Chapter 24

Lianne would never put herself in such a terrifying position again. The highlands differed vastly in climate during the day and night. Lianne shuddered in the cold breeze. Zane removed his jacket for her, but Lianne declined the offer. “Mr. Atlas, I’m wearing a down jacket. You won’t have anything thick to wear if you give me your jacket. You’ll freeze.” The man had a clear head. While Zane’s health was at its peak, his tattered white shirt would not shield him from the freezing temperatures. Besides, Lianne risked her life to save him. Her injury would be in vain if he were to catch hypothermia instead. Since Zane could not provide Lianne with extra clothing, he tried to steady or hold her in case she fell. Alas, Lianne refused his kind gestures. She insisted on walking herself, and her show of toughness and independence came off as a little headstrong. During the more than half an hour journey along the rugged mountain path, they maintained a certain distance from each