Love at First Sight? Mr. Harrison Has Been Scheming All Along-Chapter 254: Maybe Leo Really Does Need a Father Figure

Chapter 254: Chapter 254: Maybe Leo Really Does Need a Father Figure

"Whoa! I can see it!"

Leo clapped his hands happily.

"Be careful."

Worried her son might fall, Rory Linden quickly reached out to support his back.

Ryan Sterling held Leo’s hands. "Ms. Rory, I’ve got him. Don’t worry."

"Okay, thank you."

Rory looked at Leo.

He had a clear view of the show up ahead, and his eyes crinkled into a smile, his face radiating pure joy.

As the polar bear dove into the water, the two of them exclaimed, "Whoa!" in unison, like one big friend and one little one.

Rory watched them quietly, suddenly thinking, ’Maybe I’ve been looking at this all wrong.’

Perhaps Leo really did need a "father" figure in his life.

’Should I stop thinking only about my own feelings? And maybe I shouldn’t be so overconfident in my own abilities.’

’If the right person comes along, maybe I should try to learn how to accept them.’

In the distance, Sherry Walsh and Noah Sterling stood behind them.

Sherry, holding a themed ice cream bar, watched the three of them and said, "Your nephew is actually pretty nice."

"That’s because you haven’t seen him when he’s at his worst," Noah Sterling said calmly.

"Then tell me about it," Sherry said. "I don’t think you can hold everyone to your own standards. Everyone has a different personality. Look at me and Rory—we’re completely different."

"I know Ryan. His passions never last. He’s been like that since he was a kid. Whenever he got into an instrument or a sport, he’d cry and throw a fit, begging to learn. We’d let him, and he’d lose interest in a year or two at most."

Noah advised, "When you get a chance, remember to tell your friend not to get too invested in him. The novelty will wear off in a few days, and he’ll just end up breaking her heart."

"Is your nephew a Sagittarius or something?"

"Astrology is nonsense."

"There’s some truth to it, you know."

"What truth? Can you use it as evidence in court?"

"You’re so annoying."

"..."

Sherry gave him a huge eye-roll.

After the polar bear exhibit, the group moved on to the next one.

After watching a mermaid show, they finally left the aquarium, ready to get some lunch.

For the rest of the way, Ryan carried Leo the entire time.

As they neared the exit, Rory tried again, "Leo, you’re a big boy now. You can walk on your own."

"It’s okay, Ms. Rory. I’m not tired."

Ryan said, hoisting Leo a little higher.

"Oh, Rory, just let it be. It’s obvious this trainee dad is in the zone."

Sherry linked her arm through Rory’s. "How about we figure out where to eat? Our treat, to thank you two for coming to celebrate Leo’s birthday."

The lunch spot was already decided.

It was a hot pot restaurant that Leo loved, one that not only gave out small toys but also had a dedicated children’s play area.

After pulling Rory over, Sherry told the two men about the hot pot place.

"I’m good with that."

Ryan agreed immediately.

Noah had originally thought they would just visit the aquarium and that would be it; he had no plans to have lunch with them.

But now that Ryan had agreed, he was forced to go along with it.

The group had just reached the parking lot.

Rory’s phone rang.

It was a call from the hospital.

After taking the call, she hurried over to the others. "I’m sorry, I can’t make it to lunch. A patient of mine has taken a turn for the worse, and I have to get to the hospital immediately."

The patient was none other than Charlotte Rhodes. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

She wasn’t too worried about the others, but Rory felt terrible about letting Leo down.

Sherry immediately said, "It’s fine, it’s fine! You go on ahead. I can take care of Leo."

Rory went over to her son. "Leo, I’m so sorry. Mommy has to leave suddenly for work."

"It’s okay, it’s okay. I understand, Mommy."

Leo, still in Ryan’s arms, replied with the maturity of a little adult.

Ryan also said, "Ms. Rory, don’t worry. You can leave Leo with us."

"Thank you."

Rory fumbled in her bag for her car keys.

She had intended to drive, but Leo would need her car later.

At his age, he had to be in a child safety seat.

Ryan saw the problem and immediately offered, "Let me drive you. I’ll drop you at the hospital and then meet up with them."

"Okay, thank you," Rory expressed her thanks.

On the way, Rory made a few more calls to follow up on Charlotte Rhodes’s condition.

The elderly woman’s condition had suddenly worsened, and she had already been put on ECMO and IABP.

Charlotte Rhodes’s surgery had originally been scheduled for Friday.

Now, it seemed very likely the surgery would have to be moved up.

However, whether she could undergo the operation depended on multiple indicators. A decision could only be made after Rory examined her at the hospital.

After finishing her work calls, Rory hung up and said to Ryan, "Thank you for today. If I have to perform surgery on the patient tonight, I might be back very late."

"That’s okay. If you don’t come back tonight, I can put Leo to bed. I had a younger cousin stay with my family for a summer when I was a kid, and I took care of him the whole time."

Ryan brought up the childhood story to convince Rory she could trust him.

"I believe you. But this was my responsibility, and now I’m troubling you all. I feel bad about it. When I have time, I’ll treat you and your uncle to a meal."

Rory’s tone was very sincere.

The car was quiet for a moment.

"Ms. Rory, I know you’re an exceptional person, but one person can only do so much. I’m not that busy. If you ever need anything, you can call me anytime."

"Besides, I really like Leo. He might not talk much, but he’s so serious and talented when he’s learning to skateboard. Even my friends say they’re jealous I found such a great little apprentice."

"Don’t listen to my uncle’s nonsense. My being unreliable was a thing of the past. I’m very reliable now!"

Ryan said, one sentence after another.

After he finished, his eyes were fixed on the woman beside him, carefully gauging her reaction.

"Thank you. If I ever need help with something, I’ll be sure to let you know."

Rory’s voice was gentle, but she still said, "But while I’m willing to see you as a friend, it would only be as a friend."

She was, in fact, considering finding someone to be a part of her and Leo’s lives.

But that person shouldn’t be Ryan, who was so much younger than her and still in school.

They happened to stop at a red light.

"Ms. Rory! I’m not that bad, am I?"

Ryan finally couldn’t hold it in any longer.

His height, looks, personality, and family background were all excellent. Girls had been giving him love letters ever since he was a kid.

He didn’t expect Rory to fall for him immediately, but he had never thought he was completely without a chance.

"I’ve said it before, you’re a great guy. But I’m older than you, and I have a child. If we were to actually get together, you would regret it sooner or later."

Rory stated this in a very calm tone.

She was also inclined to believe this was just a whim for Ryan.

"Then don’t reject me yet. I’ll prove it to you over time."

There was a certainty in Ryan’s voice.

The traffic light ahead turned from red to green, and the car slowly started moving.

Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up to the entrance of Celestria University Affiliated Hospital.

"Thank you. If the patient’s condition requires surgery, I’ll call and let you know. I might need your help taking Leo home tonight."

Rory’s hand rested on the door handle.

Judging from what her colleague had just said, it was highly likely Charlotte Rhodes would need immediate surgery.

Even if her vitals didn’t support an immediate operation, it wouldn’t be postponed for long.

"Then call me." Ryan looked at Rory and said earnestly, "Don’t call your friend. Call me."