"Don't worry, I'm really fine. It's just some superficial wounds."
He was a man who lived life on the edge; these were minor injuries to him.
"These are not superficial wounds. If not treated properly, the consequences could be serious."
Ordinary people suffer greatly from a small oil burn or high-temperature scald. His injuries were extensive.
Janelle frowned. His physique was so good; it would be a shame if it was scarred.
"Doctor, will it scar?"
The doctor gave her a strange look. The girl's focus was unusual.
"He's a grown man. So what if he scars a little?" After such a massive explosion, wasn't being alive lucky enough?
"Do you mind?" Janelle asked directly. Was she implying that if he scarred, he wouldn't even qualify to be her fuck buddy anymore?
"No. Doctor, please treat him first." She just found his back incredibly sexy; scars would indeed detract from that.
Erik looked at her with wounded eyes.
"See, Janelle? You only like my body. Now it's not perfect, and you're already rejecting me." You heartless little thing.
The doctor, working on his wounds, shot her a reproachful look upon hearing this.
"Don't worry. My skills are excellent; there definitely won't be any scars."
"Really? Doctor, you absolutely must prevent scarring. Otherwise, she'll abandon me."
"..."
Janelle was truly speechless. The man was a master at jumping to conclusions. Their relationship was purely physical pleasure to begin with.
Shirt fabric was embedded in his flesh. The doctor needed to remove it, which was genuinely painful. Yet, apart from paling slightly, Erik didn't make a sound. Janelle took his hand.
"If it hurts, squeeze my hand."
A faint smile touched Erik's lips. The little girl was learning to feel for him. But how could he bear to hurt her? He just held her hand gently, without applying pressure. He actually had a very low pain tolerance; he was just exceptionally good at enduring it.
Over an hour later, his wounds were finally treated. Erik was drenched in cold sweat.
"Young man, you sure can take it." The doctor was impressed. Not a single sound throughout – truly tough.
After the doctor left, Erik wrapped his arms around Janelle's waist and refused to let go.
"Hurt?" It was a rhetorical question. The man was proud and hadn't cried out during the process.
"Mmm." Erik's voice was hoarse, sounding eerily like he'd just finished... something else. "Janelle, let me hold you. Just for a moment." He needed to steady himself.
Janelle didn't answer, but she didn't push him away either.
The Rovella Mansion
Westin had also heard about the explosion. He was trying to get specifics, but the news was locked down tight. He couldn't find out anything.
"Well? It's just an explosion accident! How come we can't get any news?" Amber asked urgently.
"Maybe you should go to the hospital. Whatever the case, Janelle is your daughter. If you don't go see her when she's hurt, people will talk." Outsiders didn't know how crazy Janelle really was.
"Dad, I'll come with you." Lillie stood up. She wanted to know the outcome too.
Westin and Lillie went to the hospital, but no matter how they threatened or bribed, the hospital refused to divulge any information about Janelle. Eventually, they were forcibly escorted out by several men in black suits. Westin, older and unsteady, was shoved roughly and nearly fell. Lillie caught him. The men in black ignored them and went about their business.
"Is there some big shot in the hospital? Those men in black don't look ordinary," Lillie said, helping Westin to a seat. They were Graham City's elite, but they weren't in the habit of casually bringing bodyguards everywhere. They hired security only when needed. These men in black seemed more than just security.
"Not sure. Could Janelle really be dead?" That was all Westin cared about now. After all, Janelle had secured the qualification for the Aleen Group's major project.
"Dad, what do you mean? Don't you want her dead?"
"Of course I do! I wish she'd die quickly! Since she came back, the Rovellas have been thrown into chaos." He truly felt no affection for this daughter.
Back in the Hospital
Bryan had woken up. Seeing Janelle and Erik, his eyes welled up with tears.
"Erik, Janelle... you're my saviors, my second parents. From now on, whatever you need me to do, I'll go through fire and water for you, even if it means death!" This time, he had genuinely believed he would die there.
"Alright, you just woke up. Stop talking about death," Erik said.
"I've arranged for someone to take care of you. Call me if anything comes up."
"Wait, Erik, you're not seriously thinking of leaving now, are you?" Bryan protested. Erik was injured too, and badly!
Janelle gave Erik a look. He took her hand.
"Janelle, you know I really dislike hospitals." He truly did. More importantly, she seemed uncomfortable here too; the last time they were here, she'd been plagued by nightmares. "Besides, staying in the hospital is really inconvenient."
"Inconvenient how?"
"Everything is inconvenient." He preferred the villa. There, he could have her however he wanted.
Bryan pretended to be asleep, not daring to comment.
"Let's go. Back home." Erik had already called people to care for Bryan. He was injured himself and couldn't stay to look after him. Janelle let him pull her away.
Hearing the movement, Bryan opened his eyes. "Janelle, I meant what I said. No matter what happens, you have to tell me."
"Just rest. Don't think too much."
"Mm."
Leaving the room, they saw several men in black standing guard outside. Janelle glanced at them indifferently.
"Mr. Lorenz." Since this was Graham City, Erik had called in Lorenz family security.
"Take good care of Bryan. As for those responsible... spare no one."
"Yes, Mr. Lorenz."
After giving instructions, Erik returned to Janelle's side. With everything else happening, he hadn't yet addressed the cuts on her hands. He led her towards the ER.
The ER was chaotic. A multi-car pileup on Graham City's outer ring had caused numerous casualties. Doctors and nurses were overwhelmed.
"What?"
"I'll find someone to treat your hand wounds."
"No need. The ER doctors are swamped." They shouldn't add to the burden right now.
"Then I'll treat them when we get back." It was true; every doctor was frantically busy. Patients kept arriving. Janelle, facing away from the entrance, didn't notice the gurney rushing towards her.
Erik yanked her into his arms, shielding her. He glared at the team pushing the gurney, but they were focused on the critical patient and hadn't noticed they'd almost hit someone.
Seeing Erik about to explode, Janelle squeezed his hand.
"Let's go. Back home."