hapter 161 Teetering on the Edge


    The antidote still hadn’t arrived.


    James knew that in situations like this, a cold shower could help clear someone’s head.


    But he also remembered that she’d once fallen ill after being chilled, leaving her body vulnerable. He didn’t want to risk it.


    So once the bathtub was filled with warm water, he threw her straight into the bathroom.


    Originally, he’d nned to take her to the hospital–there was blood on her arm. But after her wild behavior in the car, he realized most of it had rubbed off, and that it wasn’t hers. She wasn’t actually injured.


    That was the only reason he brought her home instead.


    “Lily! Come take your medicine!”


    Twenty minutes after he tossed her in the bath, his assistant finally delivered the antidote.


    She should’ve finished by now. It waste, and he wanted to shower and rest too, so he decided to call her


    out.


    He called her again and again–but got no response.


    The silence was so unnatural, it filled him with dread.


    She hadn’t… drowned, had she?


    Not daring to waste another second, he shoved the bathroom door open and rushed inside.


    There she was–eyes closed, slowly sliding deeper into the water. The level had already reached her chin. If he’de in even a few minutester, it would’ve submerged herpletely.


    And she didn’t seem to notice any of it.


    “Lily! Get up!”


    She continued loungingzily in the tub,pletely unbothered.


    That was when James finally got a good look at her.


    His suit jacket had been tossed carelessly onto the bathroom floor.


    Her red dress? Floating in the bath like a crimson lotus in full bloom–drifting on the surface, swaying gently. But it didn’t conceal a single thing beneath.


    Her long, dark hair spread through the water like silk algae. Her skin–pale as snow, wless as jade- glowed beneath the light.


    With her eyes closed, floating like that under the red dress, she looked just like a mermaid who’d only just grown legs and risen to the surface of the sea.


    O


    <b>ut</b>, 22 J


    59%


    Chapter 161 Teetering on the Edge


    James‘ face went pitch–ck. It looked like someone had poured a whole bottle of ink over him.


    Why couldn’t she just wear the dress into the bath?


    Her body kept slipping lower….


    +10 Free Coins


    He didn’t want to touch her, but he couldn’t just stand there and let her drown. Scowling, he stepped forward and lifted her out of the water.


    Pale skin broke through the surface, beautiful and striking.


    The soft scent of body wash rose around him like smoke–delicate but maddening, gnawing at the edges of his sanity like ants at the roots of a tree.


    He turned his face away immediately, grabbing a towel from the side and wrapping her up tightly.


    After tossing her onto therge bed, he felt like he’d barely survived a war. Only then did he exhale deeply.


    Noticing the medicine he’d thrown onto the table earlier, he reminded her with a dark look, “Lily. Take your medicine.”


    She didn’t react at all–noprehension in her eyes.


    Left with no choice, he walked over, took the pills, and ced them directly into her mouth.


    To avoid any awkward contact, James kept his distance, leaning just close enough to ensure she swallowed.


    Once she obediently took the medicine, his expression finally softened.


    Ashton had said the drug worked fast. She should calm down soon. No more crying about being hot.


    “Stingy jerk. Not even one kiss… I’m gonna kiss you anyway!”


    Just as he was about to pull back, she suddenlyunched herself upright–clinging to him like a ko.


    He’d let his guard down. She’d been curled up quietly in the corner of the bed, and now, she caught himpletely off guard.


    Before he could react, she cupped his face with both hands–exactly like in the car–fuming like a child denied candy.


    She kissed him again. Fiercely.


    “I said kiss me! Or I’ll bite you!”


    “Lily! Take your mouth off me!”


    Veins pulsed at James‘ temple. He sat up fast, raising his hand to push her away.


    But she was too slippery, too chaotic. As he moved–her towel slipped.


    And she was suddenly,pletely exposed in front of him.


    And worse–his hand…


    |||


    Chapter 161 Teetering on the Edge.


    James‘ breath hitched violently.


    He still wanted to push her away.


    But in this state–where could he even touch her? Where couldn’t he?


    He didn’t know where to grab. Didn’t know how to move her without causing more problems.


    And in that moment of hesitation, her hand fell to his shirt.


    In a blink, his buttons were undone. Chest, abs, and defined lines shed under the light.


    Every inch of it screamed trouble. Nothing about it was pure.


    Then she kissed him again–hot, messy, uncontrolled. Her hand creeping lower.


    +10 Free Coins


    He couldn’t allow this to continue. No matter how awkward, no matter what part he identally touched


    “Lily! Stop holding on to me! Stay away from me!”


    III