CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 144: THE AIR IS SWEET

Later, after Sabrina finished her porridge, she still felt a bit weak.

To prevent her fever from returning, Jasper told her to continue sleeping and that they’d discharge in the morning.

Sabrina didn’t refuse but reminded him, "If you’re busy, you can go back first. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be fine after a nap, surely better by morning."

"How could I leave you here alone?"

Jasper glanced down at her, saying firmly, "You sleep, and I’ll make do on the sofa for the night. We’ll talk in the morning."

Having said that, he lifted his hand to tuck her in a little more, then turned and settled on the sofa.

Watching his tall figure, Sabrina inexplicably felt at ease.

How could someone be so considerate and courteous?

It seemed like as long as he was there, everything would be okay.

Cradling a sense of complete security, Sabrina fell asleep once more.

During the night, she occasionally felt like someone was touching her forehead.

However, she slept soundly and didn’t wake up.

She slept well through the night.

The next morning, she woke up, and her fever had nearly subsided.

Jasper had someone prepare clean clothes for her. "Freshen up, then come out for breakfast. We’ll do the discharge paperwork and I’ll take you back to the hotel."

Sabrina nodded and followed his instructions.

When she came out after changing, she looked a bit surprised.

These clothes... the fit was perfect!

But if she remembered correctly, she hadn’t mentioned her size, had she?

"What’s wrong, doesn’t it fit?"

Jasper was already waiting for her at the table and couldn’t help but give her a once-over when he saw her expression.

The dress and coat both fit perfectly.

He assessed, "It suits you well. Looks like my estimation was spot on?"

Sabrina’s ears burned a little.

Estimations could be this accurate?

Was it from just looking?

That was rather impressive...

"Thank you."

Sabrina sat across from him, speaking softly, "How much was it? I’ll transfer you the money."

Jasper handed her a spoon, a hint of amusement in his expression, "You ended up in the hospital last night to bring me the bracelet. By that logic, I’m partly responsible. Are you really going to be that precise with me?

No need to transfer. It’s a gift for you!"

Sabrina was about to say more, but realizing he wouldn’t accept it, she decided not to insist.

After breakfast, Nash had already completed the discharge formalities.

Then, he took Sabrina back to the hotel.

Upon arrival, Jasper asked her, "How long will you be staying in Aethel this time?"

Sabrina answered truthfully, "I’ll be signing an agreement with two directors today and leaving in the afternoon once it’s done."

Jasper nodded slightly, "Since it’s a rare visit, I ought to have shown some hospitality and treated you to a meal, but it seems there’s no chance this time."

Sabrina chuckled lightly, "It’s alright, you’ve already taken care of me overnight—that’s more than enough... Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be off then?"

Jasper had no objections, but before she got out of the car, he handed her a bag.

Sabrina glanced inside the bag, "What’s this...?"

"A New Year’s gift for you and Zara."

Jasper replied easily.

Sabrina blinked.

If she wasn’t mistaken, inside was a set of paintbrushes and a tin of candy and chocolate?

She couldn’t help but ask, "Which one... is for me?"

With a slightly amused look in his eyes, Jasper said, "The paintbrushes are for Zara. The candy’s for you."

Sabrina, "???"

Wasn’t it the wrong way around?

Seeing her bewildered expression, a smile flickered in Jasper’s eyes, "Zara doesn’t have low blood sugar, she shouldn’t need those. Plus, she’s still young, too much candy isn’t good for her teeth."

Sabrina’s cheeks flushed, finally understanding what was going on.

Although... it was true she had low blood sugar.

Still, being coaxed like a child was somehow inexplicably embarrassing.

Sabrina hurriedly got out of the car and bid farewell, "Mr. Fitzgerald, take care on the way back. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head up now. See you after the New Year."

With that, she waved and went into the hotel.

Jasper watched her leave, unable to hide the pleasant expression on his face.

Nash, seated in the driver’s seat, "..."

Why did the air feel so sweet?

It must be the effect of that bag of candy!!!

...

As Sabrina made a hasty retreat to her room, she happened to encounter Josee knocking on her door.

Seeing that she was coming from outside, Josee was quite surprised, "You’re up so early? And carrying all those bags? Feeling better?"

Last night, after finishing his commitments, he had come to check on her.

He had knocked on her door for quite a while with no response and assumed she was sleeping deeply, so he hadn’t disturbed her further.

Finding her outside early in the morning was unexpected.

Sabrina didn’t elaborate on last night’s events.

Firstly, she didn’t want Josee to worry, and secondly, since everything was fine now, there was no need to bring it up.

She nodded, "I’m much better now. Some medicine and I’ll be totally fine. This is the New Year’s gift for Zara."

Josee sighed in relief, "As long as you’re okay. Well, get ready. We’ll head over to sign the contract later. I’ve booked tickets for the flight back to Veridia this afternoon. Once we’re home, you can take a vacation.

Rest well during this time, take care of your health, and don’t overexert yourself."

"Alright."

Sabrina had no objections. After placing her things in the room, she left with Josee.

The Fitzgerald family manor.

Jasper had just returned from outside and ran into the elder Fitzgerald, who was playing with birds in the yard.

The elder was dressed in a white outfit, looking as though he’d just finished Tai Chi, full of spirit and vigor.

"Grandfather."

Jasper approached, greeting him calmly.

The elder Fitzgerald glanced at him upon hearing the greeting and asked nonchalantly, "Out all night, where were you last night?"

Jasper hadn’t slept well at the hospital, so he looked a bit tired, even his tone was slightly lazy, "I attended a banquet, wasn’t it you who asked me to go?"

"Don’t give me that."

The elder had just finished feeding the birds and turned to glare at him, "You ran off halfway through last night; don’t think I don’t know!"

Jasper raised an eyebrow, half-joking, "Ran off with a girl."

The elder huffed and glared, "If you could actually run off with a girl, I wouldn’t need to go through all this trouble arranging for you to attend such occasions! All the esteemed ladies invited last night were in the banquet hall!"

Jasper shrugged off his suit jacket with a casual tone, "Even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe it. I’m off to freshen up."

"Hold on."

The elder stopped him, his expression turning stern, "I arranged for you to attend that banquet for a reason, you understand? After New Year’s, you should stay in Aethel and not go back to Veridia!"

Jasper remained composed, "I have unfinished work."

The elder insisted, "That work of yours never lasts long. There’s no need to live in Veridia long-term. Your home is in Aethel!"

Saying this, he gestured around, "Look at this huge house, it’s empty with just me, an old man. Can you bear that?"

Jasper smiled faintly, "What? Isn’t Uncle’s family, along with the housekeepers, servants, and guards, considered people?"