Chapter 717
Before leaving, Serena pulled aside the doctor coming in for routine rounds, heavily emphasizing which specific vitals to monitor for her grandparents.
After witnessing the prestigious Mr. White personally greet Serena-trailing after her like an eager medical student-the entire staff at the luxury sanitarium practically worshipped the ground she walked on.
Stepping out of the facility, the morning sun was brilliant and warm. Douglas pulled a cigarette from his pocket, clamped it between his lips, and casually offered the pack to Nicholas.
Nicholas flashed a polite smile. “No thanks, Douglas. Serena hates the smell of smoke p>
Douglas let out a dry scoff. He shoved the pack back into his pocket, keeping the unlit cigarette clamped in his teeth. “You’re getting a little ahead of yourself calling me that p>
“Not at all.” Nicholas smiled with perfect humility, the lethal hostility he had displayed the night before completely gone. “When we return, I’ll formally sit down with Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster to arrange our engagement p>
Douglas let out another humorless scoff. Plucking the unlit cigarette from his mouth, he tossed it into a nearby trash can and strode forward. “Then I wish you the best of luck with that p>
“Thank you for the blessing,” Nicholas replied smoothly.
Serena rolled her eyes.
She glanced at the devastatingly gorgeous man beside her, whose lips were curved into a triumphant smirk, and pinched his arm. “Who said I agreed to marry you p>
“Your grandparents absolutely adore me. My grandfather and your parents love me too!” Nicholas caught her hand, completely unashamed. “Since I have the entire family’s stamp of approval, I obviously have to strike while the iron is hot and lock this down p>
Serena tried to shake off his grip. Instead of letting go, the shameless man intertwined their fingers, securing his hold.
She shot him a sidelong glance. “I’m realizing that your complete lack of shame is getting worse p>
He didn’t even flinch. “What good is shame? Can shame get me a wife p>
Serena fell silent, utterly defeated by his logic.
After breakfast, Serena returned to the sanitarium to review Kiera’s latest test results.
The two days of specialized dietary therapy had clearly worked wonders. Several vital markers were showing significant improvement The top tier Western doctors at the facility were practically losing their minds over the charts, hailing Eastern medicine as absolute magic.
“Serena, head back to your hotel and rest. We’re perfectly fine here. Once you’ve caught up on sleep, you can come back and keep me company,” Kiera urged, her heart aching at the exhaustion visible in Serena’s eyes.
Before Serena could argue, she turned to Nicholas. “Nicholas, please look after her. Make sure she gets a proper rest and stops worrying herself sick over us p>
Since both grandparents were fiercely insistent, Serena had no choice but to agree.
After leaving a few final instructions with the staff, she and Nicholas left the facility and slid into the waiting luxury car Nicholas had prearranged. The driver headed straight for the hotel.
Serena leaned her head back against the plush leather, closing her eyes. Nicholas glanced sideways, taking in her peaceful profile and the faint traces of deep exhaustion. Reaching out, he gently pulled her into his arms.
She stiffened for a fraction of a second. But she didn’t push him away; instead, she nuzzled against his chest, finding a more comfortable position.
“Go to sleep if you’re tired,” Nicholas murmured, resting his chin softly against the top of her head. “I’ll wake you when we get there p>
The car was perfectly silent, filled only with the steady rhythm of her breathing Nicholas lowered his
gaze watching the completely unguarded expression
on the
sleeping girl in his arms. Her usual icy exterior had completely melted
away, leaving her looking as soft and vulnerable as a sleepy kitten.
A dark, possessive affection bloomed in his predatory eyes, and a slow, satisfied smile curved his lips. He tightened his embrace just a Fraction. The soft, warm weight pressed against his chest seemed to fil the very hollows of his soul. It was pure, unadulterated bliss.
Serena slept deeply, as if entirely lost to the world. When she finally opened her eyes, she found herself tucked into the massive hotel bed. Outside the window, the sky was already bleeding into the fiery hues of dusk.
Nicholas was sitting nearby, silhouetted against the fading light. A laptop rested on his thighs, his long fingers typing furiously across the keyboard, occasionally murmuring a low, quiet sound of affirmation into his Bluetooth earpiece.