Chapter 46: Dark Play

Lucas rubbed his throbbing temples, about to get out of bed, when he saw Claire coming out of the bathroom, a wet towel in hand.

"Claire, what are you doing?"

"Stay put and lie down. This towel will help cool you down. I'll take you to the hospital in a bit," she said, pressing his shoulders back against the bed and placing the folded, damp towel on his forehead.

"Why go to the hospital?" he scoffed. It was just a mild fever.

"Recurring fevers are dangerous. It's best to get checked out. I'll change and go with you." She moved to the wardrobe, picking out a form-fitting yellow silk dress, and headed to the bathroom.

"I don't need a hospital. One more fever tablet will do," Lucas protested. The antiseptic smell of hospitals was something he despised.

Hearing this, Claire stepped out of the bathroom, looking at him skeptically. "You sure?"

Lucas nodded, flipping the towel on his forehead to a cooler side.

"But that's still not very reassuring," she mumbled, pouting as she poured a glass of warm water and took out a tablet, sitting on the bed beside him. She gently helped him sit up, supporting his back as she handed him the pill.

"Are you worried about me?" Her concern unexpectedly made him feel a strange warmth in his chest.

"You're Mom and Dad's son. If I don't take good care of you, they'd be upset," she replied, giving a casual reason to deflect his question.

But Lucas's face darkened immediately. "Just because of that?" He clenched his jaw in irritation. *What's going on here? She's not my servant. Why's she even talking about taking care of me?*

"Of course, there are other reasons," Claire added nonchalantly, wondering why he was so insistent on pushing the matter.

"Oh? Really?" His scowl lifted, replaced by a hint of satisfaction. *There it is—there had to be more to it than him just being their son.* Maybe she was worried about him for… other reasons?

"Because you're the company's CEO. If you don't get better soon, who will handle all the work?" She hadn't forgotten the mention of an upcoming global perfume launch—the 'Liquid Diamond' event that had the entire company on edge.

At her words, Lucas's face fell again, casting a dark look her way. "Is the whole company hired just for decoration? I'm not going to work today." Anyway, Roderick could manage things in his absence; after all, he was entitled to some time off now.

Seeing his sudden change in expression, Claire blinked her wide eyes, leaning in closer. "Are you… angry?"

"Hmph!" He scoffed, clearly sulking.

"Uh… Why don't you rest some more? I'll make breakfast," Claire said, noticing his scowl as he turned his face away, his profile somehow even more attractive in its frustrated state. She felt her heart skip a beat and hurriedly stood up, pulling the silk comforter over him.

"It's too hot!" Lucas kicked the blanket down to the foot of the bed in irritation.

Claire, pausing in her tracks, frowned and returned to cover him with the blanket once more. "You'll sweat a lot after taking the fever medicine, and you need to stay warm so you don't catch a chill," she explained with gentle but unyielding firmness.

Lucas, his head sinking into the pillow, pursed his lips but didn't argue. However, he couldn't shake the slight awkwardness gnawing at him, so he closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.

Once he was sure she had left the room, he half-opened his dark eyes.

Reflecting on his strange behavior just now, he groaned softly in frustration. *What was he even doing?* He'd actually gotten upset because she didn't seem to care for him beyond duty. It had to be the fever messing with his mind. *Ridiculous!* And worse, he found himself thinking that she'd looked rather endearing today.

*Endearing?* He scoffed at himself, muttering a low curse as he closed his eyes again, trying to erase the image of her smiling face from his mind.