True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 600

"Perhaps," Florence replied, considering the possibility.

"Mom, why don't you head downstairs first? We can ask Naomi herself when she wakes up," Alfred suggested.

Florence glanced once more toward the bedroom, instructed the housekeeper to keep a close watch, and made her way down.

At the breakfast table, she asked one of the staff to prepare a pot of oatmeal—something light for Naomi whenever she felt up to eating.

"Mom, you should have something yourself. You can check on Naomi again later," Frank reminded her gently.

"You're right," Florence agreed, though she only picked at her food, her appetite nowhere to be found.

The rest of the family ate in subdued silence, each lost in concern over Naomi's sudden illness.

Breakfast ended on a somber note.

"I'm going back upstairs to sit with Naomi," Florence announced as she rose from the table.

The others exchanged quiet looks. Arabella stood calmly and said, "I should head into the office."

"I'll ride with you," Alfred offered.

Arabella gave him a curious glance. "How come?"

Was there something he didn't want to discuss here at home?

"I mean, I'll leave when you do—I've got errands to run," Alfred clarified.

"Oh, sure." Arabella nodded, and the two made their way out together.

"I've got a conference call scheduled," Ethan added, gathering his keys and phone.

Soon after, Frank and Jonathan also excused themselves, one after the other.

The house settled into a heavy quiet.

Upstairs, Florence kept vigil in Naomi's room, her eyes rarely leaving her daughter's sleeping form.

"Her temperature has dropped considerably. She ought to wake up soon," the family doctor reassured her.

"Good," Florence replied softly, some of the tension easing from her expression.

Just then, Naomi's eyelids fluttered open. Her gaze was bleary and disoriented.

"Naomi, honey, you're awake." Florence's eyes grew moist.

"Mom... what happened?" Naomi's voice came out weak and raspy.

Florence brushed a hand over her forehead. "When we called you for breakfast, you were burning up and completely out of it. Thank goodness the fever's broken now."

"Oh." Naomi winced. No wonder her head was pounding.

"How did you catch such a chill?" Florence asked gently. "Did you get caught in the cold last night?"

Naomi's expression shifted briefly before she shook her head. "I'm not sure."

She knew exactly why—she'd stayed out too long in the downpour—but she couldn't admit that. There was no way to explain it without raising more questions.

"It's alright. You're on fluids now. Just focus on resting today. If you still don't feel right later, we'll take you to the clinic," Florence said soothingly.

"Okay," Naomi whispered with a slight nod.

"You must be hungry. I had some oatmeal made. Try to take a few bites," Florence urged softly.

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