When Nathan was debating with himself if he should call Mandy or not, someone took the initiative to
decide for him. His phone rang. It was Nacy. She told him that Mandy had lain sick for two days
already. The moment he heard the news, he dropped everything and flew back.
He went straight to the hospital where Mandy was when his aircraft landed in City A. She was asleep,
not knowing that he was back and embracing her in his arms.
Mandy's temperature did not wane the whole evening. Her cheeks were burning with the flush of fever,
and her skin glistens in a way that had Nathan spooked. Throughout, he nursed her, changing her fever
patches four times. He was so worried that he did not sleep a wink.
It was a good thing that when Mandy woke up come morning, her fever was gone. A wave of relief
flooded over Nathan.
As for the unfinished work left in Switzerland, Nathan had already sent Fred to take over.
His gentle gestures towards Mandy beguiled the overcast look on his face. Cuddling her, he asked in a
tone devoid of emotion, "Are you still uncomfortable?"
Mandy shook her head. She had slept like the proverbial baby and woke up feeling almost brand new.
It seemed her body was already going back to its previous self. She had no idea that it was all thanks
to Nathan's vigil, taking care of her.
For most of her slumber, Mandy's head rested atop Nathan's arm. Even when he was starting with pins
and needles, he endured the pain and calmly clenched his fist, afraid that she would be disturbed.
Sensing that his arm was straining, Mandy bolted upright and asked anxiously, "Nathan, has your arm
gone numb?"
Her wide eyes were searching his hand as she carefully reached out and massaged his arms.
"It's not the first time." He bent and swung his arm around, reviving the hapless dead limb. When he
got the sensations back, he once again wrapped his arms around her. His touch made the room
warmer somehow.
"You... Are you still mad at me?" She was crestfallen with his rebuff. It seemed the man had not
forgiven her.
"Yes, I'm angry," Nathan said bluntly.
Mandy decided to bring out the charms. She pouted and then snuggled closer. Cheekily, she said, "But
you can't resist me. You came here as soon as you arrived, right?"
She could be simpleminded at times. She thought that Nathan had finished his work ahead of
schedule. She did not know that he had left everything for her.
After the incident, Nathan had learned the hard way. He decided that he would bring her during
business trips wherever it might be. Otherwise, his wife might become a runaway.
She had a childlike faith in people. She was not a cunning woman, especially with the people who
showed her kindness. She would never guess that Colin and Eve were conniving behind her back.
It was a risky moment the two could have taken advantage of. Thankfully, Nathan came back in time.
"Don't be so cheeky. Are you feeling better? Do you feel uncomfortable?" Nathan asked sternly, placing
a hand on her forehead to check her temperature.
"I'm all right. Nathan, did you miss me?" Mandy leaned closer still and asked ever so softly.
"Why would I fly back if I didn't miss you?" Finally, he cracked a small smile and locked eyes with
Mandy. He smiled, a slow, knowing, and incredibly sexy smile. He did not know what the woman
thought or that she even doubted if he missed her.
He was in the midst of a particularly important meeting when he received Nacy's call, but he took a
hundred eighty degrees turn and rushed back immediately.
"Have you finished your work?" At that moment, she realized she should have asked earlier. She
seldom asked about his work because she knew how efficient he was, and there was no need for her
to worry about him.
"It's done," he said, nodding slightly and then tenderly stroked his fingertips over her eyebrows. He was
on the verge of telling the truth but did not want to bother her. Mandy was smiling, and he liked to see
her smile.
"That's good. Are you tired? You should sleep a little longer." She angled her head and happened to
meet his somewhat tired eyes. She pursed her lips and realized she had not been bothered to take his
fair share of rest.
Since JS International became a globalized industrial chain, they had collaborated with numerous
companies from Europe and the United States. Nathan would personally oversee large scale projects
and would assign the smaller ones to his subordinates.
He had long abandoned the jet setting lifestyle ever since Mandy returned. She was not fond of
frequent trips, mainly because Adrian was still young. Likewise, he did not want to leave her that much.
Maybe once their son grew up, Mandy would be eager to accompany him more often.
Nathan shook his head and stared at Mandy with his sharp eyes. Then he said slowly, "Don't you want
to tell me what you have done these days?"
Mandy mimicked his simple gesture and rubbed his knitted eyebrows. With a hint of mischief, she said,
"What else can I do? I miss you every day."
Well, Nathan was not going to fall for it easily. He pushed her away, squinting. "Really? Where's
Adrian? You went to see your ex-husband, leaving him behind?"
Once again dejected, her face turned gloomy, and her lips curled. "What are you talking about? I didn't
go to look for Colin. I went to look for Lisa."
"Is there any difference?" he sneered low.
"Of course, there is! Anyway, I didn't do anything wrong. Lisa got discharged from the hospital two days
before then, and she called, asking if I wanted to go out for fun. She used to be a little resistant to me,
remember? Now that she eased a little, how could I not go with her?"
"How do you know that Colin didn't use the kid on purpose?" Nathan raised his eyebrows, daring her to
speak her suspicions aloud.
"Is he that bored? Nathan, I know what kind of person Colin is. I don't like him," seeing his face darken,
Mandy came to her senses and rushed ahead to explain.
"I know you don't want to leave Lisa. But she's an outsider, and Adrian is our child. You didn't even ask
him about it when you sent him to his grandparents. Isn't that irresponsible?" Nathan said, clearly
displeased.
"I've asked him about it before, and he agreed. I know I didn't think it through. I promise it won't happen
again." Catching the concern on Nathan's face, she bowed her head wearily, feeling ashamed.
Nathan pursed his lips and gave a deep sigh. As Mandy braced herself for another blow, he yanked her
closer and tightly held her in his arms. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Nathan..."
"Don't say more." Nathan raised one long, elegant finger and pressed it against her red lips. "This time,
I will forgive you, but you have to go with me during business trips in the future."
"Don't I need to go to work?" Mandy scoffed. Her husband's possessiveness was indeed potent, but
she liked it.
"I can support you. Why should you go to work? I can't stop thinking about you when you're not with
me, and that's not very productive."
Giving in, Mandy held his face gently in her hands and kissed him, her smile never wavering. "Okay, I'll
go with you next time."
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