faintest whiff of gossip, she'd pick at it until she got every last detail.
To fellow gossip lovers, she was great company. But for anyone who valued privacy, she was a nightmare.
Even worse, Celine loved exchanging phone numbers with other people's boyfriends. She'd already stolen more than a few boyfriends from nurses and doctors alike, so they absolutely hated her.
Marriage was never her endgame; she just wanted men to spend a fortune on her before finding a reason to dump them.
Since Hallie and Celine worked in different departments, they hardly ever interacted. Hallie had barely dealt with Celine, but she'd heard plenty about her notorious reputation.
Celine's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she raised a hand to her forehead, squinting as she watched the Pagani speed off until it finally disappeared from her sight. She teased, "Hey, isn't that the guy who helped you out last time?
"I was just telling the girls the other day that there's no way that guy just sees you as a friend. He's definitely into you. I mean, come on, what kind of rich guy drives a 12-million-dollar car just to drop off a 'friend' off at work?"
Hallie explained, "You've got it all wrong. We just bumped into each other by chance, and he gave me a lift. It was on his way."
Most people would have let it go after hearing that answer, but Hallie underestimated Celine's knack for gossip.
When it came to prying into others' private matters, Celine was a seasoned pro. She could quickly pick up on the hidden clues in Hallie's casual remarks.
"By chance? It's rush hour right now. Don't tell me you and that guy happen to live in the same area. North Callopston is the rich part of town, you know. He's even driving a car that nice... don't tell me he lives in Emerald Hills?" Celine pressed.
Emerald Hills, the most expensive residential neighborhood in Hernland, was priced at 50,000 dollars per square meter. Only about 120 households lived there, and they were all A-list celebrities or powerful business moguls.
Places like that were nothing but a dream for most people. It was so exclusive that even the rich couldn't afford to live there. There was also a mansion, which was in a whole other league, just a quarter mile from Emerald Hills.
Celine, the gynaecology department's resident belle, batted her long lashes at Hallie in feigned curiosity. However, it was obvious she wouldn't quit until she got an answer.
Hallie felt a headache coming on from the interrogation, but she remained perfectly composed, wearing the same polite yet distant smile she always had at work.
"He lives there? Oh, please. He's just a driver, and that car is not even his. But honestly, I wish it was." Hallie sounded so nonchalant that it was almost convincing.
"A driver?" Celine's excitement died instantly. Her face dropped, and she didn't even bother hiding the disappointment and faint disdain in her voice.
Still, when Celine thought about how strikingly handsome Nelson was, she found herself torn.
She thought, 'He's drop-dead gorgeous. How could he be just a driver? Well, so what if he's broke? Dating him wouldn't hurt anyway, and I don't mind being his sugar mummy if it comes to that point.'
Now that Celine had made up her mind, she leaned closer and tested the waters with Hallie. "You two are friends, right? You must have his number."
Hallie was done with this conversation, and she wasn't about to waste any more time here. After thinking it over, she decided to go with an excuse that would nip Celine's idea in the bud once and for all.
"Sorry, I can't give you his number because I like him, and I'm going after him myself," Hallie said, her voice calm and steady as she held Celine's gaze without blinking.
Celine was completely caught off guard by this answer. She stared at Hallie in surprise for a moment before finally blurting out, "Dr. Levine, I never pegged you for the bold type."
"If that's all, I'll be heading in now," Hallie said coolly. With that, she turned and headed to the hospital.