Chapter 296

After drinking the water, Ross felt his aching stomach ease slightly.

Danielle lowered her gaze. “You drank the water. Time to go.” She hadn’t even eaten yet and needed to rest later before heading out again for rescue work. She didn’t have time to entertain him.

Ross handed back the mug. “Dr. Shelly, I’m still unwell. Could you examine me?”

“What’s wrong?”

“My head hurts, and my stomach too.”

Ross had motion sickness from the long ride, and he hadn’t eaten much during the trip.

Danielle sighed, “What were you thinking coming all the way here from Basterel? Just sit tight. I’ll get you some medicine.” With that, she walked off to find him something to take.

Ross swallowed the pills obediently.

“Have your assistant fetch you food,” Danielle added.

“Mm,” Ross nodded.

“That cot is mine, but you can rest there.” Danielle turned to her simple lunch—soup, vegetables, and toast. She wasn’t in the mood for the toast, but the soup tasted just fine. If she got hungry later, she could snack on biscuits.

She had told him he could stay, and Ross remained seated on the edge of the cot, his eyes drifting toward her every so often.

As Danielle sipped her soup, she picked up her phone and messaged Shermaine: [Ross is here.]

Shermaine: [Good. He arrived safely.]

[You wanted to shake Jason off, right? Use Ross to scare him off.]

[Order him around. He won’t mind.]

Danielle couldn’t help smiling at the last message. [Last time we ‘acted close,’ Ross pretended not to care. Probably hated it.]

Shermaine: [If he did, he wouldn’t have chased you there.]

Shaking her head, Danielle glanced up. Ross was asleep. There were dark circles under his eyes.

He was still the same man she had fallen for. The more she looked at him, the more she liked him. Her opinion of him improved slightly.

The tent’s peace was shattered by Jason’s arrival. He strode in with a food box in hand, only to freeze at the sight of Ross asleep on the cot. Danielle was gently draping her coat over him. In an instant, Jason’s face darkened.

Danielle saw him and asked, “Need something?”

Jason forced a smile. “I brought you cake.”

“I’m almost done,” Danielle replied, not really interested in what he had brought.

“You’ve lived on bread and veggies for days,” Jason insisted. “You’re losing weight.”

Danielle didn’t see it that way. She shrugged without saying anything.

Jason had already placed the box on the small table, “Dr. Shelly, I made this cake. Everyone loved it. Try a piece?”

His tone was sincere. If Danielle refused again, she would seem impolite. She hesitated for a moment.

Already, Jason had picked up a piece and handed it to her. “Just one bite. Try it, please.”

Danielle didn’t refuse this time. Just as she was about to take a bite, Ross, still lying on the cot, suddenly leaned in close and ate the piece of cake. He chewed slowly, then swallowed. “Not bad.”