Chapter 27

As Garry turned the ignition and prepared to drive away from the hospital, a familiar figure caught his eye -Marissa, standing alone at a distance. His gut tightened instantly. Could her cover have been blown?

Without a second thought, he snatched the trench coat from the passenger seat, jumped out, and sprinted toward her. Without a word, he threw the coat over her head and instinctively guided her toward the car.

Lillian, busy counting her paycheck in the back seat,nearly dropped the bills when the car door flew open and Garry ushered Marissa inside. Alarmed, she grabbed Marissa's arm and pulled her fully in, worry etched across her face.

"What happened, Marissa? Did something go wrong?The Brooks family is such a disappointment.Weren't they supposed to keep your real identity under wraps?" she asked, her voice tight with confusion.

Garry slammed the door shut, hurried around to the driver's side, and slid into his seat, his face dark with frustration. "Call Benny," he ordered sharply. "Have him hack into the hospital's cameras. We're leaving-now!"

He regretted ever agreeing to the Brooks family's offer.

Five times the pay wasn't worth this kind of chaos.

Cursing under his breath, he pounded the steering wheel.

It was too late for regrets now.

"Got it," Lillian replied, whipping out her work tablet and scrolling for Benny's contact.

"Chill. My identity is safe," Marissa said calmly, her eyes softening with faint amusement despite the tension.

"What?" Lillian froze mid-type and blinked. "Then why did Garry act like we were caught?"

Even Marissa couldn't explain it at first; his reaction had startled her too.

Smiling faintly at their worried faces, she said, "After you left, there was a minor incident-my lab coat got torn."

Garry let out a groan and smacked his forehead."Right. I accidentally packed your previous clothes instead.My mistake."

He had been too preoccupied thinking about dinner plans with her to notice such details.

Once he confirmed everything was fine, the tension

drained from his face.

"Marissa, do we still need to wipe the surveillance?"he asked, turning off the engine and glancing at her.

"Yes," Marissa replied. She suddenly recalled the name Rita had mentioned and turned to Lillian. "Hand me the tablet."

"Sure thing." Lillian passed it over immediately. She had just typed a few words when a flurry of notifications appeared from the other end.

Benny, known for his restless nature, thought something was amiss since Lillian used the company account to reach him.

Marissa typed out a message. "Look into a person called Jessica Thomas and share the details with me later."

Benny responded, "Marissa?"

She replied, "Yes. And take care of the hospital's security footage."

"Understood!"

"Marissa, do you still have plans tonight?" Garry asked with a hopeful tone, longing for a chance to dine with her.

"Yeah. I need to swap outfits and head back," Marissa

answered while peeling off her wig, revealing her hair cascading in graceful waves.

Garry wavered, curious about what business she still had at the hospital, but too shy to ask outright,so he glanced at Lillian for support.

Lillian, picking up on his cue, nodded subtly.

"Marissa, why are you returning to the hospital?" she asked bluntly.

Her youthful boldness allowed her to speak freely.

Marissa's bag of clothes rested on the back seat, and she changed into them without pause.

Garry, seated uncomfortably in the driver's position,averted his gaze to respect her privacy, his cheeks flushing.

"I just have some matters to handle," Marissa said vaguely, stepping out of the car, removing her mask and giving a casual wave to the pair. "You two should get going."

"Catch you tomorrow, Marissa," Garry said, lowering the window, his eyes lingering on her retreating figure,revealing his feelings only when she wasn't looking.

"Come on, show some guts!" Lillian chided,exasperated by his hesitation. "If I had a crush, I would be upfront, not tiptoe around like you."

Garry let out a quiet sigh, staying silent.

Instead of taking the elevator, Marissa slipped through the fire escape to Harmony Hospital's lobby, joining others waiting for the elevator.

"Miss Curtis," a warm voice called from behind as she stepped toward the elevator.

Turning, she saw Theodore approaching ina sharp,silver-gray suit.

"Mr. Brooks," she greeted.

"It has been a while, Theodore," another voice cutin,overlapping hers.

Maxton stepped out of the elevator, missing Theodore's greeting to Marissa, and extended a hand."Want to grab drinks tonight? Let's get some friends together. Betty would be happy to join uIs."

Marissa, uninterested in their gathering, proceeded into the elevator.

From inside, she glanced out.

Theodore's hand rested on Maxton's back, but his eyes trailed Marissa, a flicker of intrigue in his reserved gaze.

Her expression remained detached while his was coolly curious. Before any connection could ignite, the

elevator doors slid shut, severing the moment.

"What brings you to our hospital, Theodore?" Maxton asked.