Chapter 9

Sebastian carried Adeline into the lodge, her body nestled comfortably in his arms. He pushed open her room door and gently set her down on the bed.

"You need to clean up and change," Sebastian said, his eyes scanning her dirt-stained clothes and scraping limbs.

Adeline nodded, wincing as she shifted her weight. "I think I need some help."

Sebastian's gaze softened. "Where are you hurt?"

"My hand and leg," Adeline replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sebastian gently lifted her hand, examining the scrapes. "We'll get you cleaned up."

Adeline's eyes met Sebastian's, a flutter in her chest. "I don't think I can move."

Sebastian's expression turned resolute. "Don't worry, I've got you."

He began to carefully remove Adeline's shoes and socks, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

As he helped her undress, Adeline's cheeks flushed. She tried to cover herself.

Sebastian's voice reassured, "I'm not looking, Adeline. Just relax."

And it was true. Sebastian's gaze avoided her exposed skin.

Adeline's tension eased.

"Let me run a bath for you," Sebastian said, his voice low.

Adeline nodded.

Sebastian filled the tub with warm water, adding healing salts. He gently helped Adeline into the bath.

"Relax," Sebastian whispered. "I'll get your clothes."

Adeline closed her eyes, the warmth enveloping her.

When Sebastian returned with fresh clothes, Adeline's eyes opened.

"Need help getting out?" Sebastian asked.

Adeline nodded.

Sebastian lifted her from the tub, wrapping her in a towel.

Their bodies touched.

"Sorry," Sebastian whispered.

Adeline's eyes locked onto his. "No need to apologize."

Their gazes held, the air thick with tension.

Sebastian broke the silence. "Get dressed; I'll get dinner."

Adeline nodded.

As Sebastian left, Adeline felt a mix of emotions.

Gratitude.

Trust.

Attraction.

She wondered where this newfound connection would lead.

Little did she know, Sebastian was wondering the same thing.

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Adeline and Sebastian sat at the dinner table, enjoying a quiet evening together. Sebastian fed her a bite of roasted chicken.

Just as Adeline savored the flavors, the sound of multiple cars screeching to a halt outside filled the air. The lodge's front door swung open.

Adeline's eyes widened as a tall, imposing figure strode in.

"Alex!" Adeline exclaimed, shocked.

Alex, her brother's secretary, stood ramrod straight.

Sebastian stood, his expression wary. "Who are you?"

Before Alex could respond, Benjamin, Adeline's brother, stormed into the room. His face was a mask of cold fury.

Benjamin's gaze locked onto Sebastian, then shifted to Adeline. He strode toward her.

"What happened?" Benjamin demanded, his voice low and menacing.

Adeline hesitated, sensing her brother's anger. "I... fell while hiking. Sebastian saved me."

Benjamin's eyes narrowed. "Tell me everything."

Adeline recounted the events, from the fall to Sebastian's rescue.

Benjamin's face darkened with each passing word.

"This is why we don't allow you to come here," Benjamin spat. "Because of me, Dad agreed to send you here, and now look what's happened."

His voice rose. "Thank God one of my loyal men was on this team, keeping an eye on you. He informed me; otherwise, I doubt you'd have told me."

Benjamin's eyes blazed with anger.

"Do you have any idea what would happen if something happened to you? How would I face Dad?"

Benjamin's gaze snapped to Sebastian.

"And who are you?"

Sebastian stood tall. "I'm Sebastian, Adeline's professor. She's assisting me with my research."

Benjamin's expression turned incredulous.

"You're the one who insisted she come here?" Benjamin's voice dripped with venom.

Sebastian nodded. "I needed her expertise."

Benjamin's anger boiled over.

"You put my sister in harm's way?" Benjamin's words were laced with accusation.

Adeline intervened. "Benjamin, it wasn't Sebastian's fault—"

Benjamin cut her off. "No, Adeline. You're leaving with me. Now."

Sebastian stepped forward. "Benjamin, understand—"

Benjamin's glare silenced Sebastian.

"You've put Adeline's life at risk. I won't let that stand."

