Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3461

Marina's ears flushed bright red. She let out a scoff. "Careful, someone might sue you for disrupting the market rate!"

Carson replied, "I only serve Marina. As long as you don't sue me, I'm perfectly safe."

Only serving her? Yeah right, like she would believe that!

The lingering tension between them finally dissolved in their banter. "Wait here a second," Marina said.

She turned and hurried back to the hospital room, jogging back out moments later. Out of breath, she handed Carson a small bag. "There's ointment in here. Your shoulder... you should put some on."

Carson's gaze softened with a warm smile. "Wouldn't it be more sincere if you applied it for me?"

Marina shoved the bag into his hands. "I'll be taking over the night shift for my mom in the ward for the next few days. I don't know when I'll be home. Do it yourself!"

"Don't you have a hired caregiver?" Carson asked.

"I just want to spend more time with my dad," Marina replied.

Carson gave a slight nod. Without pressing the matter further, he said his goodbyes and left.

Later that afternoon, Marina received a call from Erin Yeats. "Hey gorgeous, that club we went to got shut down! Word is they got busted for some serious illegal escort services."

For some reason, Carson was the first person who popped into Marina's head. Could he have been the one behind it?

"You there, gorgeous?" Erin called out when she didn't hear a response.

"I hear you!" Marina asked, "Did someone tip off the cops?"

"No idea!" Erin sighed in disappointment. "There goes my source of happiness!"

Marina couldn't help but laugh. "That's not the only club near your place. Don't be so dramatic!"

The weather was turning cooler, but a wave of good news kept Marina's spirits high. First, her father was recovering exceptionally well with no lasting complications. Then, Nocturne informed her that due to their comic's explosive popularity, publishing houses and several animation and gaming studios had reached out to buy the rights.

Creating such a successful piece of work filled Marina with an immense sense of accomplishment. She entrusted all the negotiations to Nocturne, having complete faith in him.

It was already past midnight. The two of them had just finished a phone call discussing the setting for their next story arc. Too wired to sleep, Marina headed to the kitchen to grab a drink, planning to finish fleshing out the new world outline before turning in.

Carson unlocked the front door and walked in. He noticed the floor lamp by Marina's desk was still on, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Shrugging off his overcoat, he walked over. Her phone screen was still lit up on the desk, indicating she had just stepped away.

Suddenly, the phone chimed. A WhatsApp message popped up from the top contact, Nocturne: [Sia, you've been working too hard lately. Get a good night's rest tonight—]

The rest of the message was hidden on the lock screen.