Reba''s heart settled a bit as she quickly took out her phone to message Sullivan.


    Back in his study, Nathaniel''s expression was as dark as ever. Having spent over five years under the same roof as Reba, he was certain she was hiding something from him. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have looked so distressed earlier.


    He immediately contacted his secretary, instructing him to investigate what had happened during Reba''s


    time abroad.


    The secretary hesitated. "Mr. Preston, thepany has only 400,000 dors in avable funds. Investigating what happened with Mrs. Preston overseas several years ago could be quite expensive..."


    Besides, he thought, every penny was crucial for thepany right now. Spending it to look into Reba felt like a waste.


    Nathaniel''s expression turned icy as he instructed, "Use my personal ount for this investigation. We must uncover the truth, no matter what!"


    He understood Damon''s temperament. If he couldn''t present useful information next time, Damon wouldn''t give him a second chance.


    He had to uncover the influence behind Reba!


    "Understood," his secretary replied.


    Sullivan was sipping the chicken soup Ruby had brought him, and the atmosphere in the hospital ward felt quiet.


    He nced at Ruby, who hung her head, seemingly lost in thought.


    "Ruby, you look troubled. Is something wrong?" he asked.


    Ruby looked up at him, her expression giving nothing away. "It''s nothing."


    Sullivan tightened his grip on the spoon, feeling as though Ruby''s attitude hadn''t changed much despite having saved her. Did she really not have any feelings for him?


    The thought darkened his gaze.


    Just as he was about to speak, a cat''s meow suddenly came from the window. He was on the second floor, and birds and cats often jumped onto the windowsill. Frowning slightly, Sullivan felt a flicker of irritation. He had been scratched by a cat as a child and had despised them ever since.


    Ruby looked out the window and spotted a small calico cat trying to w its way through the gap, seemingly eager toe inside. Her eyes widened in surprise.


    The calico cat was small and thin, likely no more than two months old. Who knew how it had managed to climb


    onto the windowsill?


    +25 Bonus


    With the weather so cold outside, the kitten was shivering. It scratched at the window while meowing intively, desperately wanting to enter the warm room.


    Ruby bit her lip, a hint of struggle on her face. She loved cats and had thought about getting one once she started working.


    The kitten looked cold and hungry. If left outside, it would likely freeze to death tonight.


    The kitten continued to meow, but its strength was gradually fading.


    Taking a deep breath, Ruby finally made up her mind and walked toward the window.


    If the cat ran away when she approached, it would mean they weren''t meant to be. If it stayed, waiting, she would take it in.


    As she approached the window, various thoughts shed through her mind-how she had no experience caring for a kitten and didn''t know how to keep a two- month-old kitten alive, and how she was barely keeping herself


    afloat.


    How could she take on the responsibility of another life?


    Despite that, this cat, like her, just wanted to survive.


    Seeing Ruby move, Sullivan frowned and wanted to call out to her but stopped himself.


    Ruby was only a few steps away from the window and quickly reached it. The little calico cat continued to shiver, looking up at her with a hint of fear in its eyes but not running away.


    Cede is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede''s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.