Chapter 8: Get Off Me!

Conor snapped back to reality, realizing his thoughts were bordering on ridiculous. How could Stacey possibly have another man? "Were there any signs of another man at the scene?" Conor asked, his voice frosty. "Nah, only her footprints and those of the two other guys. No traces of a fourth person," Lennox responded. "Drop the investigation," Conor stated flatly. "There's no way anyone helped her. If someone had. She wouldn't have ended up being sold to the Burton family by her dad." "But don't you find it odd?" Lennox Robinson asked, "She's so small and frail yet managed to overpower two men?" "She was raised in the countryside, tending pigs," Conor said coolly. "She's stronger than she looks." "Huh?" Lennox was surprised, "Conor, what's this fool's story?" Conor's icy eyes narrowed, "Who are you calling a fool?" Lennox was left speechless. Was Conor getting defensive? "What should I call her then?" Lennox Robinson asked, puzzled. "Stace?" Conor's dark gaze grew frostier, "Are you well-acquainted with her, to be on such intimate terms?" "How about Mrs. Burton then?" Lennox Robinson asked helplessly. Conor spoke coldly, "How are those two men? Did they say anything?" "Here's the weird part," Lennox said thoughtfully, "Their injuries are not severe, yet they remain unconscious. The doctors ran all sorts of tests, but everything came back normal. Isn't that strange?" "Let's end this matter. Find a way to deal with those two. We can't let their families cause trouble for Stacey," Conor stated cryptically. "She might be naive, and it's her misfortune to be married to me. But I won't let her be bullied." Lennox wasn't happy with Conor's words, "Don't talk like that. Once we locate that miracle doctor, maybe your condition will improve." "She's been missing for six years," Conor said coldly, "In all this time, there's been no trace of her. Maybe she had an accident and was dead." "The Green family sure is cunning. They lured you in. Promising you could meet the miracle doctor. Only to leave you..." Lennox Robinson grumbled angrily. Conor looked at him with a deep chill, "Have them keep investigating. We need to find that woman." "Conor. I've always had a rather audacious hypothesis," Lennox Robinson said meaningfully, "Do you think that woman could be the miracle doctor?" "Impossible," Conor shook his head, "She had already left by the time I arrived." "Oh," Lennox Robinson nodded, "But don't worry, Conor, I'll help you find both that woman and the miracle doctor." "Cough, cough." Conor suddenly broke into a fit of coughing. Lennox looked startled. "Conor, did you catch a cold?" "I got a bit wet rescuing Stacey," Conor replied, his voice cold. "It's nothing." "What do you mean 'nothing'?" Lennox Robinson sounded worried. "You know your body can't handle being sick. It could be serious." "I'm fine," Conor said in a deep voice. "Keep your voice down. Don't let anyone hear." Lennox Robinson pressed his lips together. "I get it. You're worried your grandma will hear and blame it on Stacey." "Since you know, save your breath," Conor said tersely. "Just leave." "If you feel unwell tonight, call me," Lennox said, sounding concerned. "I know what I'm doing," Conor brushed him off. With reluctance, Lennox Robinson left. Conor returned to his bedroom, where Stacey was now in fresh clothes and sitting on the plush carpet, lost in thought while holding a stuffed toy. Lennox Robinson had brought her an outfit that seemed made for a sweet girl. Stacey was in a pink hoodie with cute bunny ears on the hood, looking pretty. Despite her unattractive features, her eyes were big and sparkling, radiating innocence and vulnerability that could melt a heart. "Stacey," Conor crouched down next to her. "Hmm?" Stacey looked at him blankly. "You can sleep on the bed later. If you're scared, leave the lights on," Conor told her. Stacey blinked, not quite getting it. "I'll be sleeping in the study tonight. But don't bother me, and don't tell grandma, OK? If you spill the beans, you'll get in trouble. Got it?" Conor's voice was frosty. Stacey nodded. Her dark eyes locked onto Conor's, their meaning obscure. "OK," she agreed with a nod. Satisfied, Conor stood up, ready to leave. But as he took a step, a sharp pain tore through his chest. "Ugh!" He grunted, falling to the floor. Stacey dropped her toy and rushed over to him. "Conor?" She tried to shake him, but he didn't respond. His face was quickly draining of color. Stacey's dark eyes widened in alarm as she felt his pulse. Quickly, she fetched a pill from her bunny toy's backpack. She rolled Conor onto his back and tried to force his lips open to insert the medicine, but Conor didn't react. Stacey bit her lip, took the pill out of his mouth, popped it into her own, and drank some warm water to dissolve the pill. After a glance at Conor's soft lips, she leaned over and transferred the medicine to him through a kiss. With her "assistance," Conor swallowed most of the medicine. Some trickled down his lean lips and soaked into his collar. Stacey wiped his mouth clean, careful to leave no trace. She was about to wash her hands when suddenly, she was yanked back by a powerful force. Before she could react, Conor had her trapped underneath him. "Get off me!" Stacey yelled, her heart pounding. As she squirmed, she looked into his eyes, which were a frightening, fiery red. A chill ran down her spine. In all her experience with patients, Conor was a unique case. Before checking his pulse, she had made a medicinal pill based on the information she had. She was curious to know if this mixture would work. But she was sure it wouldn't hurt him. And his current state was something she hadn't anticipated!! Conor moved his lips near her neck. He had never smelled anything so sweet. Then, he bit down. "Ah!" Stacey gasped, pain shooting through her. "Ouch!" Was he a vampire? After a moment, Conor went still. Despite her best efforts, Stacey couldn't move him. She had never actually raised pigs. That was a lie. Now, trapped under this man, she could only wait for him to come to his senses and let her go.