Chapter 80 I Like You, Jared
Sloane's POV
Just as I was being kissed into a daze, almost drowning in the passion he created, the car hood beneath me was too slippery. I felt my body slip, and I lost control, falling toward the ground.I cried out, but the expected pain never came. I only heard Jared's sharp gasp as he quickly caught me. But due to the momentum, we both tumbled awkwardly onto the grass by the lake.
He held me tightly in his arms, using himself as a cushion. His back hit the ground hard with a muffled grunt.
The fireworks continued blooming tirelessly in the night sky, illuminating our embarrassing situation clearly.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Ignoring his own condition, he immediately helped me up, his voice filled with unprecedented panic. He cupped my face, carefully checking me over by the light of the fireworks. "Did you hurt yourself anywhere? Are you injured?"
I looked at the clear panic and guilt in his eyes. My heart, which had been racing from passion, gradually calmed down and was instead filled with a soft, warm feeling.
I shook my head, then, under his stunned gaze, I reached out and wrapped my arms tightly around his waist, burying my face in his solid chest.
This embrace could comfort him better than any words.
"Jared," I said, leaning against him, listening to his drumming heartbeat, speaking in a voice that was clearer and more certain than ever before, "I think I really do like you."
All his apologies and panic came to an abrupt halt at my words.
His arms around me suddenly stiffened, then tightened with a force that seemed like he wanted to crush me into him. "Say it again."
His voice was hoarse, with a tremor of disbelief.
I lifted my head from his embrace, meeting his incredibly bright eyes, and repeated solemnly, word by word. "I said, I like you, Jared."
He smiled.
That smile was like a child who had finally gotten the candy he'd been coveting for so long—pure and satisfied.
He lowered his head and kissed my lips hard. This kiss was no longer about invasion and possession, but filled with the wild joy of regaining something lost and deep cherishing.
"Mine," he said against my forehead, his eyes filled with thick emotion, declaring possessively, "You're finally mine."
I immersed myself in this moment of happiness, almost forgetting what day it was.
But Jared clearly hadn't. The wild joy in his eyes was quickly replaced by worry. Without allowing any argument, he scooped me up and strode toward the driver's seat.
"No way, that fall wasn't light. I have to take you to the hospital for a checkup." His tone left no room for discussion.
I couldn't argue with him, so I let him put me in the car and drive at breakneck speed to the nearest private hospital.
After all the fuss, once it was confirmed that I only had some scrapes on my elbow and nothing serious, he finally relaxed.
The next day, I woke up to the smell of food. Sunlight filtered through the curtain gaps, casting fine specks of light in the air.
I rubbed my eyes and went downstairs to see Jared actually wearing that ridiculous cartoon apron, standing in the open kitchen, clumsily working with a frying pan. The dining table was already set with golden toast and hot milk.
"You're awake?"
Hearing the noise, he turned to look at me, his face showing a hint of being caught in the act, but the tenderness in his eyes couldn't be hidden. "Go wash up, breakfast will be ready soon."
I watched his tall figure busy in the morning light, my heart full of softness. We sat facing each other, enjoying this hard-won peace.
Just then, my phone on the table dinged, the screen lighting up with a bank deposit notification.
I casually opened it, and when I saw the amount and the sender's information, I froze completely.
A huge sum of money, and in the sender column, it clearly read: Harrison Rex.
My smile froze on my face.
"What's wrong?" Jared keenly noticed my reaction. He put down his knife and fork, his gaze falling on my phone screen.
With just one glance, the remaining warmth on his face instantly drained away, replaced by a terrifyingly dark expression.
He suddenly reached out and, before I could react, snatched my phone away.
His movement was as fast as lightning, carrying undisguised anger and possessiveness.
He didn't even question me, but directly opened that message, found that name, and called Harrison.
"This is Jared Montclair." He spoke, his voice cold as ice. "What do you mean by transferring this money to her?" Whatever was said on the other end, Jared's expression grew worse, the pressure around him dropping to a frightening level.
He listened for a few seconds, then let out a cold laugh, his tone full of mockery. "Investment? Mr. Rex's calculations are really clever."
After listening to a few more sentences, he seemed to lose all patience, hung up directly, and threw the phone back in front of me with such force it made a dull thud.
I knew he cared.
I also didn't want too much involvement with that Harrison.
I picked up my phone, opened the conversation with Harrison, ignored his just-sent message [Looking forward to working with you], and typed a message: [Mr. Rex, thank you for your appreciation, but I can't accept this investment.]
As soon as I sent the message, my wrist was grabbed by a large hand.
Jared stared at me intently, his eyes filled with suppressed anger and a hint of hurt. "Not just the investment. I hope you won't have any contact with him in the future."
"David has already signed the contract." I looked at him, explaining helplessly.
This money was from Harrison, in the name of Rex Medical Center, investing in the small research lab that Lila and I were setting up together. Everything went through proper business channels.
Jared's expression darkened to the point where it seemed water could drip from it. He looked as if he'd heard the world's biggest joke, letting out a cold snort from his throat.
"Despicable." He gritted out the word, then looked at me with unprecedented seriousness. "Sloane, stay away from him. That man is not simple."
The gravity and seriousness in his eyes pressed on my heart like a huge stone.
I knew he wasn't joking, nor was he simply jealous.
"Okay," I said, looking at his tense jawline, finally nodding. "I promise you."
I promised him I would stay away from Harrison.
This investment from Rex Medical Center was ultimately accepted in the name of the research lab, at David's insistence.
I didn't refuse again. I put every cent into lab equipment and research—none of it went into my own pocket.