The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1181

The first version of the formula was in its final testing phase, and the effects were seriously intense.

Anthony burned with a fever the entire night, drifting in and out of consciousness. Everything was fuzzy, like he was trapped in a dream he couldn’t wake up from. Every now and then, he could feel someone gently wiping him down, cool hands on his burning skin.

***

The next morning, sunlight poured through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow across the room.

Anthony blinked awake, his eyes slowly adjusting to the light. The fever had finally broken, but his whole body ached, the kind of soreness that clings to you after being really sick. He let out a slow breath. That first formula was a total failure.

He stared up at the fancy crystal chandelier, his lips pressed into a flat line. Frustration and disappointment weighed on him, heavy and thick. He needed to get back to Cabinda to try the second formula, and he needed to do it soon.

As his head cleared, he reached out to the other side of the bed, expecting to find someone there. His hand met only empty sheets.

A frown tugged at his brow. He was about to get up and look for her, when he spotted Charlotte slumped over the edge of the bed, sound asleep.

She was still in yesterday’s clothes, her hair tangled, with dark circles shadowing her eyes. She must have stayed up all night taking care of him.

His frown softened, the anxiety in his chest replaced by a gentle ache of concern. Moving carefully, he lifted the blanket. Even that small movement woke Charlotte.

She blinked awake and immediately moved to his side, pressing the back of her hand to his forehead. Relief washed over her face.

“Your fever’s finally gone. You were really dehydrated last night. Stay in bed, okay? I’ll ask someone to make you some porridge.”

Charlotte rubbed her eyes, yawning as she started to get up. Before she could leave, Anthony reached out and pulled her back, wrapping his arms around her and tucking the blanket over both of them.

“I’m fine. I’m not hungry,” he murmured. “You need to rest. Just sleep for a while.”

Charlotte opened her eyes and looked at him for a few seconds, then snuggled into his embrace, her voice muffled. “You have to watch your temperature.”

“I will.”

Once he was sure she was deep asleep, he slipped out of bed, threw on a jacket, and walked into the living room.

Jackson, Adonis, and Hans were already there, waiting for him. As soon as he appeared, they straightened up and bowed their heads respectfully.

“Anthony.”

He held a finger to his lips. “Keep your voices down.”

With a small nod, Anthony sank into the sofa, crossing his long legs. His voice was still rough from the fever. “What’s going on with the Hawk family?”

Jackson lowered his voice even more. “We heard Allanson suddenly fell ill and passed out. He hasn’t woken up yet.”

“And Aloys?” Anthony asked.

Jackson hesitated for a second, choosing his words carefully. “He doesn’t really hold any power. With both the research institute and the military base gone, he’s busy cleaning up the mess. He doesn’t have the time, or the guts, to bother us right now.”