She reckoned Xavier would get out of the car to look for her after sensing she was gone for some time.
However, she didn’t expect to hear Xavier and Christopher’s voices so soon.
Therefore, after they were done discussing, she immediately turned around and waved at Xavier.
Although the moon was not visible that night, the lights from the twinkling stars adorning the night sky layered the ground with a silver glow.
As they weren’t very far apart, Xavier could vaguely see Winnie grinning at him in a relaxed and carefree manner.
At that instant, a thought popped into his mind. I’m sure she isn’t cheating on me. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be smiling at me like that.
Feeling the heavy burden lifted off his chest, Xavier hastened in her direction.
He realized regardless of his state of mind, whether he was feeling angry, restless, happy, or relaxed, nothing could ever impede him from wanting to be reunited with her.
He strode forward and arrived next to her in no time. Without uttering a word, Xavier pulled Winnie into his embrace.
She rubbed her face affectionately against his chest and looked up at him. “What’s the matter? I notice you like to hug me this way recently.”
“Hm.” He held her tighter. “It’s nothing. I just feel like doing it. Why are you out here enjoying the breeze by yourself without asking me to accompany you?”
“That’s because I know you will come looking for me.” Winnie held his hand as she smiled. “Come sit with me.”
“Okay.” Holding her in his arms, Xavier sat down on the grass. He asked her, “What did you talk about with Christopher earlier?” Winnie glanced at him.
“Why do you ask? Don’t tell me you’re jealous again. I risked my life to rescue him this time, so he thanked me and asked about how I was doing. We also discussed our subsequent plans, but I told him we’ll follow your lead.”
“Is that so?”
“What else do you expect? We are considered very good friends who have experienced life-and-death situations together. Our friendship has undergone and survived the toughest challenges. Can you quit assuming there’s something romantic going on between Christopher and me?”
“You’re right. You may not have these ideas, and I can also be magnanimous and heed your advice, but can you guarantee he’s not harboring such thoughts?”
Winnie could not help but frown after listening to Xavier.
“It sounds like you’re really overthinking this matter. You’re so petty. I’m already lying in your arms, so what else do you have to worry about? Once we return, we’ll ask Professor White to concoct the antidote for you.”
He shot an assertive look at her. “I don’t need the antidote. I only want you. Anyway, I forbid you from having further intimate interactions with Christopher. Otherwise, he will bear the consequences.”
“You’re getting jealous too easily.”
Winnie sensed he wasn’t kidding, but she knew she couldn’t persuade him at that moment.
If she had told him not to think that way or asked him not to hurt Christopher, Xavier’s envy would undoubtedly be intensified.
Since she couldn’t convince Xavier with her words, Winnie decided to coax him using another method.
Fully utilizing her status as a wounded person, she mercilessly pinned him on the grass and lay on his chest while appreciating the scenery featuring sparkling stars and fireflies.
Sleeping on the grass on such a wonderful night was, without a doubt, a better experience than resting in the cramped space inside the car.
Having said that, Winnie remained vigilant no matter how much she enjoyed the ambiance.
She would wake up even when she heard the slightest noise.
And this time, the source of the disturbance was Xavier talking in his sleep.
Initially, she heard him murmuring the word “Dumbo.”
Winnie was amused after hearing that.
Sometimes, she even suspected whether the version of her he loved the most was when she pretended to be a fool instead of her current persona.
Nevertheless, both versions are part of me.
Then, Xavier suddenly furrowed his brows and muttered, “Christopher, you’d better stay away from her. She’s mine. I’ll kill you if you look at her again!”
Winnie was rendered speechless. There’s really no end to his jealousy. He wants to kill Christopher even in his dreams. What a dangerous thought!
The sky slowly brightened.
After Xavier opened his eyes, he noticed Winnie was already sitting beside him.
He immediately propped himself up as well. “Why did you wake up so early?”
Winnie rolled her eyes at him. “Thanks to someone, I could not fall back asleep after waking up an hour ago.”
He knitted his brows. He knew she was referring to him when she mentioned “someone.”
“What did I do?” He ventured a guess. “Did I snore in my sleep and woke you up?”
“Well, that’s not the case.” She pinched between her brows and said, “You talked in your sleep, and I’m a light sleeper, so I was awakened.”
