Chapter 331 She Really Isn't Willing
Even now, thinking back to Maximilian's condition, Jesse couldn't help but sigh.
So when Maximilian asked him not to tell Katniss, he kept quiet.
He wouldn't bring it up to Katniss on his own, but if she asked, he hoped she would find out and do something about it.
Katniss was a master of Shadow Acupuncture, with medical skills far beyond the ordinary.
Maximilian's illness was peculiar, and with Katniss's help, Jesse might feel better.
After hearing Jesse's words, Katniss was stunned.
She had thought Maximilian only injured his left arm, but she hadn't realized he had other injuries.
No wonder he refused further treatment for his leg when she suggested it.
"Tell me exactly what happened," Katniss said.
She wanted to check Maximilian's injuries herself, but knowing his previous resistance and secrecy, she decided to get a clear picture before seeing him.
Their conversation continued.
Meanwhile, Ethan had taken the unconscious person to the hospital and was waiting in the emergency room lobby.
"She just fainted. We gave her an IV, and she should wake up soon," a nurse informed Ethan, leading him to the ward.
The hospital was small, and the facilities were basic. Ethan brought her here because it was the closest.
In the ward, there were about a dozen beds, half of them empty. The occupied beds had patients receiving IVs.
"You're awake," the nurse said as she and Ethan reached the bed in the corner.
The person on the bed had just woken up and was staring blankly around.
Ethan finally got a good look at her.
It had been raining and dark when he found her, so he hadn't seen her clearly. Now he noticed she was quite attractive, though very pale.
Ethan rarely paid attention to people's looks.
The beauty of TV stars never impressed him much. Most of the time, what others found beautiful didn't seem special to him.
But this person's appearance was pleasing to him.
And this pleasantness only made him feel a bit more favorable towards her, without any deeper emotions.
While Ethan observed her, the nurse checked her condition without waiting for a response.
After confirming there were no other issues, the nurse said, "Once the IV is done, you can leave. I'll let you two talk," and left.
The person on the bed timidly asked, "Am I in a hospital?"
"Yes," Ethan replied patiently, rubbing his temples. "Are you feeling okay?"
The nurse had only checked her basic condition without any concern, so Ethan, noticing her unusual paleness, asked to ease the atmosphere.
As soon as he spoke, Ethan felt a bit out of place. He usually didn't say such things.
"Just a little dizzy," Clara said, still dazed, looking at Ethan.
Clara remembered leaving her apartment in the rain.
At first, it was light, and she didn't mind, thinking the rain might help her calm down.
But the rain got heavier, and her mood worsened. She was crossing the street when a bright light flashed, and she fell.
The next thing she knew, she was here.
"That's probably cause you just woke up," Ethan explained, then asked, "Anything else bothering you?"
Clara tried moving her legs and arms, then attempted to sit up.
But as soon as she started, Ethan helped her up.
"Easy there, you're hooked up to the IV," Ethan said, supporting her.
With his help, Clara sat up and softly thanked him, "Thanks."
"No need to thank me. If you're okay, I'll be heading out," Ethan said, checking the time.
It was late, and this incident had cut into his rest time.
"Wait, please," Clara said, grabbing his hand. "Did you save me? I can't let you pay for my medical bills. I'll give you the money."
She wanted to keep him there, not just to repay him, but because she felt she had seen him before, but couldn't remember when.
"You fainted in front of my car. I brought you to the hospital. I've already paid the bill, so don't worry about it," Ethan said formally.
Clara bit her lip, looking into Ethan's eyes. "Can I have your contact information?"
She didn't want to give up, hoping to get his contact info.
She had a keen sense of people's status.
Seeing Ethan, she felt his background was at least as good as, if not better than, Desmond's.
Thinking of Desmond made Clara uneasy.
Ethan politely declined, "I don't think that's necessary."
Though he found Clara attractive, it was just a superficial appreciation.
He had no intention of getting to know her better. His focus was on his studies and research.
"But," Clara protested, unwilling to give up.
Since learning from Oliver that Desmond was in Starhaven and even going on dates, she hadn't been at peace.
Her unrest made her want to latch onto someone better than Desmond.
"If you're feeling okay, I'll be leaving," Ethan said.
After being disrupted by his family at home, he just wanted to get back to his hotel and rest.
"I'm fine, thank you," Clara replied softly, and Ethan left.
After Ethan left, Clara realized she hadn't been back to the villa for a while, and Johnson might be angry.
She searched for her phone but couldn't find it, so she borrowed one to call Johnson and explain her situation, promising to return in the morning.
Johnson, satisfied with Clara's submissive attitude, told her about a dinner party the next evening before hanging up.
Thinking of Desmond, Clara didn't refuse Johnson's invitation.