Chapter 1235
Chapter 1235:
The reporters, who had been eager just moments ago, fell into stunned silence. Without another word, they retreated instinctively.
Cradled in Rupert’s arms, Annabel felt his damp clothes and the chill of his hands. She lifted her head slightly, studying his profile, and warmth spread through her chest—followed closely by guilt.
Had Rupert searched for her all night? The thought wouldn’t leave her.
With a grim expression, Rupert carried Annabel away from the area. He opened the car door, carefully settled her into the passenger seat, and fastened her seatbelt. Annabel, who had kept her head lowered the entire time, finally looked up and met his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Rupert. I shouldn’t have made you worry… But Herman sprained his foot yesterday, and that’s why we couldn’t leave the scenic spot in time. Let’s take him to the hospital first. I’m afraid it might get worse after a night like this p>
“It’s just a sprain. How bad could it be?” Rupert muttered, his face unreadable.
Even so, he gave in to Annabel’s request and drove Herman to the hospital. Although Rupert didn’t want any contact with Herman because of his feelings for Annabel, he also knew Herman wasn’t a malicious person.
“It’s a sprain. I’ll wrap it up, but you need to stay in bed for the next few days and apply the prescribed ointment daily,” the doctor told them.
Annabel and Rupert stayed in the consultation room with Herman, only leaving once they were sure he was fine.
On the way back, Rupert considered saying something about her going out with other men without informing him, but he decided against it. Not now. Watching the exhaustion on Annabel’s face, he chose to stay silent—for the time being.
Not long after they got into the car, Annabel finally gave in to fatigue. Her breathing evened out as she drifted off. After being trapped in the cave all night, she had barely managed to close her eyes until dawn, and the exhaustion had caught up with her.
Seeing this, Rupert pulled over at the side of the road. He retrieved a blanket from the backseat and gently draped it over Annabel, making sure she was warm.
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He studied her haggard face for a long moment, sympathy washing over him.
Half an hour later, the car stopped outside his villa. Only then did Rupert try to wake her.
“Annabel, we’re home p>
“Mm… Huh p>
Annabel blinked awake in confusion. She sat up and rubbed at her sleepy eyes. When she stepped out of the car, she swayed unsteadily. Back inside the house, she went straight to bed and didn’t wake again until it was nearly dark.
Later, over supper, Annabel scrolled through the headlines on her phone and saw a trending search about her and Herman’s supposed elopement. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say or do.
She let out a heavy sigh and set her phone down, looking utterly helpless. “This whole world is so damn absurd. The media today are getting more and more ridiculous. Herman and I were just trapped at a scenic spot, and some journalist turns it into an elopement story. What a brilliant mind p>
Rupert’s expression grew somber at her words. He fell silent for a moment, offering no immediate reply. Instead, he gently set a steaming bowl of soup in front of her.