Chapter 120: Enrico Acts Childishly
“Boss, Miss Paige!” The late-arriving Jaden stared at the two people on the ground, momentarily stunned.
“Check if the assassin is still alive. If so, take him in for interrogation. As for her…” Enrico’s gaze fell on Rachel, his brows furrowing.
Finally, he said, “Take her to the hospital.”
Paige glanced at the arrow sticking out from his back. “What about you?”
Upon hearing this, Jaden looked over and was shocked at the sight of the injury.
“I’m sorry, Boss. I wasn’t thorough enough. I’ll get you to medical treatment right away.”
“Hmm.”
Enrico casually tossed the gun to Jaden, but he kept holding onto Paige’s hand, refusing to let go.
Jaden glanced at Rachel on the ground. “Boss, since you’re both arrow wounds, shouldn’t I send you to the hospital together?”
Enrico rolled his eyes. “Tell the doctor to come to the hotel to treat me. Why should I get treated with a woman who’s not right in the head? I could’ve taken down the assassin without her interference. She just had to rush out and take an arrow-who knows what her motive was.”
Listening to his tone, Paige was somewhat surprised. Didn’t he feel moved at all?Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.
“Let’s go.” Enrico led her away.
As they walked, Paige suddenly thought of something and asked Jaden, “Jaden, is the competition about to end? Do you know the result?”
Before Jaden could answer, Enrico sneered, “What, you still want to go back and watch the competition?”
Paige pursed her lips. “I was just asking.”
“You don’t want to go back?” Enrico stared at her, as if ready to strangle her if she said she wanted to.
“I don’t want to. I can find out the result later. Your treatment is more important.”
“You’ve got some sense, at least.” Enrico’s expression softened a bit as he continued walking her out.
As they moved, blood continued to seep from the wound on his shoulder, soaking through his coat and down to his waist. Yet, he didn’t utter a single sound of pain.
…
On the way to the hotel, Paige received the news that Carrie had won the FS Grand Prize under pressure, holding the trophy high on stage. Carrie had proven herself and brought Peak Club into the national spotlight.
In the bedroom of the presidential suite, Paige stood by the door, silently observing the situation inside.
Enrico’s condition was not something that could be easily known by outsiders. Therefore, Jaden had contacted Dr. Farrar, who was based in the Capital, to come immediately.
Dr. Farrar, responsible for Enrico’s regular check-ups, had rushed over from the Capital, and Enrico had endured the pain for this long.
Enrico was now sitting by the bed, shirtless. The wound, more than his defined muscles, drew attention.
Dr. Farrar stood nearby, frowning as he looked at the wound. He softly said, “Mr. Gustin, the arrow is too deep. It’s better to go to the hospital to remove it.”
“Just do it here. Why so much fuss?” Enrico’s pale face was stern, leaving no room for argument. He was always like this-his words were final. No one around him dared to disobey.
Seeing this, Dr. Farrar exchanged a silent glance with Jaden, both sighing inwardly.
Dr. Farrar took out a medical kit, laid out the surgical tools by the bed, and asked, “Mr. Gustin, no anesthesia?”
“No need,” Enrico replied. He disliked the numbing sensation.
“Yes, sir.”
Dr. Farrar put on surgical gloves and, after a series of preparations, began to slowly cut the skin around the arrow.
Paige stood there watching, seeing Enrico sit motionless on the edge of the bed, not hindering Dr. Farrar’s operation at all. It was as if the knife wasn’t cutting into his flesh, though the veins bulging on his forehead betrayed him.
Cold sweat dripped heavily from his brow. The hand resting casually on his leg clenched and relaxed repeatedly, making his antler tattoo distort. The blue veins swelled, seemingly about to burst.
Paige had experienced similar pain before. When she was injured in the slums, someone had applied anesthetic herbs to her wound before operating. Even so, she had fainted from the pain. But now, Enrico wasn’t even using anesthesia.
