Love Unspoken

Chapter 1204

When Quinn got back, Alexander was already up, sitting by the fire and staring hard at the cave entrance. "Where'd you go?" he asked.

Quinn glanced at the perilla in her arms and plopped down in front of him. "Feelin' any better?"

"Still kickin'," he said, his eyes roaming over her bare shoulders, checking her out from top to bottom.

Quinn caught his look and grabbed a coat from him to cover up, blocking his view.

Alexander chuckled. "You think I can do anything to you in this state?"

Quinn paused for a sec, ignored his comment, and started crushing the perilla to slap it on his wound.

He was still a bit feverish, and after she applied the stuff, sweat beaded on his forehead.

Quinn said, "You need to rest up. We'll talk when you're better."

Alexander suddenly hugged her. "You goin' out to hunt to feed me?"

Quinn was a bit taken aback. She could barely hunt; she was more likely to end up as some wild animal's dinner. "I'll figure something out. Just let go of me first," she said.

"I'm cold," Alexander said, tightening his grip.

Quinn tried to take off the coat she was wearing, but he stopped her. "Don't take it off, or I'll get turned on."

"Things are so messed up right now, and you can still get turned on?" Quinn said, feeling a bit speechless.

"If you keep your clothes on, I won't get turned on," Alexander remarked.

In the end, Quinn didn't take it off. She was afraid that before Alexander did anything, she wouldn't be able to handle it herself, especially since the medicine's effects hadn't worn off yet. After a while, she pushed Alexander away, stood up, and said, "I'll go collect some firewood. Rest up."

She walked out of the cave and started gathering firewood nearby to avoid running out like the previous night. She piled several stacks at the cave entrance.

Meanwhile, Walter had been in the village for two whole days without making any moves.

Sean had gone out and returned to find him still sitting at the entrance, sipping tea like he had all the time in the world. Sean couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Didn't you say you were gonna find Alistair? Why are you still sittin' here?"

Walter glanced at him and smiled faintly. "What's the rush? Alexander ain't coming out anytime soon. Why are you all so antsy?"

Sean sneered. Of course, he was anxious. He wanted to find Alistair ASAP, partly to stop him from escaping and partly 'cause he feared Alexander might not wanna come out after staying in the forest too long. "It's none of your business. If you're not gonna find him, then don't stay here," Sean said irritably.

"In that case, I won't stay here," Walter said slowly.

Then he patted the wrinkles on his pants, stood up leisurely, walked past Sean, and got into his car without looking back.

Sean stared blankly at the car. Did he really leave?

The others exchanged puzzled looks, not quite getting what Walter was up to.

After a moment, Sean realized what was happening and quickly ran to his car. "Follow him."

The car drove on the bumpy road, followed by several other cars. Walter turned his head slightly and looked through the rearview mirror.

He chuckled.

Sean kept following him, from the dirt road to the paved road, and then along the paved road for a long time.

As they approached the bustling area, Sean got a message on his phone.

He opened it and saw it was from an unknown number: [You bringing so many people 'cause you're afraid Alistair won't notice you?]

Sean was stunned and instinctively looked at the car in front of him.

He had been bringing a lot of people these days, but they never managed to catch Alistair, partly because of this reason. However, if he didn't bring enough people, he was worried they wouldn't be able to handle Alistair and his crew.

So it was a bit of a dilemma. Bringing people could easily alert Alistair, but not bringing enough people could mean they couldn't win a fight.

He thought for a while and finally decided to send everyone back. But before he could give the order, another message from Walter arrived.

Walter: [Have them split up and act separately. Don't stay together.]

Chapter 1203

After a short walk, the fire in her hand fizzled out, leaving just some glowing embers. It was still tough to see, but hey, better than pitch black.

She crouched down, using the faint light to scrounge up some dry branches. While gathering firewood, she accidentally brushed against a few bugs, which totally freaked her out. She patted her chest, taking deep breaths. Even though she was scared, she kept searching for firewood under the trees. There wasn't much else around, but there were plenty of dry branches. She quickly bundled them up and hurried back. Once inside the cave, she felt a bit more at ease.

She let out a long breath, dropped the firewood on the ground, and noticed a few centipedes and some other creepy crawlies in the pile. Gritting her teeth, she grabbed a stone and smashed the centipedes that crawled out, then tossed the other bugs straight into the fire. While burning them, she kept glancing over, worried her noise would wake Alexander.

But honestly, she wasn't being quiet, and Alexander didn't wake up.

Usually, he'd wake up at the slightest noise, but now he was out cold.

