When she touched him, Tarquin''s heart raced even faster.


    Her fingertips were hot, like a spark that ignited him in an instant.


    Even in his dreams, images of them entangled started ying in his mind...


    Tarquin felt a feverish heat, his breath erratic, his Adam''s apple bobbing.


    Elysia, still clueless about his feelings, looked up at him with a puzzled expression, "What''s going on with you?"


    Tarquin''s eyes were fixed on her lips, yearning for a kiss, yet he feared startling her!


    Eventually, he suppressed his desires, withdrew his hand, and turned with a scowl to head to the bathroom.


    Elysia was left wondering, "What''s upset him now? Is it because of Elijah?"


    She frowned, feeling a pang of sympathy for him.


    She had heard from Elliot and Evan that it was Gideon who had been poisoning Elijah for a long time.


    Gideon, his own grandfather, and Elijah''s great-grandfather, had been poisoning Elijah to weaken him!


    She had no ties to the Bradford family, yet the revtion had left her furious!


    For him, aside from anger, there must be a sense of betrayal, too.


    Later, Tarquin emerged from the bathroom, hisposure regained.


    "Where are Elliot, Evan, and Emmett?" he inquired.


    Elysia, after a thoughtful look, responded, "Blossom picked them up a while ago. She came over after hearing about Elijah''s situation. I figured since Elijah was out of danger, there was no point in them staying here, risking hospital germs and losing sleep, so I let Blossom take them.” That was one reason. The other was she didn''t want the kids to stick around him too much. It could getplicated if things got exposed. Tarquin didn''t dwell on it, instead asking, "You didn''t scold them, did you?"


    At this, Elysia pursed her lips at him, her gaze reminiscent of a middle school principal looking at a mischievous student.


    Unaware of the reason, Tarquin protested, "Did you scold them? I exined to you, it was my decision to take them, it''s not the kids'' fault...” Elysia cut him off, "Enough! They confessed as soon as they returned, didn''t even wait for me to ask. They overheard our conversation, couldn''t stand it, and followed you to the old house to find out who the culprit was. They forgot to inform me in their haste."


    Tarquin was speechless, feeling betrayed.


    "These little traitors! White-eyed wolves!"


    Elysia red at him but, knowing he meant to protect the children, her tone softened, "Teaching kids to lie is not okay!"


    Tarquin nodded earnestly, "You''re right, I''ll be more careful."


    Elysia frowned and pouted at him, then asked, "Did you visit Elijah beforeing here?"


    "Yes, he was still unconscious. Benjamin wouldn''t let me in; I saw him through the ss."


    "Elijah needs rest; disturbing him constantly won''t help. Don''t worry, I''ve studied the poison in his system. It can be cleansed, but it''ll take some time.


    Alright, I''ve made up the bed for you. Go rest a bit, and when you wake up, call me. I''ll see what we have in the kitchen and cook something up for you."


    Tarquin''s heart melted once again,


    "A bed made up for me? And you''re going to cook for me?"