The air was thick with tension.

Benjamin's angry words still lingered in the air. "You have 5 minutes to pack your stuff. I'm waiting outside."

Adeline's face burned with embarrassment as Benjamin stormed out.

Sebastian's expression remained neutral, but his eyes betrayed concern.

Adeline's gaze dropped, avoiding Sebastian's. "I'll...I'll go pack."

She hurried to her room, her heart racing.

Five minutes later, Adeline emerged with a suitcase.

Sebastian stood in the same spot, his eyes fixed on her.

"Here," Adeline said, handing him a folder filled with photographs and notes. "My work from the trip."

Sebastian took the folder, his eyes scanning Adeline's.

Adeline's gaze faltered.

"Thank you," Sebastian said softly.

Adeline nodded.

The tension between them was palpable.

Without another word, Adeline turned and left.

Sebastian watched her go, his eyes lingering on the empty space.

He looked down at the folder in his hands.

Their time together had been cut short.

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As soon as they settled into the car, Benjamin and Adeline's tension boiled over.

"You humiliated me in front of Professor Sebastian," Adeline said, her voice trembling.

Benjamin's expression remained unyielding. "That professor is nothing compared to our family's reputation. If it weren't for him, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Adeline's eyes flashed. "He saved me on time, Benjamin. If it weren't for him, I'd be lying in that ditch right now."

Benjamin's jaw clenched. "Yes, he saved you, but he also put you in danger. You were supposed to be observing from a safe distance, not trekking through treacherous terrain."

Adeline's voice rose. "The fact is, you just can't stand the thought of me having even a shred of freedom, no matter how brief. You're just like Dad, always controlling, always suffocating me."

Benjamin's face reddened. "I care about you, dammit! That's why I did what I did."

Adeline's laughter was laced with bitterness. "Care about me? You put your man on the research team just to keep an eye on me. What kind of care is that? You don't trust me at all."

Benjamin's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "I did it to protect you, Adeline. You're naive about the world."

Adeline's eyes blazed. "Protect me? From what? From living? From experiencing life on my own terms? You're suffocating me, Benjamin."

The silence that followed was oppressive.

Benjamin's anger simmered, his eyes fixed on the road.

Adeline's gaze drifted out the window, her heart heavy.

Their argument hung in the air, unresolved.

The tension in the car slowly dissipated as the miles flew by, and Benjamin's expression transformed from anger to deep concern.

Benjamin reached out, placing a gentle hand on Adeline's shoulder, his touch warm and reassuring.

"Addie, I made a promise to Mom before she passed away," Benjamin said, his voice cracking with emotion, "to always take care of you, to protect you, and to keep you safe."

Adeline's gaze drifted to her brother's face, seeing the genuine concern and fear etched there, and her heart swelled with love and gratitude.

"When I heard about the incident," Benjamin continued, his voice trembling, "I was consumed by terror. I dropped everything—crucial business meetings, critical deals that would make or break my career—and rushed here, just to see with my own eyes that you were okay, that you were still with me."

Adeline's eyes welled up with tears as she saw the depth of her brother's love and devotion.

Benjamin's grip on her shoulder tightened, his fingers holding her close.

"I couldn't bear the thought of losing you, Addie," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "You're all I have left of Mom, the only piece of her that remains in my life."

Adeline's composure crumbled, and she turned to Benjamin, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry, Ben," Adeline whispered, her voice shaking. "I never meant to scare you or put you through that."

Benjamin pulled her into a tight hug, holding her close as if he'd never let her go.

"I'm sorry too, Addie," he whispered back, his voice filled with emotion. "I promise, no matter what, I'll always be there for you, to protect you, to support you, and to love you unconditionally."

Adeline nodded, feeling a deep sense of connection and love for her brother.

Their tears mingled as they hugged, the world outside fading away.

Only the two of them remained—bound by love, loyalty, and memories of their mother.

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The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the estate. Adeline's father, Malcolm Emerson, returned from his business trip.

