Chapter 77

Winnie woke up to find it was already noon. Van wasn't by her side, but there was a note on the bedside table that read: Rest well, remember to take your medicine. She still felt sore and weak all over, but the worst part was when she turned over—her right buttock hurt terribly. Her mind went blank as she tried to figure out the source of the pain. "Wait... Van..." Winnie suddenly jolted awake, sitting up in alarm. "Oh sh*t!" Winnie's vision blurred as she tried to recall if she had said anything she shouldn't have the night before. She vaguely remembered crying and fussing with Van, clinging to him and not letting go. She was mortified! How could she face Van now? The only thought running through her mind was to run away. Despite feeling sore, dizzy, and weak in the legs, she quickly got out of bed, changed into a black cloak and beret, and hurriedly bolted out the door. Just as she reached the threshold, a dark figure blocked her path. Van stood there, one hand stopping her, the other holding a cigarette. He exhaled the last puff and asked calmly, "Where are you going?" Winnie, who had been striding confidently just moments ago, abruptly stopped. She took slow, cautious steps backward into the room, feeling guilty. She swallowed nervously and asked, "Mr. Marlowe... How did you… come back?" "If I hadn't come back, you were planning to run away?" Winnie, trying to maintain composure but feeling weak, stammered, "I have a scheduled appearance to prepare for…" Van, his gaze softening as he looked at the flushed color in Winnie's cheeks, momentarily lost focus, not paying attention to her excuse. He took off his sheepskin gloves, placed his hand on her forehead, and asked, "Do you still have a fever?" Winnie shook her head. "What scheduled appearance?" Van asked, lowering his gaze to look at Winnie, as if genuinely inquiring. "It's a..." Winnie's mind still hadn't caught up. Van gave a slight smirk, "A fever made your brain slow down?" Winnie furrowed her brows and pouted her lips, her features scrunched up in a way that was both lively and beautiful. She squeezed her eyes shut, her voice on the verge of tears, "I'm sorry!" Van found her fluent apology amusing but asked, trying to remain neutral, "What did you do wrong?" "Everything that upset you is my fault!" "I'm not upset," Van sighed. Winnie suddenly looked up, her eyes sparkling with brightness like stars. "Really?" "Except for one thing." Winnie cautiously asked, "What... what is it?" "You're in so much pain, and Yulia isn't here with you. You'd rather look for her than come to me." "I..." Winnie blinked her eyes, her pupils filled with either distress or panic, "I made you so angry, and you're busy." "Is that so?" Van asked casually, "Is it because you made me angry, and not because I made you angry?" Winnie suddenly felt a pang in her nose, "Yes." Her words carried a hint of irritation. Van smiled softly, watching her for a few seconds before speaking in a low, deep voice: "Sorry, I made you feel bad." Winnie didn't expect Van to suddenly say that. She felt a sharp sting in her nose, and before she knew it, tears started flowing without warning. She lowered her head, feeling embarrassed and overwhelmed with grievance. Her tears wouldn't stop as she murmured, "You gave me 100 million, so it's only natural for you to treat me like this." This wasn't just a remark made in irritation; it almost sounded like an insult. Yet, she said it sincerely and calmly. Van didn't know whether to be angry or laugh. Last night, they were so honest with each other, and now, she was back to being stubborn and proud. He reached out with the hand that had removed the glove to wipe away her tears. "Stop bringing up the 100 million. You're so proud. How about we start an equal relationship instead? From now on, forget about the money, and just call me by my name." "Mr. Marlowe, don't say that, I'll take it seriously." Winnie's heart skipped a beat, pain shooting through her chest. She had imagined having an equal relationship with Van many times in her mind, but hearing him say it out loud left her breathless, like her heart had been squeezed into a knot. She squeezed her eyes shut, the tears flowing even harder, and her sickly face seemed almost transparent under the sunlight. She took a deep breath and swallowed, "Mr. Marlowe..." Before she could finish her sentence, Van interrupted, "Call me by my name." Winnie suddenly looked up, her mind racing to catch up with his words. She was taken aback. "Wait, what do you mean, Mr. Marlowe? Does that mean you're planning to back out on the money?" Van was speechless. He stayed silent for a few seconds. "Winnie, you really know how to focus on the details." Who would've thought she'd still have tears on her face? It seemed more like crocodile tears now. Winnie started to feel physical pain. "So, for the past few days I've worked, you'll have to settle that with me." She quickly added in a quiet voice, "Just settle it with 10 million."