Chapter 247: Accident

"I'm more scared than you are." Thomas's voice was hoarse, every word scraping out of his throat like gravel. "I'm scared you'd actually fall for his lies. Even more scared you'd end up liking him."

Matilda's heart jolted, her fingertips curling involuntarily.

"That bastard never had good intentions. I knew he was after you—how could I just stand by and watch him get close to you?" Thomas's arms trembled slightly. The high fever was draining his strength fast, but he refused to collapse, keeping his eyes locked on her face.

"If I'd gone straight to you with a warning, you would've thought I was butting in where I didn't belong. You might've even thought I was crazy. This was the only way I could expose him for what he really is. To make you hate me a little less."

He pulled at his pale lips, a self-mocking smile flickering across his face.

"I thought I was protecting you. Turns out I just made everything worse."

Matilda stared at the face inches from hers.

The usually untouchable CEO of Ascend Global Holdings now looked completely wrecked.

His eyes were rimmed with red, his forehead slick with cold sweat. Every word dripped with desperation and helplessness.

Something in her chest constricted without permission.

Matilda turned her head away, pressing both hands against his burning chest and pushing.

"Get up first." Her voice came out tight as she fought to keep her face neutral.

Thomas's Adam's apple bobbed. He gave a compliant hum.

He pulled his arms back from the floor, gritting his teeth as he tried to leverage himself up.

But the fever combined with not eating all day had pushed his body past its limit.

The moment he moved, his arm gave out.

Thomas's full weight crashed down, landing squarely on top of Matilda.

Matilda gasped in shock, his scalding breath right against her face. "Thomas! What are you doing!"

"I'm sorry." Thomas buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing heavily. "I don't have any strength left."

Matilda struggled hard.

The strength difference between men and women was already significant, and with Thomas completely drained, he was dead weight pressing down on her.

She couldn't budge him an inch.

Thomas's scent mixed with a faint medicinal smell, surrounding her completely.

Heat crept uncontrollably across Matilda's cheeks, spreading to the tips of her ears. Good thing the room was dim—otherwise he'd definitely see.

"Get off!" she said through gritted teeth.

Thomas didn't move. Not only did he not get up, he actually buried his face deeper into her neck.

His warm lips brushed against her throat.

Matilda's entire body went rigid.

"Matilda." He spoke against her skin, his voice low and raspy, carrying a pitiful edge. "Don't move. Just let me lean on you for a minute. I feel awful."

Matilda's hands froze mid-push.

Her palm pressed against his chest could clearly feel his heartbeat—weak and unsteady.

He wasn't lying. He really was seriously ill.

Matilda bit her lip, finally letting her hands drop and allowing him to stay where he was.

The room fell silent except for their breathing.

After a long moment, Thomas lifted his head slightly.

They were so close their breaths mingled.

"I've laid everything bare for you." Thomas's voice carried barely detectable tension. "I'm only asking you for one thing."

Matilda stayed frozen, not responding.

"Don't hate me so much." Thomas leaned in another fraction, his nose almost touching hers. "Matilda, can you do that?"

He asked so carefully.

Matilda's breath caught.

She wanted to turn her head, but they were too close—any movement would brush against his face.

His scent filled her nose completely. There was nowhere to escape.

That feeling of being utterly surrounded scrambled her thoughts.

"Get up first, then we'll talk." Matilda hedged, trying to dodge the question.

"Answer me first." Thomas pressed. "Can you?"

He clearly wasn't getting up until she agreed.

Matilda, worn down and unable to breathe properly under his burning body, finally gave in.

She turned her face away, speaking with obvious discomfort.

"Fine."

The moment the word left her mouth, unmistakable joy flashed across Thomas's pale face.

A spark of light returned to his previously dim eyes.

"I'll get up now."

He gathered what strength he had, bracing his hands on the carpet on either side of Matilda's face, slowly lifting his heavy body.

Matilda exhaled in relief, starting to sit up herself.

The accident happened in that exact second.

Thomas's left arm suddenly trembled.

He lost his balance entirely, falling straight back down.

Matilda had no time to react.

The next second, a soft warmth covered her lips.

They both froze.

Time stopped completely.

Thomas's lips landed perfectly on Matilda's.

Matilda's brain exploded with a deafening roar, going completely blank.

She even forgot to breathe, her hands suspended in midair, all ability to think vanished.

Thomas was stunned too.

He'd only meant to push himself up. He never anticipated this turn of events.

The sensation of their lips touching was so real it sent tingles across his scalp.

Matilda's lips were impossibly soft.

Thomas's Adam's apple worked violently. His instinct was to pull back, but something deep inside him surged with an irresistible longing.

Not only did he not retreat, he inexplicably lowered himself further, deepening this accidental contact.

He even parted his lips slightly, catching her lower lip.

Their breaths tangled together.

The temperature skyrocketed.

Matilda snapped back to reality, blood rushing straight to her head.

She planted both hands on Thomas's shoulders and shoved him sideways with all her might.

Thomas, already weak, tumbled straight onto the carpet with a muffled grunt.

Matilda scrambled up on all fours, backing away several steps until her back hit the cold wall.

She gasped for air, chest heaving violently, and scrubbed at her mouth with the back of her hand.

Her cheeks burned alarmingly hot.

"Thomas!" She pointed at him on the floor, too furious to form complete sentences.

Thomas lay on his back on the carpet, a fresh sheen of cold sweat on his forehead.

Yet he lifted his hand, fingertips brushing lightly across his own lips.

Her warmth still lingered there.

He turned his head to look at Matilda pressed against the wall, a triumphant smile somehow appearing on his pale face.

"Sorry." His voice was hoarse, but carried absolutely zero remorse. "Really didn't have the strength."

Matilda laughed bitterly.

Thomas absolutely did that on purpose!

"Then stay on the floor!"

She grabbed her bag from the table and strode toward the door.

Her hand had just closed around the doorknob when a thud sounded behind her.

Matilda's steps halted sharply.

She bit down hard, forcing herself not to turn around, and twisted the handle.

The door had barely cracked open.

"Mr. Stuart! Mr. Stuart, what's wrong!"

Outside, Brent had just walked up with some files. Through the half-open door, he saw Thomas collapsed on the floor and dropped everything in shock, papers scattering everywhere.

Brent shoved the door wide and rushed in.

"Mr. Stuart! Wake up!"

She turned her head.

Thomas's eyes were shut tight. He'd completely passed out.