?<strong>Chapter 824:</strong>


    She walked beside the technician. They had met only the day before, yet they already seemed oddlyfortable with each other.


    “Are you alright?” the technician asked with concern.


    Dulce’s voice came out hoarse. “I’m fine. Just caught a coldst night.”


    “You’re dressed too lightly for this weather. You can wear my jacket.”


    “No, it’s alright.”


    “Come on, just wear it.” Dulce’s mentor cut in. He was clearly trying to create an opportunity for the two of them to get closer.


    Dulce finally epted the jacket, slipping it on with a resigned smile.


    Michael trailed behind, walking alone at the back. Perhaps it was his solitude that made him seem detached, uninterested.


    By afternoon, a light drizzle began at the base, shrouding the sky in a misty gray. The rain wasn’t heavy, but the chill in the air was unmistakable.


    Michael sat on the bus, scrolling through his phone to check his flight ticket to Illerith for that evening. The raindrops tapped softly against the window, turning the world outside into a blur of water and gray, while the inside of the bus remained warm and dry.


    The bus door creaked open, and Dulce, now bundled up in the technician’s jacket, stepped back onto the bus, still coughing.


    Michael sat a few rows back, still visible despite his position.


    Dulce paused before saying, “Sorry, I left my medicine here. I’ll grab it and be right out.”


    She wasn’ting up because she’d seen Michael. But exining it now seemed futile.


    Your imagination thrives at galnovels punt


    Michael let out a soft hum, his gaze fixed on the window, as if they were nothing more than strangers.


    Dulce quickly returned to her seat, frantically searching through her bag for fever medicine.


    In her haste, the contents of her bag spilled onto the floor.


    As she crouched to collect her things, Michael caught the movement from the corner of his eye, followed by a sudden thud.


    Dulce had copsed.


    “Dulce!”


    The aisle was cramped, and Michael’s heart skipped a beat as he rushed to her side.


    She was burning with fever. Why had she pushed herself this far?


    Michael couldn’t allow Dulce to stay out in the rain. He lifted her effortlessly and carried her to thest row of seats,ying her down.


    He gathered her medicine and thermos, but now the real challenge was how to administer the medicine.


    Fortunately, Dulce regained some consciousness. Her head pounded, and her vision was a blur, leaving her unable to recognize who was helping her. “Dulce?” Michael’s voice was soft,ced with concern.


    Instinctively, Dulce reached out, her fingers grazing Michael’s face. “Michael?” He held her wrist gently, his voice filled with worry. “Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital?”


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