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Chapter 67

Chapter 67:
Noticing Verena’s silence, Belinda leaned in slightly, her tone laced with feigned concern. “What’s the matter, Miss Reed? Aren’t you glad to see me?”
“Of course, I’m glad to see you,” Verena replied, managing a strained smile as she gestured for Lucas and Belinda to enter. “Please, come in.”
Once inside, Lucas’s voice softened to a husky whisper. “Verena, where are you feeling unwell?”
“I’m running a fever,” Verena murmured, her voice low, playing her part while genuinely afflicted by the fever.
Belinda stepped closer, pressing her hand against Verena’s forehead and holding it there for a moment. After assessing Verena’s condition, she withdrew her hand and stated calmly, “It doesn’t seem too bad, not a high fever.”
She paused before continuing, “Do you have any fever medication here, Miss Reed?”
Verena shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
Belinda turned decisively to Lucas. “You should go to the pharmacy and pick up some medicine for her fever.”
Verena’s expression tightened slightly. Belinda’s authoritative tone irked her, but she chose to remain silent. Lucas lingered for a moment, then nodded and left without further comment.
With Lucas gone, only Belinda and Verena remained in the room. Belinda, maintaining her composed demeanor, asked with a slight smile, “You don’t have medicine for the fever? But you must have some ice packs, right?”
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“Yes,” Verena admitted reluctantly.
“That’ll work,” Belinda said casually. “Just wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it on your forehead. It should help reduce your fever.”
Verena remained silent for a moment before turning and heading to the kitchen. A few minutes later, she returned, settled herself on the sofa, and placed the towel-wrapped ice pack on her forehead.
Belinda sauntered over and settled into the chair opposite Verena, crossing her legs with effortless grace. A slight smirk played on her lips as she said, “It seems you didn’t take my advice to heart, Miss Reed.”
Verena’s eyes flickered, and she pressed her lips together before replying softly, “Mrs. Clark, you’ve misunderstood. I was alone at home with a fever, feeling quite frightened. Ryan always turns his phone off at night, so I couldn’t reach him. In that moment of panic, I didn’t know who else to call but Lucas.”
Belinda raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence. “Is that so? You could have called an ambulance. The paramedics would have attended to you.”
Verena looked down, her voice tinged with gentle earnestness. “You might not understand, but I’ve spent so much time in hospitals over the past few years due to my poor health. Those experiences have left me with a profound fear of hospitals, so I avoid them unless it’s a severe emergency.”
Belinda’s smirk deepened internally, but outwardly, she adopted a mask of understanding. She nodded and said, “I see. Nevertheless, Miss Reed, Lucas is not the right person to call. He isn’t a doctor, and his presence alone isn’t a cure. Here’s an idea—let’s exchange phone numbers. If you’re feeling unwell in the middle of the night again, call me directly. As a doctor, I can assist you promptly.”
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