Chloe was awakened by the chime of her phone.
A WhatsApp message from Jacob read, "Didn't you want to find a caregiver for mom? Someone recommended a really good one. Why don't we take a look?"
Followed by a string of hotel addresses.
Chloe thought it seemed Jacob had finally taken a serious interest. Since she'd had a falling out with Donovan and was feeling awkward around him, she told Donovan she wanted to get out and took a cab to the hotel address Jacob had sent her.
Arriving at room 1402, Jacob was already waiting. His face lit up with eagerness as he saw Chloe, "You made it?"
"Why meet a caregiver in a hotel?" Chloe looked around the hotel, feeling something was off.
"She's taking care of another patient in the hotel. She'll be done soon. just wait a moment. Have some water in the meantime," Jacob said, handing Chloe a glass of water.
Chloe, feeling thirsty, took the glass and drank. As soon as she finished, she felt that something wasn't right. "Isn't the air conditioning on? Why's it so hot?"
"It's on. Do you still feel warm?"
Jacob's gaze didn't drift toward the air conditioner. Instead, he fixated on Chloe, his eyes revealing a bad, triumphant grin.
Chloe instinctively felt something was amiss and staggered back, sitting down on the bed. Her vision became blurry, and she pulled at her clothes, still feeling overheated.
She realized what had happened – Jacob had drugged the water!
A wave of despair and chilling betrayal washed over Chloe. Grinding her teeth, she confronted him, "Did you drug me?"
When Jacob saw Chloe in that state, he was quite pleased and coaxed her, "I'm doing this for your good. When Mr. Perez arrives, just take good care of him, and we'll be set for life!"
"You're selling me out, you're scum!" Chloe furiously rebuked.
She struggled to sit up from the bed and slapped Jacob across the face, but at that moment, her strength had waned, and the slap felt weak. Jacob wasn't hurt. instead, he pushed her back onto the bed and called Mr. Perez, "Mr. Perez, I'm at Star Well Hotel, room 1402. Come find me here!"
Jacob casually pulled her clothes aside, covered her with a blanket, and before leaving, he encouraged her, "Put on a good show!"
The room went quiet, and Chloe felt waves of dizziness. Then, there was a knock at the door.
Soon, a man pushed open the door and walked in.
"Jacob, are you in here?"
Through her blurred vision, Chloe saw Brayden. He had broad shoulders and long limbs, and his handsome features were striking.
Chloe felt an even hotter flush spread over her.
While talking, Brayden had taken off his shoes at the entryway, and then he saw Chloe lying on the bed with a flushed face.
"Chloe? What are you doing here? Are you running a fever?" Noticing Chloe's flushed face and inviting pose, Brayden immediately sensed something was off, sending a tremor through his heart.
He had been struck by her beautiful features the first time he saw her. But taking advantage of someone in a vulnerable position wasn't his style.
"I'll take you to the hospital," Brayden said with concern.
Chloe felt a slight relief. It seemed this was all Jacob was doing, and Brayden was in the dark.
"Don't come any closer, Jacob, the bastard!" Chloe exclaimed, stumbled from the bed, and ran into the bathroom.
She locked the door behind her and turned on the shower, drenching her body with cold water. Even in summer, the cold shower was a chilling experience, but at least it helped extinguish some of the burning desires.
Brayden stood at the bathroom door, asking, "Chloe, are you sure you're okay? Come out, and I'll take you to the hospital."
Chloe thought that if this incident reached Donovan's ears, it would be serious trouble. She had just gotten out of his car, and now she was drugged. He would certainly think less of her. So, she absolutely couldn't let this situation fall into Donovan's hands.
"Brayden, could you please check the drawers for a needle or something?" Chloe was feeling increasingly lightheaded.
"Chloe, listen to me, we need to get you to a hospital," Brayden insisted with a grave tone.
Chloe didn't respond, and then, with a thud, she tumbled out of the bathroom and fell onto the velvety carpet in the lounge area. Both her head and body were soaked, and she crawled toward the nightstand.
"What are you looking for?" Startled, Brayden rushed over to help her.
"A needle. Help me, please."
Brayden frantically pulled open the drawer in search of something. His hands finally grasped a needle, which he promptly handed to Chloe.
Without a word, Chloe pricked her own fingertip with the needle. The sharp pain jolted her awake. As the old adage goes, hurting one's fingers affects the heart directly.
Brayden was taken aback by her action.
"Get up, go lie down on the bed," Brayden urged as he helped Chloe up from the floor and tucked her into the covers.
Chilled from an earlier dousing with cold water, Chloe was shivering, her temperature had dropped, and her face was less flushed.
"Brayden, thank you," Chloe's teeth chattered.
"Don't talk nonsense," Brayden chided gently as he felt her forehead, "silly girl."