Chapter 205

Michael saw red. He whipped out the dagger from his sleeve and stabbed the guy who'd been messing with Kelsey.

A scream pierced the dungeon.

Michael yanked the knife out, blood spraying everywhere.

He glared at the men in the corner. "Chop them up and feed them to the dogs!"

"Michael."

They all dropped to their knees, begging for mercy.

Michael ignored them. He sheathed his dagger, walked over to Kelsey, and picked her up.

She was so thin and light, it was easy.

Her head rested against his chest, her usual arrogance gone, replaced by a softness that tugged at his heart.

Michael carried her out of the dungeon.

The doctor came and gave Kelsey an antidote.

Michael watched her fever rise, pacing anxiously. "Didn't you give her the shot? Why isn't her fever going down?"

The doctor trembled. "The antidote takes time. Please be patient."

"How can I not be anxious? Do you know who she is? If she dies here, Zaire will flip the number one casino upside down!"

A subordinate said, "Even if something happens, the Jose family wouldn't dare act rashly."

Michael was silent.

'What is the Jose family?' he thought. 'Zaire's got guts, but he's not fool enough to jeopardize the entire family's legacy. If Kelsey dies here, we'd just end up as sworn enemies. But behind the city's number one casino stands Bruno Black, a power the José family can't hope to challenge.'

But why was he still so anxious?

His heart felt like it was on fire, his mind filled with Kelsey's face, tormenting him. Only by staying with her could he feel a bit more at ease.

In the latter half of the night, Kelsey's fever began to drop.

But the real discomfort started after the fever broke.

Sweat poured from her body, soaking her clothes quickly.

Michael had her clothes changed twice, but each time, within half an hour, they were soaked again.

Worried about her discomfort, he had her clothes changed again.

This went on until dawn before her condition slightly improved.

The doctor advised giving her plenty of water, so Michael strictly followed the schedule, giving her water at regular intervals.

He sat by the bed, holding her up, letting her lean against him, and brought the cup to her lips.

After drinking, her eyelashes fluttered.

Michael watched her nervously. "Kelsey?"

Maybe hearing his call, she slowly opened her eyes.

Seeing her confused gaze, Michael's usually cold heart seemed to soften.

"Awake?" he asked.

Kelsey felt dizzy. She saw Michael's face, but when she closed her eyes, she saw Jack's.

'Maybe when people are sick, their mind gets fuzzy,' she thought.

So it was easy for her to mix up the two.

Lost in her delirium, she mistook Michael's strong presence for Jack's familiar comfort. In her daze, she murmured, "You blockhead, have you finally come around?" Her voice was barely audible, a soft whisper, yet it held a mix of teasing and longing.

Michael didn't like that nickname; it sounded dumb.

If anyone else had called him that, he'd be furious.

But seeing Kelsey's tired face, he let it slide. She was sick, after all.

As Kelsey's breathing deepened, Michael gently placed her head on the pillow.

Just as he was about to pull his hand away, Kelsey grabbed his arm.

Michael froze. Her eyes were closed, still in a daze, but she held on tight, murmuring, "Don't go."

His heart softened, and he sat down. "Okay, I won't go."

She didn't say anything more.

Michael sat on the floor, letting her hold his arm. He quietly watched her sleep, eventually smiling. "You look so cute when you're asleep."

Kelsey didn't know how long she'd slept.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Michael's face.

Their noses were almost touching, and their lips were just a breath away.

She blinked, her long lashes brushing against his brows.

Michael moved slightly.

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door, along with voices.

"Mr. Brown, Michael is resting. You can't go in, Mr. Brown."

The door was kicked open. Jack walked in and saw them.

Michael was sitting on the floor, leaning on the bed, while Kelsey was sleeping on her side. From his angle, it looked like they were kissing.

Jack froze.

He looked away and said coldly, "Ms. Jose!"

Like a spell breaking, Kelsey jolted awake.

She sat up and raised her hand to slap Michael.

He stopped her in time.

"Kelsey, who taught you this bad habit of hitting people?"

She struggled. "Let go!"

Michael stood up, dusting off his clothes, and said shamelessly, "No. What can you do about it?"

She really couldn't do anything to him.

Michael was ruthless and cruel. Not only had he locked her in the dungeon, but he had also let rats bite her!

She had almost died there!

"Let go!" Kelsey gritted her teeth.

Michael looked at her flushed face and smiled.

Anyone else would have learned their lesson by now. They'd fear him for years. But Kelsey was different.

She grew braver with each setback, not only unafraid of him but even daring to fight him.

It seemed the casino's dungeon hadn't tamed her!

Michael refused to let go, a mischievous smile on his lips.

Jack couldn't stand it anymore and stepped forward. "Michael, let go of her!"

Michael raised an eyebrow.

"Blockhead!" Kelsey shouted.

Michael was stunned, realizing she wasn't calling him but Jack earlier!

Remembering how she had called out "Blockhead, don't go" so many times in her fevered state last night, Michael felt like his heart was a mess.

He let go, and Kelsey got up and ran to Jack.

She didn't even have time to put on her shoes.

Her bare feet on the cold floor looked pitiful.

Michael bent down, picked up her shoes, and handed them over.

"Thank you." Jack took them and knelt to help Kelsey put them on.