CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 102: HOLDING JASPER FITZGERALD’S HAND TIGHTLY

Jasper Fitzgerald chuckled softly, looking at her, "Good evening."

Eleanor Quinlan, seeing that everyone had arrived, quickly returned to her seat, "Tonight, Sabrina and Jasper, don’t be shy. Eat as much as you like; we can’t waste this table full of delicious food!"

As she spoke, she enthusiastically helped them with the grilled food onto their plates.

The Quinlan Family’s chef was skilled, grilling the ingredients to perfection, both in presentation and taste.

During the meal, with Eleanor Quinlan around, the atmosphere was quite lively.

Mr. and Mrs. Quinlan, grateful for their help with their daughter, toasted frequently.

Sabrina Hayes, not a heavy drinker, sipped sparingly, just to be polite.

Jasper Fitzgerald, however, drank without any change in expression, which surprised Sabrina Hayes.

Mr. Fitzgerald’s drinking capacity... is unexpectedly impressive!

You’d never guess it!

He usually seems like the type who doesn’t touch a drop of alcohol, almost untouched by the mortal realm.

Tonight, he truly changed her perception!

But whether eating or drinking, he made it all seem so delightful.

It was almost an illusion, like he was drinking nectar instead of wine!

Eleanor Quinlan, seeing her parents so genuinely sincere, felt she couldn’t be outdone, so she stood up and said, "Mom, Dad, let me take over... I’ll personally grill a giant Australian lobster for Sabrina and Jasper as a token of gratitude."

As she spoke, she had already run over to the barbecue and rolled up her sleeves.

"Miss, can you handle it?"

The chef beside her asked doubtfully.

This young lady, who has never cooked before, suddenly wanting to grill something, seemed a bit alarming.

Eleanor Quinlan was nonchalant, "What’s so difficult about this? Watching you just now, it looked pretty simple!"

Finishing her words, she put on gloves, ready to start.

Mr. and Mrs. Quinlan found her first attempt at cooking amusing and didn’t stop her.

Sabrina Hayes held the same skeptical look as the chef.

This girl clearly has never cooked before; can she make anything edible?

Would it be poisonous?

Were she and Mr. Fitzgerald going to be test subjects?

Sabrina Hayes looked at Jasper Fitzgerald with concern.

Jasper Fitzgerald looked back at her, a barely noticeable smile on his lips, and said softly, "If you don’t want to eat, there’s no need to force yourself, after all, life is more important."

Sabrina Hayes couldn’t help but laugh.

What a cheeky comment!

But, she could wait and see; maybe things wouldn’t turn out as bad as she imagined?

However, just as this thought crossed her mind, things took a turn for the worse.

Eleanor Quinlan made it sound easy, but found implementing it to be quite challenging.

As soon as she put the meat on the grill, the oil splashed, scaring her so much that she jumped a foot high, like a startled rabbit, dropping the cooking utensils in her hands.

At that moment, failing to control her strength, the grill became unstable and toppled over.

Then the charcoal inside spilled out as well...

"Ah!!!"

Everyone at the scene was shocked by this and instinctively dodged.

Sabrina Hayes was startled too.

Even though the grill was quite a distance away, she could clearly see specks of charcoal shooting in this direction.

As she was seated, it was too late to get up, so she instinctively raised her hand to shield herself.

Just then, she heard a sudden rush of wind near her ear, followed by the cool scent of pine coming closer, almost engulfing her.

Unable to see her surroundings clearly, her senses heightened, and she vaguely felt a warm presence around her.

Then, a strong arm grasped her and pulled her aside, followed by a short, low grunt.

Sabrina Hayes had no idea what had happened and couldn’t react.

Until she heard Jasper Fitzgerald’s voice by her ear, "It’s alright now," which brought her back to reality.

That’s when she realized that, in the urgency of the moment, Jasper Fitzgerald had protected her.

He not only pulled her aside but also shielded her from the charcoal with his arm.

Now, the back of the hand he wore Buddha Beads on had a prominently red burn.

"Are you hurt?"

Almost reflexively, Sabrina Hayes grabbed his wrist.

Jasper Fitzgerald was slightly dazed, instinctively replying, "It’s a minor injury, no problem."

Sabrina Hayes thought otherwise.

Such redness from a splash; if not treated properly, it would definitely blister.

Her professional instinct wouldn’t let her ignore it.

Immediately, without hesitation, she pulled Jasper Fitzgerald inside, "Come with me!"

Jasper Fitzgerald had to follow, his elegant eyebrows slightly raised, his deep eyes focusing intently on the spot where she was holding his wrist, eyes deepening.

Sabrina Hayes didn’t notice, and after leading him into the kitchen, she quickly turned on the faucet, running cold water over his burn, inspecting it closely with her beautiful eyes.

The burn wasn’t too extensive, but the skin’s surface was clearly singed.

Without looking up, she instructed, "Rinse for a few minutes, and then I’ll apply medicine, it won’t leave a scar."

Jasper Fitzgerald’s eyes flickered with amusement, as he said, "I’m not really worried about that."

Sabrina Hayes thought: How could he not care? Such beautiful hands, it’d be a shame to mar them!

These long, well-jointed fingers, with their cool white skin adorned with Buddha Beads, were like a work of art.

If scarred, it would be like a blemish on a perfect jade, truly a pity!

At this moment, the Quinlan Family, including Eleanor Quinlan, came rushing over, concernedly asking, "Jasper, are you okay? Is the injury serious? I’m sorry, I didn’t expect it to turn out this way, it’s all my fault."

"Jasper, do you need to go to the hospital? This wound shouldn’t scar!"

Jasper Fitzgerald, seeing the anxious expressions of the Quinlan trio, calmly reassured them, "It’s alright, the injury is light, it won’t scar, and I don’t need to go to the hospital, Dr. Nash is here."

"Really?"

Eleanor Quinlan, half-believing, moved in to take a look.

Sabrina Hayes replied smoothly, "Yes, with me here, he won’t have any issue."

Eleanor Quinlan, recalling her medical skills, felt convinced and was slightly more relieved.

After a while, once the water rinsing was done, Sabrina Hayes guided Jasper Fitzgerald outside to apply the medicine.

It was then that she realized, to her surprise, she’d been holding his hand for so long.

Startled, she let go quickly, her ears turning a bright red, feeling very embarrassed.

Jasper Fitzgerald glanced at her flushed ears but said nothing, merely smiling lightly and asking, "What medicine are you applying?"

"Ah? Apply... one I concocted myself!"

Sabrina Hayes quickly responded, turning to her bag to find the medicine.

A moment later, she produced a small porcelain bottle, opening it.

Inside was a light green ointment, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

She found a cotton swab and gently applied it to his burn.

Initially, Jasper Fitzgerald felt a hot sting on the wound, but soon a cool sensation spread across it.

The pain rapidly subsided, almost becoming imperceptible.

He couldn’t help but express surprise, "Your medicine is incredibly effective, if it hits the market, it would be highly valued!"

Sabrina Hayes smiled, not arguing, and discarded the cotton swab, casually handing the medicine to him, "After you get home, don’t let the wound get wet; apply it once a day; it will completely heal in a couple of days."

Jasper Fitzgerald raised his hand to take it, his gaze on her growing deeper.

The woman before him was exceptionally accomplished, with medical and pharmaceutical skills that were outstanding.

That President Hawthorne... really didn’t realize what a treasure he missed!