CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 70: COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICAL COOLING

"Faye, you should head back first. Later, Mr. Sterling and I have some work to discuss." Sophia Lowell wasn’t good at lying, and her gaze started to drift as she spoke.

Faye Ellison glanced at Zane Sterling, finally resting his gaze on Sophia Lowell, "Alright, take care and remember to call me if you need anything."

"Okay."

He didn’t stay long, handing the warm glass of water to Sophia Lowell before getting up to leave.

"Your coat." Zane Sterling picked up the black coat draped over Sophia Lowell.

He smiled, took it in his hands, nodded at Sophia, and then left.

Faye entered the elevator and disappeared from their sight.

Zane Sterling didn’t say anything, took off his own coat, and placed it over her.

Then he reached around her waist, pulling her into his arms.

A hot, large hand rested on her side waist, making her whole body heat up.

They sat in silence the entire time, until the IV drip was finished, and they returned to the car.

They still didn’t speak on the way back.

Once home, she went upstairs to take a hot shower.

Zane Sterling was in the kitchen making white porridge for her.

She came downstairs, dressed in casual home clothes.

He had already set the porridge on the table to cool.

They both quietly ate the porridge, waiting for the other to say something.

He knew Sophia Lowell didn’t want to reveal her identity, and he accepted that.

But when she called him "Mr. Sterling" in front of others, especially her suitors, it still made him a bit uncomfortable.

Sophia Lowell sensed his unease, knowing that if she didn’t speak up, once she recovered from her illness, she’d likely be pinned down by him in bed.

Carefully watching his expression, Sophia asked, "Are you upset?"

His expression remained neutral, accompanying her in eating the porridge, "No."

He wasn’t angry, just a little sad.

As a CEO, it felt as if their marriage was something to be ashamed of, something hidden and secretive.

"Are you jealous?" she asked.

"A friend’s concern is normal," Zane Sterling replied somewhat perfunctorily.

"He’s pursuing me."

"I can tell."

"Oh."

Oh? What does that even mean?

She decided not to ask further, finding it too dull, feeling like his indifferent attitude made questioning pointless.

A perfectly fine young man, yet he wouldn’t open his mouth.

After taking just a few bites, she went upstairs and fell asleep the moment she hit the bed.

At night.

She heard the sound of keyboard clacking from the study.

The noise gave her a headache.

Unable to get up, her throat felt like it was on fire, her whole body feeling as if roasted. In a daze, she called out, "Zane Sterling..."

Not knowing if he could hear her.

In her haze, it felt like a figure leaned down beside her, pressing a large, cool hand against her forehead, providing a comfortable relief.

Soon, she was gently lifted up, leaning against a solid chest, her forehead on his firm, cool chest.

"Water..."

A straw was placed in her parched mouth, and she eagerly drank, feeling a rush of newfound energy.

"So hot..." She struggled to open her heavy eyelids, seeing the person beside her.

And the two family doctors by the bed.

Their conversation was unclear, her mind buzzing as if it was about to explode.

Lying back down, not knowing how long had passed, a large cold presence lay beside her, enveloping her.

The icy feeling was refreshing~.

She reached out, hugging it close.

Chilling her left cheek, she flipped over to chill her right cheek.

Only by four in the morning did she finally fall into a peaceful sleep.

By two in the afternoon, she finally woke up.

Feeling as if her mind had been opened, her spirit was revitalized.

Walking into the study, seeing no one, she figured he must have gone to work.

Not thinking much of it, she washed her hair, took a shower, and came downstairs in her pajamas.

"!!"

Halfway down, she saw the first floor filled with company executives.

Zane Sterling was seated on a single sofa, surrounded by others listening intently to someone’s presentation.

Upon hearing the clacking of her slippers from upstairs, everyone looked up at her.

All present were shocked.

Knowing the CEO was married was one thing, but seeing the young wife, who looked fresh out of college, was another.

With a recently washed, rosy complexion, she appeared vibrant and youthful.

Whispers began downstairs.

"Continue." Zane Sterling said briefly before walking towards Sophia Lowell.

Ethan Sinclair took over his duties.

She blinked, unsure whether to ascend or descend.

In her hesitation, he reached her.

"Are you alright?" Zane Sterling took her hand, leading her to the dining room.

Feeling his cold fingertip brush her hand, although she had already recovered from the fever.

Hmm? Why did it seem like he had a stuffy nose?

"I’m okay." She attempted to pull her hand away, but he held on tighter. Wasn’t he upset last night?

The petty man, how did he change his tune so quickly?

"Have some porridge first, then take the medicine. I’ll call the doctor to check on you afterward," he said.

"Did I disturb you?"

"No." He pulled her to a chair, served a bowl of porridge from the kitchen, and placed it in front of her.

Next to it, he set the medicine and warm water.

Aunt Sutton had yet to return from her leave, and he was busy last night, so he must’ve made it himself...

The group meant for the meeting was all focused on them, showing little interest in the actual meeting.

Her face was burning under their gazes.

Yet, he was completely nonchalant, doing his own thing.

Only after attending to Sophia did he return to the meeting.

As Sophia sipped her porridge, she watched him.

When he wasn’t jealous, he was indeed pleasing to look at.

She chuckled to herself, suddenly feeling no more fatigue.

Just then, Zane Sterling’s gaze met hers, catching her bright smile.

Their eyes locked.

Her heart raced, hotter than the fever she had last night.

But soon enough, he looked away, resuming his work.

With her lips pressed together, Sophia finished a bowl of porridge in one go and even asked for a little more.

Hugh Irving [Hey sister, are you better now?]

[I’m back to life.]

[What’s with the sudden fever? That’s so unlike you.]

She used to have pretty strong immunity.

The chaos from the dealings with Henry Quinn and Sienna Lawson had thrown her off for nearly two or three months.

Her body had just started to recover not so long ago.

Being busy and exhausted these past few days, skipping dinner last night and heading straight to the bar, even an iron-clad body can’t take it.

After chatting for a while, Hugh revealed to her about Zane Sterling buying a house for Sylvia Coldwell.

Sophia wasn’t particularly surprised and really didn’t want to bother with it.

She simply replied "as he wishes," and dropped the matter.

Not long after, the family doctor arrived, checking Sophia’s pulse in her room, "Nothing serious, just drink more water and ensure you get enough rest."

Sophia blushed deeply.

Ever since Zane discovered the benefits, he would come around one or two in the morning, sometimes even until three...

And in the mornings...

He acted like nothing happened, while Sophia suffered, feeling more exhausted than working.

"Dr. Nash, could you stick around a bit to check if Zane is also catching a cold? His voice doesn’t sound right."

She couldn’t help but be concerned, considering he had taken care of her the whole night.

Dr. Nash glanced at her with a smile, "Isn’t it obvious? Aren’t you curious about what he did last night?"

She was thoroughly confused.

What did he do last night?

Through her questioning, she discovered.

Zane bathed in cold water four or five times, each time for fifteen minutes, then returned to cuddle her to sleep.

This physical cooling was thorough...

From head to toe.

Dr. Nash had already prescribed him medication, but in the dead of winter, catching a cold is almost inevitable.

Sophia was stunned, a myriad of emotions surging within her.