Chapter 73

Christina was startled by the sudden movement. She turned her head and was shocked to see William standing there.

"Uncle, what are you doing here?"

William's eyes began to glaze over.

He gently lifted her chin and passionately kissed her on the lips.

Everything happened so quickly that Christina didn't even have time to react.

Her mind went blank, and she could only think of one thing.

What is he doing? Why is he kissing me?

Gradually, her rationality returned. She widened her eyes and pushed him away forcefully.

"Uncle, what are you doing? Did you mistake me for someone else? Let go of me."

He clearly hadn't mistaken her.

Christina overlooked the fact that he had called her name as he approached, grabbed her, and pulled her into his arms.

William's grip was strong, and his gaze was intensely passionate, as if he wanted to devour her right then and there.

Christina's hands flailed wildly, and she suddenly felt a decorative object on the hallway wall. She grabbed it and struck William hard.

"Calm down."

Though he didn't pass out, he staggered back a few steps, leaning against the wall in pain.

"Christina..."

His voice was low and seductive, like a lover's gentle call.

Christina got goosebumps.

"Uncle, you're burning up. Are you running a fever? Let me call Bob to come get you."

Christina turned away and used her phone to contact Bob.

She didn't notice Jennifer standing at the corner of the hallway, watching everything unfold.

Jennifer bit her lip tightly.

If she wasn't mistaken, William hadn't confused Christina with someone else. He had called her name and kissed her.

Jealousy surged within Jennifer, making her feel both bitter and sad.

After confirming the location and time with Bob, Christina turned back to check on William.

"Do you want me to help you to a place to rest?"

But seeing him so out of it, she hesitated to get too close.

As she wavered, someone suddenly rushed out from behind her. Jennifer ran over, exclaiming, "Mr. Cavendish, are you okay? You don't look well!"

William was barely holding on, trying to maintain his composure.

Jennifer frowned and turned to scold Christina, "Mr. Cavendish clearly isn't well, and you left him in the hallway. What are you thinking?"

"I don't know where to take him," Christina replied, her voice low.

"Couldn't you have come to find me? Have you forgotten I'm Mr. Cavendish's fiancée?" Jennifer's frown deepened, her words pointed.

Remembering what had just happened, Christina felt at a loss.

At that moment, Bob arrived, sweating profusely.

"Mr. Cavendish, are you alright?"

William closed his eyes in pain. "I'm fine."

Bob sighed in relief and quickly helped him up, supporting him on his shoulder. "Mr. Cavendish, I'll take you home."

Jennifer immediately followed. "I'll come with you."

After a long night of injections and IV fluids, William's fever finally subsided a bit.

William was exhausted, as if he had been through a severe illness, completely drained of energy.

"Where's Christina?"

He asked Bob, who was standing nearby.

Outside the door, Jennifer, holding a bowl of soup, froze upon hearing his question.

"She left after handing you over to me. She probably had something to do. Mr. Cavendish, about tonight..." Bob hesitated, fearing William's anger, and quickly changed the subject.

"He dared to mess with me. He's got a death wish." William's eyes narrowed.

This matter needed to be thoroughly investigated, and Bob understood, immediately agreeing.

Seeing that they no longer mentioned Christina, Jennifer quickly entered the room and placed the soup on the bedside table.

"This will help cool you down."

William didn't move.

Jennifer sighed, wetting a towel with cool water and wiping his forehead. "Mr. Cavendish, it's a good thing you're strong. You pulled through."

William remained expressionless.

"It's late. You should go home."

"How can I leave when something like this happened to you? Let me stay and take care of you," Jennifer insisted.

William's tone was indifferent. "No need. Go home."

He was practically dismissing her.

Jennifer felt a sudden sense of urgency, recalling the events of the day.

If she didn't do something, her past act of saving William's life would soon be forgotten, especially with his growing interest in Christina!

She couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

"Alright, I'll leave after I finish with the soup. Rest well, and I'll see you tomorrow." Jennifer nodded obediently.

She left the bedroom, her face turning grim.

No, she had to take action.

She decided to use an old trick. William was a man who repaid his debts. It was because of her past act of saving his life that she had everything she did now.

After a moment of thought, she devised a plan. She went to a nearby room and set up a delayed short-circuit device by the curtains, following instructions she found online.

Before leaving, she turned on the central air conditioning and other high-power appliances in the room. This way, at night, the short circuit would create sparks that could ignite the curtains.

She felt she had no choice but to do this. She didn't leave but waited quietly in her car.

William was feeling much better.

"You can go now. Make sure to investigate this thoroughly."

Bob nodded. "Yes, Mr. Cavendish. Rest well. I'll be back in the morning."

William said nothing, closing his eyes.

Jennifer waited for over an hour. The window she had targeted began to show signs of fire.

She didn't rush. The flames were still small and not yet dangerous enough to be memorable.

After a few minutes, the flames grew, and the fire started to spread. Jennifer then got out of her car and rushed upstairs.

The fire was bigger than she had anticipated. The second-floor hallway was filled with thick smoke, making it hard to see. She covered her mouth and nose with her sleeve and called out urgently.

"Mr. Cavendish, where are you? Mr. Cavendish!"

A heavy cough came from the bedroom.

Her heart leaped with joy, and she hurried forward, pounding on the door. "Mr. Cavendish, are you in there?"