The one visiting Paige Summers was none other than the so-called Young City Lord of The Dead City, the male lead she was desperately trying to avoid, Shawn Monroe. And he wasn't alone. Behind him stood Jayden Yeats, the very person they had just been asking about.
The moment she saw the two of them, Nola immediately made an excuse and slipped away.
Paige Summers sighed inwardly. Though she was incredibly annoyed, she did her best to put on a weak smile. "Ms. Nash told me the Young City Lord saved me. Thank you so much. And Brother Mills, thank you!"
Jayden Yeats just gave a slight nod, not saying a word. Meanwhile, Shawn Monroe sat on the edge of the bed, sizing her up. Hearing her thanks, a smirk played on his handsome face. "That's twice now..."
"...Yes."
"So, how do you plan to repay me?"
Paige Summers froze, then realized what he was getting at. Her smile vanished, and she said seriously, "Name your price."
Shawn Monroe didn't beat around the bush. He held out a hand to Jayden Yeats, who was standing behind him. Jayden pulled a leather pouch from his waistband and placed it in Shawn's hand.
"You made this." He leisurely drew the Crossbow from the pouch. "Don't deny it. I've had it appraised. It's easy enough to tell how new it is."
Paige Summers was surprised—not because she'd been found out, but because of the two men's interactions. Though they hadn't spoken, the way one sat while the other stood, the way one gestured and the other handed something over... it was a clear display of perfect rapport. They definitely hadn't just met.
'Jayden Yeats is actually one of Shawn Monroe's men!'
'A little... unexpected.'
At this point, there was no use denying it anymore. She admitted it frankly. "Yes."
Her perceptiveness earned Shawn Monroe's approval. He liked talking to smart people. While his interest in this girl named Paige Summers was growing in a certain way, what was more important was the significant benefit she could bring him.
"Good. In exchange for saving your life, tell me how to make this Crossbow. That's not too much to ask, is it?"
Paige Summers mulled it over. If she could trade the Crossbow's schematics to be even with him, she would jump at the chance. Her only fear was that things weren't that simple. But in her current situation, it seemed she only had one choice.
"Of course. I can give you the schematics. But they're rather complex, and I probably can't draw them right now." She couldn't refuse, but she could at least stall for time. She needed to get her thoughts in order.
Shawn Monroe raised an eyebrow. "Fine."
An obvious look of fatigue appeared on Paige Summers's face. Having achieved his goal, Shawn Monroe had no reason to stay any longer and soon left with Jayden Yeats.
Left alone in the room, Paige Summers finally closed her eyes in exhaustion.
She wasn't oblivious to the fact that he probably thought she was playing hard to get, using this as an opportunity to angle for more benefits. In reality, all she needed was time to figure out her next move.
'I will leave The Citadel, but definitely not now. To be honest, there's no safer place to recover from my injuries. For that reason, I have to stay until I can protect myself before I hand over the Crossbow schematics.'
'And by choosing to stay, I might have to face the female lead at any moment.'
'Although I don't know if she's here yet, my status is no longer "Shawn Monroe's woman." I have no ill will toward her either. I imagine our relationship shouldn't become tense.'
'From these two perspectives, my safety should be more or less guaranteed.'
'Of course, that's just the best-case scenario.'
'Accidents are many, and they can happen at any time.'
'I'd face all sorts of dangers outside, too, but as long as I can get away from the people in the original novel, I'll feel at ease. Whether the original plot can actually be changed—that is the question buried deep in my heart, and the source of my fear.'
'So, the most urgent thing for me right now is to recover as quickly as possible, and then get far away from here!'
'Once I'm free as a bird, what's to fear? I'll be able to live an even better life, right?'
Drifting off to sleep, the furrow in her brow gradually smoothed out.
Her life of recuperation had officially begun.
She had to admit, these were the most comfortable days she'd had since coming to this world.
The bed was large and soft. While the food couldn't compare to the exquisite cuisine of her past life, there were staples, side dishes, and soup—infinitely better than the Nutrition Cakes back at the furniture store. She also had a dedicated doctor. Quentin Sutton made a point to stop by every day to check on her, which made Nola's heart flutter.
Nola, who had stayed under the pretext of keeping her company, completely let loose after learning that Paige Summers wasn't interested in Quentin Sutton, asking her for help on how to get him to see her in a different light.
"Are you serious?"
Nola shot her a look. "Of course I'm serious! In this day and age, every extra day you live is a win. If you meet a man you like and don't try to pounce on him, are you just going to wait until you're on your deathbed to regret it?"
Paige Summers was left speechless by her forwardness.
'Too bad I'm a complete novice when it comes to romance. In my past life, I barely had enough time for all my studies, let alone any extra brainpower to think about this kind of thing!'
However, amidst Nola's infatuation with Quentin Sutton, she began to recall something else in bits and pieces.
'It seemed the original novel did describe this man—highly skilled in medicine, gentle as jade, and all that. A classic supporting male character! And most importantly, although he was the male lead's capable subordinate, he eventually became a supporter of the female lead.'
