Chapter 122

Evelyn's brow furrowed involuntarily.

She had expected Simon to lose his composure first, but it turned out his mother was the one who couldn't wait.

Just before pushing open the hospital room door, Evelyn and Olivia paused simultaneously.

"...These days, who will take good care of you without a red envelope? My son is too honest. As his mother, I have to handle these things myself."

Red envelope?

Evelyn and Olivia exchanged glances. The latter shook her head in confusion.

"Ahem." Evelyn cleared her throat deliberately and entered.

Natalie on the hospital bed looked like a lifeless doll—until she saw Evelyn. A glimmer of light finally appeared in her eyes. "Dr. Carter..."

"Feeling better?"

Natalie's lips trembled slightly. "Much better."

"Oh, you must be the attending physician!" A thin middle-aged woman suddenly darted in front of Evelyn and grabbed her wrist.

Her hands were rough like dried branches, with a grip surprisingly strong.

What hurt more was the hard, square object with sharp edges hidden in the woman's palm.

"Doctor, I'd like to ask you something." The woman smiled meaningfully, covering Evelyn's hand with her other palm and patting it twice.

Evelyn immediately understood her intention.

She withdrew her hand calmly. "Feel free to ask. We always provide honest answers to patients and their families."

"Well," the woman's eyes darted around, "I'm preparing the nursery. Should I choose pink or blue for the bedsheets?"

Olivia frantically signaled with her eyes from the side.

Evelyn had seen this trick many times before.

"Color doesn't matter. Material does. Pure cotton is best—breathable and gentle on the skin."

The woman froze momentarily, then flashed a knowing smile. "Doctors at big hospitals are so professional."

With that, she shoved something even thicker into Evelyn's hand.

This time, the sharp corner dug into her flesh, making Evelyn gasp in pain.

"Then let me ask you this," the woman tightened her grip, "should we raise this child to be strong and masculine or gentle and soft?"

"Tailor the approach to the child's nature."

"When I announce the news to relatives, should I say 'a precious son' or 'a beloved daughter'?"

Olivia couldn't hold back any longer. "Just don't say 'surprise fatherhood'!"

Evelyn shot her a warning glare.

But the middle-aged woman suddenly laughed. "Ah, so we should prepare double the gifts?"

"Double what?" Olivia looked utterly bewildered.