Chapter 55 He Might Have Died Tonight
Finished
Clad in a black shirt and well–fitted trousers, the man radiated an intense, almost overwhelming presence. The calm and restrained energy he gave off made it difficult for anyone to meet his eyes.
“Huh?” Jonathan looked genuinely surprised.
His slim fingers rested on the arm of the couch, subtly tensing. A slight frown formed on his handsome face as he glanced over at her, a little confused, clearly wondering if he’d heard her wrong.
Out of nowhere, a memory popped into his mind–of the first time they met. She had walked up to him without saying a word, grabbed his shirt, and tore it open without hesitation.
Jonathan swallowed hard, the sharp angles of his face cold and distant, yet somehow, a faint flush crept up to his ears. “All right,” he said, his voice dropping an octave.
He sat upright, his fingers moving slowly over the buttons of his shirt. One by one, he undid them, revealing his solid chest. The light framed the sculpted outline of his torso, each muscle clearly defined.
Gabrielle sat there, nibbling on a pork rib, propping her cheek up with one hand, calmly watching him unbutton his shirt Once every button was undone and his perfectly toned abs were on full display, Jonathan stood, shrugged off the shirt, and turned his back toward her.
She quickly got up and walked over, placing her small hand gently on his back.
“Have you felt a lot of tightness in your chest lately? Like you’re about to cough up blood but can’t, and it just keeps repeating?” Gabrielle asked quietly. Her hand rested on his back, and she felt his body tense beneath her touch. His temperature was alarmingly high.
“That’s exactly what’s been happening. Jonathan answered, his voice gravelly.
A strange sensation was building inside him, like something trying to cut the nerves in his body. It was a weird kind of numbness, like tiny ants biting him not painful, not itchy, just constant and relentless.
“It’s lucky you came back today. If you hadn’t, I honestly think you wouldn’t have made it through the night, Gabrielle said softly. “The poison in your body is spreading faster than I thought.”
She moved around to face him, positioning herself in front of him.”
Lowering her gaze, she reached out and gently tugged at the waistband of his trousers. As she caught a glimpse of his sharply defined Apollo’s belt, she traced a finger along it.
“You’ve been poisoned over a long period of time. It’s worn down your defenses slowly. Even though your skin’s been healing, the same thing keeps happening–it breaks down again. Your skin and blood have already started to merge, she explained.
“The poison’s seeped into your skin. Look here–your abs and Apollo’s belt? They look flawless. But when your condition flares up again, those spots are going to get hit first, Gabrielle added. “The most perfect contours usually hide the most dangerous flaws.”
Jonathan froze, watching as her fingers ran along his abs while her other hand still tugged lightly at the waistband of his pants. The air between them grew thick. The heat in his body rose steadily, like he might just melt right then and there.
“No more gym for now. No intense physical activity, Gabrielle said in a low tone. “Abs might be a sign of fitness for most people, but for you, they’re not exactly helping.”
She stepped back slightly, eyes sweeping over his broad shoulders and narrow waist. She bit her lip as she let her gaze linger a second longer than necessary.
She’d seen her fair share of bodies, but none like Jonathan’s
At six–foot–three, with a flawless build and defined Apollo’s belt, he looked like he was hand–crafted by the gods. There was something magnetic about him; his presence alone made people stop and stare. His perfection could easily inspire envy.
“So… the poison’s about to fl
up?” Jonathan asked, his voice hoarse.
11:32 PM
Chapter 55 He Might Have Died Tonight
said, “Yeah. Go take a bath later. Wait for me tonight.”
Just that one line filled the air with suggestion.
Finished
But Gabrielle didn’t think twice about it. To her, it was routine. She was a doctor–whether it was a man or a woman standing naked in front of her, it made no difference.
“What time tonight?” Jonathan’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
He glanced at her–her head was down, focused on her food. Her expression was so pure, not even a trace of anything suggestive in her eyes. She clearly wasn’t interested in his body at all. If that weren’t the case, he might’ve really thought she was playing games, tossing out vague lines just to get a rise out of him.
The medicine isn’t ready yet. It’s seven now. I’ll still be working for a bit. I’ll come find you around eleven, Gabrielle answered in a low voice.
Jonathan gave a slight nod, reached for his shirt, and slipped it back on. Watching her eat, he could tell she was genuinely enjoying the meal.
He’d never seen a woman like her before–so calm, so clear. She seemed untouched by the chaos of the world, like nothing our there could reach her. Everything she saw felt distant and irrelevant.
Jonathan took a step closer and stood in front of her. After a pause, he finally spoke, his voice low. “The Seavers family is on the brink of going bankrupt.”
That one sentence made her pause mid–bite.
Gabrielle smiled faintly, her almond–shaped eyes lighting up with something that almost looked like amusement. She popped another piece of rib into her mouth and said, “I know.”
“It’s about time they hit a wall,” she said under her breath.
If they hadn’t come to her seven months ago, they probably would’ve fallen apart back then. Marilyn had only made it through the last few months because of the emerald pendant Gabrielle had given her. That pendant had kept her protected. Without it, her legs would’ve given out long ago.
“Zachary’s been calling a lot recently. I’ve also gotten a few calls from the Seavers residence,” Jonathan said, voice low, They’re probably hoping your marriage brings them some luck and are expecting the Zechman family to bail them out”
He had zero fondness for the Seavers family.
Years in the business world had sharpened his instincts. He could read intentions from a mile away.
The Seavers family hadn’t exactly been clean. And now, they were trying to marry Gabrielle into the Zechman family to boost their fortunes. On the surface, it looked like they were trying to raise her status, but in reality, they were throwing her into a fire pit.
Everyone knew Jonathan had less than a month left. Competitors were already circling like sharks, ready to tear the Zechman family’s empire apart
But the Zechman family wasn’t just rich–they had reach. Influence across industries, connections in government, politics, even internationally. Still, there were always people bold enough to challenge them when they sensed weakness.
That was the brutal truth.
Jonathan had planned to sort out everything with the Zechman family before his inevitable death. But Gabrielle’s unexpected appearance gave him a sliver of hope.
He didn’t believe her at first. But after she gave him acupressure, something changed. His symptoms stopped–no more poison flare–ups, no coughing up blood for three straight days.
Could it be true!? That maybe… I’m not going to die just yet!
That thought brought a complex look to his face as he stared at her.
[li]
Chapter 55 He Might Have Died Tonight.
Finished
of her. “The answer’s no. We don’t owe them anything. Sure, Old Mr. Seavers and Grandpa were close back in the day. The Seavers‘ rise had a lot to do with the help Grandpa gave them behind the scenes.
“This time, they hesitated to send their precious daughter for the marriage arrangement with the Zechman family. That’s why they showed up on the mountain looking for you. You were just a substitute they sent in. Since they showed no loyalty. they shouldn’t expect any in return. Between you and the Seavers family–you’re the one who matters to me,” Jonathan said firmly.
