“For me?” Madeline took the gift confusedly and realized that there was a note on it.On the note wrote: [I was in a rush and didn’t have time to find you a better meeting gift. I hope you’ll like this.] It was signed by Shirley. Was this a meeting gift from Shirley? Madeline was surprised. “Do you have Shirley’s contact information, Jeremy? I’d like to thank her.”“No,” Jeremy replied curtly, “Let’s go, Linnie. We can leave this at the front desk.” “Wouldn’t it be impolite to just do that when someone has given me a gift?” Madeline gave it some thought and finally decided to bring it back to the room. Jeremy did not say much and returned to the room with Madeline.On the way back, Madeline opened the box to find an aromatherapy kit inside.The bottle’s shape was unusual as it was in the shape of a snake. Madeline herself was sensitive to scents and coupled with her profession as a perfumer, she gave it an intrigued sniff. However, except for a few usual aromatizers, sh
Madeline ran out of the bathroom and saw Jeremy lying on the floor next to the bed.“Jeremy!” She frantically ran over and knelt by the man. The man’s sharp brows were knitted as if he was enduring severe agony. Madeline’s heart raced in panic.“What happened, Jeremy? Is the poison acting up again?”Madeline pulled Jeremy by his shoulders so that he could lean against her chest.She wanted to carry him to the bed if she could but she was not strong enough.“What happened? Adam himself said that the lapse between each attack would become longer and longer. Why is this happening now?”Madeline was anxious as her tears began to fall without restraint, falling onto Jeremy’s face.“Don’t worry, Linnie,” Jeremy spoke through the pain and reached out to caress Madeline’s cheek. “I’m already used to the pain. It won’t be for very long. I’ll be fine soon.” He comforted her as his seductive lips were pulled into a small smile to placate her worry.However, the more he was considerate
Madeline quickly took the elevator upstairs. Just as she stepped out, she saw a familiar figure in the corridor.“Shirley?” Madeline called out hesitantly.The woman walking a small distance away halted her steps and turned around. “It’s me, Mrs. Whitman,” Shirley smiled and explained, “I left something in the room so I came back to take it.”Madeline then ran toward Shirley. The woman was no different than a lifesaver to her at that moment.“The poison in Jeremy’s body has suddenly relapsed, Shirley. You treated him once before, right? So that means you can help him again! Please, he’s in a lot of pain!”At that, Shirley’s expression morphed into one of worry. “Where’s Jeremy now?” “In the room!” “Bring me there now!” Shirley quickly followed after Madeline.Entering the room, Madeline saw that Jeremy had already managed to sit up and was leaning against the bed. She immediately ran toward him. “You’ll be alright, Jeremy. Shirley coincidentally came back to the hotel to get
Madeline was stunned for a moment as she glanced at the bathroom where the glass door was tightly shut.“It’ll be over soon, Jeremy. Just hold on a little longer.“You can unleash the pain just like you used to before.“I’m your doctor but I’m also your friend. I can help you, ah…”Madeline heard Shirley’s voice sound non-stop from the bathroom until her last amorous whisper. Then, the bathroom turned silent.The staff glanced at the bathroom weirdly before turning to Madeline to speak.“I’ve already brought all the ice to the bathroom, Mrs. Whitman. I’ll be leaving then if there isn’t anything else you need.”Madeline snapped back to reality. “Thank you.”“You’re welcome.” The staff gave a small smile and left.Madeline dragged Shirley’s luggage over to the bathroom and reached out to open the door only to realize that the glass door was locked from the inside.“I brought your luggage over, Shirley. How’s Jeremy doing?” Madeline asked while facing the bathroom door but recei
She touched his arm with eyes full of worry as the man’s body temperature had not increased at all.“His body temperature is low because he’s soaking in ice.” Shirley’s voice sounded from behind.Madeline turned her head and saw Shirley slowly walking over with a syringe in her hand.“Could you wait outside, Mrs. Whitman? I don’t really like having someone watching over my shoulder when I’m treating my patients.”Madeline understood and got up, only to have Jeremy hold her hand.“Don’t go, Linnie.”“Be good, Jeremy. Let Shirley give you that injection and you’ll be alright, okay?” Madeline hushed Jeremy as if he was a child before she let go of her hand.“Thank you, Shirley.”“You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure to help those in need.” Shirley gave a small smile.Madeline did not think too much of it and went out.She gave Jeremy one last glance before she closed the door. She saw that the man’s half-squinted peach blossom eyes were tinted red.He was looking at her delicately.
“Jeremy!”Madeline could not find it in her to continue waiting by the door at those comments. She opened the glass door and ran into the bathroom.What met her was the sight of Jeremy oozing with anger and iciness while Shirley had fallen next to the bathtub.Madeline had no idea what happened. Her priority was knowing how Jeremy was doing, but out of politeness, she moved to help Shirley up first.She had just reached out when she felt Jeremy grabbing her arm tightly. The man was strong and Madeline felt a twinge of pain at his firm grip.“Don’t touch her.”Jeremy spat out the four words out coldly, his tone exceptionally chilling.“Jeremy?” Madeline looked at the man’s sharp gaze. “Are you okay, Jeremy? What happened? Is Shirley—”“Don’t worry, Mrs. Whitman. I’m alright.” Shirley grabbed the side of the tub as she slowly sat up. She glanced at Jeremy’s cold gaze from the corner of her eyes before she turned to smile at Madeline.“Jeremy doesn’t want you to touch me because
Adam was stunned for a moment. “What? What are you saying? Who are you? Where’s Eveline?”“Don’t you recognize me anymore? You’re just like your parents, Adam. Heartless and cruel,” Shirley mocked coldly.Adam fell silent for a few seconds before he finally reacted.“It’s you.” His mind was supplied with a certain identity. He was dumbfounded by the identity and slightly surprised.“Yeah, it’s me,” Shirley replied Adam without hesitation, “We’ll be meeting very soon, Adam. Although I don’t think you’ll be looking forward to it.”Adam fell silent again and ignored Shirley’s words. He changed the subject, saying, “Why did you pick up the phone? Where’s Eveline? How is Jeremy doing?”Shirley scoffed. “Didn’t I tell you? He’s dying soon and his wife is next to him, heartbroken.”“Bullsh*t! He can’t possibly be in any life-threatening danger!” It was clear from Adam’s tone that he was panicking. “I won’t let you fool around like this!”Adam quickly hung up the phone with that.Sh
Madeline was surprised as well to see the person coming down from the car. "Shirley, why are you here as well?"Shirley let out a friendly smile that looked almost generous. "Didn't I say before that I'm coming back home? This is my home."Madeline pointed at the small villa ahead. "This is your house?""Yup, this is my house." Shirley nodded confidently. Then, she walked toward Adam who was looking all serious. "Adam, your sister is back home. Why aren't you looking happy at all?"That piece of information made Madeline flabbergasted. "Shirley, you're Adam's sister?""That's right, I'm Adam's sister. I'm his biological sister with the same father and mother." Shirley raised her hand and gently tapped on Adam's shoulder. She let out a mystifying smile. "Adam, why don't you introduce your friends to me?"Adam heard the comment and let out a smile that was not obvious. "There's no need for me to introduce you since you guys already seem to know each other." He took two steps ahead