Chapter 185

Nina recognized the marks on her neck—hickeys. She pulled down her collar, revealing more marks spreading across her body. "Ahhh!" she screamed. Footsteps approached from the hallway. Nina hastily gathered her clothes.

She saw the island's butler, an elderly man with salt-and-pepper hair, impeccably dressed in a suit. His smile seemed like a mask. "Ms. Sullivan, what's wrong?"

Trembling, Nina had no memory of the previous night. "Who was here last night? Who was I with?" Tears welled in her eyes. Her fingers were icy.

The butler maintained his kind smile. "You were with Mr. Bennett last night."

Hearing Jonathan's name, Nina was stunned, then relieved. But she found it hard to believe. "Really? Are you sure it was Mr. Bennett?"

"Mr. Bennett stayed in your room all night and left this morning to get you breakfast. He'll be back soon," the butler assured her before leaving.

Nina's heart pounded. She sat on the couch, despair turning to delight. Was it really Mr. Bennett?

She tried to recall the night, flashes of a passionate kiss and intimacy flooding her mind. Jonathan's words echoed, "Nina, don't be scared. I'm here."

It was Mr. Bennett! I was with him! Despite fragmented memories, confirming it was Jonathan filled her with joy. Thinking of last night made her blush.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps. Jonathan stood at the door. Nina stood awkwardly, fidgeting, unable to meet his eyes. She felt like a child who had misbehaved.

She didn't know how to handle their relationship. She had questions. Jonathan had professed his love only for Cynthia and refused her confession the previous night. Maybe Mr. Bennett was drunk, she thought.

Although it wasn't the answer she hoped for, it was the only explanation.

Jonathan entered, his expression calm yet uneasy. "I brought you some breakfast. Are you hungry?"

Nina sensed the awkwardness. Maybe Jonathan is embarrassed and regrets last night?

"Alright," Nina said, sitting down. "Do you want to join me?"

"I've already eaten," Jonathan replied. He'd run into Cynthia, who'd urged him to talk to Nina and help her process her emotions. This was awkward for him.

Nina ate silently. Near the end, Jonathan began, "Nina, about last night…"

Nina shouted, "Mr. Bennett, please stop talking!"

Jonathan's expression darkened. Nina turned away, her face reddening. She calmed herself, then spoke shakily, "Mr. Bennett, I remember everything from last night."

Jonathan stepped forward, worried. "Nina, honestly, you don't need to worry about what happened last night…" He wasn't sure how to comfort her.

It turned out Jonathan had been drunk. Nina said, "Mr. Bennett, I'm an adult. I won't take it to heart. Last night was an accident. Let's just act like it never happened."

Jonathan sensed her restraint and discomfort. He sighed. "It's good if you can accept it."

A drone announced a "couple's mission," summoning them back to the castle villa. Cynthia was waiting. The three returned in silence, Cynthia observing Nina's complex emotions.

They were taken to the beach, where two helicopters and Jessie, Ethan, Preston, and Abby awaited. Preston enthusiastically greeted Cynthia, who firmly rebuffed his advances. Abby, weary and hungry, inquired about food. Jessie mentioned the island's buffet, including snake soup, which made Abby gag. (The ending abruptly shifts to what seems like the beginning of a different chapter; Chapter 183). This needs to be edited separately.