Chapter 5

Matthew was quick to respond. "Yes, Mr. Lambert."

Matthew signaled for Yvonne to get on his back, but Yvonne backed away quickly, waving her hand. "No, no, Will, I'm fine. Shawn can take me to the infirmary…"

She lowered her head. "Besides, I still have class in the afternoon. If I leave, I won't be able to take notes for Charles."

"He can take his own notes. Why are you taking notes for him?" William asked.

Yvonne bit her lip without answering.

Even Matthew couldn't help but pity her.

Yvonne was an heiress in her own right. Why was she putting herself through all this? What had the Lambert family done to her all these years?

"Ms. Sullivan, let me take you to the hospital," he said.

"I can't trouble you like that," Yvonne said in feigned panic. "I can go myself later."

Seeing this, William took off his jacket and tossed it at Matthew. "Go get the car. I'll drive her to the hospital."

Matthew was taken aback. "Mr. Lambert…"

William crouched slightly, his back still straight and upright.

"Thank you, Will." This time, Yvonne clambered onto his back without further protest.

Matthew was flabbergasted.

What happened to "not wanting to trouble" him?

Why did she get on William's back so quickly?

Shawn was just about to say something when he caught sight of the piercing look William was giving him. He swallowed his words.

Without leaving room for argument, William said, "Please let your teachers know that Yvie will not be attending this afternoon's classes."

Shawn nodded mutely.

With that, William carried Yvonne out of the school on his back.

Docile and quiet, Yvonne leaned against his broad back, moving as little as possible.

William had broad shoulders and a strong back. His gait was steady, so she had no fear of falling at all.

Along the way, she simply stared at his side profile, lost in thought.

William was such a strong and capable man. How did he end up getting killed by the Lamberts' scheming?

If he hadn't returned to Seaville and stayed abroad, he wouldn't have ended up dying in the accident.

…

At the hospital, William helped Yvonne with the medical paperwork—essentially, he paid her bills—while Matthew stayed by her side. After the doctor prescribed her the necessary medication, Yvonne asked, "Mr. Matthew, can we go home now?"

"Mr.—" Matthew's face darkened at the address.

Did he look that old?

"Soon. Mr. Lambert just has to pick up your medication."

"Doesn't he have any medicine at Roselake Manor?" Yvonne asked.

"Mr. Lambert rarely stays there. Besides, he just came back, so there are no medical supplies there," Matthew answered dutifully.

"Oh." Yvonne stared at William, who was a short distance away. "When is Will leaving, then?"

"Why do you ask, Ms. Sullivan?"

Her concern was when William would finally separate himself from the Lamberts. Her hope was that he'd leave Seaville for good. Otherwise, in six months, the Lamberts would make their move against him.

"L Group recently established a branch here at Seaville. Mr. Lambert has plans to settle in Seaville for the next five years, so he won't be leaving anytime soon."

"What? Five years?" Yvonne couldn't help but raise her voice.

Everyone in the hallway turned to look at her in confusion.

Matthew was surprised. "Do you really want Mr. Lambert to leave that badly, Ms. Sullivan?"

"No, not really."

Five years?

No wonder William died in Seaville in her previous life.

He hadn't left Seaville after all.

"What are you two talking about?" William asked when he returned, carrying a bag full of medicines and ointments.

Yvonne stood up and spoke before Matthew could. "Oh, nothing. Just making small talk with Mr. Matthew."

The form of address felt like a punch in Matthew's gut.

He and William were actually about the same age.

Why did William get to be called by his first name while he got an honorific that made him sound old?

"Matthew, get the car."

"Yes, sir."

After Matthew had left, William crouched down in front of Yvonne and took out the alcohol and iodine from the bag he was holding.

Seeing that he intended to treat her wound right there, Yvonne instinctively pulled her leg back. "Do we have to do that here?"

"Yes."

William's movements were efficient and practiced. He quickly disinfected her wound.

When the alcohol touched her wounds, Yvonne couldn't hold back the gasp of pain.

William paused. "Bear with it."

Yvonne nodded obediently.

Once he wrapped her knee with a bandage, the treatment was complete.

"Can you walk on your own?" William asked.

Yvonne pulled a face, hesitating.

Truthfully, she was perfectly fine.

Her fall down the stairs had been deliberate, so it was a controlled landing. At school, the limping had been an act, and her wounds just looked serious. They were really nothing but surface injuries.

However, getting William to carry her was the perfect opportunity to get close to him, so she answered, "Not really."

"Alright. Walk on your own, then."

Yvonne's mouth fell open in incredulity.

She just said she couldn't walk on her own!

William had already stood up by then. Afraid he would leave her behind, Yvonne quickly followed.

Because of the bandage on her knee, her gait was stiff and awkward, making her look like a limping little fool.

William deliberately slowed his pace, allowing her to stay just a few steps behind him.

When they reached the hospital's parking lot, Matthew was already there waiting for them. He got out of the car and opened the door.

Yvonne's forehead was covered in sweat at that point, as if she had run all the way there.

"Ms. Sullivan, do you need me to carry you into the house later?" Matthew asked in concern.

Before Yvonne could say anything, William said flatly, "No need for that. Her legs work just fine."

Yvonne clenched her fists in frustration.

Why was William acting so different now?

During the journey, William kept his eyes closed, resting.

Yvonne did not say anything either.

Matthew glanced at them curiously through the rearview mirror. He felt a peculiar, almost tangible tension filling the car.

When they arrived at Roselake Manor, William took out Yvonne's ID from his shirt pocket and handed it to her. "Your ID."

Yvonne stared at the card nervously.

William did notice the ID that she had left behind on purpose!

"Thanks, Will…"

Before Yvonne could reach out to take the ID, William snatched it back. "I'm waiting for your explanation," he said coldly.