"It's all because of Uncle Reggie."
Noah didn't try to hide anything.
He explained exactly how Reggie had driven the old man into this critical state.
"My great-grandfather arranged a marriage for him, an alliance with a family of equal standing."
"But his future bride was a bit too intense for his liking, so he went over there and completely insulted her."
"The Hamiltons are furious now, and... Reggie took off."
"He fled his own wedding?" Claire listened with growing interest.
If Reggie had actually run away from an arranged marriage, things were about to get entertaining.
He had utterly humiliated the Darwin family.
"Yeah, he bolted."
Noah wore an unreadable expression. "My great-grandfather was so furious he collapsed and started coughing up blood."
Claire went inside and carefully administered the old man's treatment.
General Darwin looked even older than before, his frame as dangerously frail as a withered leaf.
He looked as though he had been tortured.
No one would have the heart to stress out a man in this condition.
She really couldn't fathom what went through the minds of the Darwin family.
Even with the Hamiltons causing trouble, they still had the nerve to come to the hospital and complain to the dying man.
Claire was actually quite curious about this mysterious Ms. Hamilton.
What kind of woman could she be to make Reggie risk everything just to escape her?
She didn't have to wait long for her answer.
Right after she finished her medical adjustments on the General.
The formidable Ms. Hamilton actually came to visit.
"Hi there, I'm here to see General Darwin."
At first glance, Claire thought the woman was simply heavyset, but a second look revealed she was entirely solidly built.
She was imposing, but it wasn't fat; it was pure muscle.
She had a sweet, doll-like face paired with the physique of a heavyweight fighter.
It clicked for Claire immediately-this had to be Yolanda.
"Hello, I'm the doctor currently overseeing the General's care."
Yolanda gave a hearty laugh, looking at Claire with open curiosity. "Nice meet you I'm Yolanda, and you must be Claire, right?" .net>
"I've heard a lot about you."
Claire almost couldn't hold back her amusement.
"Go ahead and laugh," Yolanda said, fully aware of what Claire was thinking.
Her given name was just entirely too ironic.
int
Nine out of ten people who heard it for the first time would chuckle, and the tenth would outright burst into laughter.
Claire couldn't help it; she let out a small laugh before saying, "I'm sorry, your name is just very unique."
Yolanda sighed helplessly. "My
grandfather was obsessed with
heritage and insisted on naming me after a historically
delicate
legendary beauty."
"So, I was cursed with this elegant name."
"My parents fought him on it, but the old man was stubborn."
"Their protests fell on deaf ears."
"Plus, I was a rather chubby kid, so everyone thought the irony was hilarious."
Seeing Claire stay silent, Yolanda gave a self-deprecating smile. "Of course, I'm still pretty heavy now."
Claire shook her head. "You're not heavy at all."
"You're just wonderfully solid."
Yolanda chuckled. "You don't have to comfort me."
"I'm not just saying that. You're pure muscle, not fat."
"You have a background in martial arts, don't you?"
Claire had her suspicions just looking at Yolanda's physique.
Besides, there was something undeniably familiar about Yolanda's face.
"I'm a boxer." Yolanda didn't feel the need to hide it.
For all she knew, Claire had already recognized her.
Hearing the word 'boxer' made it all click into place.
"Wait, are you that boxing champion?"
Claire lightly slapped her own forehead in realization.
Yolanda had secured a championship title at eighteen; though retired now, she still worked as an elite boxing coach.
How could such an outstanding, fiercely independent woman be completely blinded by love?
And for a guy like Reggie, of all people?