Chapter 399


    ire was extremely protective of those she held dear.


    That was especially the case with Nicole, whom she hade to regard as her own daughter after


    losing her biological daughter. Her heart wrenched in pain when she saw Nicole on the verge of tears.


    She cooed while holding Nicole, “Tell me what made you so sad, Nicole.”


    Although Nicole felt likeining about how heartless Cayden was to her, she didn''t wish for her


    mother to have a biased opinion of him, so she bit her tongue.


    Her gaze flickered for a moment as she whimpered, “Mom, Cayden... doesn''t seem to like me.


    Besides, Avery isn''t someone to be trifled with. She embarrassed me at the Moore residence today by


    setting me up as a fool. She even showed off in front of Old Mr. Moore using her wits. Now, Old Mr.


    Moore is treating me with indifference while being partial toward her. Mom, I like Cayden a lot. He''s the


    first man I''ve ever fallen for. What should I do?”


    Nicole leaned against ire''s shoulder as tears rolled down her cheeks.


    After witnessing the mncholy brought upon Nicole by her tragic love life, ire lovingly wiped the


    tears away with some tissues.


    She handed Nicole a ss of warm water whileforting her, “Don''t cry, my dear Nickie. I will do my


    best to set you up with Cayden if you like him.”


    Holding onto the ss of water, Nicole muttered pitifully, “I wonder if I''ve made a mistake. I love him


    even after knowing that he isn''t into me. My love hasn''t waned because of his disregard for me.


    Instead, it began simmering like a pot of water, slowly reaching boiling point. I think I''m hopelessly in


    love...”


    As someone who had been there, ire was aware that Nicole was head-over-heels in love when she


    noticed the listless look on thetter''s face whenever Cayden was mentioned.


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    While she felt for Nicole, she had to set things right. “There''s nothing wrong in liking someone, more so


    when Cayden isn''t married to Avery. However, if he is focused on and serious about her, we shouldn''t


    interfere with their rtionship. You are my brilliant daughter, and we''re way above interfering with


    other people''s rtionships.”


    Initially, ire wasn''t too concerned about someone as inconsequential as Avery.


    She figured that Nicole was far superior to Avery in terms of familial background, looks, and career, so


    she believed that her daughter should be able to secure Cayden''s affection.


    However, it was apparent that she had underestimated Avery.


    To ire, Nicole was mature, kind, and knowledgeable. On the contrary, Avery was arrogant, stubborn,


    and of lower birth, which made it impossible for her to marry into the Moore family.


    Nicole closed her eyes to cover up theplex look in her gaze.


    Cayden was the only decent surprise she had had in her life, but that surprise ended up bing a


    de that drew blood while piercing through her heart and torturing her mind.


    Nheless, she refused to let go.


    She could give up everything except for Cayden.


    It was almost New Year in the blink of an eye.


    After thepany employees had gone on holiday, Cayden fell ill, which was a rarity.


    After all, he had overworked himself as ofte.


    He would hurry to thepany early each morning and work overtime tillte at night, spending almost


    every waking hour at work.


    Moreover, the arson that happened at Chartreuse Garden added more work to his already busy


    schedule, given the need to bring the case to a satisfying close.


    The verdict for the perpetrator, Jenna Doyle, would be passed after New Year.


    He had promised Anthony that he would make sure that Jenna would be given capital punishment.


    As a man of his word, he was determined to deliver the promise.


    Thus, he had contacted a few higher-ups at the capital whom he knew. After private discussions over


    the phone with them, he held a board meeting at thepany to deal with changes in shareholding.


    Then, he had two meetings over video calls with foreign coborators to secure two projects that were


    worth hundreds of millions.


    The twins had a stomach ache in the afternoon and were in so much agony that their faces paled. He


    had no choice but to send them to the hospital alongside Avery. It was already evening by the time their


    conditions stabilized, and he was finally able to rx.


    By that point, Cayden had already pushed himself past his limit, and his body could take no more. He


    ended up having a fever due to him having overworked himself.


    His nose had been blocked and his throat had been aching when he woke up early for work that day.


    Although he felt that something was amiss, he assumed that he would be able to pull through and paid


    the symptoms no heed, only for them to worsen by night.


    There was a burning pain in his throat, while his body temperature cycled between that of a fever and a


    cold, giving him an awful time.


    Worse, his head was in so much pain that he felt like it was splitting in half. His body felt as if someone


    had poured concrete into it, and it felt so heavy that he could hardly breathe.


    All the while, Avery sat beside him after tucking him in bed, her eyes red at the sight of his flushed face.


    He had always been strong, so she had never seen him so weak and vulnerable.


    Having overworked himself, his body just couldn''t take it anymore no matter how fit he was.


    Avery retrieved the thermometer.


    The high temperature indicated on it shook her so gravely that even her voice was trembling as she


    eximed, “Thirty-nine-point-seven Celsius! You have such a high fever! Lie down. I already gave


    Yuvan a call, so he''s on his way.”


    “I''m fine. It''s just the flu, so don''t worry.” Cayden turned out to be the one consoling Avery.


    A fever seemed like nothing to him.


    Avery furrowed her pretty brows before pouring him some hot water. Then, she wetted a towel with cold


    water in the bathroom and folded it before gently cing it on his feverish forehead.


    She figured she would lower his temperature like that for the time being.


    Despite his drowsiness, he went along with it. The pain in his body seemed to have subsided as well as


    he took in Avery''s pleasant scent.


    “Have some hot water, Cayden.” Avery lifted Cayden''s body with all her might to have him lean against


    the headboard.


    Then, she supported him with her thin frame while slowly pouring the water into his parched throat.


    “Easy. Careful not to choke on it.” Avery made sure to be tender, as if she were taking care of a child.


    In his semi-conscious state, he thought her voice was like the song of angels, and her caring attitude


    gave him much warmth.


    Never had he, throughout his entire life, had someone care for him so meticulously. He thought himself


    fortunate to have a girlfriend as considerate as Avery.