"That reminds me, it's time to change your bandage, sir. Mrs. Anderson, would you mind giving me a hand?"

Theodore said nothing. His injured hand remained on the table as if accepting Judy's suggestion.

Ariana didn't object. She gently unwrapped the bandage. Her brow furrowed as she saw the state of his wrist, red and swollen.

She couldn't imagine how painful that must be, but he didn't even blink.

“Does it hurt?" she asked, concerned, as she applied ointment with a cotton swab.

"No," he replied bluntly and stared at her.

Something flashed across his eyes as he watched the woman treating his wound with care and patience.

Ariana paused and looked up.

“Really? I don't believe that." Theodore looked away for a moment.

"You got me. It does hurt." For some reason, he felt compelled to tell her the truth.

There was a triumphant gleam in Ariana's eyes.

“I knew it! Just sheer bravado."

With his other hand, he picked up his cup and took a sip. He was trying his best to conceal his embarrassment.

This cold attitude of his was not new to Ariana. She continued redressing his wound.

"If it hurts, just tell me. You'll feel better about it. And I promise I won't mock you. The wound will take around ten days to heal. In the meantime, don't eat any soy sauce. That should prevent scarring..."

The breakfast time passed as Ariana chattered on. For the first time, Theodore patiently Listened to everything she had to say.

Once his wound was dressed, he went out.

Ariana watered the flowers in the garden. Just before noon, she finally replied to Lynch's message. She told him to meet her at eight o'clock that evening, giving him a hotel name and a room number.

She guessed that Lynch must have Looked up the name she told him the night before and discovered Brielle was a new talent of SJ Entertainment .

The company was backing Brielle completely although she was a new talent. It was easy to tell that she had connections with people in high places.