Chapter 319

Eleanor disliked gatherings of that sort.

She offered a quick excuse before telling Besty, "I'm stepping outside for some air. Take care of things inside. Ring me if anything urgent happens."

Afterward,she unpinned the badge from her chest and pressed it into Besty's hand.

The bold letters spelled Eleanor's full name.

Besty hardly reacted with surprise.

Through the years,covering Eleanor's social obligations had become routine.

She answered right away,"Alright."

When Eleanor's figure vanished beyond the doorway, Besty exhaled slowly, dabbing the sweat from her forehead.

A sudden wave of dizziness left her unsettled.

She assumed the drink she had swallowed too quickly was finally taking effect.

Her head shook faintly as she considered finding a chair and resting.

Before she could move, sharp snapping fingers rang beside her ear.

Startled; she turned and found Ryland standing there with a playful grin stretched across his face.

He seemed equally surprised to spot her. With hands buried in his pockets, he teased, "Besty, imagine meeting you here! Or did you plan this encounter on purpose?"

Besty nearly rolled her eyes at his mocking tone.

He appeared arrogant as well as unbearably conceited. She ignored Ryland altogether and tried walking past, irritation clear in her stride.

Yet her steps grew uneven, her balance faltered, and a strange redness spread across her cheeks.

Still joking, Ryland went on, "I know I'm irresistible, so people often chase me. But Besty, that trick feels outdated.Perhaps-

Buzzing filled her ears while her head clouded more heavily.

Unable to endure further, she cut him off through clenched teeth. "Are you finished?"

Only then did Ryland sense something unusual about Besty:

He stepped forward quickly, catching her staggering form.

Her skin burned like firebeneath his hand.

The grin vanished instantly, replaced by a serious frown. "Are you good?"

Besty's breathing came harsh and ragged, her body trembling.

Alone with no trusted faces nearby, she doubted she could manage.

Resigned, she turned to Ryland for support. "I need to lie down."

Seeing her distress, he decided at once. "I'll take you upstairs to rest."

Her weak nod gave consent.

Meanwhile, an attendant upstairs shifted nervously.

Moments earlier, he had been given a generous tip with instructions to wait for a woman wearing Eleanor's badge and escort her to Room 9.

When the elevator doors slid open, he noticed a man helping a woman.

Too anxious to raise his head, he only checked the badge pinned to her chest-it clearly bore Eleanor's name. Convinced she was the guest, he rushed to lead them toward Room 9.

Inside, as Ryland lowered Besty onto the sofa, an odd fragrance lingered heavily.

He glanced at her quickly and realized herstate was deteriorating.

Clawing at her collar, she gasped, overwhelmed by the heat. "It's unbearable."

Ryland grew tense and resolved to summon a doctor without delay.

But the moment he grabbed his phone, Besty, consumed by the fire racing through her, hurled herself at him.

She clutched his collar and drove him backward with unexpected strength.

The sudden force stunned him completely.

As the strange scent thickened, his own mind began slipping.

Their lips met, and both of them were consumed, carried helplessly into the moment.