The Billionaire's Maid Bride novel Chapter 169

Adrian feigned surprise, looking up at the guard with wide eyes, then pointed to his ear, implying that his old age had given him a bit of a hearing problem.

"Well, we got a hard-of-hearing geezer here," the guard bellowed. "Clean up thoroughly, no dilly-dallying."

A few more guards emerged from the restroom. The leader, a middle-aged man, regarded Adrian's stooped figure with a slight frown. "Has this old guy been hanging around here all along?"

He was a cautious man, always on the lookout for potential problems.

Another guard shrugged it off. "No biggie, the old man can't hear too well."

Perhaps because they all thought Adrian was hard of hearing, they grew increasingly careless with their words. They've been stuck here for over a month, looking after a sickly middle-aged woman – it gets pretty boring.

"Do you reckon this woman will make it? When can we all go out for a drink? Beats were staying here, twiddling our thumbs."

"Who knows? We’ve got to earn our keep." They were being paid a hefty sum. "This lady may not have long left, but the boss doesn't seem to want her to kick the bucket just yet. Even though her body rejects the treatment, they keep her on medicines."

"Rich family drama is so convoluted. Have you guys met the lady boss? She seems loaded."

"That young girl who used to come by every week is the sick woman's daughter, right?"

"Probably. She should be dropping by any day now. I've touched her hand, so soft..."

"Get a grip, man."

The guards shot the breeze with a few off-color remarks thrown in. Women were a rare sight in this place.

Adrian kept his head down, clutching the mop tightly. He looked up, his voice hoarse, "Any more cleaning to do?"

"Nah, you can take off," a guard replied. Adrian didn't move. Aware of Adrian's hearing problem, the guard shouted again, "Go."

"All right." Adrian picked up his bucket and mop and prepared to leave.