My First Love Died, Now My Step Uncle Wants Me-Chapter 86: Unbearable Pain

"It hurts so much, I can’t take it!"

Nina Wynn cried out in pain, clawing frantically at her chest. As she thrashed about, a sliver of her pale waist was exposed.

The old traditional doctor quickly averted his gaze.

Caleb Rhodes immediately grabbed her flailing hands and draped a blanket over her. "Nina, don’t move," he said in a low voice. "Let Dr. Chapman take a look at you."

Nina Wynn must have been in genuine agony. She kept trying to claw at her chest, but Caleb Rhodes stopped her every time.

After another thorough examination, the old doctor prescribed some sedatives.

Before leaving, he saw that Nina Wynn was still crying out in pain. She looked exceptionally frail, as if drained of all vitality. Her already unfocused eyes appeared even more dazed and helpless.

The old doctor shook his head. Unable to bear it, he turned back and gave Nina Wynn a tranquilizer shot, then prescribed a small vial of a powerful sleeping medication.

After taking the medicine, Nina Wynn quickly fell asleep.

But even in sleep, she was restless, constantly sweating and muttering deliriously.

Soon, her hair was damp, the dark strands clinging to her pale neck. It only accentuated the contrast of her raven hair, snow-white skin, and bright red lips.

Caleb Rhodes watched her sleep with a heavy gaze.

’Actually, today was intentional. I wanted Nina Wynn to completely sever her attachment to Lana Shaw. She had to take this bitter medicine today.’

He wasn’t a man of many words; he was the type who thought three steps ahead for every one he took. His every action, from its inception to its final outcome, was meticulously planned.

Today was no exception. Every word, the start of every event, was all within his control.

The only unexpected outcome was that Nina Wynn seemed to have been pushed too far.

’Nina Wynn’s feelings for Lana Shaw run much deeper than I thought.’

When she was lying on the floor, clutching her chest and crying that it hurt, it had truly made his own heart ache.

His hand slowly caressed her delicate cheek, rubbing it gently.

In the dim light, Nina Wynn’s sleeping face looked innocent and youthful. Her tender, crimson lips were slightly parted, as if waiting for his kiss.

Caleb Rhodes watched for a moment before, as if possessed, leaning down and sucking on her lips.

His hands roamed over her delicate skin, leaving faint red marks in their wake.

’I don’t know why, but I just love seeing my marks left on her body. It’s as if by doing this, she’s branded by me, belongs to me heart and soul, and will never have a single disloyal thought.’

He didn’t quite understand why he felt such an intense possessiveness and desire for control over Nina Wynn.

’Perhaps it began when she first walked into the Rhodes Family’s main hall, stood by the stairs, and timidly called me ’Uncle’. Even then, I wanted to control her.’

That fleeting thought from back then had grown over time, through countless days and nights, until it was fully ignited three years ago.

’Now that it’s time for the harvest, I find that the one person I’ve been suppressing my emotions for, the one I didn’t dare touch, has been pushed to the brink by these people.’

Her earlier words, "I don’t really want to live anymore," were like a barbed knife stabbing viciously into his heart, tearing out a bloody piece of flesh as it was pulled away.

This time, he truly felt the pain, and it only strengthened his resolve to sever her feelings for everyone else.

’I want her eyes and her heart to hold only me!’

’Back then, I didn’t pay too much attention to her. I thought it was better to let her grow up freely. Even if the Rhodes Family didn’t acknowledge her, she at least had food and clothing. And as Lana Shaw’s own niece, she was better off than by my side.’

’But I never expected that my letting go would allow her to become like this.’

He slowly narrowed his eyes, the frost within them growing thicker.

’Those people... they all deserve to die!’

Nina Wynn’s illness came on suddenly and with great force, leaving her somewhat delirious.

At first, she had a constant fever. One moment she would call for her auntie, the next for Evan, all while clutching Caleb Rhodes’s hand and refusing to let go.

She was in this state for two or three days. Finally, the old doctor’s medicine took effect. On the fourth day, she gradually regained consciousness, and her vision slowly returned to normal.

However, she was even more silent than before.

Now, she stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, holding her kitten and staring blankly at the large tree in the courtyard.

The faint daylight filtered through the glass, illuminating Nina Wynn’s pale, delicate face. She was like a lifeless statue, remaining silent for a long time.

When Willson Lawson entered, he saw that Caleb Rhodes had set up his workspace in the living room.

Today, Caleb Rhodes was wearing a bespoke white shirt with fine diagonal stripes and charcoal gray trousers. He looked clean, coolly reserved, and impossibly distinguished. Even as he looked down, reviewing documents without glancing up, the powerful aura of a man long accustomed to being in charge was overwhelming.

