Chapter 229

Evelyn Langley stood drowsily at the doorway, still clad in her fuzzy teddy bear pajamas.

She rubbed her reddened eyes and let out a long yawn.

"Did I wake you?" Adrian Klein lowered his voice. The old apartment's thin walls carried every sound, even footsteps from the hallway.

Evelyn shook her head, her voice husky from sleep. "It's 6:30. I needed to get up anyway."

She had plans to accompany Eleanor Roland shopping in the afternoon, leaving only the morning to review research papers.

Adrian's tone softened unconsciously at her tired expression. "It's still early. You could sleep a bit longer."

His words met Evelyn's probing gaze.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you sick?"

Adrian blinked, then gave a wry smile. "That obvious?"

"Your voice is hoarse. Do you have a fever?"

He touched his forehead. "Can't tell. Probably not."

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "Professor Klein, 'probably not' doesn't sound like something you'd say."

"No thermometer at home..."

"I have one. Go back inside. I'll bring it over."

Adrian nodded and returned to his apartment.

Evelyn found the thermometer, carefully sterilized it, then crossed the hall.

When she pushed open his door, she froze.

The usually meticulous professor lay on the sofa with his shoes still on, brows slightly furrowed.

"Professor Klein?" she called softly.

Getting no response, she stepped closer. "Professor?"

Suddenly, his eyes opened.

Their gazes locked.

Evelyn's face was mere inches away, her eyelashes fluttering like startled butterflies.

Adrian's heartbeat skipped.

"You scared me." Evelyn exhaled in relief, handing him the thermometer. "Let's check."

103°F high fever.

"You need the hospital."

"Just medicine will do."

"Do you have any?"

Silence.

Evelyn sighed. "I'll get some."

After ensuring he took the medication, she returned from washing the glass to find him already asleep.

She quietly draped a blanket over him and tiptoed out.

......

Chloe Valentine stood nervously clutching her purse strap outside the mall.

Nathan Evans' cold indifference left her helpless.

Everything she did seemed wrong in his eyes.

But she wouldn't surrender.

After learning Margaret Evans' whereabouts from Mrs. Watson, she'd arrived early to stage an "accidental" meeting.