Chapter 79

Chapter 79

Patricia whipped her head around to look at him, her mind racing.

He was worried about her?

Then who was the one who withheld the kidnapping information and prevented the police from rescuing her?

Charles lowered his gaze, his tone sincere. "I'm serious."

"If you have any questions for me, you can ask anytime." He reached out and held her hand. "I won't hide anything from you."

Paul, sitting in the front seat, almost wanted to applaud. Charles had finally learned how to interact with Patricia!

He sneaked a glance at the two in the back, feeling a wave of relief.

Charles patiently waited for Patricia's response. The car was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

His hand covered hers, the warmth almost burning. Patricia instinctively pulled her hand back, pouting. "Don't think you can get away with just saying that. I will ask."

Charles smiled.

He walked Patricia to her room, staying close the entire way. Despite the cold outside making her nose numb, she could still catch the faint scent of cedar from him.

At her door, Charles still held her hand, not letting go. His palm was hot, but his grip was gentle. He lightly scratched her palm, making her heart skip a beat.

"What are you doing? Is there something else?"

"I want to stay with you tonight."

Patricia yanked her hand back. "Go back to your room!"

She quickly swiped her key card. With a click, the door unlocked. 

Just as she was about to step inside, Charles blocked the door.

Their eyes met, and she noticed the dark circles under his eyes, making her freeze.

His face was flushed, the dark circles more pronounced, and his usually handsome face looked extremely haggard.

"Are you... running a fever?" Patricia reached out to feel his forehead, scolding him. "What's wrong with you? How can you not know you're running a fever?"

Charles' forehead was burning, and he was slightly panting, but he had a faint smile on his face.

A slightly fierce Patricia, he kind of liked it.

Knowing Patricia was worried about him, Charles felt a warmth in his heart. He decided to play it up a bit, leaning heavily on her shoulder.

"Patricia, I want to stay here tonight," Charles pleaded softly.

Patricia stared at the dark circles under his eyes, feeling a sudden surge of anger.

He always found a reason to cling to her. She should be cold and unyielding, but seeing him like this made her heart soften!

She helped Charles into the room, guiding him to the bed.

She took off his suit jacket, noticing his broad shoulders seemed a bit thinner than the last time she saw him.

The thought quickly vanished as she shook her head. Charles not taking care of himself had nothing to do with her.

Suddenly, Charles, lying in bed, let out a series of suppressed coughs, each one filled with restrained pain.

Patricia's heart raced. After hesitating for a while, she asked, "What's your phone password? I'll call Paul to bring some medicine."

Charles, delirious with fever, struggled to open his eyes. He grabbed Patricia's hand and pressed the password on the screen.

The warmth of his hand against hers made Patricia pause, feeling the heat spread to her face. She was shocked by his actions.

Even more shocking was that the password was her birthday. She turned to look at Charles, who, after entering the password, collapsed as if all his strength had left him.

Was he really unconscious or just faking it?

Patricia didn't dwell on it. She got up and called Paul, lowering her voice. "Paul, can you bring some medicine over? Charles has a high fever."

Paul was silent for a couple of seconds before hurried noises came through. "Don't worry, Mrs. Anderson. I'll be there in about twenty minutes. In the meantime, check Mr. Anderson's suit pocket for a blue box of fever medicine. He always carries it when he travels."

After hanging up, Patricia hesitated before reaching into Charles' suit pocket.

She found a box of medicine, opening it to reveal neatly packed foil-wrapped pills. The instructions indicated it was for acute fever due to weakened immunity from intense work.

Patricia felt a pang in her heart. Was Charles' health really that poor? He always carried fever medicine?

In her past life, she couldn't recall Charles ever being sick. The Anderson Family's private doctor was rarely called. 

Late nights, overtime, and business trips were routine, yet he always showed up at Rosewood Estate the next morning for breakfast.

Had he always been pushing himself like this? Even in their past life?

Patricia was flooded with questions, guilt washing over her like a tidal wave, making it hard to breathe.

She looked at Charles lying on the bed, fed him some medicine, and then left the room.

Patricia's suite had a living room. She sat on the couch, reflecting on Charles' recent strange behavior.

Being kind to her, preparing gifts, even coming to Regal City just for her?

Her mind replayed Charles' recent actions over and over. 

He had been so good to her that she felt she didn't know him at all. She seemed to have forgotten what the unapproachable Charles from her past life was like.

Should she reassess Charles seriously?

Twenty minutes later, Paul arrived, out of breath, carrying a bag of medicine and a thermos.

"Mrs. Anderson, thank you for your trouble." He skillfully poured out warm water and medicine while talking to Patricia. 

"Mr. Anderson has been working insanely hard again. To secure a deal with a Regal City exhibitor, he pulled four all-nighters. He said he felt dizzy after the negotiations yesterday but insisted he was fine."

He knew this would happen, sighing inwardly.

Every business trip, Charles treated himself like a machine, working non-stop. Paul had warned him several times, but he never listened.

Patricia's hand trembled as she took the cup. "Does he do this often?"

"When he's busy, yes." Paul tucked Charles in, muttering. "Two years ago in Meadowbrook City, he worked non-stop for three days and fainted at the celebration party. He had a fever of 102°F when we got him to the hospital. He always says he's fine."

Patricia felt a pang in her heart, looking at Charles' sleeping face, her throat tightening.

Was it necessary to push himself so hard?

He always nagged her about not taking care of herself, but he was the worst at it.

"Mrs. Anderson," Paul called her, hesitating. "If you could, please persuade Mr. Anderson. Health is the most important."

"Yes, I will," she said softly. "I'll stay here and watch over him. You should go rest."

Paul hesitated but nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Anderson. Call me if anything happens. Actually, Mr. Anderson came to Regal City not just for business, but mainly because he wanted to..."

He trailed off, glancing at the sleeping Charles, then closed his mouth.

"Thank you for taking care of Mr. Anderson. I'll come back tomorrow."