The Simmons Group controlled every mode of transportation in Novandria. With all their employees suddenly given leave, there was no one left to keep things running, and the city’s transport ground to a halt. Even if this caused an uproar, the worst they could accuse him of was mismanagement, and with his resources, he could silence anyone who dared complain.
Fernando’s eyes drifted away from Felipa’s laptop, where she’d just relayed the news. “Reach out to the Director–General. Tell him exactly what’s happening here, and wait for his instructions.”
“Yes, Professor!” Felipa and Hugo Black left the cramped office at once.
Fernando twisted open a bottle of spring water and handed it to Blanche, who sat slumped on a chair, looking utterly lost. She hadn’t said a word in an hour; the shock had clearly rattled her.
“Have some water.”
Blanche accepted the bottle, wanting to thank him, but no words would come.
Her head spun, her throat felt raw and scraped, and she winced in discomfort. Suddenly, her legs were lifted off the ground. Startled, she looked up to see Fernando’s gentle brown eyes fixed on her.
“You scraped your foot. Let me clean it up and bandage it for you.” Fernando settled her legs across his lap.
No, that’s not necessary!
Blanche tried to pull her foot back, but Fernando’s strong, deft hands held her ankle gently but firmly.
His touch was warm, careful, soothing against her skin.
Fernando wasn’t just a scientist–he had a first–aid license, and treating minor injuries was second nature to him. He worked quickly, rinsing her foot with cool water, then dabbing a cotton ball in antiseptic and pressing it to her wound.
Blanche put her hand over his. Let me do it, please.
She couldn’t speak, so she just shook her head at him.
When he pressed the cotton to her cut, pain shot through her, and she sucked in a sharp breath.
Chapter 125
Seeing her pale and exhausted, slumped against the little table, Fernando’s voice softened with concern. “That hurts, doesn’t it? I’ll be more gentle.”
No, I can do it mysel
Blanche tried to push his hand away, shaking her head again and again.
But Fernando only gripped her ankle a little more firmly, his tone suddenly stern. “Laney, listen to me. This isn’t just a scratch–you got cut by some sharp rubble. You need to let me help. Just hold still.”
Watching her struggle, his heart ached. Fernando lowered his head and gently blew over the wound, hoping to ease her pain.
The warmth of his breath brushed across her skin, light as a feather, sending a shiver up her spine.
Blanche watched, mortified, as Fernando patiently and tenderly soothed her wound, and she quickly covered her face with her hands in embarrassment.
How could he be so dense? Couldn’t he tell what she wanted?
At last, he released her ankle. The pressure eased, and Blanche let out a sigh of relief. She opened her eyes–only to find Fernando’s handsome face so close she could feel the heat of his breath.
His gaze tangled with hers. She held her breath, startled.
“Laney, what’s wrong with your eyes?”
Blanche’s eyes widened.
There’s nothing wrong with my eyes!
She shook her head hard and tried to lean away from him. But the stool she’d been sitting on had no back. She tipped backward, and panic seized her as she tumbled, instinctively grabbing the front of Fernando’s shirt.
The sudden motion yanked Fernando toward her, and he lost his balance, falling with her. Blanche watched in silent terror as his broad frame toppled toward her, but no sound came out.
Fernando reacted fast, catching Blanche and twisting so that he hit the floor first.
Blanche landed safely in his arms, her lips brushing his cheek in the process.
She froze, stunned.
Her mind reeled from the fall, and dizziness washed over her.
Chapter 125
Her hands pressed weakly against Fernando’s chest as she tried to rise, but she barely lifted her head before collapsing again.
The two of them ended up tangled together on the floor.
Blanche tried to push his hand away when she suddenly heard him murmur, voice thick with emotion.
“Laney, I love you.”
“I can give you everything he can, and more. Everything he can’t give you, I will.”
“Love me, won’t you?”
“Loving me won’t hurt you, Laney.”
His words washed over her, gentle and persistent, like spring rain coaxing life from the earth, and something inside Blanche’s heart skipped a beat.
In her dazed state, she didn’t resist. Fernando took her silence for consent and leaned in, pulling her closer.