Willson Lawson thought that if he hadn’t been with Caleb Rhodes for so many years, he would have assumed from his appearance alone that Caleb Rhodes was an ethereal, leisurely young master, untouched by worldly concerns.

But in reality, this Valorian Crown Prince was simply unfathomable. When patient, he was like a Buddha, his actions subtle and traceless. But when ruthless, he could become a devil in the blink of an eye, his thunderous force capable of casting people from heaven straight to Hell in an instant.

Thinking about what was going to happen in a few days, he couldn’t help but shudder.

He placed the documents in his hand on the desk and said in a low voice, "Third Lord Master, everything is ready."

Caleb Rhodes grunted in acknowledgment, looked up at the time, and then turned to the young woman nearby. "Nina, the medicine is getting cold."

The heating in the room was strong, so Nina Wynn was only wearing a long-sleeved white dress. She was leaning over a counter by the window, stroking the kitten on it in a desultory fashion. She didn’t look up when Caleb Rhodes called her name.

Caleb Rhodes frowned, got up, and carried her over, placing her in his own chair. He then held a fine white porcelain bowl in front of her. "It’s been sitting here for twenty minutes. If you don’t drink it, I’m sending Roy away."

Only then did Nina Wynn protest in a small voice, "You said Roy could stay with me for four hours today."

Caleb Rhodes’s face was cold. "Four hours, yes. But we also agreed that if you don’t drink your medicine, the time is cut in half."

Nina Wynn’s little face scrunched up, but she obediently drank the dark herbal concoction.

As a reward, Caleb Rhodes placed a candied osmanthus plum in her mouth. "You still have two hours."

Nina Wynn returned to where she was before, lifted the kitten off the counter, placed it on the sofa, and started playing with it using a cat teaser.

Caleb Rhodes silently watched her play with the kitten. The intense possessiveness and desire for control in his gaze made Willson Lawson’s scalp tingle.

After a good while, Caleb Rhodes finally withdrew his gaze and looked at Willson Lawson. "The documents are delivered. What are you still doing here?"

Startled by the way Caleb Rhodes had been looking at Nina Wynn, Willson Lawson snapped back to his senses when Caleb spoke to him. "President Prescott is coming over in a bit. He said it’s to discuss the partnership, so I think I should stay."

As he spoke, Cole Prescott’s laughter came from outside. "Third Lord Master, you sure know how to live. Building such a nice sunroom and planting so many flowers in the middle of winter, is it for some little lover of yours?"

Caleb Rhodes frowned, his voice cool. "Who let him come here?"

Willson Lawson had a helpless look on his face. "He was already halfway here when he notified me, saying he wanted to see your courtyard here. What could I do? I can’t very well say, ’Third Lord Master doesn’t welcome you, please go back.’"

As they spoke, Cole Prescott had already walked in.

He was a handsome young man, around thirty, with his hair slicked back. He wore a black suit with a matching overcoat, making him appear tall and remarkably composed. A shrewdness unique to businessmen glinted in his eyes.

And standing behind him was a young man in a charcoal gray suit and overcoat—none other than the member of the Prescott Family whom Caleb Rhodes had recently met, Finn Prescott.

Caleb Rhodes’s eyes darkened slightly, but his expression remained as indifferent as ever. "Cole, you’re here. Let’s sit in the tea room over there."

Cole Prescott casually took off his overcoat, handed it to an approaching servant, and smiled. "I heard you’ve acquired some excellent teas recently, so I brought my younger brother along to broaden his horizons."

He tilted his head and said to Finn Prescott beside him, "Finn, this is the Master Rhodes from the Rhodes Family I often mention, the current President of the Nash Group. What do you think? Impressive, right? You’ve actually met him before, but it’s been so many years. Let’s have a reintroduction."

A half-smile played on Finn Prescott’s lips as he extended a hand toward Caleb Rhodes. "Third Lord Master, we meet again."

Caleb Rhodes’s expression was cold and severe. He nodded and gave Finn’s hand a light shake, acknowledging the greeting.

Then he turned to Nina Wynn and said in a low voice, "Nina, I have business to discuss. You can go back to your room to rest or take a walk in the greenhouse."

Only then did Cole Prescott notice a young woman sitting on the sofa. She was wearing a soft white dress that made her hair seem blacker and her skin whiter. Her features were exquisitely delicate.

Even someone like Cole Prescott, who was accustomed to seeing stunning beauties from all walks of life, was momentarily captivated and found it hard to look away.

