The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 21

Cordelia was awakened by the sound of her phone.

It was a message from Adrian: [Cordelia, you're looking for a caregiver for mom, right? Someone recommended a really good one, wanna go to check her out together?"]

Then an address of a hotel followed.

Cordelia thought to herself, her brother finally did something useful for once. Just as she had a tiff with Ronan, feeling awkward around him, she told Ronan she needed to leave, then hailed a cab to the hotel.

Arriving at room 1402, Adrian was already waiting for her. Upon seeing Cordelia, he lit up, excited, "You're here?"

"Why would the caregiver meet us in a hotel?" Cordelia looked around, sensing something was off.

"She's providing care for another patient in this hotel. It'll be over soon, just hang in there. Here, have some water." Adrian handed Cordelia a glass of water.

Feeling thirsty, Cordelia took the glass and had a sip.

After finishing, she felt something was wrong. "Isn’t the air conditioning on? Why is it so hot here?" Cordelia asked.

"It's on, you're still feeling hot?" Adrian's gaze never left Cordelia, full of smugness.

Cordelia instinctively felt something was wrong, she backed off a few steps and sat on the bed. Her gaze became unfocused; she was pulling at her clothes complaining about the heat.

She realized what happened. Adrian had spiked her water!

Despair and a chill filled Cordelia's heart, she angrily said, "Adrian, you!"

Seeing Cordelia's reaction, Adrian was very pleased, "I'm doing this for your own good. Jamie will be here soon, just be nice to him, and we'll be rolling in dough!"

"You sold me out for money, you scumbag!" Cordelia was livid, struggling to sit up and slapped Adrian, but she was so weak it barely hurt him. Instead, he sneered at her, pushed her back onto the bed, then called Jamie. Adrian gave him the address and told him to hurry over.

Adrian tucked Cordelia in, encouraging her before leaving, "Put on a good show!"

The room fell back into silence, Cordelia's vision started to blur, then the doorbell rang. Soon, a man walked through the door.

"Adrian, are you here?" Jamie asked.

"Cordelia, I suggest we go to the hospital." Jamie's voice was very serious.

Cordelia didn't respond. With a "thud" sound, she rushed out from the bathroom onto the carpet in the living room. Her hair and body were wet, crawling towards the nightstand.

"What are you looking for?" Jamie was startled, "Let me help you."

"A needle. Help me find it.” Cordelia murmured.

Jamie frantically searched the drawer, found a needle and handed it to Cordelia. Without saying much, Cordelia pierced her fingertip with the needle. The pain jolted her awake.

Jamie was silent for a moment. "Get up, lie on the bed." He helped Cordelia up and took her to the bed.

Perhaps because she was soaked in cold water, Cordelia was shivering. Her temperature dropped and her face wasn't as flushed.

"Mr. Colby, thank you." Cordelia's teeth were chattering.

"Stop talking nonsense!" Jamie touched Cordelia's forehead, "Silly girl."