The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 101

Miles from the hotel, the flashing lights of an ambulance caught their eyes, signaling some sort of emergency at the entrance.

"Don't bother walking me up," said Jocelyn, clutching the cash envelope. "I'll take this as a token of your appreciation."

"Sure." Harrison was not keen on adding to the commotion ahead. "I'll rest easy knowing you've accepted it."

Jocelyn chuckled. "Worried I won't take this seriously?"

"A bit," Harrison confessed, the honesty in his voice unmistakable. "But this time, please, be serious."

She nodded emphatically. "Yes, serious."

His laugh crinkled his eyes into gleeful crescents, his gaze pure and innocent, like a child reveling in a spoonful of sugar.

"I should get going." Jocelyn unbuckled her seat belt.

Harrison nodded, his eyes lingering on her, filled with a silent plea for her to stay.

As she pushed the car door open, Harrison's voice halted her.

She turned back.

Harrison's lips parted slightly, his eyes fixed on hers, a new intensity flickering within.

Jocelyn instantly understood his unspoken desire. What would a relationship be without a kiss?

But suddenly, she felt a twinge of nervousness, an unfamiliar flutter in her stomach.

"It's okay." Harrison's voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "Goodnight."

Her tension eased as she said softly, "Goodnight."

Exiting the car, Harrison gripped the steering wheel, watching her until she disappeared into the hotel before he finally exhaled and drove off.

Inside the lobby, Jocelyn's hand flew to her chest, her heart pounding against her ribs like a caged bird. She sank into a couch, trying to steady her breath.

The elevator dinged, and paramedics emerged, wheeling someone out on a stretcher.

Jocelyn glanced up just long enough to recognize the patient - Melvin.

Surprised, she watched until they left and approached the front desk to inquire about the situation.

The staff explained a guest had suffered a sudden illness, and they were trying to reach his family.

Jocelyn knew Melvin hardly had any family in town. Even if they contacted his sister, Preston, or Willow, none would make it in time.

"I know him," Jocelyn offered. "I'll notify his family."

Grateful, the staff quickly arranged her transportation to the hospital.

At the hospital, Jocelyn was notified that Melvin had already been rushed into surgery for acute appendicitis.

Pacing the hall, she was a bundle of nerves, half an hour feeling like an eternity until the doctor finally appeared.

Melvin was wheeled out, still unconscious from anesthesia.

After settling the bill, Jocelyn sat vigil in his ward.

Looking at the man’s pale face, she felt indescribably uneasy, as if something was stuck in her chest.

She could not fathom why he had come to Berry City; without her, he would have faced surgery with no one by his side.

Given his stoic facade, a heartless man like him probably would not dread such solitude.

After all, Melvin had already decided to be by himself forever.

Sitting in the sterile room, memories of their tumultuous past – his dominance, intensity, and irrationality – now seemed trivial.

Here he was, vulnerable, unable to fend off even a slap.

...

An hour later, Melvin's eyelids fluttered.