Brian was silent for a moment before he said, "Miss Young fainted and was taken by Mr. Russell."

Lucas' voice was laced with cold anger. "Why didn't you interfere?"

Brian paused before responding. "You instructed me to ensure her safety, and Mr. Russell did not

harm her."

Lucas hung up the phone without another word.

Brian sighed, thinking to himself, "Did I do something wrong? I was just following orders."

Aveline's world spun, her body cycling between feverish heat and chilling cold. Consciousness ebbed and flowed like tides, leaving her adrift. Muffled voices reached her ears, but their words were lost in the haze. Without warning, something acrid touched her tongue, and she reflexively expelled it.

"Aveline?"

The voice became clearer and somewhat familiar. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Russell's devilishly handsome face close to hers.

She blinked in surprise. "Russ, what are you doing here?"

Russell frowned and said, "You fainted, and now you have a fever. Take the medicine. I've already called a doctor."

Aveline's chapped lips moved slightly. Thank you!

Russell replied, "No need to thank me. But tell me, why did you faint there? When did you come back?"

Aveline's head throbbed with pain. She took the medicine and sipped some warm water, feeling slightly better.

"Russ, where am I?" She avoided answering his questions.

Russell's eyes flickered before he replied, "My place."

Aveline quickly tried to get up. "I have to leave. I can't stay here."

Lucas had Brian follow her. He would surely know where she was!

She couldn't stay here and involve Russell.

Russell, however, pressed her shoulder down gently. "You're running a fever. Stay put until you're better. After that, you can go wherever you want. won't stop you."

Aveline frowned. "Russ, I can't drag you into this..

Russell tapped her forehead with his knuckle and gave a mischievous smile, "You consider me your friend and you think I'd be worried about being dragged into this? Just lie down and rest. The doctor will be here soon."

Aveline, feeling dizzy, was even more grateful to Russell. "Thank you."

Russell replied, "Stop saying thank you. Once you're better, cook me a few meals."

"Deal," Aveline agreed readily, lying back down on the bed.

The doctor arrived shortly and examined Aveline, administering medication to reduce her fever.

Outside the room, the doctor's expression was somewhat complicated.

Russell asked, "How is she?"

The doctor replied, "She caught a cold. Once the fever subsides, she'll be fine. But she has some lacerations that need proper care."

Russell's brow furrowed. "What?"

The doctor gave him a peculiar look and said, "Mr. Skyler, you and your partner should be more careful. Girls can get hurt easily."

He handed Russell an ointment. "Apply this to her wounds. She'll be fine in a few days."

Understanding dawned on Russell, and his handsome, devilish face darkened. Returning to the room, he saw that Aveline was already half-asleep. He placed the ointment beside her, stood by the bed silently for a moment, and then sighed helplessly.

"Being in such a complicated relationship with him like this, the only one getting hurt is you. Is it really worth it?”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.