Chapter 132

Winnie woke with a sudden realization: The bed-sheet was wet! In her dream, she had tossed and turned, and the only thought lingering in her mind was: The maid will come to change the sheets, and it's going to be so awkward! I have to stop them! Or come up with an excuse! She sat up abruptly, blurting out in a rush, "We accidentally spilled water on the bed last night—" But the room was empty. Winnie froze. Looking down at herself, she noticed her silky, soft pajamas. The sheets were perfectly dry, and the sea breeze drifted in through the slightly open window, gently stirring the white curtains. This wasn't Van's room but her own guest bedroom. On the nightstand, the jewelry she had carefully arranged the night before still lay quietly in place. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a glow on the jewels, making them sparkle like scattered candies. Winnie ran a hand through her hair, her face filled with agony. "So sore..." She tried to sit up, but the sharp motion sent waves of pain through her body, causing her to suck in a breath. It felt as if her bones had come apart. From outside, down the hallway, she heard soft footsteps and low voices. "Is she awake yet?" "No." "Bring me the soup." Winnie's heart leapt, suddenly pounding faster. Her brows furrowed tightly as she quickly lay back down, doing her best to appear asleep. When Van opened the door, he saw her lying on the bed, her back turned toward him. Standing at the doorway, he quietly watched her for a moment. Last night, he had barely slept. He had always thought himself immune to such things, certain he would never lose himself in desire. In thirty-six years, there had been a few similar experiences, but they had always been fleeting and forgettable. But now, everything was different. From restraint to desire, his transformation had happened far too quickly. Every prestigious school has its own secret social circles, and joining such circles is a shortcut to top-tier connections and a life of luxury. During his time at Cambridge, Van had deeply experienced the glamorous lifestyle of the "elite," where temptation was almost ever-present. But when he thought back to last night, his mind no longer focused on those superficial pleasures; instead, it was filled with the joy of being with her. Van didn't go to the company, and his father, Gary, who ran the family business, noticed right away. Gary was someone who was hard to deceive. Van didn't offer many explanations and simply replied, "Just a slight illness, didn't go." "Get plenty of rest, don't wear yourself out," Gary said with concern. Winnie closed her eyes, pretending to still be asleep. Her expression was calm, her breathing steady, her body soft, but her heartbeat raced, echoing in her chest like a drum. She wasn't sure if Van had noticed the flaw in her act. He should be leaving soon; it was best not to let this awkward situation drag on... However, things didn't go as she hoped. She heard a faint sound of something being set down on the bedside table, followed by the sound of clothes rustling. Van slowly began unbuttoning his jacket and loosening his tie. When he saw her pretending to sleep, he couldn't help but smile, before starting to undo his cufflinks. The gem-encrusted cufflink was casually dropped into the small dish on the bedside table, making a soft clink. Winnie couldn't help but swallow nervously. What did he want to do, after all? She would soon find out. Van gently lifted the blanket, knelt on one knee, and with his weight pressing down on the mattress, it seemed like he wanted to lie down for a little while longer. If he kept lying down, she was going to lose her mind! Winnie quickly sat up, the white sheets tightly wrapped around her body, ready to warn him to stop, but as soon as she moved, a sharp pain surged through her, causing her to gasp. She had forgotten—she was injured now and had no ability to "play" with him... Van chuckled softly, "Good morning." He was wearing a white shirt and black trousers, looking neat and orderly, as though he had just taken a break from his busy work. Winnie's cheeks instantly flushed a light pink, standing out against her pale skin. She didn't even understand why her face was turning red. After such a ridiculous night, he was still casually saying "good morning"—this situation felt so unfamiliar and unsettling to her. Of course, she remembered what had happened last night, but she had been so exhausted that she had unknowingly fallen into a deep sleep. "Mr. Marlowe..." Winnie whispered, her tone slightly nervous, "Good morning." Van sat on the edge of the bed, calmly putting his hands in his pockets. With a meaningful look, he said, "What you said last night... wasn't this, was it?" Winnie bit her lower lip lightly, her eyes filled with sorrow. She looked at him and spoke in a low voice, "I don't remember..." "That's just as well." Van nodded, his fingers pausing at the button on his shirt, as if about to unbutton it. "Let me help you remember." "No, really, don't..." Winnie quickly reached out to stop him, pressing her hand on his arm, the other hand blocking his palm, her tone pleading. She whispered two words, but Van didn't catch them. "What?" "...It's swollen." Van cleared his throat, his deep voice carrying a hint of helplessness. "Shall I take a look?" "No!" Winnie quickly refused. "I already took care of it last night," Van said, trying to downplay it. "I called the doctor this morning, and got some medicine for you. You can rest after you eat." Winnie's face turned even redder, her eyes wandering, feeling a wave of embarrassment. "What exactly did you do last night?" "I carried you to the shower, helped clean you up, and had the sheets changed," Van said simply. Winnie fell silent, her fists tightly clenched, her eyes full of desperation. "Can you just say... that we accidentally spilled water on the bed?" Van froze for a moment. He suddenly realized—she probably had no idea how dirty the sheets were, soaked and stained. He fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly. "I changed the sheets myself, threw them away, and had the maid clean up. Is that okay? No one saw." Winnie was instantly speechless, lowering her head and softly sobbing. "How am I supposed to face anyone...?" Van sighed helplessly, looking at her with a soft gaze. "Don't worry, no one saw." During this time, Van's life had never been so messy and chaotic, but perhaps this was a sign that he was beginning to understand responsibility and emotions. Van had never imagined that he would personally take care of someone, especially in such a hands-on way. Things like changing the sheets and helping with a bath were even more foreign to him. To him, the world had always been neat, bright, and clear, everything under his control. His life was like a finely crafted piece of music, without a single discordant note.