Chapter 22: Burning Fever

His occasional indulgence was only a disguise. In the end, indifference and cruelty are his nature.

How could she be so naive as to think that he would let her go?

Katrina suddenly regrets traveling to Mae. She regrets going to that street.

If not for that, she wouldn't have been taken away by his men. She wouldn't have suffered such torment.

The sunsets on the mountain as the sky gets darker. The deep blue night sky is low, and the silence in the air is terrible. Thunder rumbles loudly, and lightning splits the sky in half.

Crouched in a corner, Katrina quickly covers her ears. She closes her eyes and buries her face in her lap. She huddles weakly, her body trembling uncontrollably.

The heavy rainfalls from the sky and the weather suddenly turn cold.

Even with the small roof over her head, Katrina becomes drenched in the rain as she curls tightly into a ball.

She doesn't know how long it's been, but she's soaked through by the rain.

Her lips tremble with the cold, but she feels as if her body is on fire.

In the midst of hunger, cold, and the rain, Katrina finally loses consciousness.

Meanwhile, Aaron is attending a birthday dinner.

Roberts is a well-known political family in Hadley. They have been in politics for three generations, and all had high positions.

When Harris Roberts turns 60, Aaron is certain to attend the birthday dinner.

Not only did he come, but he also brought birthday presents that had been prepared in advance.

Harris likes traditional things, so Aaron put his best foot forward and bought a fist-sized jade cross necklace from an auction, that can be carried anywhere.

Politicians, more or less, believe that these things can bring good luck and ensure prosperity.

Harris takes Aaron's gift with a touch of love and praise.

This is the valuable item that Aaron lost the other day.

Katrina was imprisoned at Aaron's house because she was thought to be carrying a cauldron of his stolen things.

The huge banquet hall is luxurious. Many business leaders and dignitaries from Hadley are present at Harris Roberts' birthday party.

Dressed in suits and evening gowns, guests stand together in pairs with wine goblets, chatting, and laughing. The music flows slowly, adding a touch of elegance to the banquet atmosphere.

The banquet is lively and extraordinary. Everyone inside is unaware that it had begun to rain heavily outside.

Standing at the entrance of the villa, Aaron's guards can't help cursing.

A guard suddenly realizes something. Momentarily stunned, he asks, "What should we do about the woman?"

At Mr. Wilson's request, they locked the woman on the balcony earlier today.

Mr. Wilson didn't give any orders. After seeing how angry Mr. Wilson was, they didn't dare give her food and water without his permission.

But they wonder if she can tolerate the harsh weather.

If she gets into any trouble, they wouldn't be able to get away with it.

Anyone could see that the woman is very special to Mr. Wilson.

After realizing the problem, the guard's exchange looks and rush to the balcony where Katrina is being held.

Upon reaching the balcony, they see a frail figure crouching in the corner and immediately rush to her. "Miss Miller!"

Katrina is already drenched by the rain, unconscious, and burning with a fever.

Startled, the two guards quickly take Katrina out of the balcony and into her room.

Although they're worried to death, they're also at a loss at what to do with an unconscious woman.

It's urgent that the matter is reported to Mr. Wilson immediately.

Otherwise, it will only get worse when he comes back.

Aaron accompanies Harris Roberts throughout the party.

Harris likes the young man who has accomplished so much at such a young age. He has nothing but praise for him.

He even wants to introduce Aaron to his precious daughter, who has just returned from college overseas. If Aaron becomes his son-in-law, their union will be a great combination of strength.

When the melodious dance music starts, men spontaneously invite their female partners to dance on the dance floor.

Harris smiles warmly and says, "Victoria, why don't you dance with Mr. Wilson?"

Victoria's beautiful face flushes.

Aaron is the most attractive young man at the party, and Victoria Roberts has admired him for a long time.

It's because of her reserve that she didn't dare ask Aaron for a dance earlier. But hearing her father's words, she finally summons the courage to walk towards Aaron.

Aaron is about to take Victoria by her hand out of courtesy when his phone rings abruptly.

"I'm sorry I have to take this call." Aaron nods politely to Harris and Victoria and turns to the phone.

As soon as he answers the phone, he hears the panicked voice of one of his guards. "Mr. Wilson, Miss Miller has lost unconscious and currently has a high fever!"

Aaron frowns at the news. "A high fever?"

He just locked her up on the balcony to punish her. How could she suddenly lose consciousness in less than a day?

Before he knew it, his heart became anxious at the news of her illness.

The guard explains with trepidation, "The temperature drops at night, and the heavy rain may have caused the fever."

"Fetch the doctor at once, I'll be home right away!" Aaron says and hangs up.

Fully preoccupied with Katrina's illness, Aaron isn't in the mood for a grand event like this.

After hanging up, Aaron walks over to Harris and Victoria. "I'm sorry, Mr. and Miss Roberts, something urgent has happened. I must go back home now."

Seeing him answer a phone call and immediately leave after, Harris asks in disbelief, "What happened, Aaron?"

Even Victoria feels a sense of loss as she misses the chance to dance with him.

Aaron is silent for a while. "The cat in the house is sick, and it's very serious."

At Aaron's explanation, Harris nods in understanding. "A life is at stake. Go ahead, Aaron."

"Thank you, Mr. Roberts." With that, Aaron turns and leaves quickly.

Harris doesn't realize something is wrong until Aaron has left the party.

He heard that Aaron has a dog that he loved like a son.

When did Aaron get a cat?