The next day, in the afternoon, Scarlett waited at the hospital's entrance while pacing around. Mr. Appleford's car arrived, and his driver came down and opened the door for him. He stepped out and walked towards the hospital's entrance.
When he got closer, Scarlett abruptly stood in front of him.
"You are Mr. Appleford, right?" Scarlett asked, and Mr. Appleford looked at her with a questioning look on his face.
"Ye...s, I am Mr. Appleford. How may I help you?" Mr. Appleford asked with courtesy.
"I am Leo's classmate," Scarlett said as she hesitated.
"Oh, nice to meet you!" he exclaimed. "What's your name?" he asked as he looked Scarlett in the eye with a broad smile.
"My name is Scarlett Joseph," Scarlett replied.
"Wow, you're from the Joseph family. Don't just stand there—come and see Leo." He said and wanted to lead the way for Scarlett.
"No, wait," Scarlett said, and Mr. Appleford looked at her.
"I am not here to see Leo," Scarlett said as she smiled faintly.
"Then why are you here?" Mr. Appleford asked curiously.
"I am here to tell you my suspicions about what happened to Leo," Scarlett said, and Mr. Appleford opened his eyes wide.
"You know about the scopolamine that was given to Leo?" Mr. Appleford asked.
"I don't really know about that, but I know Leo was caught in a trap," Scarlett said.
"A trap? What trap?" Mr. Appleford asked as he was confused.
"A trap set by Bruce Sheldon. He manipulated a girl to give Leo something, and I am suspecting it was that substance that made Leo weak," Scarlett said, and Mr. Appleford stared at the empty space for a second.
"Please, don't mention my name to him. Bye, sir," Scarlett said and left.
Mr. Appleford got a grip on himself and walked into the hospital swiftly.
Mr. Appleford entered Leo's ward and saw Leo, who was sitting upright on the hospital bed. He looked weak and sad as usual. He looked at Leo for some seconds, then he walked towards him slowly. When he got close enough, he sat on a chair beside Leo's bed.
"How are you feeling?" Mr. Appleford asked.
"Good," he said without looking at his father.
Mr. Appleford sighed and held Leo's right hand, which was placed on the bed. Leo looked at his father's hand on his and withdrew his hand.
His father put his hands on his own lap as he looked hesitant.
"Bruce Sheldon is the one who forced the scopolamine patches on you without you noticing," Mr. Appleford said, and Leo looked at him.
"I thought as much, but it doesn't make a difference that we now know because there's nothing we can do. He will do it over and over again," Leo said with a low, frustrated tone as he glanced at his father.
"I can change your school," Mr. Appleford said.
"I am not leaving. You have to regret doing those things you did in the past," Leo said and looked away.
"Leo, you know..." he was saying when the ward's door slid open.
Leo and his father looked at the door's direction, and there they saw Mr. Sheldon and Bruce with some reporters standing there.
Leo's face darkened while Mr. Appleford stared at them. The tension between them intensified.