Addison found herself speechless as the crowd around her hurled increasingly outrageousments. Tears threatened to spill over.


    ra, however, just opened the car door and slipped inside. "Addison, hop in," she called.


    With eyes red and puffy, Addison climbed into the car.


    The farmers waved their brooms in the air, cheering as if they''d just banished a bad omen.


    Catching a glimpse of this in the rearview mirror, Addison was so enraged she nearly choked. Unable to hold it in anymore, she broke down in tears.


    The driver, a middle-aged man who looked like he''d had a rough night, gripped the steering wheel tightly and started crying, too.


    Who wouldn''t feel hurt? Their genuine intentions were stomped on, and they were pped with unfounded usations!


    ra, sitting by the window, watched the scenery blur outside. She heard the sobs and felt a bit helpless. "Come on, stop crying."


    Addison was falling apart, sniffling into a tissue as she sobbed. "We''re just so upset. I''ve never been treated like this. Quinn is such a piece of work. She makes me so mad. ra, is this how it is with the Bradford family? Everyone just sides with her without thinking. Now I get why you have a bad reputation."


    ra didn''t know what to say. Life with the Bradford family was indeed like that, but she had to admit she''d been a bit too eager to please, whichnded her in this mess.


    She closed her eyes, feeling someone gently tug on her sleeve.


    Addison''s voice was thick with emotion. "Your leg''s infected. Does it hurt a lot?" "It''s not that bad. Please, stop crying. It''s not the end of the world. Once we''re back at the guesthouse, I''ll figure something out. There''s always a way."


    Addison sniffled a few more times, finally calming down.


    Back at the guesthouse, ra forced herself to shower and wash her hair, finally getting rid of the rain''s musty smell.


    But her knee looked worse, the wound more rming. Just as she was about to ask the front desk for a first-aid kit, there was a knock at the door.


    She opened it and found someone in a white coat standing there. "Ms. ra, Mr. Dn sent me to check on your leg."


    Dn?


    She hadn''t seen him since she''d returned. How did he know about her injury?


    She nced past the doctor, looking toward the opposite door, but it was closed, revealing nothing.


    Limping back to the bed, she sat down while the doctor carried arge medical bag, donned gloves, and began treating her wound. Her face paled as the embedded gravel was removed from her flesh.


    Once the doctor finished applying the medication, her furrowed brow rxed slightly, although her forehead was still damp with sweat.


    The doctor handed her some fever-reducing medication. "Take this; you''ve got a fever."


    "Thank you."


    After the doctor left, she took the medication. She had barely sat back down when the door opened, and Dn wheeled himself in, looking calm.


    He pushed his wheelchair into the room and closed the door behind him.


    It was already evening, and the setting sun bathed the room in a golden-red glow. ra tucked her leg in slightly. She could still walk, just a bit painful.


    Dn approached her, pouring her a ss of water. His gaze lingered on her knee. "Did it upset you?"


    ra hadn''t thought much of it, but sometimes, a single word of concern could crumble the facade of strength one had been holding onto for so long.


    Dn offered her the ss. "Even if the farm project doesn''t work out, Ferguson Corporation will still secure the tourism bid."


    It was his way of reassuring her and telling her not to worry too much. ra didn''t take the ss. She sat at the edge of the bed, and her fist slowly clenched, and her nails dug into her palm to distract her from the emotional pain. She looked up, her voice full of defiance. "I haven''t lost yet. I have other ns."


    Dn watched the light in her eyes, his fingers tensing slightly. He held the ss tighter. The light in her eyes was like a spark in a powder keg, dazzling and radiant. Perhaps she didn''t even realize how captivating she was.


    Dn looked away, swallowing hard, and took a sip of water himself. "Do what you think is best."


    ra smiled lightly. "Yes, Mr. Dn, don''t worry. It won''t affect thepany''s reputation."


    But he had already turned away, leaving her with a view of his strong silhouette. "That''s not what I''m worried about."


    As for what he truly worried about, he wouldn''t say more.