Chapter 71 Colder

Chapter 71 Colder
It was already late.

After dinner, Herbert decided they would stay the night at the resort and head back in the morning. The day had been long and emotionally exhausting, and he didn’t want Oliver traveling back at night.

As soon as they entered the room, Oliver suddenly stopped walking.

A sharp pain twisted through her lower abdomen so suddenly that she instinctively crouched down, clutching her stomach.

Herbert’s expression changed instantly.

“Oliver, what’s wrong? Does your stomach hurt?” His voice carried a rare urgency as he reached out to steady her. “We’re going to the hospital right now.”

Oliver’s face had turned pale and her lips lost their color. Tiny beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she rested her chin weakly against Herbert’s knee.

“Uncle… don’t worry. I’m fine. No need for the hospital.”

Herbert didn’t believe her for a second.

“No. You wouldn’t be in this much pain if it was nothing.”

Oliver bit her lip, embarrassment rising to her cheeks despite the pain.

“It’s just… that time of the month.”

Herbert paused.

“What do you mean by that?”

Oliver sighed. “You know. Something girls go through every month.”

It took him a second, then realization dawned and for the first time, Herbert looked visibly awkward.

“I didn’t know it could be this uncomfortable,” he said softly, brushing damp strands of hair off her forehead.

Being a girl really wasn’t easy.

Oliver thought silently that it usually wasn’t this bad. She had mostly gotten her cramps under control over the years. But that iced soda she drank a few days ago had clearly come back to punish her.

She called the front desk for sanitary pads, changed, then curled up on the single sofa hugging a pillow, looking utterly miserable.

Herbert watched her for a moment before taking out his phone.

“Gavin, go to the supermarket and buy anything that helps relieve menstrual cramps. Get a variety. Hurry.”

Gavin went silent for two full seconds before replying, “Yes, boss.”

Only he knew the nightmare he was about to face in the women’s aisle.

After hanging up, Herbert wheeled himself closer to Oliver.

“Do you want me to warm it for you?”

Oliver blinked. “Huh?”

Before she could protest, Herbert gently pulled her into his arms. His large, warm hand rested over her lower abdomen through her thin sweater and began slowly massaging.

To Oliver’s surprise, the pain eased almost immediately.

Herbert’s warmth seeped into her and she began to feel drowsy.

Knock knock.

“Come in,” Herbert said, assuming it was Gavin.

Gavin entered with a giant shopping bag and a haunted expression. His ears were red.

“Boss, I bought everything. But on my way back—”

Before he could finish, the door was suddenly pushed open.

Andrew, Tessa and Samantha walked in.

Gavin froze.

Herbert’s eyes went cold.

Andrew had rushed over after seeing the news. He had still held doubts, but the moment he saw Oliver sitting so naturally in Herbert’s arms, all doubts disappeared.

His heart nearly burst with excitement.

A top-tier family from the capital. If this marriage went through, the Peterson family would soar overnight.

He had to secure this relationship immediately.

“Mr. Peterson,” Herbert greeted calmly, his tone distant.

“What brings you here?” Oliver asked, surprised.

Andrew didn’t wait to be invited and sat down. Tessa and Samantha followed.

“I saw the news and got worried my daughter might be deceived. I rushed here. I didn’t expect it to be Mr. Herbert. I trust your character,” Andrew said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Herbert saw through him easily.

Instead of responding, he tightened his hold on Oliver’s hand and spoke seriously.

“Mr. Peterson, I am sincere about Oliver. Once she is of legal age, we will register our marriage.”

Oliver’s cheeks flushed pink.

She lightly traced circles on his palm and Herbert squeezed her fingers in response, glancing down at her with a soft smile.

Samantha saw everything.

Jealousy burned wildly inside her.

Why?

Why did such an outstanding man treat Oliver like a treasure?

Andrew was about to say something when Samantha suddenly spoke.

“Sister, isn’t Herbert’s leg not very good? You’re sitting on his lap like that. What if you hurt him? Don’t you care about your boyfriend at all? I feel bad for him just watching!”

She pretended to be concerned, but Herbert’s icy stare made her throat dry instantly.

Oliver raised an eyebrow.

“Who told you Mr. Herbert has bad legs?”

Samantha paused.

So his legs were fine?

Her thoughts shifted instantly.

If he wasn’t disabled, this man was even more valuable than she thought.

A new calculation appeared in her eyes.

“Even if his legs are fine, sitting like that isn’t proper, is it? If outsiders saw, they’d laugh at the Peterson family for not raising their daughters well.”

She continued in a soft, “caring” tone.

“I know you grew up wild in the countryside. And you didn’t even come home the other night. Who knows what kind of people you were with. But now that you’re with Herbert, you have to behave properly.”

She looked like the perfect big sister trying to guide a misguided sibling.

Oliver stared at her quietly.

Herbert’s hand, however, tightened slightly around hers.

The room suddenly felt colder.