Chapter 206

Kelsey was caught off guard.

Jack patted her foot and said, "Lift it."

She did, and Jack gently slipped the shoe onto her cold ankle.

His touch was soft. Kelsey looked down at him, feeling like he was a loyal servant at her feet. It was a strange sensation, like taming a wild beast.

Kelsey stared at Jack, while Michael stood nearby, glaring. She ignored Michael, making him more uncomfortable.

"All done," Jack said, standing up.

Kelsey staggered back, and Jack instinctively supported her waist. Their eyes met, emotions flaring.

Michael's anger boiled over. "Someone, show them out!" he barked, storming off.

At the door, Kelsey called out, "Michael!"

He frowned, wanting to keep walking but stopping anyway.

"Has Mr. Cole returned?" she asked, still worried after being locked up for two days.

Michael replied coldly, "Richard has already seen Nina. Don't worry."

"That's good," Kelsey sighed in relief. If Richard had visited, Nina would be saved.

Michael paused. "The No. 1 Casino is chaotic. Don't come here again."

Kelsey stiffened. When she looked up, Michael was gone.

Jack took Kelsey out of the casino. She felt lightheaded, having just recovered and not eaten.

She walked slower and slower, almost out of breath.

Jack, ahead by a dozen steps, stopped and turned back. He picked her up.

Kelsey, unprepared, stared at him blankly.

Jack shifted uncomfortably, his gaze finding anywhere else to settle but on Kelsey. "Ms. Jose, please don't misunderstand me. I know you've just recovered and might have trouble walking. If it's alright with you, I can carry you out," he offered, trying to mask his nervousness.

Kelsey looked up at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And what if I do mind?"

Jack paused, then put her down. Once she was steady, he stepped back. "If you mind, then I won't carry you."

Kelsey was speechless.

"Jack, do you know you're like a block of wood?"

Jack looked at her seriously. "I know. Ms. Jose, I was born this way. If you don't like it, I can stay away from you."

Kelsey, both amused and annoyed, asked, "What if I like it? Would you come closer to me?"

Jack's eyes swirled with emotion.

Kelsey waited, thinking she had been clear. If Jack had feelings for her, he'd know what to do next.

Jack pressed his lips together, conflicted. After a while, he said, "I wouldn't."

Kelsey trembled with anger, feeling her passion was wasted.

Kelsey gritted her teeth and walked back to the car.

Noticing her thin clothing, Jack turned on the heater. "Is the temperature okay?" he asked.

Kelsey leaned back in the rear seat, eyes closed, too lazy to respond. She had hoped Jack would come to his senses and confess.

Jack sensed her displeasure. As he drove, he occasionally glanced at her through the rearview mirror. The drive was silent.

They arrived at the Jose family estate. As soon as the car stopped, Kelsey opened the back door and stormed into the house, slamming the door behind her.

Richard had returned late the previous night. The moment he turned on his phone, he received a text from Michael about Nina's situation. Immediately after landing, he scaled the wall and climbed through the window into Nina's room.

It was late, and Margaret was with two doctors by Nina's side. Hearing a noise on the balcony, they turned to see Richard walk in. If Margaret hadn't met him before, she might have screamed.

"How is she?" Richard asked, ignoring their stares and going straight to Nina's bedside, his eyes full of concern.

Margaret's expression softened. "Not good. She refuses to eat or drink and is now unconscious, with no will to live."

Richard said, "Margaret, could you all leave for a moment? I'll stay with her alone."

Margaret hesitated. Nina was now the Jose family's young lady. Although divorced, she was currently single. For a man like Richard to scale walls and request to be alone with her at night was questionable. If word got out, it would be frowned upon.

Seeing her concern, Richard said, "Margaret, compared to her life, do you think anything else is more important?"

Margaret was speechless. Indeed, nothing was more important than Nina being alive and well. She had spent years in guilt and self-reproach for losing Nina. Finally, she had found her, but Nina hated her deeply. She had nearly lost her life to earn Nina's forgiveness. Losing Nina again would be unbearable.

"Right now, nothing is more important than her coming back to life," Margaret said, placing all her hopes on Richard. "Mr. Cole, if you can wake Nina, the Jose family will do everything to repay you."

Richard smiled confidently. "Mrs. Jose, do you mean what you say?"

Margaret nodded solemnly. "If I say it, I will do it."

"Good," Richard nodded. "As long as Nina wakes up and regains the will to live, I will ask Mrs. Jose for something."

"What is it?" Margaret asked.

"I'll tell you when Nina wakes up."

Margaret nodded. "Alright! As long as Nina wakes up, everything is negotiable."