Quinn hesitated for a sec, then carefully walked over to him, squatting down and reaching out a finger to check his breath. He was still alive.

She let out a sigh of relief, but before she could pull her hand back, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Looking up, she saw Alexander still had his eyes closed, just holding her hand.

A force pulled her wrist, and she fell into his arms, where he held her tight.

"Cold, let me hold you for a while," he croaked.

Quinn stayed still, pressing against his chest and listening to his steady heartbeat.

The fire beside them crackled, and she could smell the bugs burning.

The fire was about to die out again, so Quinn had to break free and toss in more firewood.

She glanced back at Alexander, his brows furrowed, and his forehead still sweaty.

Quinn walked back, reached out to touch his forehead, and found it still burning hot.

But he said he was cold.

She gritted her teeth and took off her clothes to cover him. She still had a dress underneath, though it was pretty torn up.

Since there was no one else around, she took off one sleeve and tied the torn dress into a few knots, barely covering her chest.

The firewood she had collected burned out, and it started to get light outside, making it barely possible to see.

Quinn grabbed a dagger and headed out again.

Finding food was a no-go; she was on the hunt for herbs. Besides mugwort, she didn't recognize much else. She pulled up a lot of mugwort and found a cluster of perilla on her way back. Quinn was kinda excited; perilla seemed useful and maybe better than mugwort.

She dropped the mugwort and ran over, cutting a big bunch of perilla with her dagger. She even thought about taking the whole cluster back.

But as she pulled aside the vines, a black-and-white snake coiled in the grass, making her face go pale. She dropped the vines and stumbled back.

She tripped over something and fell to the ground.

She watched the snake slither out of the grass, her limbs weak. The perilla she had picked fell, and she didn't dare move, instinctively gripping the dagger.

Quinn was ready for a life-and-death showdown with the snake, but to her surprise, the snake ignored her and slithered away.

She let out a sigh of relief, trembling as she got up from the ground. She then picked up the fallen perilla and, not daring to take more, hurried back with what she had.

Chapter 1202

By the flickering firelight, Quinn finally noticed how pale Alexander looked-way paler than he had been earlier.

Alexander grabbed her hand and pulled it away from his forehead. "I'm good. Just gotta sweat it out."

His voice was weak, and even his coughs sounded feeble.

Quinn squatted down to check his wound.

In this weather, it probably wasn't a cold; more likely, his wound was infected and causing a fever. If that was the case, they were in deep trouble.

She untied the cloth strips on his body. The wound on his arm looked the same, but there was a swollen area on his back, the deepest part of the wound, showing signs of pus. "Your wound's infected," Quinn said, worried, glancing at him. "What do we do? Got any disinfectant in your pocket?"

Alexander shook his head, a bit amused. "Nope, you really think I carry everything in my pockets, huh?"

"So, what now?" Quinn asked.

"I won't die," he said, looking at her again. "Are you worried about me, or worried you won't get out?"

Quinn opened her mouth, ready to say the latter, but when she saw the serious look in his deep eyes, she held back.

Unlike his usual teasing, this time he was dead serious.

So she swallowed her words.

Alexander stared at her for a long time, and when he didn't get an answer, he looked away and tossed some firewood into the fire.

"Don't worry. I won't die that easily. Even if I do, I'll make sure you get out first," he said calmly.

Quinn's eyes flickered. She lowered her head and was silent for a moment before suddenly getting up and heading out.

Before she could leave, Alexander grabbed her wrist. "Where you going?"

"I'm going to get some water to boil. You got salt, right? We can use saltwater to clean your wound." She added, "I'll be right outside, not going far." It was late, and she didn't dare go far.

Alexander let go of her.

Quinn went outside, dug some soil near the spring, and made a makeshift pot. There were a few banana leaves in the cave, almost dry but still usable. After cleaning them, she lined the pot with the leaves, filled it with spring water, and brought it back to boil over the fire.

She tore a piece of the bedsheet, washed it in the water, and then poured the remaining half bottle of salt into the boiling water.

"You used it all up. What are we gonna eat?" Alexander asked.

"Who cares about eating when your life's on the line?" Quinn soaked the cloth in the water for two minutes, then took it out to clean his wound. He seemed really weak now, sitting quietly without his usual teasing.

Quinn cleaned his wound over and over until the water was completely cool, then she put down the cloth.

She asked Alexander, "Feeling any better?"

Alexander smirked. "It's not that quick."

Quinn pressed her lips together and draped the remaining piece of the bedsheet over him. "Then rest for a while. I'll tend the fire."

Alexander leaned against the cave wall, watching her with lowered eyes.

