Chapter 121
Genevieve was taken aback. People around her turned their heads to look.
Walking away now would seem rude. She had even danced with him, so she thought putting on an act of concern wasn’t much of a stretch.
Pausing momentarily, she had no choice but to turn back around. “Anthony, are you okay?”
She reached out to help him up, but Anthony sat on the sofa and didn’t let go of Genevieve’s arm. Instead, he grabbed it tightly. Genevieve couldn’t pull away.
She thought, “What the hell? Is he faking it?”
Anthony furrowed his brow, his voice low and raspy. “I feel awful.”
Jacinta came over when she heard the noise. She was stunned for a moment and then walked over to look at Anthony. “He’s got an alcohol allergy. He needs to get to the hospital.”
Genevieve was shocked for a moment. “How could he be allergic to alcohol?”
Jacinta said, “He won’t have an allergy to just one kind of drink, but he’s definitely had a mix, combining various strong liquors. He’s had this reaction as a kid before. How could he not be careful today?”
She frowned and looked at the time. “Ms. Lawrence, could you trouble yourself to take him to the hospital? I’m swamped right now and can’t spare anyone.”
Genevieve said, “Is that appropriate?”
“What’s the big deal? Our partnership is just around the corner, and we can’t afford rumors of discord. This is for the best for all of us,” Jacinta said in a low voice and helped Anthony up with a smile. “Better rush to the hospital before it gets worse, or he’ll suffocate.”
Genevieve was speechless.
Just when she was about to leave, trouble had found her. In full view of everyone, she had no choice but to bite the bullet, help Anthony up, and call back to Jacinta with a raised voice, “Don’t worry, Ms. Sanders. I’ll take care of Mr. Hoffman and let you know once he’s at the hospital!”
She didn’t want anyone to think she was willingly playing the good Samaritan.
A twitch at the corner of Jacinta’s mouth betrayed her amusement as she watched Genevieve reluctantly dragging Anthony away.
Anthony was cooperative, leaning heavily on Genevieve as if he could barely stand. Genevieve assisted him into the car and firmly instructed the driver, “To the hospital.”
The driver didn’t dare waste a second, immediately hitting the road.
Anthony leaned against Genevieve, enveloped by her scent, thinking that even his discomfort was worth it for this moment of closeness.
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Chapter 121
Genevieve gave him a shove, a bit too forcefully. His head thudded against the side window–just the sound of it could show it was painful.
He winced in pain and weariness, lazily undoing his collar. In the dim light, Genevieve could see tiny red spots peppered all along his neck.
“Gen. I feel really awful,” he murmured, his voice husky with pain, laced with a hint of restrained dependency.
Genevieve realized then that he might genuinely be at risk of suffocation. “Step on it, please,” she urged the driver. She didn’t want Anthony to die in the car.
Anthony, gazing at her plump lips and elegant features, felt his heart soften at her worried expression. In a sudden move, he grasped her waist, leaning in close–the sweet taste of the lips. he’d been fantasizing about all evening met his.
But the next second brought sharp pain. He tasted blood spreading in his mouth and involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air, his deep eyes full of confusion and surprise as he looked at her.
“Gen…”
In the dimness of the car, Genevieve’s expression was icy, her distance palpable. With a coolness that could freeze someone a thousand miles away, she spoke lightly. “Anthony, don’t make me slap
you.”
Anthony hung his head, looking at her for a few seconds before settling back into his seat.
He suddenly reached out to clasp her hand, fingers weaving through hers in a familiar gesture. “Gen, come home with me. Let’s stop fighting. Don’t you want to vacation in the Miralaea? It’s your birthday next week; how about I take you there, okay?”
Anthony’s voice was warm but he was increasingly hazy. It was as if he had forgotten they were divorced, that they had been apart for ages.
He was lost in a past recollection where a thrilled Genevieve had excitedly talked about wanting a Miralaea getaway–an idea he had dismissed for being too far and troublesome.
Genevieve couldn’t pull her hand away, her gaze fixed on his profile lost in shadows, stirring a sourness within her that she had long suppressed. His words effortlessly tore open old wounds. The past played out scene by bitter scene; not a single memory was soothing or worth recalling. Ridiculous.
Anthony continued to ramble beside her, but Genevieve couldn’t take in a word he was saying. This ride felt like an endless ordeal.
Upon reaching the hospital, Genevieve, having called ahead, found that the doctors were already prepped for an emergency.
But Anthony wouldn’t let go of Genevieve’s hand, whining, “Gen, I feel terrible.”
The doctor nearby quickly stepped in and asked, “Mr. Hoffman, what seems to be the problem?”
Clutching Genevieve’s hand to his chest, Anthony, barely coherent, muttered. “My heart hurts, Gen.
20 Apr
Chapter 121
Give me a kiss, and it’ll feel better.”
His body was covered in rashes, with his neck looking particularly bad. Yet, there was a mocking playfulness in his half–closed eyes. He was flirting at a time like this.
The room fell silent, all eyes on Genevieve. What was supposed to be a tense moment had turned into a live–action drama, feeding the onlookers an unwelcome dose of public affection.
Genevieve was livid, unable to withdraw her hand. Hearing Anthony’s nonsense only fueled her anger. She pinched the hand he’d injured, and Anthony broke out in a cold sweat from the pain.
He gasped, his eyes widening as his body shuddered. Genevieve seized the opportunity to yank her hand free and, with a swift movement, even kicked him from behind.
The doctor in front, shocked and dumbfounded, stepped forward to catch the “fragile” Anthony.
Genevieve, her expression unchanged, casually brushed her hair aside and offered a calm smile. “He’s probably having an allergic reaction from mixing too many kinds of booze. Thanks for your help. He can pay the bills when he wakes up. I’m leaving now, goodbye.”
With a wave, she didn’t even bother entering the hospital lobby and just turned around and walked
away.
Everyone was speechless.
Before Genevieve left, she took a picture of them and sent it to Jacinta. [Mission completed. Ms. Sanders, please remember to inform his family.] she added.
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