Lydia instinctively grabbed onto Quincy, her fear taking hold. Realizing the situation, she slowly let go and looked around frantically. She picked up a nearby stick, trying to steady herself. "Come on, I’m not afraid of you," she said, her voice trembling slightly.Quincy quickly placed his hand over hers. "Don’t provoke it," he warned.The snake's cold eyes glinted as it hissed and suddenly lunged forward. "Ah!" Lydia screamed, swinging the stick wildly with her eyes squeezed shut. The snake coiled around the stick and struck, sinking its fangs into her leg before slithering away.Lydia gasped and collapsed to the ground, staring in shock at the two puncture marks on her leg. The courage she had forced herself to muster vanished instantly. Panic overtook her, and she began to cry, "Quincy, Quincy, am I going to die?"Quincy grabbed her hand, trying to calm her. "Don’t worry, you’ll be okay. Just stay calm."Without hesitation, he lowered his mouth to the bite on her leg, tryin
This was the first time Quincy had spoken so much at once. He was usually the type to keep his words to a minimum. "Stop crying. We're still here, safe and sound. Isn't that proof enough that we've been really lucky?"He tried to smile, hoping to lift Lydia's spirits. Lydia wiped her eyes with her sleeve and nodded, "You're right."The night air was bitterly cold, and a chill swept through the cave, causing Lydia to shiver involuntarily.Quincy noticed her discomfort and hesitated for a moment before clearing his throat. He then suggested a bit awkwardly, "If we stay closer, it might help us stay warm."His suggestion was subtle, but Lydia immediately understood. Her face flushed, but her body acted on instinct, moving closer to him without hesitation. Quincy, after all, was a strong man, and his body radiated warmth like a small furnace. Lydia instantly felt a wave of comfort and safety wash over her.Without thinking, she gently wrapped her arms around his waist. Quincy tens
After walking for a while, Lydia stumbled upon a small pond. Her heart leaped with relief as she found a tree for Quincy to lean against. She tore a strip of fabric from her skirt and soaked it in the cool water. She then began to gently wipe Quincy's feverish body. As she worked, she murmured to herself, "Quincy, you have to get better. When we get back, I'll agree to whatever you ask."She assumed Quincy was too delirious to hear her. However, he reached out suddenly and grabbed her hand tightly. He asked with his intense gaze. "Do you really mean that?"Lydia was startled. If it weren't for Quincy’s body still burning with fever, she might have thought he was faking it. Blushing, she said, "I didn’t say anything. Let go of me, now."Quincy chuckled weakly. "No way, I heard every word."Lydia looked down, embarrassed, and gave him a light shove. "I think you're just pretending to be sick."Hearing this, Quincy immediately looked hurt. He took Lydia’s hand and placed it on hi
The possibility that the man might have ulterior motives crossed Lydia’s mind, and she became instantly alert. Given their current situation, she knew she was likely no match for him, especially with Quincy still sick and unable to help.Sensing her unease, the man chuckled and said, "Don’t worry, I’m not interested in you. I don’t like skinny women. I prefer women with a bit more curves."Embarrassed that her thoughts had been so transparent, Lydia felt awkward, as if she had been both paranoid and overly self-assured.The man continued, "Just take care of him tonight. His fever should break by morning. I'll help you get out of here then. No need to thank me. Just bring me a couple of bottles of good liquor when you get the chance."Relieved, Lydia smiled, showing her white teeth. "Deal. My family has some great liquor stashed away. You’ll love it."The mention of alcohol seemed to loosen the man's tongue. He grinned and said, "You must come from money if your family has such t
"Thank you."Suddenly, Quincy’s soft, sincere voice echoed in Lydia’s ears as he looked at her with those deep, dark eyes. Lydia could sense his seriousness in that moment."No need to be so formal. You’ve helped me too. Let’s focus on recovering and then get out of here. Maybe we can ask the man if he has a phone?"Lydia felt they had spent enough time in the mountains, and she knew the factory workers likely wouldn’t give up looking for them."Alright, I’ll talk to him."Quincy had already asked the man about borrowing a phone, but the man had declined, saying, "I’ve been out here in the mountains hunting for years. What would I need a phone for?"His small home was simple but well-equipped. Quincy found it hard to believe that the man didn’t have a phone, but there were no signs of any communication devices around.Quincy suggested, "In that case, could you take us to the nearest market? We can pay to use a phone to call for help. We’ll make sure to reward you generously once
"At least you’re self-aware," Lydia replied, her smile growing wider.Quincy noticed this and couldn’t help but admire her composure. Even in such a dire situation, Lydia could still find it in herself to smile. Her mental strength was something else.Quincy frowned slightly and asked, "You’re aware of what’s going on, but you don’t seem scared at all. Why…?""Do you think we should be wearing gloomy faces instead?" Lydia cut him off with a soft laugh. "Honestly, if we’re meant to die here, that’s just fate. If it’s destiny that we die together, what choice do we have?"She didn’t seem like she was just trying to laugh in the face of adversity. There was a genuine acceptance in her tone.Quincy felt a pang of guilt. "I brought you on this trip, and now look what’s happened."Before, Quincy might have been wary of Lydia, but after all they had been through together, he knew what kind of person she was. If she were the type to abandon someone in trouble, she would have left him beh
"One million," Nash named his price.The man had not expected such a high figure, but since Nash mentioned it, he was more than willing to agree. "Alright, but you'll only take them once I get the money."Without hesitation, Nash replied, "Give me your account number."Though the man spent most of his life hunting in the mountains, he still had a bank account. As soon as he gave Nash the number, the money was transferred into his account. One million was in his account in less than two minutes.He had never seen that much money in his life.While he was still lost in the excitement, Nash had already left with the people, heading to find Quincy and Lydia.Since the payment was made, Nash naturally took them with him.He had them both sent to the hospital, where Caleb personally checked their injuries. Both were hurt, and traces of snake venom still lingered.Thankfully, Caleb administered the antivenom and kept them under observation in the hospital.Nash instructed Quincy, "Yo
Caleb was doing it on purpose.As soon as he started grumbling, people passing by began glancing in their direction. Back when Nina was not in Nash’s life and Miranda was nowhere near him either, rumors about Nash and Caleb’s relationship had already spread wildly. And now Caleb was stirring things up again!Nash was at a loss for words, his expression quickly hardening as his gaze sharpened. "If you really have a death wish, I don’t mind helping you out."Nash despised being the subject of rumors, especially now that he was happily settled with his family. The thought of false stories circulating about him now was intolerable.Seeing the deadly look in Nash’s eyes, Caleb immediately realized he had pushed too far and dared not say anything more. He could only watch helplessly as Nash walked farther and farther away.When Nash got back to their home at Riverside Estate, even Nina noticed the tension on his face.Alarmed, she asked, "What’s wrong? You didn’t find them?"It had