Chapter 12: Adrian Has an Episode

The afternoon was light with only one class, and after its conclusion, Anna planned to head straight home. Despite having a place to stay, she carried little money on her. The Hayes family felt that providing her with food and keeping her from starvation was enough for her to be grateful.

Upon walking out of the school, Anna waited for the bus while absentmindedly trying to browse the internet on her phone for any part-time jobs nearby. She was momentarily taken aback, remembering that phones from this era were not as smart, capable only of calling and texting.

Soon, a black sedan abruptly stopped in front of her. Instinctively, she looked into the vehicle to see the rear window slowly roll down, revealing a man's well-defined face, his expression as cool and indifferent as ever, exuding an untouchable elegance.

Adrian glanced at Anna and slowly said, "Get in the car."

Anna paused, confused, and let out a sound in bewilderment. "Huh?"

The man frowned slightly and said in a calm voice, "There's blood on your skirt."

Hearing this, Anna immediately blushed, her cheeks turning red as she frantically looked behind her. Indeed, there was a small red stain on the back of her blue skirt. Despite it being September, the weather was still hot, and she had no other clothes but the dress she was wearing.

Embarrassed, Anna covered the mark with one hand, inadvertently making it more visible to Adrian, which only added to her embarrassment. She wished she could just disappear.

"Get in the car!" Adrian's cool voice came again.

At that moment, the driver's door opened, and the chauffeur, Ben, stepped out. With a kind smile, he opened the rear door of the car and gestured for her to enter.

After a moment's hesitation, Anna, not wanting to make a fuss, awkwardly got into the car. Given the current situation, she dared not sit directly on the seat for fear of staining it.

Anna sat with her head bowed low, half-squatting in the car, looking utterly helpless.

Ben closed the car door and sat in the driver's seat. He turned his head and asked Anna, "Miss, where do you live?"

"336 Northgate Avenue," Anna replied cautiously, her embarrassment making her unsure of where to place her hands.

Adrian coolly looked at the crouching Anna. "Isn't it uncomfortable to squat like that?"

"It's fine..." Anna hadn't finished her sentence when, due to her nervousness, her head bumped against the car roof, causing her so much pain that she dared not make a sound.

Her embarrassment was swift, and she buried her head even lower, barely daring to breathe loudly.

Adrian's lips pressed into a thin line. He glanced at her, took off his suit jacket, and tossed it onto the adjacent seat. "Use this."

Anna's eyes widened in surprise, her thick eyelashes trembling. She knew at a glance that the suit was expensive. Struggling even to afford her meals, she worried about possibly staining such a costly suit.

She couldn't afford to pay for it.

Apparently sensing her thoughts, Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Do you think I'd scam a student?"

After Anna received it and thanked him, she carefully stood up and took the seat.

The car sped along the road, and to avoid any awkwardness, Anna kept her face turned towards the window.

The bright reflection in the window cast Adrian's profile, flawlessly handsome, crisp and clear, yet mature.

How could such an excellent person die in two years? It was such a pity.

Soon, the car stopped at an intersection.

Anna breathed a sigh of relief, thanked him, and quickly jumped out of the car.

For some reason, Ben the driver also opened his door and called out to her.

After hesitating for a long time, Ben finally asked, "Miss, have you always lived here? Do you know Susan?"

Hearing that name, Anna looked up curiously, "You know my grandmother?"

"Is she your grandmother? Can you tell me where she is now?"

Excitement tinged Ben's voice.

Anna nodded, then her expression turned sad. "My grandmother passed away three years ago."

For a moment, Ben seemed unable to accept the news, his face filled with disappointment.

Ben wanted to say more but ultimately didn't. Instead, he smiled kindly, "We're too late then. Alright, young lady, you go on up."

Anna nodded and turned to walk away, a suspicion forming in her mind.

Was Ben looking for her grandmother because of Adrian's illness?

In her past life, had Adrian died because they couldn't find her grandmother and there was no medicine?

She hadn't walked far when suddenly, an anxious shout came from the car.

"Young master, what's the matter?"

"Where is the medicine?" Ben frantically searched through the car's storage.

He clearly remembered placing spare medicine there, but now it was gone.

Anna paused, then quickly ran back, opened the car door, and saw Adrian with a pained expression, his eyebrows furrowed tightly, his face as pale as paper, with cold sweat on his forehead, and his hand supporting his head while veins throbbed on his back.

Was Adrian having an episode?

Startled by the sight, Anna instinctively reached out and felt his pulse.

Seconds later, Anna pursed her lips, having roughly assessed Adrian's condition, along with the medicinal scent on him.

And these were all treatments for sleep disturbances, nightmares, and general weakness.

Especially Valium, indicating the situation was very serious.

Chronic sleep disorders could make a person irritable and cause nervous breakdowns. Treating it as a mere sleep issue was ineffective.

Instead, with time, the condition only worsened.

Adrian opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade, with a hint of red at the corners.

Gasping, he turned his head away, his face clouded with gloom, and his throat strained to push out a few words. "Stay away from me!"