Rosalind’s consciousness abruptly faded into darkness.
Her body instinctively leaned into Ulric’s embrace as she lost consciousness.
Unseen to her, a sharp intensity gripped Ulric’s face, his typically expressionless eyes glazed over with a layer of ice.
“Ulric…”
Mr. Wong stood frozen and trembling, taken aback by the unexpected encounter with such a prominent figure.
“You better hope she’s okay.”
Ulric’s emotionless words sent shivers down Mr. Wong’s spine.
As Mr. Wong watched him carry Rosalind away, fear overwhelmed him, causing his legs to give way, and he collapsed to the ground.
…
Rosalind felt as though she had been submerged in a long dream.
Images flashed before her like a slideshow, beginning with the haunting memory of her mother’s suicide, then the school classroom, and finally Mr. Salvage’s enraged face.
Suddenly, a sharp pain jolted her awake.
She furrowed her brow and slowly opened her eyes. The sterile white ceiling of the hospital made her uneasy, prompting her to instinctively reach up to cover it.
But as she moved her hand, she realized someone was holding it.
Rosalind turned her head and saw Ulric, his shirt wrinkled, one hand resting on the hospital bed as he slept, while the other firmly grasped her hand.
The ward’s lights were already on, indicating that it was late at night. Had he been by her side the entire time?
Otherwise, given his obsession with cleanliness, he would have undoubtedly changed his clothes.
Observing his slightly furrowed handsome face, Rosalind sensed a profound shift within herself…
So this is what it feels like to have someone accompany you in moments of vulnerability.
She had lost track of time.
Since her mother’s suicide and subsequent hospitalization, Rosalind had spent over a decade tirelessly working to earn a living. She endured minor illnesses and only sought medical help when she couldn’t bear the pain any longer.
Even though she had her best friend Tilda, she tried not to burden her, believing that favors needed to be repaid, and she had nothing to offer in return.
Sensing movement beside him, Ulric stirred from his slumber. Without a word, he instinctively raised his hand to check her forehead.
Confirming that her temperature was normal, his tense expression eased somewhat.
“Is the pain still there?”
Rosalind shook her head. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Walters. I apologize for causing you trouble.”
Upon hearing this, Ulric’s relaxed brows furrowed once again.
He despised how Rosalind always addressed him with such formality.
“The person in charge at Huayi has been handed over to the police.”
“That’s good.” Her respectful yet distant gaze infuriated him.
“How long have you been working at Prosperity Holdings?”
Ulric’s voice suddenly grew stern and displeased. If not for her physical condition, Rosalind would have risen to meet his gaze.
“A year and a half.”
“W Group’s policy prohibits female employees from meeting partners alone. Wasn’t anyone aware of that?”
His reprimand was firm and clear, yet it made Rosalind feel protected.
“It won’t happen again.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
Rosalind observed his serious and rigid expression and couldn’t help but laugh, remembering how he scolded Mr. Chan in the same manner previously.
“Are you still laughing?”
“No, no, I’m not laughing at you!” She hastily propped herself up and glanced at her phone-it was already four in the morning! “Mr. Walters, it’s very late. Why don’t you go home and rest? I can manage on my own-”
“Stop pretending to be strong.”
He interrupted with a lowered gaze, collecting the test results and receipts from the table with his slender fingers. Then he spoke gently, “Let’s go home together.”