Messing With Her? Are You Crazy! novel Chapter 717

Before leaving, Serena pulled aside the doctor coming in for routine rounds, heavily emphasizing which specific vitals to monitor for her grandparents.

After witnessing the prestigious Mr. White personally greet Serena—trailing after her like an eager medical student—the entire staff at the luxury sanitarium practically worshipped the ground she walked on.

Stepping out of the facility, the morning sun was brilliant and warm. Douglas pulled a cigarette from his pocket, clamped it between his lips, and casually offered the pack to Nicholas.

Nicholas flashed a polite smile. "No thanks, Douglas. Serena hates the smell of smoke."

Douglas let out a dry scoff. He shoved the pack back into his pocket, keeping the unlit cigarette clamped in his teeth. "You're getting a little ahead of yourself calling me that."

"Not at all." Nicholas smiled with perfect humility, the lethal hostility he had displayed the night before completely gone. "When we return, I'll formally sit down with Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster to arrange our engagement."

Douglas let out another humorless scoff. Plucking the unlit cigarette from his mouth, he tossed it into a nearby trash can and strode forward. "Then I wish you the best of luck with that."

"Thank you for the blessing," Nicholas replied smoothly.

Serena rolled her eyes.

She glanced at the devastatingly gorgeous man beside her, whose lips were curved into a triumphant smirk, and pinched his arm. "Who said I agreed to marry you?"

"Your grandparents absolutely adore me. My grandfather and your parents love me too!" Nicholas caught her hand, completely unashamed. "Since I have the entire family's stamp of approval, I obviously have to strike while the iron is hot and lock this down!"

Serena tried to shake off his grip. Instead of letting go, the shameless man intertwined their fingers, securing his hold.

She shot him a sidelong glance. "I'm realizing that your complete lack of shame is getting worse."

He didn't even flinch. "What good is shame? Can shame get me a wife?"

She stiffened for a fraction of a second. But she didn't push him away; instead, she nuzzled against his chest, finding a more comfortable position.

"Go to sleep if you're tired," Nicholas murmured, resting his chin softly against the top of her head. "I'll wake you when we get there."

The car was perfectly silent, filled only with the steady rhythm of her breathing. Nicholas lowered his gaze, watching the completely unguarded expression on the sleeping girl in his arms. Her usual icy exterior had completely melted away, leaving her looking as soft and vulnerable as a sleepy kitten.

A dark, possessive affection bloomed in his predatory eyes, and a slow, satisfied smile curved his lips. He tightened his embrace just a fraction. The soft, warm weight pressed against his chest seemed to fill the very hollows of his soul. It was pure, unadulterated bliss.

Serena slept deeply, as if entirely lost to the world. When she finally opened her eyes, she found herself tucked into the massive hotel bed. Outside the window, the sky was already bleeding into the fiery hues of dusk.

Nicholas was sitting nearby, silhouetted against the fading light. A laptop rested on his thighs, his long fingers typing furiously across the keyboard, occasionally murmuring a low, quiet sound of affirmation into his Bluetooth earpiece.