Exhausted but eager to reunite with his family, Malcolm's expression transformed from weariness to shock as Benjamin briefed him on the incident.

"Adeline was hurt during a research expedition?" Malcolm's voice rose, his eyes narrowing.

Malcolm's anger boiled over. "You convinced me to let her go on this trip!" he accused Benjamin.

Benjamin's expression turned defensive. "I thought it would be good for her, Father. She needed the experience."

Malcolm's voice rose. "Experience? She almost died!"

Benjamin's eyes dropped. "I know, Father. I'm sorry."

Malcolm's gaze pierced Benjamin. "You're sorry? You should be. You're her guardian, her protector. How could you let this happen?"

Benjamin's face reddened. "I thought I was doing what was best for her, Father."

Malcolm stormed to Adeline's room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

He entered her room, finding her sitting up in bed, looking pale but relieved.

Doctor Blackwell was checking her wounds, nodding reassuringly.

"Father," Adeline whispered, her eyes widening.

"Adeline, what were you thinking, deliberately disobeying me and putting yourself in harm's way like that?" Malcolm demanded, his voice echoing through the room.

Adeline shrank under her father's glare, feeling the weight of his disapproval and worry.

"I-I was trying to gather data for my research, Father," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

Malcolm's expression darkened, his face reddening with anger.

"Data? You risked your life for data, Adeline? Do you have any idea how reckless that was?"

Doctor Blackwell intervened, attempting to calm the situation.

"Mr. Emerson, perhaps we should focus on Adeline's recovery right now. She's been through a traumatic experience."

Malcolm cut him off, his tone firm.

"No, Doctor. This is between me and my daughter. Your concern is her physical well-being; mine is her safety and well-being as a whole."

He turned back to Adeline.

"You deliberately disobeyed me, and look what happened. You could have been killed. What if that professor hadn't been there to save you?"

Adeline's eyes dropped, tears welling up.

"Answer me!" Malcolm thundered, his patience wearing thin. He shook his head in disappointment.

"I-I didn't mean to worry anyone, Father. I just wanted to prove myself," Adeline whispered.

Malcolm's voice turned icy.

"Your intentions are irrelevant, Adeline. Your actions have consequences. You'll face those consequences now. No more research expeditions. No more defiance. You'll do as you're told, or face the repercussions."

Adeline trembled.

"But, Father—"

Malcolm's glare silenced her.

"I don't care what you want, Adeline. I care about your safety. And I'll ensure it, no matter what. You're my daughter, and it's my duty to protect you."

With that, Malcolm turned and left, leaving Adeline shaken and Doctor Blackwell concerned.

The door closed behind Malcolm, and Adeline's sobs filled the room.

**************************************

Sebastian approached Dr. Lee, his expression serious.

"Dr. Lee, I think we've gathered enough data. It's time to wrap up this research trip," Sebastian said.

Dr. Lee looked up from his notes, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Enough data, or have you started missing your assistant?" Dr. Lee asked, a sly smile spreading across his face.

Sebastian's expression turned sheepish.

Dr. Leechuckled.

"Come on, Seb. I know you. You're not thinking about the data; you're thinking about Adeline," Dr. Lee teased.

Sebastian sighed.

"Okay, fine. Maybe I am. But it's not just that. I'm worried about her safety," Sebastian admitted.

Dr. Lee's expression softened.

"I understand. She's been through a lot," Dr. Lee said.

Sebastian nodded.

"I'd feel better if we were back at the lab," Sebastian said.

Dr. Lee clapped Sebastian on the back.

"Alright, let's pack up. We've got enough data to keep us busy for months," Dr. Lee agreed.

As they began to dismantle their equipment, Dr. Lee turned to Sebastian.

"You know, Seb, you're not fooling anyone. You're hooked on that girl," Dr. Lee said with a grin.

Sebastian rolled his eyes.

"Shut up, Lee," Sebastian replied, laughing.

Their banter continued as they packed up the research site, their easy camaraderie a testament to their long-standing friendship.

As they prepared to leave, Sebastian couldn't help but wonder what the future held for him and Adeline.

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