Chapter 9: Returning to the Manor to Recover

"It's nothing, I just feel weak all over."

Melissa Ernest shook her head, her hoarse voice barely a whisper, as if sharing a secret between lovers, so soft that it barely reached Frederic Howard's ears.

After a while, the doctor came in for an examination. "Everything is fine now. You can be discharged and go home to rest. Your fever has gone down; take these medications for two days, and you'll fully recover."

"Thank you, Doctor." Melissa Ernest looked at the doctor with gratitude.

"No need to thank me. Your boyfriend was very patient, changing your cold compresses and towels for two hours straight. Otherwise, your fever wouldn't have dropped so quickly," the doctor said with a smile.

The doctor's words made Melissa Ernest's face instantly flush red. She lowered her head and instinctively explained, "He's not my boyfriend."

The doctor smiled and left the room without another word.

"Thank you. I've taken up too much of your time. If you have something to do, please go ahead. I can go back on my own."

As she spoke, Melissa Ernest lowered her head and started to get out of bed, but in the next moment, she found herself lifted off the ground.

"Aah!" She couldn't help but scream and instinctively clung to Frederic Howard's neck.

Frederic Howard held her, his gaze only able to see the top of her head. Looking at the fluffy little head in his arms, he smiled slightly. "I'm not busy. It seems like you're afraid of me, always keeping your head down. Hm?"

"No, I'm not," Melissa Ernest instinctively denied, her body stiffening. She wished she could bury her head in her stomach, making it even lower.

"Back to the estate."

After placing her in the car, Frederic Howard instructed Evan Hicks to drive, but they were not heading back to the old district where she lived.

Melissa Ernest grew anxious. "If you have something to do, please go ahead. Just drop me off at the bus stop."

She tried to move from Frederic Howard's lap.

Frederic Howard held her waist, pulling her back into his embrace. "Don't move. The doctor said you need to rest. You can't take care of yourself alone. I'm going on a business trip for a few days and won't be at ease leaving you by yourself. At the estate, Aunt and the others can look after you."

Melissa Ernest's nose tingled, and she almost cried. Since her parents passed away, no one had cared for her, and many had only added to her troubles. Frederic Howard's concern warmed her heart.

But she knew that Frederic Howard was only being kind because she had saved him. She didn't want to trouble him. "Thank you, but I don't want to be a burden. I can take care of myself."

Frederic Howard heard a faint sob and felt both concerned and annoyed. "This is the fourth time I've seen you, and three of those times you ended up in the hospital. Is this what you call taking care of yourself, hm?"

Hearing his displeasure, Melissa Ernest instinctively apologized. "I'm sorry, I..." She raised her head but quickly lowered it again when she met his eyes.

Seeing her reaction, Frederic Howard softened his tone. "It's okay, I'm not blaming you."

The sound of the engine echoed at the entrance of the estate. Aunt came out and was surprised to see her young master carrying a girl out of the car, her mouth agape for a long time.

Frederic Howard glanced at Aunt. "Is dinner ready, Aunt?"

Aunt snapped out of her daze and answered with a smile, looking at the girl in his arms. "Yes, Master. Who is this?"

Frederic Howard looked tenderly at the woman in his arms and spoke slowly. "This is Miss Ernest. I'm going on a business trip for a few days, and she's not feeling well. She will stay here for a couple of days. Please take good care of her."

"Hello, Miss Ernest! Yes, Master." Aunt greeted Melissa Ernest respectfully and then turned to her young master.

Melissa Ernest, with her pale and weak face, greeted Aunt, her ears tinged with a light blush, clearly embarrassed. "Hello, Aunt!"

Frederic Howard carried her directly to a chair at the dining table and turned to instruct Aunt. "Let's have dinner."

"Yes, Master." Aunt responded and went to the kitchen to bring out the dishes.

At the table, Frederic Howard kept serving her food. "These are all light dishes. Eat more."

"Thank you, Mr. Howard. I can manage on my own." She glanced at him, blushing, and quickly lowered her head again.

"Mm, eat slowly." Frederic Howard replied, but his hands continued to serve her more food.