Chapter 264: Chapter 264: When You Cry, My Heart Breaks
Ann Vaughn’s tongue went numb, her lips still a bit sore. Hearing his words, she couldn’t care about discomfort and poked his chest, scolding tenderly, "Shameless!"
"Refusing to admit your mistake, that’s an added offense." Cyrus Hawthorne’s narrow eyes darkened slightly as he lifted her chin and kissed her.
"Mmm..." Ann Vaughn’s little face scrunched up, her body still hadn’t recovered from the soreness, feeling even weaker. Forced to tilt her head, he took advantage of her.
When Cyrus Hawthorne finally released her, Ann Vaughn swiftly struck him with a slap!
Though its strength was no different than a kitten’s scratch.
Just as she was about to explode, Cyrus Hawthorne suddenly groaned, his thin lips lost all color, and the fine ink-black hair on his forehead was almost drenched with sweat.
Ann Vaughn froze, suddenly remembering something, she grabbed his arm to inspect the injury.
The snow-white silk shirt he wore had already been dyed red with blood. The one-finger-wide ghastly wound on his shoulder extended all the way to his back, continuously bleeding!
Even so, his expression didn’t change much. Just now, he even acted like a fierce wolf taking advantage of her without furrowing a brow!
Ann Vaughn’s chest was instantly ignited with anger.
Buried deep within her heart for four years, afraid to touch, afraid to mention, even afraid to think about those feelings, suddenly like Pandora’s box being opened.
Surging out, burning her mind inch by inch.
What exactly is this?!
"Madman!" Ann Vaughn could no longer suppress the overwhelming anger and grievance in her heart, "Back then, you went to all lengths to take my life, why are you feigning concern now?!"
"Or did I underestimate your methods, changing from crude usurpation to gentle strategy, numbing my senses to achieve your goals?"
"What value do I still have for you to play such a heartfelt drama with me?"
"Cyrus Hawthorne, you may not tire of it, but I’ve had enough of you!"
Her voice was fierce yet restrained, as if containing countless forbearance and fear carved into her being.
But apart from heartache, Cyrus Hawthorne felt as though there was no room for any other emotion in his heart.
He looked at the mottled tears on Ann Vaughn’s delicate face, his brows furrowed, then slowly raised his injured hand.
The rough pad of his thumb gently wiped the tears densely covering Ann Vaughn’s cheeks but was immediately knocked away by her.
Cyrus Hawthorne didn’t get angry, he used the greatest patience of his life on her, letting her vent her anger by knocking away his hand that sought to touch her face.
Yet he repeatedly suppressed the pain that might explode at any moment, awkwardly yet cautiously helping her wipe away tears carefully.
"Stop crying." Cyrus Hawthorne sighed quietly, looking at her tearful cat-like face, his narrow eyes filled with unending tenderness, "When you cry, my heart breaks."
"Liar!" Ann Vaughn couldn’t hold back the growing sourness in her eyes, once again knocking away his hand.
Speaking so pretty, but when he had her dragged into the operating room, wasn’t there no mercy?
He treated her like a pet, expecting her to come and go at will, but was unwilling when she showed her claws!
Just as this thought settled, Ann Vaughn saw Cyrus Hawthorne’s brows furrow fiercely, suddenly lost consciousness, and fell onto her shoulder.
"Cyrus Hawthorne, Cyrus Hawthorne?" Ann Vaughn panicked inside, instinctively wanting to take out Golden Needle from her sleeve to help him stop the bleeding.
But the Golden Needle in her sleeve had long been used up, and even the medicine pack was taken away when she was kidnapped.
Ann Vaughn could only use her hand on the pressure points at his back, slowly pressing as the bleeding finally barely stopped, but she felt no relief.
She was wounded all over, even alone not necessarily able to safely walk out of the deep forest, let alone now that Cyrus Hawthorne was unconscious...
Just then, anxious calls came from not far away.
"Annie!"
Ann Vaughn saw a beam of light appear not far away, her eyes immediately showing a layer of surprise, but she couldn’t stand up, only managing to wave her hand toward that side.
"I’m here!"
Her voice was too weak, difficult to hear clearly enveloped in the wind.
Sutton Jennings halted his steps preparing to leave, then suddenly walked forward.
"Lord Shane, ahead is a steep slope, Miss Vaughn shouldn’t be there." A subordinate urgently reminded.
Sutton Jennings ignored it, walked toward the brush and finally saw Ann Vaughn leaning against a tree.
A trace of delight burst from his almond-shaped eyes, stepping forward, he vigorously pulled Ann Vaughn into his arms.
"I’m sorry." His voice carried heavy, inescapable guilt, "It will never happen again, I promise you."
"It’s okay." Ann Vaughn’s eyelids grew heavy, in the end unable to say anything more before fainting in Sutton Jennings’ arms.
...
Imperial Capital First Hospital.
Shane Shaw rushed to the outside of the operating room with his assistant, handing the black leather case to the attending doctor.
"This is the newest antidote developed by the institute. We’ve tested it thoroughly, no issues, unless unexpected, it should be able to fully counteract OX."
"So quickly?" The attending doctor pushed up his glasses, somewhat surprised, then understood, "I’ve watched that kid grow up, it’s not in vain putting him in your research institute, his results are fast."
After saying this, the attending doctor carried the antidote from the leather case into the operating room, soon the red light illuminated.
Shane Shaw stood there, puzzled, that kid? Perhaps Old Chen also knows Aquarelle Vaughn?
Growing up with such acquaintance, considering Old Chen’s background, is Aquarelle Vaughn a daughter of a rich family from Marinia?
At this point, Silas Master Moore arrived upon hearing, saw Mark Joyce and Shane Shaw standing outside the operating room, frowning, "Did you not notify Mrs. Hawthorne?"
"Young Master Moore, it was my idea." Mark Joyce stated, "President Hawthorne likely doesn’t want Mrs. Hawthorne to know about this."
The relationship between Mrs. Hawthorne and Miss Vaughn is already strained, and if Mrs. Hawthorne knew President Hawthorne had ended up like this saving Miss Vaughn.
The objections would only be greater.
Moreover, the news of Cyrus Hawthorne being injured and entering the operating room shouldn’t leak, to prevent other interested parties from knowing and causing trouble.
Mark Joyce was thorough in his considerations, Silas Master Moore saw little to say in response, however—
"Others might not know, but don’t you know his physical condition? Why not stop him a bit."
Faced with Silas Master Moore’s reproach, Mark Joyce was somewhat helpless, "Young Master Moore, do you think anyone can interfere once President Hawthorne makes a decision?"
Not even Old Master Hawthorne could necessarily stop him.
"Next time, just knock him out, at least better than letting him risk his life." Silas Master Moore suggested a bad idea.
"You dare?"
"I dare not a bit."
"..."