Their Punching Bag Became The Storm novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Whitney said, “I don’t need anything.”

She slowly lifted her gaze. Her deep eyes now flickering with a hint of mesmerizing brilliance.

her.

That light was so unwavering that anyone who met her eyes would trust h

“A bet’s a bet. I’ll accept the outcome,” she said, her voice cool. “I I

She paused, the light in her eyes growing even stronger. “But I

time, so I’ll follow the rules.”

lose again.” That was her promise.

Ryan met her gaze. He could sense the fierce determination radiating from her.

He wasn’t the type to meddle in other people’s business.

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If he hadn’t had his own reasons, he never would’ve set foot on this wild island or bothered with this boring reality show.

But now, he was actually glad he came.

He remembered watching her step into the pouring rain, walking through pools of blood. The scene was truly striking.

Her silhouette looked so slender and gentle.

Yet, he could sense an incredible strength in her.

It was as if no matter what hardships she faced, nothing could break her unyielding spirit.

That unwavering resolve reminded him of a moment from his own memories.

By instinct, he followed her, shielded her from the rain with his umbrella, and wanted to help.

He’d never felt this kind of impulse before or acted like this

It felt like some mysterious force was drawing him to her.

Whitney narrowed her eyes, giving Ryan a puzzled look.

‘His stare is getting stranger by the second, she thought.

Honestly, “strange” was the only word for it.

From what Whitney remembered, he ignored Emily every time, and she wasn’t on his radar either.

From the moment he joined the show until he left, he and Whitney hadn’t exchanged a single word.

‘So why is this famously cold, ascetic guy suddenly trailing after me? What’s he up to?‘ Whitney mused.

Whitney felt a bit helpless. She pressed her lips together before saying, “Mr. Pierce, thanks for your kindness.”

Her chilly tone was a subtle way of telling him to back off.

But Ryan smiled. “Actually, I need your help.”

“You need my help?” Whitney pointed at him and then at herself, her tone full of disbelief.

When Ryan nodded, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Me? A nobody? What could I possibly do for you?”

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Chapter 4

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Whitney purposely used the word “nobody” to highlight the gap between them, making it clear she wasn’t in any position to help him.

Ryan said, “I’m sick.”

“What?” Whitney stared at him, clearly confused.

Ryan looked dead serious. “I’m sick, and I need you to cure me.”

Whitney was speechless. Then, she finally gave Ryan’s ridiculously be face a proper look.

And immediately, she noticed something off. There were dark, grayish shadows under his eyes, like he was haunted by death itself.

Looking closer, his whole face and even the corners of his lips had this faint, bluish–white pallor. Something was indeed off

“I’ve been sick ever since I was born. I tried every specialist I could find, but none of them could help me,” Ryan said/slowly.

Whitney rubbed her chin, thinking.

So Ryan really is sick. That whole delicate, fragile beauty vibe isn’t just an act. It’s actually true,‘ she thought.

“With your background and status, getting a top doctor, even Davis Russell, the president of the Medical Association, to treat you should be no problem,” Whitney said.

She couldn’t believe that, with all the power Ryan had behind him, he’d come to her for help because she could identify a few herbs. That was absurd.

Ryan’s perfectly sculpted brows lifted with a hint of a smile, and his gaze on Whitney became even deeper.

He chuckled softly. “I’ve already been to see Davis. He told me himself that he couldn’t help.”

Whitney was a bit surprised.

She knew full well what Davis was capable of.

If even that old man couldn’t do anything, then Ryan’s illness must be really tough.

But Whitney didn’t agree right away. She raised an eyebrow and asked, “If even Davis, the top doctor in the country, can’t help you, what makes you think I can?”

Ryan said, “Just a gut feeling.”

Whitney was speechless. ‘Honestly, his gut feeling is spot on, she thought.

“I’m going to rest now,” Whitney said, turning away. She clearly had no intention of talking to Ryan anymore. She was dismissing him without hesitation.

Ryan wasn’t in any rush for an answer. He nodded slightly. “Go ahead and rest.”

But he still didn’t move.

Whitney ignored him.

‘If he’s so sick, why’s he sitting out here in the cold? If things get worse, that’s on him.’ Whitney thought.

She settled herself in a dry corner of the shelter, away from the dripping rain, and slowly closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, Ryan watched Whitney intently. Her face, even smudged with dirt, still radiated a striking, vibrant confidence.

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Chapter 4

His thin lips quirked into a slow, subtle smile.

With one hand in his pocket, he look

up, gazing at the relentless downpour overhead.

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He remembered what Davis had told him. “There’s only one person in this world who might be able to cure you my mentor.”

Ryan had no idea who Davis’s mentor was. Davis wouldn’t say a word about his mentor.

He had to rely on the Pierce family’s secret network to get a tip: Davis’s mentor would be showing up on this wild island. That was why he ended up here.

He couldn’t keep dragging it out. His health was getting worse.

*****

Night fell, and suddenly, a burst of noise broke the silence.

Whitney opened her eyes and saw the area ahead lit up, with people bustling around.

They were all crew members from the show.

The rain had stopped at some point.

“You’re awake?” Suddenly, a clear and mellow voice came from right beside her ear.

Startled. Whitney instinctively swung her fist toward the source of the voice.

But her fist didn’t hit anything. Instead, a long, elegant hand firmly caught it mid–air.

Ryan was somehow sitting next to her, side by side.

They were

close. Whitney could even catch a whiff of his scent: a subtle, cedar–like fragrance that was cool and distant.

‘Why is he still here?‘ Whitney thought. ‘I actually slept so soundly in front of a total stranger?

I didn

even notice when he got this close. When did my guard get so low?”

Whitney gave her hand a tug to free herself from his grasp.

Ryan released her wrist as soon as she pulled away. “The rain’s stopped. The crew was about to start shooting again.”

Whitney pulled her hand back, stood up, and stepped away from him. “Why are you still here?”

Ryan didn’t answer. Instead, he looked down at her feet.

Her injured foot had already stopped bleeding, and it didn’t hurt anymore.

She’d stepped away from Ryan just fine.

Whitney glanced at her foot, already knowing what Ryan was thinking. “My injury isn’t serious,” she said.

So it’s no surprise a few herbs did the trick, she thought. ‘Stop looking at me like I’m some genius doctor. Even if you see me as one. I’m not going to treat you.

Whitney carefully moved her foot, testing the injury.

She could walk just fine, but if she overdid it, the wound would still sting.

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Chapter 4

It would take at least two days for her to fully heal.

This wild island survival show made her burn through a ton of energy every day.

And there were plenty of dangerous missions to tackle, too.

Whitney couldn’t help but wonder if her foot would actually hold up through all of it.

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