'The more I remember, the more I doubt if such a man really exists in this world.'
'He clearly likes her, but after she finds a partner, not only does he not stay away, he actually does everything he can to help her, solidifying her position and whatnot... The original owner of this body walking to her death might not have been unrelated to him. Is it really okay for a man to be like that?'
With this subtle thought in mind, Paige Summers didn't mind giving Nola a hand.
She used her own injuries as an excuse to ask Quentin Sutton a lot about medicine. He came from a Noble House of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. Although his family members had passed away one by one for various reasons after the apocalypse, his sharp mind and a body enhanced by his Water Ability allowed him to fulfill his elders' last wishes and become an outstanding doctor.
Of course, she wasn't just doing it for Nola. Paige Summers felt it was a good opportunity for her to learn something new as well.
Quentin Sutton wasn't surprised by her actions at all; in fact, his attitude was quite welcoming. "Some say medicine and poison are two sides of the same coin, and there's some truth to that. With your skill in making poisons, learning traditional Chinese medicine shouldn't be hard. If you're really interested, I can get you some books to read. It'd be a good way to pass the time."
'Poisons?'
Paige Summers blinked, only realizing after a moment that he must have reached that conclusion because of her Poison Arrow. 'I have to say,' she thought, 'a little bit of creative assumption can be a wonderful thing!'
And so, not only did she succeed in borrowing basic medical books, she also got a teacher to answer her questions for free. Meanwhile, Nola gained more opportunities to spend time with the man she admired.
All in all, given that she couldn't leave, Paige Summers's leg was getting better by the day, and she was living a very comfortable and happy life.
But sometimes, a discordant note would sound—namely, Shawn Monroe's visits.
He didn't come often, but he would always stop by every couple of days. And each time, he would bring a small gift: a bouquet of flowers, a plate of pastries, a pretty little knick-knack...
Whenever he came, Nola would tactfully make herself scarce. If Quentin Sutton was there, they would both tactfully leave together.
Paige Summers didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
One day, Shawn Monroe came again.
Quentin Sutton and Nola exchanged a glance and immediately, with perfect rapport, took their leave.
Shawn Monroe waved a dismissive hand, familiarly seating himself by Paige Summers's bed.
To be fair, the man was incredibly handsome, and when not discussing business, he was quite cheerful. With him around, you never had to worry about awkward silences. In fact, you'd be roaring with laughter at his endless supply of jokes. As a conversation partner for someone bedridden, he was perfect.
However... Paige Summers, half-propped up against the headboard, wore a smile, but her mind was perfectly clear. '...that's all there is to it.'
Seeing her flowery smile, Shawn Monroe felt a stir in his heart.
This girl... when he first met her, she was all soft and sweet, but when she left, she played him for a fool, which only made him more intrigued. He'd planned on finding her again when he had the chance, but he got too busy and forgot. If it had ended there, fine. But he never expected a sequel. When he received Jayden Yeats's emergency signal, he happened to be nearby, so he led a team over to rescue his rather capable subordinate.
Who knew she would be the one to give him a surprise?
One moment she was innocent and naive, the next she was calm and self-possessed, then she was rational and perceptive... All these different facets in one person made him involuntarily want to find out: just how many more faces did she have?
He wasn't blind to the distance in her eyes, but that only made him more interested.
"Can you not be so close?"
Shawn Monroe snapped back to reality. He realized he was very close to her flawless, fair face—so close he could even smell the faint, sweet scent on her. A small hand was pushing firmly against his chest.
He stared into her cat-like eyes and licked his lips. "What, you don't like it?"
"That's right, I don't!"
"Tsk, tsk. Such a curt answer. It's really quite irritating." He reached out, covering her hand with his and pressing it firmly against his chest. "Tell me, what part don't you like?"
Paige Summers narrowed her eyes at the man, who was radiating a seductive aura. 'This guy... is he in heat or something?'
"You really wouldn't want to know."
"What if I do?"
Paige Summers curled her lips into a slight smile and wrenched her hand free. "Those flirtatious eyes that shoot sparks, this deliberately ambiguous atmosphere, and this uncomfortable position! I. Don't. Like. Any. Of. It!"
The smile on Shawn Monroe's face froze instantly, and the air around him turned cold. A moment later, he planted his hands on either side of her body and leaned in.
They were inches apart. His heavy gaze made Paige Summers's heart clench. He was powerful. Enveloped by his aura, she had to use all her strength to resist his overwhelming presence.
They stared at each other for a long while. Her breathing grew heavier, but she refused to show any weakness.
'Even though I've come to a different world, I still cling to my own code of conduct. I knew the consequences of angering this man could be severe, but I did it anyway. Life is precious, of course, but there are some things that transcend it—things you're unwilling to give up even in the face of danger.'
'In this regard, I can't just play along with him.'
'Was it right or wrong? I don't know.'
'But without a doubt, if I had to do it over, I would do the same thing again.'
The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly tense. Paige Summers's eyes were wide, her whole body on high alert.
But just then, the man suddenly straightened up and threw his head back with a loud laugh!