CHAPTER 238: CHAPTER 238: NOT ENOUGH...

Tanya steadied herself, took two steps back, then looked up at the person in front of her.

The light in the private room was not ample, but it was enough to see people clearly.

Declan was leaning against the door. Perhaps he had drunk too much; the wine had stained the corners of his eyes with a shade of crimson, like a deep ember.

His eyes were fixed on her, the dark pupils like mirrors, trapping her reflection in the fire.

Tanya pressed her lips together and softly asked, "Declan, are you drunk?"

"..."

He squinted his eyes slightly.

On the side wall, the carved wooden window was half-open, and the wind blew in, brushing against his dark hair on his forehead, making his eyes appear more profound and mysterious.

"Tanya..."

This was the first time today Declan called her; his voice was so deep it was hoarse. Just hearing it made one’s heart race.

He asked her lowly, "Do you hate me that much?"

His pitch-black eyes stared at her unblinkingly, the wetness in them like rain that had been held back for many years, daring not to fall.

Tanya was stunned, never having thought that Declan could appear so pitiful...

"I don’t..." Tanya denied his accusation without hesitation, saying earnestly, "Declan, I don’t hate you at all, really."

If it were during university, she certainly disliked him, but now... not at all.

Declan didn’t believe her: "You’re lying. If you don’t hate me, why draw a line between us?"

"..." Tanya realized that Declan was genuinely drunk.

She sighed helplessly, "Declan, I don’t like owing people favors. Money is easier to repay, but a debt of gratitude, I’m afraid I can’t repay..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Declan frowned in discomfort, and then his tall figure swayed and fell forward.

"Declan!" Tanya was startled, quickly supporting him.

His forehead leaned against her neck, scorching hot, and not just that—his entire body was like a furnace.

Tanya was stunned, belatedly realizing something, found it hard to believe, and furrowed her brows incredulously.

"You’re running a fever? Are you insane? Why would you drink so much with Professor Carter while having a fever?!"

"Tanya, apologize to me," Declan murmured.

Tanya: "... Get up first; I can’t hold you."

He stubbornly repeated, "Apologize to me."

Tanya: "..."

What reasoning would work with a feverish drunk?

She conceded, "Fine, fine, I apologize; I’m sorry."

But Declan nudged against her neck, like a cat, making Tanya go numb from his touch, and yet she couldn’t push him away.

She took a deep breath, about to speak, but heard the man say in a muffled voice, "Not enough."

As if she had wronged him in the worst way.

Tanya was so exasperated she laughed, helplessly raising her arm, patting his back, adopting the manner she used with Caden and Joy.

"Alright, it was my fault; don’t be angry, okay?"

He still didn’t move.

Tanya adopted her patience used with children, softly asked, "Then what should I do to make you not angry?"

The weight pressing on her finally eased a bit.

Declan slowly straightened up, not sure if due to the fever or the alcohol, his ears were burning red, and his dark eyes stared intently at her.

At this point, Tanya completely treated Declan as a patient, directly using the back of her hand to feel his forehead.

It was indeed very hot.

She was about to withdraw her hand but was suddenly caught by his scorching hand.

His palm felt like it could melt her.

Declan’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, he spoke, his low and magnetic voice tinged with the influence of alcohol, "Like this."

Tanya had no time to react when the man’s face suddenly enlarged in front of her, and then her lips were stamped with a hotness that was soft and quickly retreated, like a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface.

Declan looked into her shocked eyes, smiling radiantly and innocently: "I forgive you."

Tanya instinctively raised her hand, wanting to slap away his frivolity.

But he was obviously very drunk, simply looking at her without any intention to dodge.

Tanya: "..."

She wiped the spot he had just kissed and held herself back.

"Declan, I don’t care if you can understand or not, but we’re even now."

After speaking, Tanya intended to call Janne Hayes to fetch Declan away.

For someone of Declan’s status, he probably had a dedicated family doctor; last time he was uncomfortable, he also refused to go to the hospital.

Just as Tanya pulled out her phone, Declan’s phone in his pocket rang first.

Declan obediently took it out, but instead of answering, he handed it directly to her.

The caller ID showed Janne Hayes.

Tanya immediately answered, but before she could speak, Janne’s rare serious voice came through.

"President Pierce, I’ve checked the security at Old Master Sinclair’s again and added more personnel. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about," Janne said, "There hasn’t been a hiccup over the years, and it’s even less likely these days. Rest assured, not even a fly can get in..."

Whatever Janne said after that, Tanya couldn’t hear.

Her mind buzzed loudly, almost exploding!

She looked stiffly at the not fully conscious Declan, her body electrified, trembling slightly.

So he was also the one who set up that nursing home to protect her grandfather?!!

Tanya was caught in immense shock, to the point of missing the flicker of clarity deep in Declan’s dark eyes...