Chapter 358
The dilapidated pavilion was open to the wind on all sides.
Alexander Laurent and Sebastian Evans sat on the ground.
Sophia Sullivan was sheltered between them.
Sebastian had his eyes closed, resting, his head slightly bowed.
From Ethan Roscente's perspective, it looked as though he was leaning against Sophia's shoulder.
Alexander was also resting with his eyes closed.
His posture, however, was more restrained than Sebastian's.
He propped his head up with one arm, but his shoulder and back remained pressed against Sophia.
It wasn't a deliberate overstep.
He was simply providing support for Sophia, who was running a fever.
Even in sleep, he didn't dare relax his hold.
He maintained this position throughout the night.
Late into the night, Sebastian, unable to bear watching, suggested they switch places.
Alexander refused quietly. "No need. She's light."
Sebastian was left speechless.
This guy definitely held a grudge.
All three were fully dressed, with no hint of impropriety.
Yet an indescribable intimacy hung in the air.
Though Sophia's high fever had subsided, her cheeks remained flushed.
Her sleeping expression, however, was unusually peaceful...
One could only say that jealousy warps perception.
A deafening roar exploded in Ethan's mind.
It felt like a sledgehammer blow, leaving him rooted to the spot in shock.
The staff arriving behind him and the early-rising students also froze.
Was this a major showdown?
Two men... no, judging by Mr. Roscente's reaction, it was three men?
Hannah Morse was the first to charge into the garden.
She had set out around the same time as Ethan but fell behind due to her physique.
Even Marcus Lawrence had overtaken her.
Now, Hannah was struggling to push through the crowd.
The next second, her eyes widened.
What... what was this situation?
Still, their striking looks made the scene oddly pleasing to the eye?
She shook her head vigorously, dismissing the thought.
Her all-night worry fueled her sprint towards Sophia.
Someone was faster.
Ethan, eyes bloodshot, rushed forward.
He yanked the unconscious Sophia from between the two men and clamped her tightly against his chest. "Sophia! Wake up! Say something!"
Sebastian and Alexander had been light sleepers.
They had woken the moment Ethan approached.
Yet they still couldn't intervene in time.
Ethan's movements were rough, his possessiveness undisguised.
Sebastian immediately stood up to reclaim Sophia. "Are you insane? Can't you see how weak she is? She got caught in the rain and injured last night. We barely managed to get her fever down. Take your madness elsewhere!"
Ethan glared darkly. "What exactly happened last night? Why were the three of you staying together overnight?"
It was clearly just sitting together, yet he called it "staying together overnight."
Sebastian laughed in anger. "Ethan Roscente, who are you performing for? Didn't you already find someone new, claiming you've moved on? This act of yours... doesn't look like moving on."
Ethan gritted his teeth. "Give her back to me."
"The mask slips? I wondered how long you could keep it up. So your 'moving on' was just a tactic to win her back. Did you ever consider your new girlfriend's feelings?"
Sebastian sneered, looking past him.
Ethan stiffened and turned his head.
Fiona Valentine offered him a smile uglier than tears.
Alexander ignored their childish argument.
His first action upon waking was to call an ambulance.
The garden administration, prepared, had already called 911.
The garden director witnessed the tug-of-war and clicked his tongue inwardly—young people these days sure knew how to play!
Snapping back to reality, he hurried over. "Why are you arguing when she's this weak? Get her to a hospital, now!"
Hannah and Marcus rushed to help.
The ambulance arrived quickly.
After a brief examination, the paramedics, with help from Alexander and Sebastian, lifted her onto a stretcher.
An accompanying nurse called out, "Family members, follow us!"
"I am!"
"I can!"
"Me!"
Three male voices answered simultaneously.
The nurse frowned. "Only two can come. The rest find your own way."
She pointed to Alexander and Sebastian.
These two had rushed forward first, their anxiety and exhaustion seeming genuine.
As for the lone one...
As the ambulance doors closed, the nurse glanced at Ethan.
He reeked of alcohol, his eyes fierce like a bloodthirsty beast.
Better not.
Failing to follow the ambulance infuriated Ethan.
He immediately jumped into his sports car, the engine roaring as he gave chase.
He never once looked back at Fiona.
Fiona stood frozen in place.
The north wind whipped past, chilling her to the heart.
Bystanders whispered among themselves—
"Her boyfriend ran off for another woman?"
"Is it time for the female lead's counterattack and face-slapping?"
"You've been watching too many short dramas."
"He's the CEO of a listed company. Fiona comes from an ordinary family. Would she dare let go?"
"Look at what she's wearing. You can tell how generous Mr. Roscente is. Only a fool would break up."
Ashley Lowell crossed her arms and sneered. "Hey, your man ran off. Aren't you going after him?"
Fiona snapped out of it and smiled faintly. "There's no chasing after a deal. I believe Ethan won't disappoint me."
She gently smoothed her hair, her tone soft. "Sophia suffered this time. It's heartbreaking to see... It reminds me I should visit the hospital. We're classmates from the same college, after all. No need to make enemies."
She turned her gaze directly to Ashley. "But you all, you knew the contact information for the lead teacher, yet you deliberately withheld it when Marcus asked for help. Standing by without helping, what exactly were you plotting?"
The onlookers erupted in chatter.
The romance drama had instantly turned into a morality play!
Ashley flustered, retorting, "Nonsense! I don't have the teacher's contact! Shane didn't give it! Don't slander me!"
Shane Holloway was stunned.
How did the fire land on him?
Fiona raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you join the group? All three lead teachers are in the main group. I hadn't joined the group back then, otherwise I would have told Marcus. A life was at stake. How could personal motives lead to such negligence?"
Ashley was seething.
"I never thought Ashley could be so malicious..."
"A genius girl? With a heart this black!"
"I heard Professor Lowell is her aunt. All these years she's openly targeted Professor Watson. She must be siding with her aunt, hence targeting Sophia!"
"I think it's jealousy! Sophia just published in a Nature sub-journal. Ashley is afraid of losing her 'genius' title..."
Having successfully shifted the focus, Fiona allowed a slight smile to touch her lips before gracefully turning to leave.