The young woman held a tiny kitten in her arms, leaning against the off-white leather sofa. She looked listless, as if she had no energy. Yet, the more it was so, the more her frail and delicate aura enticed one to possess and control her.

Hearing Caleb Rhodes call her, she lifted her eyelids, murmured a soft "Mhm," and walked toward a nearby room, still holding the kitten.

At the doorway, she suddenly turned back, looked timidly at Caleb Rhodes, and asked in a small voice, "Uncle, can Roy stay with me a little longer today?"

Her voice was soft and small, tickling one’s heart.

Caleb Rhodes’s gaze upon her was exceptionally deep. "You can. If you’re good and drink your medicine, I’ll reward you with an extra hour."

The young woman whispered, "Thank you, Uncle," and went into the room.

Cole Prescott finally tore his eyes away. But when he turned, he saw his younger brother staring intently at the closed door. He nudged him and chuckled, "Who is that young lady? How come I’ve never seen her before? Is she a member of the Rhodes Family?"

Caleb Rhodes’s expression was completely detached. "No."

Just that one word. He clearly had no intention of explaining further.

He shot a cold glance at Finn Prescott, his voice equally frigid. "Gentlemen, please, the tea room. This living room isn’t suitable for business."

With that, he turned and headed for the tea room.

Cole Prescott could tell Caleb Rhodes was displeased. He nudged Finn Prescott and whispered, "This Crown Prince doesn’t seem to be in a good mood today. You better watch what you say in a bit. Don’t screw this up. And stop staring. That young lady just now is probably his little mistress. You looked a few too many times, and he’s not happy about it."

Finn Prescott smiled. "Bro, since when did you become such a gossip?"

Cole Prescott gave him a light kick, his expression turning serious. "Remember, you can’t let this deal fall through. If you do, I’ll skin you alive."

"I know, bro!"

The faint aroma of tea rose in the tea room. Amidst this elegant setting, the fate of Reboot Technologies, a top domestic corporation, was decided.

When the discussion was more or less over, Finn Prescott used the excuse of needing a smoke and left the tea room.

Caleb Rhodes’s courtyard home was not small, several thousand square feet in total. After a short search, Finn Prescott found her on her small balcony.

It was as if she knew he was coming. She was sitting on a chair on the balcony, holding her kitten, watching him.

The weather was cold, and she was wrapped in a white cashmere blanket, which further accentuated her raven hair, snow-white skin, and crimson lips.

She held her kitten and said nothing, just watching Finn Prescott until he vaulted over the railing and onto the balcony. Only then did she speak. "Are you feeling better?"

Finn Prescott clicked his tongue, a half-smile on his face. "Concerned about me?"

Nina Wynn didn’t answer, her soft, pale fingers stroking the kitten in her lap intermittently.

The kitten had grown a little since it first arrived, but it still looked very weak. Its meows were incredibly high-pitched and kittenish.

Perhaps the man’s tall frame intimidated it. It looked up at Finn Prescott and meowed a few times, pawing restlessly in Nina Wynn’s arms.

Finn Prescott stepped forward, lifted the kitten out of her hands by the scruff, and poked it with a finger. He raised an eyebrow. "I have to say, this little thing kind of looks like you."

The kitten dangled in mid-air, meowing frantically and flailing its paws. It looked rather pitiful.

Nina Wynn grew anxious at the sight. She stood up, snatched the kitten back, and glared at him fiercely. "He’s mine, don’t mess with him!"

As she moved, the blanket slid to the floor, revealing her slender body clad only in the thin dress.

Finn Prescott bent down, picked up the blanket, and draped it over her. "It’s so cold, why are you wearing so little?"

Nina Wynn shivered from the sudden chill and mumbled, "None of your business!"

Seeing her adorably fierce expression, Finn Prescott found her rather cute. He couldn’t resist stroking her hair and whispering, "Give me your phone number. Add me on WeChat, too."

Nina Wynn took a wary step back, eyeing him coldly. "You’re Crystal Rhodes’s fiancé. You shouldn’t be bothering me."

Finn Prescott let out a low laugh. "Who said I’m getting engaged to her? The Rhodes Family?"

Nina Wynn said, "You people are all the same, you love to lie. You have girlfriends and fiancées, but you’re still greedy for more."

Before she could finish, Finn Prescott bypassed her and picked up the phone lying on the bed.

Unfortunately, Nina Wynn had a lock screen password. He raised his eyebrows and held the phone out to her. "Unlock it!"

Nina Wynn didn’t take it, a trace of anger on her face. "Get out. Who let you in?"

Finn Prescott pressed closer, whispering in her ear, "If you don’t give me your number and your WeChat, I’ll kiss you right here. Believe me?"