Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1447

Chapter 1447: Why not you?

Grace’s heart thudded slowly and loudly against her chest. Perhaps it was the abruptness of the situation that made it race, or maybe it was the tight grip on her arm. Or perhaps it was the distance between her and Haines’s face—she could inhale his hot breath as it caressed her upper lip. Their eyes shimmered as they mirrored each other’s.

Her lips parted slightly, stunned into silence at how quickly things had escalated.

Haines exhaled heavily, staring at her up close. His body was burning, and with her soft, delicate skin under his hold, a slight itch emerged in him—an itch that could only be eased if he glided his palms over her softness.

Slowly, he pulled her closer... and closer, until his face moved past hers, stopping in front of her ear. "Is... Penny an addict?"

The second those words escaped his mouth, they shattered the building tension between them. Grace, who had assumed this Chapter would turn into an R-rated narrative, couldn’t stop her face from twitching. She drew her head back and looked at him.

"I think this is the time when we finally have our first kiss," she noted, making him tilt his head back in confusion.

"I think I’m drugged," he said, closing his eyes as he fanned himself with his shirt. "I’m burning up, and I need to go to the hospital. Penny must’ve put something in that cake she fed us."

Deep lines appeared between Grace’s brows as she studied him. Without a word, she touched his forehead with the back of her hand, making him catch her arm.

"No," he breathed out, opening his eyes and meeting hers. "And I’m a little sensitive, too."

"I don’t think Penny would drug you in a way that would make you suffer like this."

"Then this is the first time."

"Haines—"

"I’m aroused," he interjected, as it seemed easier for him to be blunt about it. "It’s what I meant by being sensitive, and if I’m correct, whatever drug Penny put in the cake has something to do with this."

Despite being single for decades, Haines finally understood what was happening to him. Thanks to Grace’s presence, it became clear. If he was being honest with himself, he wanted Grace right now—or to be precise, he needed her.

But he knew it was just the effect of the drug, and he wouldn’t let it control him.

Grace pursed her lips, her brows slightly rising in surprise. "It’s an aphrodisiac?"

This time, he didn’t respond. He simply released her arm.

"..." For a second, Grace studied him before she touched the back of her neck. "You want me to help you?"

"No," he whispered. "Take me to the nearest hospital."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Alright. Then you’ll have to crawl your way to the other side." With that, Grace pushed herself away from him and jumped into the front passenger seat. She hurriedly went to the driver’s side, opening the door, only to find him still slumped in the driver’s seat.

"Goodness," she murmured, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Come on, Haines."

As she helped him, Haines partially opened his eyes and caught the traces of worry on her face. Her voice was gentle and patient, not letting him hear the slightest trace of concern. Yet, beneath those eyes, there was something else.