True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 643

It made no sense at all.

He had taken the pill, so how was he still conscious?

And the look in his eyes—he seemed almost... lucid.

Naomi's heart hammered against her ribs. She had no idea what was happening, but panic was rising fast, tightening her throat with fear.

"What was I supposed to look like?" Matthew's voice was so cold it could've frozen the air between them.

"I—well, I didn't mean—" Naomi stumbled over her words, mind racing for any excuse that might sound convincing.

Matthew narrowed his eyes slightly, and his tone leveled out, though it lost none of its edge. "Then what?"

Through the rearview mirror, Naomi met his hawk-like stare and froze completely. Her breath hitched; her thoughts scattered into static.

If you listened closely, you could hear the strain in Matthew's voice—like he was holding back something violent, something about to break loose.

But Naomi was too terrified to pick up on it now.

"Pull over," Matthew said, his voice dropping lower.

"Matthew, let me just... take you home," Naomi managed, pulling herself together enough to sound almost calm.

This was her only shot. She couldn't back out now.

Even if he was alert now, she was sure the drug would pull him under soon. She just had to buy a little more time.

"I don't need your help." Impatience sharpened his words.

"You..." Naomi swallowed hard, forcing steadiness into her voice. "I was driving past the hotel and saw you didn't look well. When I came over to check, you passed out, so I thought I'd take you back to your place."

She paused, then pressed on. "You're awake now, but you still don't look okay. And if you get out here, you'd still need a ride home anyway. So let me just drive you."

"What I do isn't your concern." His reply was cutting.

Naomi's stomach lurched, but she clenched her jaw. "I just...I'd feel wrong leaving you like this. Look outside—we're already headed toward Stewart Manor."

For a moment, she felt a flicker of relief that she'd chosen the route toward Stewart Manor.

Sure enough, Matthew glanced out the window and fell silent for a few seconds.

But then, a slow, feverish heat began spreading through Matthew's veins. His vision darkened at the edges, the world tilting.

His head spun; he fought to keep his thoughts in order.

He drew a slow breath, trying to steady the rush in his blood, but his voice came out rough and strained.

"Naomi," he said, almost laughing, but there was no humor in it. "You really think a cheap trick like this is going to work? Stop the car now, and for your family's sake, I'll forget this happened."

But Naomi's eyes lit up. Did that mean the drug was finally taking hold?

"Just hang on, Matthew. We're almost there," she said, layering her voice with fake concern.

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