Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 249

Meanwhile.

Jonathan shed his icy demeanor and returned to the room.

It was empty, save for the sound of running water from the bathroom.

She'd been in there for so long. Was she still showering?

Frowning, Jonathan walked over and knocked twice. "Stephanie? Are you not done yet?"

There was no response. The door wasn't locked, so Jonathan gently pushed it open a crack.

There was no steam in the bathroom.

Jonathan's expression changed, a sudden sense of panic rising in his chest. "Stephanie, I'm coming in."

He pushed the door open to find Stephanie in a thin nightgown, submerged in the bathtub.

But the water in the tub... was ice-cold, completely devoid of warmth.

Jonathan's brow furrowed deeply. He strode over and pulled Stephanie out of the water.

"Stephanie, what are you doing?"

Stephanie's eyes were red and swollen, likely from crying for a long time.

Her fingers and toes were pale and wrinkled from the water, but her face was flushed.

She had been scrubbing her body relentlessly, washing every spot that had been touched tonight, over and over again.

Stephanie choked back a sob. "I'm not clean yet. Let me go. I need to wash a little longer."

She tried to push Jonathan away.

Jonathan's heart trembled.

Seeing her like this, his heart ached for her. He didn't care that she was soaking wet and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"It's okay now. Everything's okay. I'm here. No one will ever hurt you again, Stephanie. It's okay. In my eyes, you are perfect."

He gently rubbed her shoulders, trying to soothe her. As Stephanie's emotions gradually calmed, Jonathan helped her change into dry clothes and wrapped her tightly in a blanket.

He held her close, warming her with his own body, his chin resting on her hair.

"Don't be afraid, Stephanie. This was my fault. I didn't protect you. The bad people have paid the price. Nothing like this will ever happen again."

Was she running a fever? Or...

She was sleeping restlessly, constantly rubbing her cheek against his chest as if in discomfort.

Jonathan had a suspicion.

His lips tightened into a thin line. Without a second thought, he immediately called for the driver.

After some fuss, Stephanie was admitted to the hospital.

The doctor came back with the test results. "Ms. Jackson doesn't have a fever. She was drugged with an aphrodisiac."

"But we've put her on an IV. After she gets some sleep, she should start to feel better."

Upon hearing this, Jonathan's eyes narrowed dangerously. His suspicion was confirmed.

That despicable coward, Quennel, had actually tried to take advantage of her.

Shameless!

No wonder Stephanie had soaked herself in cold water for so long when she got home.