"And you say you don't care about me," he said.

not wanting to talk

almost gone. She glanced back at Alexander, who had closed his eyes, his forehead covered in

fever or the heat

make

got up, and went outside. It was pitch dark, and she couldn't see anything. She started to get nervous as soon as she stepped out. But the fire was almost out.

Chapter 1201

of dew splashed on her face. She shot up, touched her face, and sighed in relief when she realized it was just dew. This forest had her on edge, always feeling

looked around and noticed Alexander was nowhere to be seen. She was lying on a pile

of confusion, she started looking for

coming

was lugging some banana leaves,

dropped his haul, and said, "You

nodded and glanced at the stuff on the ground.

direction of the cave. Let's eat first before we

a bit more at ease. Being in the cave was better than being out in the wild; at least it

better than a bloody one. They had cooked a lot of wild veggies yesterday, but they weren't filling at all. He handed Quinn a rabbit leg, which was enough to fill

packed the leftover meat and

trekked through the forest, they ran into a bunch of unfamiliar creatures,

distance without realizing it. When the forest darkened, Quinn finally saw

After two days away, the cave

at the sky outside, unsure of how long they had been stuck in this forest. She also wondered how Abigail was

but ask Alexander, "Can we really get out of

and said, "After we get out, will you

helplessly, "Why are you asking

another question. After we get out, can

Quinn fell silent.

ungrateful, she couldn't bring herself

we won't get

"What do you

lay down on the ground casually, resting his head on his arms as if giving up. "Since you don't plan to see me after we get out, why should I risk my life to scout the way out?" He added, "You've seen how dangerous it is out

silent again. She had indeed seen how dangerous it was; his injuries were still

thought for a moment, but still didn't know what

she was

day, she leaned

awakened by a bout of coughing. Quinn opened her eyes and saw Alexander sitting by the fire, adding wood while coughing with his

suddenly became alert and sat up straight. "What's wrong

a bit cold," he said casually, adding a lot of branches to the fire. The blazing fire lit up the cave, and even from a distance, Quinn could feel the heat. Yet he said he

you have a fever?" she asked, all

Chapter 155

an insistent piece of gum, utterly shameless. "What kind of fortune did our village strike? Is there

as he snapped back, "There were no renovations or payouts! The people in our village work hard and earn their living honestly, unlike your family, who just got lucky and picked up a stray daughter. You contributed nothing yet still managed to extort a

referring to how the

biological family. Before that, they had already discussed how she must have been adopted,

result, their feelings towards Shawn's family were hardly positive. They openly scolded them for

It's nothing close to a huge sum.

implication was clear-he would extort even more if given

he said. "What

"N-Nothing."

foolish enough to reveal his plans. After all, he had already made a deal with Kayla. Once he got rid of Felicia, the wealth of

a time when these villagers who looked down on him would beg for his

and pleased with himself. Meanwhile, the others in the village were unwilling to deal with such a scoundrel. They quickly left the

home, he cast one last wary glance at Shawn. Feeling uneasy, he immediately called for his grandson and instructed, "Lucas, go find Felicia. Tell her Shawn is back in the village and making a scene.

"Got it!"

his toy car and sprinted

Alverton that had long been

been

still-warm hearth. These were left over from breakfast, and Macey had tossed

heat, but once peeled, they released steam and smelled wonderfully sweet. "Felicia!" Lucas blinked,

eat sweet potatoes, he still felt hungry when he saw them in the hands

is for you. Be careful, it's

cool it down. After taking a few bites, he remembered his grandfather's instructions and reported,

did your

cheeks full, "Grandpa also said

help

he was being chased for debts and had already lost a couple of fingers. He was likely desperate, clinging to Kayla and

wonder why Shawn would

Chapter 154

Alverton echoed with the loud roar of a sports car. At first, the villagers were puzzled, thinking another outsider had arrived. However, when the car door swung open and a flamboyant figure stepped out, the onlookers exchanged glances and promptly turned to leave as if trying to avoid something

multiple times, often leading to confrontations. Yet Howell and Tabitha, his parents, were utterly shameless. They not only failed to

the villagers preferred

now, they were quick

car to show off his former wealth. He believed that his status had risen above that of the villagers, whom he looked down upon as mere ants. But the villagers didn't buy his act.

