?Chapter 353:


    “Alright.” Jeffrey nodded obediently.


    Once dinner was over, he quietly returned to his room. Exhausted from the day, he quickly drifted off to sleep.


    Watching him sleep soundly, Rachel gently tucked the nket around him before slipping out of his room.


    Just as she stepped into the living room, the doorbell suddenly rang. Opening the door, she found Brian standing there with an unreadable expression on his face.


    As soon as Rachel saw Brian, her first instinct was to shut the door. However, he quickly intervened, wedging his hand to stop it, his voice resolute as he said, “Let me in!”


    “Mr. White, this simple ce is hardly suited for someone of your status,” Rachel responded sharply, clearly rejecting his entrance.


    Yet, Brian persisted, pushing past her into the apartment. Despite her efforts, she was no match for his strength. Her face turned red with the strain, but she was unable to stop him from entering.


    Once inside, Brian casually crossed his arms and settled onto the couch. “You’re intruding,” Rachel said heatedly.


    She braced for a retort, but instead, he casually observed the clutter, including dishes left on the table. He then said calmly, “I’m quite hungry. I haven’t had anything to eat.”


    “Skipping a meal won’t harm you!”


    “Skipping one might be okay, but I’ve missed all my meals today.”


    “It won’t kill you,” she responded bluntly.


    At that, Brian grimaced, holding his stomach. “Then at least let me have a ss of water. I’ll go after that.”


    “Is that a promise?”


    “Absolutely.”


    Rachel handed him a ss of cold water, but Brian hesitated. “Actually, could it be warm? My stomach is aching.” Shortly after, he sipped the warm water provided. Still, he continued to hold his stomach, appearing miserable.


    “Any chance there’s some food I could take for the road?”


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    Rachel kept her exasperation to herself. Clearly, he was testing her patience. And she realized he was bing more and more thick-skinned.


    “All I have are some junk snacks that probably won’t suit your refined tastes.”


    “I’m definitely not picky. And I don’t need luxury in every part of my life.”


    He had made his position clear. To deny him now would appear heartless.


    Rachel searched through her pantry and passed him some snacks. Brian quickly tore open a packet and started eating, his hunger seeming real, not fake.


    “Wasn’t it supposed to be just water, and then you’d leave? Now that you’ve got food, it’s time to go,” Rachel said, eager to see him out.


    “Let me finish these and I’ll have some water afterward.”


    Rachel was ready to object, but paused as he suddenly dropped the snack bag, clutching his stomach with a grimace. He did look noticeably pale.


    “What’s the matter?” she asked, moving closer.


    “My stomach… it really hurts!” He was holding his stomach, his voice quivering with each word.


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