The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1624 Sheryl’s Provoking

Melissa didn't have a clue as to what Leila was up to at this moment. If she knew it, she would have knocked her head against a brick wall. She thought it would be better if Leila could keep an eye on Charles' company. In doing so, Leila would keep her updated with the progress. Not even in her wildest dreams would she have thought that Leila could be such an ungrateful woman.

On the other hand, Leila was getting more and more anxious because of not being able to work at the Shining Company. Charles was in a coma, and no one knew how long it would take him to wake up again. But now, much to her surprise, Melissa solved her problem by giving her the responsibility to take care of the company.

"But Aunt Melissa, isn't it too early for me to show up at the company? I am afraid the employees won't take me seriously. They could turn a blind eye to my presence," Leila spoke, feigning anxiety. With worried eyes, she glanced at Melissa for a reply.

Melissa didn't utter a word. She merely looked back at Leila with a triumphing smile on her face.

Of course, Melissa had thought of this problem beforehand. She wasn't concerned since she had a solution to this dilemma.

"Thank you, Aunt Melissa, for everything! You're so nice to me," Leila shouted and gave Melissa a bear hug.

Melissa patted her on the back and broke into a smile. "You shouldn't thank me, Leila. I've always treated you like family. I hope my dreams will come true; as soon as my son recovers. So you'd better invest some effort and time to learn how to run the company. I wish for you to share Charles' responsibilities shortly."

"I'll try my best, Aunt Melissa," Leila promised, and a hint of pink appeared on her cheeks. She thought that Melissa was implying that she would get married to Charles. This thought brought a feeling of elation to her mind.

As the thought persisted, Leila's smile grew wider. Melissa, on the other hand, was content to see Leila's happiness. The more time she spent time with her, the better she liked Leila. While the mere sight of Sheryl was enough to put Melissa in a sore mood. 'How I wish Leila was my daughter-in-law, instead of that wretched Sheryl!' Melissa thought to herself.

At that moment, Sheryl reached home after leaving the hospital.

Charles' accident, her own poor health, and then Cassie's suspicious accident had kept her occupied. She didn't have time for anything else. And to make things worse, her company required her attention too. She missed Clark and Shirley hence she had decided to spend tonight with them. 'The kids must be missing me too,' she thought with a forlorn face.

When she entered the living room, it was as quiet as still water. Without any further inspection, she had a hunch that no one was home. A puzzled look appeared on her face when she thought about Joan. 'Ah! Joan must have gone to pick up the kids,' she thought, glancing at her watch.

She put her purse down and changed her clothes. In this quietness, an idea popped into her mind like a silver dagger. Only a few minutes ago, she was thinking about how to make her kids happy. And now she realized that she could make some delicious dessert to keep them happy. She clapped her hands excitedly and made her way to the kitchen. Sheryl might not be a chef, but baking cookies was something she had a penchant for.

Besides, the kids had already had their supper at the kindergarten. So she knew cookies were better than a formal banquet, especially for her little daughter.

Sheryl occupied herself with baking. Meticulously, she made shapes and then put them into the oven. Everything went as per her plan. When she took the cookies out, the door opened, and Joan came in with Clark and Shirley.

"Wow, I smell freshly made cookies! I bet Mommy is in the kitchen now!" shouted Shirley as soon as she entered the room. Without any delay, she ran to towards the kitchen in search of her mother. But before she rushed in, Sheryl came out with a plate of cookies in her hands.

"Mommy! It's really you! You are home so early today!" Shirley wrapped her arms around Sheryl and raised her little head to look up at her.

Seeing this gesture, Sheryl couldn't help but smile. She wanted to hug Shirley, but both her hands were occupied. "I was missing you and your brother so much! Sorry for not being able to spend some time with you over the past few days. To make up for it, I've made some delicious cookies for you. Come on! Let us taste them!"

"They are going to be amazing. I can tell by the smell!" Shirley jumped up and down and followed her mother to the tea table. Clark also hurriedly took his schoolbag off and ran to join them.

Shirley took a cookie from the plate before they reached the table. Quickly, she had a bite and let out a sigh of satisfaction. She closed her eyes as she relished it. Sheryl couldn't help but laugh as she saw her little girl savor her cookie. Immediately, she went to the kitchen to fetch a cup of water for her. Clark dumped the whole cookie into his mouth. Joan smiled at the mother and kids with a delighted look, as she stood to the side. It has been a while since she saw the three of them have such a great time together.

Joan and Nancy were good friends. They had been keeping in touch with each other, especially when Joan started working for Sheryl. Nancy cared for Clark and Shirley, and thus she called Joan from time to time to remind her of what she should pay attention to. In this way, Joan had learned about Charles' accident and knew that Sheryl must have been spending most of her time at the hospital.

But as a nanny, she was in no position to raise the topic unless Sheryl volunteered information. Joan sighed inwardly for Sheryl's suffering and decided to take even better care of the kids since that was all she could do.

