Chapter 95
She approached the bed, stopping about three feet away, and asked with genuine concern, “How’s your wound feeling? [
Her tone was deliberately formal, showing appropriate respect for the man who had saved her life []
But her question hung in the air, completely ignored.]
Adeline stood there awkwardly
Nothing to do but wait in uncomfortable silence for him to acknowledge her []
Zarck was reading, his dark lashes lowered. From the moment she knocked until now, he hadn’t bothered to glance up even once []
After what felt like forever, his elegant fingers deliberately turned a page with infuriating slowness.]
“Interesting timing for your concern, don’t you think?” he finally said, his voice cool and distant.[]
Adeline’s already stiff smile froze completely.[]
Great start
She recovered quickly and explained, “I actually wanted to visit you at the hospital, but there were so many people around. I was worried it might cause unnecessary gossip if I showed up. That’s why I waited until you were home
“Gossip?” Zarek finally raised his eyes, fixing her with an unreadable look. “What makes you think your presence would make anyone assume there’s something between us?“]
Adeline felt like she’d been slapped
His meaning was crystal clear despite the roundabout delivery.[]
He was mocking her for thinking herself so important, so attractive, when she was actually nothing special.]
He was telling her nobody would ever imagine anything between them because she was beneath lumn–their worlds too far apart, she simply wasn’t in his league]
It was exactly like at the golf club when he’d humillated her for her outfit, accusing her of trying to use her looks to manipulate him.[]
The room temperature seemed to drop ten degrees.[]
Adeline’s face burned with humiliation, a painful flush spreading across her cheeks.]
“L” Words failed her The situation was mortifying, and there was no good response. Her throat tightened painfully. “Sorry. I overthought things. Won’t happen again.“[]
“I should go. Sorry for interrupting your reading.”
She retreated from the room, almost tripping over her own feet, barely avoiding a collision with the doorframe]
Zarek stared at the closed door, his expression unreadable.]
After a long moment, he shut his book and tossed it aside, leaning back against the pillows and rubbing his temples, closing his eyes in frustration]
He laughed bitterly at himself]
Real mature, Zarek…[]
Adeline emerged from the bedroom and made a beeline for the exit.
“That was quick,” Liam said, coming from the living room with obvious surprise[]
“Hes reading Don’t want to bother him. I should go,” she said in a rush. She attempted a smile that looked more like a grimace of pain[]
Lam didn’t try to stop her, just mentioned she was welcome anytime.[]
Adeline practically fled ]
La sighed deeply![]
Later, when Zarek came out for dinner, Liam remarked casually while serving the soup. Her eyes were red when she left. Probably crying her eyes out right now.
Zarek Troze)
Be packed up his cupsticks, then set them down “Are you guilt tripping me?]
“Woulday dream of B. Liam replied placing the soup beside him “Just puzzled. You took a krufe for this woman. Why turn around and make her run away m tears?]
Zatek had to answer ||
He poked up his chopsticks again moving food toward his lips then pulling it away several times before fually asking to a quieter voice. “She was actually crying?”
Blam plate ed at lum Maybe you should go downstairs and see for yourself
Zarck’s face remained expresstunless
He stood up without taking a single bate and walked toward his mattering. Your commentary but helpatul
Lain Qiday Kiss whether to laugh or cry.[]
Sew this was his fault now?)
Author curled up sucher couch, hugging a pillow to her chest, staring at nothing()
Sir plternated between sighing and scowling]
That fang walking on clouds feeling she’d had when she learned how hed protected her confronted the Grantham for her and locked out for her–cropletely gone []
In retrospect, ahir d been completely delusional
Yes, he had saved her life and shielded her from bars, but that didit magically make the squad
Delete, Block Move Your Latle Crybaby Upgraded to Untouchable Queen
82.51
Chapter 95
A boss was still a boss.[]
He could be kind and gentlemanly when it suited him, but turn cutting and cold the moment she overstepped. If she felt hurt by this, it only proved she’d forgotten her place
Time to get her head straight []
Don’t mistake basic professional courtesy for friendship
And for God’s sake, don’t imagine for one second that he might be interested in your
It took Adeline a full hour to reset her mental framework:[]
She dragged herself to the kitchen and made a bowl of instant ramen.]
After just a few bites, her phone rang[]
Liam’s name lit up the screen.[]
She froze with the spoon halfway to her mouth, feeling a wave of dread.[]
Idam was basically Zarek’s human telephone most of the time []
She answered hesitantly, “Hey, Liam.”
“Ms Paige, any chance you’re free tonight?“]
Um
“Here’s the situation–Mr. Weasley needs help changing his bandages and applying medication these next few days. Rex can’t make it tonight, and I just got an emergency call from my wife that I need to deal with I hate asking after well but could you possibly help out?“]
By his second sentence, Adeline’s stomach had already knotted itself.[]
She’d just escaped that penthouse, still stinging from the humiliation. While she wouldn’t quit over a few harsh words, she definitely wasn’t emotionally ready to face him again so soon.[]
“Liam, isn’t there anyone else? Maybe call a doctor or something?
Liam paused for a beat. “Look, he acts all tough, but he’s actually pretty soft inside. He thinks the world of you, believe it or not. He genuinely likes you“]
He was trying to make her feel better, to suggest she shouldn’t take Zarek’s words to heart.]
But what Adeline heard was: He values you as his assistant, so when he summons you, you come running
If Zarek hadn’t been injured saving her life, if he hadn’t repeatedly rescued her, she would have laughed coldly and quit on the spot.
“Fine. I’ll come up after I finish eating.“]
Adeline relented.[]
Her appetite for ramen instantly vanished. After hanging up, she gave herself a stern pep talk before heading back upstairs.]
Standing outside Zarek’s bedroom door, she took a deep breath and knocked.[]
“Come in 1
His voice, still detached and cool, filtered through the door.]
Adeline entered, closed the door behind her, and approached the bed with a faint, professional smile. “I hear you need help with your bandages.
Zarek studied her forced smile and overly formal tone, inwardly sighing. “Yeah“]
“Where’s the first aid kit?”
Dressing room“]
He gestured toward the walk–in closet (
Adeline found the medical supplies and brought everything to the bedside, arranging what she needed on the nightstand []
All set
But when she finally looked at him properly, her brain short circuited.[]
Because only then did she realize the qwkward logistics
Its injury was on his lower back. He was wearing nothing but a robe So did that mean he should take off the top or lift the bottom or remove it completely 7
“Weren’t you gult to treat the wound? Zare asked mildly!
You’ll need to take that all
Adeline sireled herself determined to get through this somehow.[]
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.