“Did I?” Xavier pondered briefly. “I don’t remember doing that.”
“Normally, people won’t recall anything when they sleep-talking. What did you dream about last night?” she asked.
“I’ve forgotten.” He patted his head. “What did I say last night?”
“I couldn’t fathom your mumbles.” Winnie did not wish to voluntarily speak of Christopher’s name in front of Xavier since the latter could easily get jealous. “Anyway, you muttered many things, but I couldn’t understand you. What a shame. Not only did I lose sleep because of you, but I even failed to hear what you said. Come on, let’s go. Greta and the others are awake.”
“Okay. Let’s go.” He got up and walked toward the car while holding her hand.
Soon, the few vehicles departed.
Approximately an hour later, they finally reached Salinsburgh.
In less than ten minutes, they arrived at the hospital Jacinta and Rachel stayed.
Christopher remained in the car since he was wounded, while Winnie and Xavier led the other mercenaries into the hospital.
Before going to the hospital, Xavier informed Winnie that Rachel’s condition had improved on the second day they had left Salinsburgh.
She had been transferred from the intensive care unit to a regular ward and could now travel in a plane.
Jacinta recuperated well from her injuries too.
Now, the only thing left for them to do was to return to their country.
Winnie was already getting impatient to meet Jacinta.
However, upon arriving at the ward’s entrance, Winnie suddenly noticed no one was guarding the door.
She instinctively furrowed her brows. “Where are the bodyguards?”
Xavier frowned slightly as well. “Maybe they’re inside, or they went to the toilet.”
She nodded and picked up her pace.
Unexpectedly, right after she pushed open the door, she was met with the scene of the bodyguard lying in a pool of blood.
At the same time, the two mercenaries behind her were held at gunpoint.
The next second, someone closed the door behind them.
After Winnie and Xavier exchanged glances, they shifted their gazes onto the person in front of the bed.
Jacinta, lying on the bed, was bound, and her mouth was sealed with duct tape.
Someone sat beside the bed, and judging by his outfit, that person was undoubtedly a man. However, his face was covered with bandages, leaving only his eyes, nostrils, and mouth exposed.
“Who are you, and what do you want?” Winnie subconsciously questioned that man.
That man let out a long sigh and stood up. “I’m so disappointed. We’ve only parted with one another for a few days, yet you’ve already forgotten about me.”
As soon as that man spoke, Winnie recognized his voice.
She knitted her brows instantaneously. “You’re Harold!”
Harold heaved a deep sigh. “Very well. At least you haven’t forgotten about me. Actually, I don’t blame you for not recognizing me because you’ve completely ruined my face!”
Toward the end of his sentence, Harold suddenly grew agitated and screamed hysterically.
“How should I address you? Vivian or Winnie? I heard your granny calls you Winnie, so I suppose that is your real name?”
He touched the bandages on his face. “How should I take revenge against you to vent my anguish and resentment? You and Chris are a shameless couple. I’ll never let anyone of you go. Now that you’ve shown yourself here, I assume Chris should be nearby too.”
Winnie’s head ached at the sight of Harold. This man is ruthless. I don’t know what he would do after this.
She said with her brows furrowed, “Let go of my granny, Harold. Let’s talk.”
“What is there to talk about?” Harold was beside himself. He booted the stool next to him. “You blew up my laboratory, burned my factored, and snatched away my subordinate. Do you think you’re qualified to discuss terms with me?”
Winnie attempted to comfort him. “Calm down. All you want is money, right? I can give you a lot of money. Just tell me an amount, and I pay you.”
“Ahh!” Harold could not help but bellow as intense resentment churned within him.
He gritted his teeth. “Unfortunately, b*tch, I have never been short of the ability to generate cash. I don’t want even a cent from you. All I want now is to torture you and flay you alive. No! That’s not sufficient. I want you to suffer pain worse than death and experience living hell. Can you understand my feeling? I can’t stand to see you all well and alive. Oh god! Who can understand my feeling right now? Argh!”
On the verge of losing his mind, Harold kicked the bedside table.
“No!” He did not feel better even after repeatedly booting the bedside table. His eyes gleamed maliciously as he stared at Winnie. “I need to kick your granny a few times to feel better. Even kicking you won’t do the trick.”
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