Chapter 265

Tim knew it was an excuse but didn’t call Danielle out. “Come back soon.”

Danielle nodded. “Okay.”

In the lounge, Ross hadn’t taken the medicine Shermaine prescribed. He slumped on a couch with his eyes shut, as if waiting for something.

Minutes later, Danielle entered. Spotting him on the couch, she called to him softly, but he didn’t respond.

Frowning, she stepped closer and pressed a hand to his forehead, which was burning up. She thought, ‘He’s this sick and still won’t rest? Does he even care about his own health?’

Danielle considered calling Shermaine instead of dealing with this herself. As she pulled her hand back, Ross suddenly grabbed her wrist. His eyes flew open, locking onto hers. His skin scorched against hers.

“Let go,” Danielle snapped.

Ross held on.

Danielle yanked her hand free.

Ross’ grip loosened. The composed man seemed momentarily stunned as her hand slipped away.

Danielle stepped back. “You’re running a fever. Go home and rest.”

Ross shook his head. “No.”

“I’ll call Sheary to drag you back.” Danielle reached for her phone.

In a flash, Ross snatched it from her.

Danielle lunged to reclaim it.

A wave of her perfume hit him, heady and familiar. Dizzy with fever, Ross acted on impulse, pulling her into his arms. “Be good.”

Danielle froze. This was the first time he had ever taken the initiative to hug her. Yet instead of joy, she felt only anger. In the past, she would have melted into his embrace like a contented cat. “Do you want brain damage?”

Outwardly aloof, she could be surprisingly clingy around someone she liked. Despite her struggles, Ross’ arms stayed locked around her. She frowned, “This isn’t proper.”

Ross chuckled weakly, “You never used to say that before.”

Danielle stiffened, at a loss for words.

With a sigh, Ross murmured, “Don’t call Sheary.”

Danielle pursed her lips. “Then go home.”

“I can’t.” Ross hugged her. His arms tightened around her, and his hot breath brushed against her neck. “Not unless you take me.”

“I won’t,” Danielle shook her head.

Ross felt her resistance, yet he only held her closer. “Remember when you had a stomach ache before? I got up at midnight to bring you soup.”

Danielle’s resolve wavered. She had pursued him relentlessly once. Now that they had broken up, she still owed him more than she could repay.

At the hospital, Madeline had been desperate after days of unanswered calls to Jasper. Just as despair crept in, the door swung open, and there he stood, masked but unmistakable.

Her eyes lit up like a dying ember reignited. What she didn’t know was that this was all a trap. Jasper’s tenderness would cost her everything.

After enduring Jameson’s abuse, Madeline fantasized about leaving with Jasper. She had even decided to sell her shares in Jean Group and leave this place with the money.