The bodyguards were eating at another table. They scarfed down their food and then headed outside to stand guard.
Dennis pulled Claire to sit in the back row. "Hey, Claire, sit with me."
Claire was caught off guard for a moment, then smiled. "Sure thing!"
But she knew she couldn't let herself get any ideas about Dennis. Ivy had a significant background and might even be his fiancée. Claire knew she would have to leave eventually.
The air inside the car felt thick, almost suffocating.
Claire sat beside him, her hands tightly clasped together, occasionally sneaking glances at the man next to her.
His profile was as chiseled as a sculpture, yet there was a subtle hint of weariness.
The car slowly drove into the dense forest, and the road became rough and uneven. Each bump felt like a challenge to Claire's already frayed nerves.
She closed her eyes tightly in fear, her hands instinctively reaching out to Dennis.
When her fingertips touched his cold hand, she clung to him like a lifeline.
Dennis opened his eyes slightly, looking at the trembling Claire beside him.
Her eyes were filled with fear and helplessness, yet there was a stubborn determination in them.
A strange emotion surged in his heart. He gently held her hand and whispered, "Don't worry. I'm here."
The car finally reached a relatively flat area.
Ivy, looking pale from motion sickness, rushed out of the car and vomited by the roadside.
Seeing this, Claire quickly grabbed some tissues from the car and handed them to her.
However, Ivy took the tissues with a cold glance and didn't even say thank you.
The feng shui master stood at the foot of the mountain, pointing to the winding path ahead. "We need to walk for another twenty minutes to reach the top."
Dennis frowned, glancing at Ivy's still pale face. "You should stay in the car and rest."
Ivy was taken aback, then widened her eyes at Dennis.
But Dennis didn't seem to give her a choice.
Feeling a mix of resentment and helplessness, Ivy turned her gaze to Claire.
"Claire, stay with me." Ivy's tone was commanding and left no room for argument.
However, Dennis seemed to see through her intentions and coldly said, "Let the bodyguards stay and take care of you." With that, he turned and headed up the mountain.
Ivy watched Dennis's retreating figure, feeling a strange sense of loss.
But when Claire saw Ivy's angry and helpless expression, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
The mountain path was rugged and difficult. Claire was soon out of breath.
Dennis seemed to notice her fatigue and occasionally reached out to help her. Each time his hand touched her, she felt a strange flutter and her face would flush. The group continued to climb.
Dennis frequently looked back at Claire, worried she might fall behind.
Seeing his concerned gaze, Claire felt a warm current in her heart.
She gritted her teeth and tried her best to keep up with the group.
Finally, they reached the top.
The feng shui master stood by a large rock, pointing to an open area ahead. "This is the feng shui treasure land."
Curious, Claire moved closer, listening intently to the master's explanation.
Suddenly, she felt her foot slip and she fell backward.
She screamed in terror, her hands flailing in the air. Just then, a strong hand grabbed her arm, pulling her back to safety.
Claire, still shaken, looked up to see Dennis looking at her with concern.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
Claire shook her head, looking at him gratefully. "I'm fine, thanks." But just as she finished speaking, she felt a strong force pulling her forward.
She cried out as she lost her balance and tumbled down the slope.
Dennis, alarmed, quickly grabbed her, but the momentum caused them both to roll down the hill.
The slope was covered in vegetation and fallen leaves. They hit several branches and rocks as they tumbled.
Dennis held Claire tightly, using his body to shield her from the impact.
The bodyguards couldn't reach them in time and could only watch as they disappeared from sight.
Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled shadows on the slope.
Finally, they stopped at a relatively flat area.
Claire was safe in Dennis's arms.
But Dennis had a cut on his forehead from a branch, blood trickling down his face.
His hands were also scratched, with small spots of blood seeping out.
A few minutes later, the bodyguards found them. "Mr. Gonzalez, are you okay?" they asked with concern.
Dennis shook his head, indicating he was fine, then turned to Claire. "Are you hurt? Did you get bitten by a snake?"
He remembered Claire had screamed "snake" as they fell.
Claire shook her head, looking at Dennis gratefully. "Thanks, I'm fine."
The bodyguards took out a first aid kit, stopping the bleeding, disinfecting, and bandaging Dennis's wounds.
The group returned to the mountain top. Dennis listened to the feng shui master's explanation, his brow furrowed.
He decided to take photos of the surrounding area to study later before making a decision.
Over an hour later, they began their descent.
Claire, still shaken, felt her legs trembling.
Dennis walked ahead of her, occasionally reaching out to help.
"Mr. Gonzalez, you're injured too. You don't have to take care of me," Claire said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"It's fine. I'm tough. I won't die," Dennis said with a smile. "But you, be more careful next time."
As they reached a steeper section, Claire felt a bit panicked.
Dennis glanced at her, then crouched down. "Get on. I'll carry you down."
Claire hesitated but eventually climbed onto Dennis's back.
Dennis carried her steadily, step by step, down the steep slope.
Back in the car, Ivy saw Dennis's injuries and bloodstains, her eyes filling with tears. "Dennis, how did you get hurt like this?"
"It's nothing. I just slipped and got scratched by some branches," Dennis said nonchalantly.
Ivy tried to get closer to Dennis, but he gently pushed her away. "Ivy, let's just go back."
Feeling resentful, Ivy glanced at Dennis and Claire before getting into the car.
She knew Dennis's coldness towards her was because of Claire.
On the way back, Claire fell asleep, her head resting on Dennis's shoulder.
Dennis looked at her peaceful face, feeling a strange emotion.
He didn't know what it was, only that he wanted to protect Claire and keep her from harm.
Back at the villa, Ivy called Claire over.
Ivy looked at her with hostility. "Claire, did you cause Dennis's injuries?"
Claire was taken aback, then explained what had happened.
She thought Ivy would understand, but Ivy accused her of seducing Dennis and slapped her hard.
The sound of the slap echoed through the villa.
Claire held her burning cheek, looking at Ivy in disbelief.
Just then, Dennis walked over.
He immediately understood what had happened.
He glared at Ivy. "Ivy, what are you doing?"
Ivy, startled by Dennis's anger, looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Dennis, I..."