boast. But before he could say a word, the villager scoffed. "Make sure to

face flushed

the car was

million dollars from the Fuller family, he bought a sports car, but Lance seized it to cover

en

Instead, he sneered, "You group of frogs in a well, you

shot him a cold glance and retorted,

hand was wrapped

Shawn's face twisted with rage. "Did

responded

mind, that was the only possibility. His expression darkened further as he spat out, "That little brat thinks she's untouchable, but I'll deal with

closest to him, overheard that. Though he was typically kind-hearted, he wasted no time before slapping Shawn across the face. "You

as he was about to retaliate, other villagers rushed

Charles West, the village chief, looked furious. His expression was a

ready to explode, but

I.ne

in the village. Behind the village lay fields abundant with. crops and further ahead were fows of vegetable greenhouses that

had repaired their homes. There were even numerous construction projects underway,

Chapter 153

frenzied and twisted emotions threatening to erupt. She managed to hold back her anger, though just barely. "Arnie, my foot hurts. Can you carry me over

car had broken down, and the driver needed to stay behind to arrange repairs. Moreover, Kayla had traveled such a long way to get here; it was impossible for her to be sent away now. For this reason, Kayla would have to stay

it, yet Kayla insisted that she had injured it in

her face was pale and pitiful. It made it hard for Arnold to turn her

bent down, offering, "Get on my back.

evident as she jumped onto his back.

numerous gazes, Arnold carried Kayla

since they didn't know them, but the students participating in the training program

to have the village head find another family for Kayla to stay with. However, with all the other families' houses already full and

was only one

college doctor checked Kayla's foot and confirmed

en

arm, "Arnie, where are you going? Are you really going to leave me here alone? I'm not familiar with this place, and I'm scared..." Arnold had been planning to find a separate place

a pitiful facade as her

"You get some rest. I'll be in the living room. If you need anything, just call me." With that, he stepped out of the

to explode! "Felicia!" she hissed through

Felicia, the thorn in

voice low as she snapped, "Why haven't you arrived yet? It's been two days! Have you gotten everything prepared? Don't you

if he were driving. "It's all set! I'll be at Alverton in

this, Kayla felt

money she had invested was considerable. As long as Shawn's actions bore

Chapter 152

to an end, and Felicia didn't bother to find out who would tow the

the night before. Clinging tightly to Arnold's waist, she looked up

as dangerous as you think." However, the words were caught in his throat, and

night's events must have scared Kayla terribly-just like when he first arrived at the scene panic-stricken. It was only after Felicia scolded him that he realized his concern was causing him to lose focus. The terrain looked frightening, but there was

too late to say such

to Arnold, fearing that if she let go, he would disappear. Her pitiful

a group of students who had heard about the incident rushed over to see the

she? She must have rushed over in the middle of the night. Talk about

on the list for this training program. She had only gotten wind of the situation because her good

some resentment toward Kayla after yesterday's events, her hatred for

life

into a car accident. Thankfully, you're okay. Otherwise, wouldn't Mr. Lawson feel guilty for a

laced with sarcasm, and Arnold could clearly hear it. He shot her

initially feeling scared. She began to pick up on the indifference on Arnold's face, and her

did, and it was clear that something had happened over the past few days. Otherwise,

unease, she followed Arnold's gaze and was taken

these past few days. You even hung up on me yesterday.

she spoke, Arnold seemed to

pained smile and asked, "Arnie, who are you thinking

it, his voice filled with resistance as he replied, "Don't talk nonsense. How

clear disdain was unmasked. While Kayla initially wanted to laugh,

not to like her, often indicated that he had begun to

Chapter 151

"Ruben,

was one of the Fuller family's dedicated drivers. He was always on standby and had years

Ms. Kayla urged me to drive her to Alverton. I wasn't familiar with the road and mistakenly followed

only had Kayla been upset, but she had also taken out her frustration on him by kicking his seat while he

focus for just a moment, causing the car to veer off the road and get stuck on the edge of the slope. From their perspective inside the vehicle, it felt like they were hanging over a precipice, so they didn't dare to move. Even

If it hadn't been for Kayla distracting him,

be a driver for the Fuller family and that she would make sure he was fired as soon as they got out, putting

reason, he would have wanted to take

he reflected on this, he tightened his grip

If Kayla pushed him too far, he

Felicia didn't pry further.

felt relieved and began to

scolded by Arnold earlier, tried to leave but was stopped by Felicia. "Mr.

She walked

to Arnold and saw

up to

he was tightly

crying.

they had just

hold back, she spoke up,

his attention to Felicia. "What

cold as she stated, "You should apologize to Mr.

bit awkward and gently tugged at Felicia's sleeve. "Licia, let's just

she let

Felicia stood her ground.

who was studying in another city. Any daughter would be upset if she

asking for a piece of

Arnold had regained his composure. Regardless of the circumstances, these villagers had