?Chapter 702:


    Yet the silence persisted, unbroken.


    A sense of dread washed over Rachel. On her return, she discovered Brian lying motionless. She touched his forehead; his skin burned with fever.


    Desperately, she shook him slightly, “Wake up!” But he remained limp, lost to consciousness.


    Fumbling for her phone, she called Ronald, but received no response. She then attempted to contact Debby and Aron, but given thete hour, there was no answer.


    Eventually, she turned to the man lying before her, hesitated momentarily, let out a deep sigh, and made a decision to call Yvonne. “Yvonne, Brian’s passed out. Could youe help me?”


    “Absolutely,” Yvonne replied without hesitation.


    Yet upon arriving and seeing Brian, Yvonne was taken aback. “Why is he here?”


    “He didn’t think I was really gone, so he’s been waiting here. I suspect the grief from Carol’s death,bined withck of sleep and this downpour, has overwhelmed him.”


    “What’s the next step? Are we bringing him back?”


    “I’ve tried Ronald and Brian’s parents, but there’s no answer.”


    Yvonne suggested, “Let me try calling Norton to see if he cane get him.”


    “That sounds like a n.”


    However, that night, it seemed as though everyone had decided to ignore their phones.


    Ultimately, the only option left for the women was to escort Brian to a hotel. They didn’t arrive until three in the morning.


    Visibly tired, Yvonne listened as Rachel encouraged her, saying, “Yvonne, you should get some rest now. You’ve been on your feet all night.”


    “Are you sure you can manage alone?”


    “I’ve located a pharmacy nearby. I’ll get some medicine to reduce the fever and arrange for Ronald to collect Brian tomorrow.”


    “Okay, make sure to get some rest after that,” Yvonne said before departing.


    Rachel purchased a thermometer and fever medication from the pharmacy. When she measured Brian’s temperature, the reading was rmingly high, nearly 104°F.


    She immediately administered the most effective antipyretic they had. Thebel indicated that the fever should decrease within an hour or two.


    Refusing to leave his side, Rachel set up a makeshift resting spot by the bed, asionally resting her head on her hand for short breaks from exhaustion.


    The medicine proved effective; roughly an hourter, Brian’s fever began to drop.


    As he came around, Brian weakly sped her hand, unwilling to let go.


    Her arm was held so tightly by Brian that she couldn’t move. “Brian, ease up. Let go of my hand!” she said, but he made no reply.


    Rachel, growing increasingly worried, decisively yanked her hand away.


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