Seeing Enrico’s deep, inscrutable eyes and the veins throbbing at his temples, Paige recalled the scene in the museum corridor. All her life, she had always been the one saving others, but with Enrico, it seemed she was the one being saved. He had saved her three times now: once in the slums, once from poison, and now this time.
“This nasty trick is disgusting. The arrowhead is barbed, like a fishing hook,” Dr. Farrar muttered as he skillfully operated, though his palms were sweating. The knife cut deeper and deeper.
Enrico’s face grew paler. He sat there, and suddenly, a shadow passed over his eyes. A small, soft hand reached out and held his hand. It was soft, soft enough to reach his heart.
Enrico looked up to see Paige standing in front of him, her gaze passing over him to Dr. Farrar’s hand, a slight frown on her brow. The deeper the knife cut, the more pain he felt, and the tighter she gripped his hand.
Enrico looked down at her fair fingers, each one softening his chest, and his thin lips gradually curved into a devilish smile.
“Ugh, it hurts…”
Enrico suddenly gasped, his voice hoarse, as he leaned his head against Paige’s arm.
“…”
Jaden was dumbfounded.
“…”
Dr. Farrar was also stunned, almost cutting in the wrong place. Mr. Gustin had seen all sorts of things and endured all sorts of pain. This was the first time they heard him say it hurt. Were they hearing things wrong?
Dr. Farrar couldn’t help but worry about his career.
“Maybe we should use anesthesia?” Paige worried.
“It’s too late for that now. Just hurry up,” Enrico urged, his voice filled with pain as he leaned against her arm.
“Then bear with it a bit longer.”
Paige stood there, holding his hand tighter.
Dr. Farrar, feeling dazed, resumed the operation amidst the bloody mess, accurately cutting to the right spot and removing the deeply embedded arrow. He threw it into the tray.
Sure enough, it had a barbed arrowhead.
“Ugh-”
Enrico let out a low groan of pain.
Paige looked at the blood-stained arrowhead, amazed at his endurance.
She gently patted his other shoulder and said, “It’s out. The worst part is over.”
Hearing this, Enrico pulled her close, resting his head on her chest. The faint scent of mint from her enveloped him, soothing the pain.
Paige frowned as she saw the blood flowing from his back. Her hand unconsciously stroked his head, her fingers gently combing through his short hair.
Seeing this, Jaden suddenly understood everything.
“Fortunately, no major organs were damaged, but the bone injury is severe and will require rest. I’ll stitch up the wound now,” Dr. Farrar said, starting to sew the wound layer by layer.
Enrico leaned against Paige, occasionally groaning as if enduring great pain. Paige bit her lip as she listened. She couldn’t find the right words to comfort him, so she just continued to gently stroke his hair with one hand.
Enrico felt the softness of her fingertips. Damn, he forgot all about the pain.
Without anesthesia, the stitching hurt almost as much as removing the arrow. Paige stood there, feeling that time moved slower than ever, even more so than in the slums.
It was a long time before Dr. Farrar finished stitching the wound and applying layers of bandages. After finishing, he stepped back and respectfully said, “Mr. Gustin, the wound is treated. You need to rest completely for the next few days. If the pain is severe, you can rest face down. Your diet should be light, and it’s crucial to take anti-inflammatory medication to prevent fever.”
Enrico didn’t seem to hear a word, just leaning against Paige, occasionally groaning in pain.
Jaden, standing nearby, could hardly bear to watch. Since Paige’s appeared, he had seen a completely different Mr. Gustin. It was frightening how someone could change so drastically in such a short time.
Dr. Farrar, watching this scene, was also at a loss for words, vaguely guessing the relationship between the girl and Mr. Gustin.
“Is there anything else should be aware of?” Paige asked Dr. Farrar. After all, he was injured because of her, and she couldn’t remain indifferent.
“There’s nothing else,” Dr. Farrar said, then hesitated, looking at Paige’s innocent face, and added, “Just avoid any strenuous activity for now.” As he said this, Dr. Farrar glanced at the bed with a particularly serious expression.
Paige”…..”
Who are these people around him? Paige feels like she wants to beat them all up.