Chapter 900

Lucas grabbed Ashlyn’s hand in his. “Come on. Let’s head back down.”

Meanwhile, inside the tent on the hill, Joseph was lying drowsily on the hay, fading in and out of consciousness.

It was already deep into the night.

Opening his eyes blearily, he could only feel the extreme dryness on his lips and in his throat. He felt as though his lips would crack at any moment, and he felt as though someone was sanding his throat with sandpaper.

“W-Water…” he mumbled.

Charlotte was lying beside him. When she heard his voice, she shot upright. Her black eyes were filled with worry as she looked at him. “Joseph, how are you feeling?”

Straining her ears, Charlotte finally made out what Joseph was trying to say.

Her expression changed as she hurried to her feet and poured Joseph a glass of water.

Kneeling back at Joseph’s side, Charlotte placed the glass by his lips. “Here, Joseph. Drink up.”

Joseph parted his lips and downed the entire glass in just a few gulps.

Once he had drained the last drop, Charlotte withdrew her hand and placed the empty glass on the small table beside them.

“W-Water…”

So, so thirsty…

Joseph opened his eyes groggily. His vision was out of focus as he stared at the lovely face moving beside him.

His gaze fell onto Charlotte’s soft lips. Can it quench my thirst? I think so…

His brain had no energy for any reasoning. He was acting purely on his survival instincts.

Out of nowhere, he reached out his arm and grabbed Charlotte’s thin arms with all of his might, causing the latter to let out a small yelp.

The next thing she knew, she found herself being held tightly in his embrace.

Joseph turned around and pinned her under him.

Before she could even react, he had placed his lips on hers.

Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

Mmm…

Her heart raced and pounded in her ribcage.

All of a sudden, she became very aware of the soft touch of his lips and the warmth of his body.

Blood rushed to her face as she tried to push Joseph away from her with her small hands.

However, Joseph was like an immovable mountain. She could only squirm in his arms.

Charlotte’s cool skin seemed to lower the burning heat in Joseph’s body. He sighed a breath of relief.

This feels good…

He no longer feel as thirsty as he was a moment ago.

Joseph continued to suck on her lips as though he was sucking a sweet fruit.

A long time passed before Joseph returned to his dreams once again. His body fell next to Charlotte’s side.

Pushing him away from her, Charlotte sat up straight and covered her red, swollen lips. She was blushing so much that she could easily be mistaken for a tomato.

Just as she was about to cover Joseph with a blanket, she accidentally brushed his arm. Her complexion changed drastically.

He’s burning up! Even his breath seems to be releasing steam!

“Joseph, you have a fever!” Charlotte got up to her feet in a hurry and dashed to the emergency medical center without a second thought.

It was still pouring outside the tent. Ignoring the raindrops splashing against her, she kept running.

When the doctor on shift at the emergency medical center heard what she said, he grabbed a thermometer and a first-aid kit before following Charlotte to the tent.

After a few minutes, the doctor took out the thermometer from beneath Joseph’s armpit and checked the temperature. “High fever of thirty-nine degrees Celsius. He needs an injection.”

“How did he get a high fever?” Charlotte asked anxiously.

“He got hit in the head so harshly during daytime and had been in the rain for so long. I’d be surprised if he didn’t get a fever.” As he spoke, the doctor gave Joseph a shot. “Monitor him at all times. If anything happens, call me immediately. It’s best if you can get him to a hospital in the city tomorrow. There’s no point in him staying here.”

Charlotte thanked the doctor profusely and sent the doctor off before returning to the tent.

Just as she was about to take a seat, the entrance of the tent was pulled open. In walked Sheryn wearing a raincoat.

She was hugging a bowl of stew in her arms. When she took it out, steam from the warm stew filled the tent.

“Ms. Lynch, I just made this stew. It’s late in the night, and I’d like to feed some to Mr. Joseph. Is that all right?”

Sheryn looked at Charlotte with pitiful eyes. Her fair and smooth skin accentuated her adorable face.

Charlotte merely tossed her a cool glance. “Joseph just fell asleep. He’s running a fever at the moment, so I doubt he has the time to eat the stew that you cooked. You should have the stew for yourself,” she said, turning Sheryn down politely.