"Please, come and join us, Joan! Thank you for taking such good care of Clark and Shirley. You have no idea how I appreciate that!" Sheryl called Joan and gestured for her to come over.

Only then did Joan hurriedly pulled herself together. She replied with a pleasant smile, "Thank you, Sher. But I've already had my supper before going out. Please, enjoy your time with the kids!"

"Joan, come on! You need to taste it. My mommy is good at making cookies. You'll regret it if you don't!" Shirley insisted and pouted at Joan.

Now all three looked at Joan expectantly.

Clark, after switching his gaze between his mother and Joan, came up with an idea. He stood up from his chair and came to Joan, grabbed her hand, and dragged her to sit with them. "Joan, you know Mommy is quite busy these days. If you don't take a bite, you might have to wait for a year before she makes cookies again." He was young, but his words somehow contained the truth.

"Clark, are you complaining that I'm not a good mother?" Sheryl asked with a smile, pretending to be annoyed.

She wasn't mad at Clark's words. Instead, she felt embarrassed. She wished she could spend more time with the kids later. Her kids were the most sensitive creatures. They might not blame her for her absence, but it would still affect their feelings.

"Oh, Mommy! My intention wasn't to hurt you. I was just trying to convince Joan to have these delicious cookies," Clark explained, feeling annoyed that his plan had backfired. Sheryl's little boy was both sweet and considerate. Now he couldn't help but gaze at his mother sadly. He couldn't believe he had hurt her.

Sheryl let out a loud laugh. She thanked God for these two adorable kids. Every time she was down, their faces brightened up her day. Shirley was lively and lovely; while Clark was sensible and smart. Although they might not realize how much they had influenced their mother, Sheryl appreciated them more than she had ever appreciated anyone else.

The four of them chatted happily for a while. Then, Sheryl went to the kids' room with them, while Joan cleaned the table.

The kids told Sheryl that their teacher had given them a task to complete today. Since it was a bit tough, they sheepishly confessed that her help was required.

Clark's task was to make a bottle of diagnoses. Actually, he had planned how to make them the moment their teacher spoke. Apart from being good at studying, Clark was also skilled when it came to creativity.

He then told Sheryl his plan. Sheryl rubbed the back of his head and said, "It sounds great, Son! Let's start it now!" Her son had saved her a lot of trouble. If he hadn't thought of this, she surely would have had to rake her head for a plan.

"Let's do it! Mommy, please, wait for my instructions," Clark replied briskly.

"But Mommy, how about my princesses? Where shall I start?" Shirley grumbled and tugged at Sheryl's clothes. She was a little impatient as Clark had already started, while she didn't even have a clue about her work.

Sheryl wrapped her little hands into hers and said, "Don't worry, Shirley. Let's see how your brother makes his diagnoses first. Maybe it will give you some inspiration." She drew the little girl near and held her into her arms.

"Great!" shouted Shirley as she widened her eyes excitedly.

The kids' world was clean and bright. They would be happy as long their mother was there with them. They would learn someday that the company of their mother was the most precious gift for them.

It was quite late by the time that both Clark and Shirley had finished their work. Sheryl took them for a bath before putting them into bed.

For half an hour, she read them a couple of bedtime stories. Patiently, she sat there until they fell asleep. Once she was certain they had dozed off, she glanced at the clock and found it was already time for he to go to the hospital. She came to Joan's room to inform her before she left the house.

It was nearly ten o'clock when Sheryl got there.

On the other hand, Melissa and Leila decided to leave the hospital when the special nurse they hired arrived.

Sheryl had spotted them when she was waiting for the elevator. But she moved a few steps away and turned around because she wanted to avoid unnecessary troubles.

She then took the elevator to the floor where Charles' ward was located, and watched him through the glass window.

Every night, she came here after Melissa and Leila had left. It broke her heart to watch him lie there, motionlessly. If it wasn't for the rhythmical movements of his nostrils, people would have undoubtedly assumed that he was a dummy.

Sheryl put her hands on the glass and watched him without blinking her eyes. The quietness around her made her feel secure, in spite of the situation.

Earlier, she ran into Melissa when she was here. Melissa would often make a sarcastic remark and warn her against showing up next time. She didn't care what Melissa thought, but she couldn't handle the extra drama. Since then, she chose to come here when they were gone.

Charles looked better than before. Sheryl had talked with the doctor, and he had told her that Charles would be transferred to a normal ward tomorrow. Her eyes were moistened by this news. "He is doing well and getting better," the doctor had said. These words gave her hope. Sheryl couldn't wait to see Charles in his former glory.

She spread her fingers against the glass and murmured, "Please, wake up, Charles. I'm going to go out with Lewis if you choose to keep on sleeping. I mean it!"

She was trying to provoke Charles. He had both her heart and soul. Lewis's name was merely an excuse to agitate him. She hadn't thought about Lewis even once. She believed Charles could hear her, and these threats might bring him back. 'How stupid am I!' she thought to herself.