The words struck Mr. Collins with an unexpected force, causing his tone to take on a harsh edge.


    "My cousin is dead," he protested, "I was his second inmand. Why shouldn''t I assume his position?"


    "Isn''t your cousin''s situation still unresolved?" came the pointed inquiry. Mr. Collins hesitated, his heart pounding with a sudden realization.


    He felt as though he was on the cusp of understanding something significant, yet he couldn''t quite grasp it.


    Mr. Collins tentatively said, "Wasn''t his death just an unfortunate ident? Something that can be easily managed? As his cousin, it''s only right that I handle the aftermath of his passing."


    A smile tugged at the corner of Alexander''s mouth. He abruptly lifted his ss from the table, his eyes gleaming with a challenge. "Then we''ll wait for you to handle it well. Once that''s done, we can discuss the continuation of our cooperationter."


    Alexander''s words suggested that their cooperation was a done deal, but whether or not they would sign a contract hinged on Mr. Collins'' ability to manage his cousin''s untimely demise.


    Mr. Collins, a man of experience and shrewdness, detected the subtle undertone in Alexander''s voice. He quickly picked up his own ss, his face alight with a triumphant smile.


    "Very well. I too am eager to forge ahead with our partnership. I''ll resolve this matter as soon as possible."


    Alexander merely nodded in response, his lips sealed shut. He brought the ss to his lips and took a measured sip.


    Meanwhile, Quinn had spent a restless night gued by nightmares, only waking when dawn had already broken.She found herself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling, her mind a whirlpool of thoughts. The surroundings were strange, and she couldn''t quite ce where she was.


    Despite taking painkillers the previous night, the pain had persisted until the wee hours of the morning. Only then had the medication finally taken effect, lulling her into a fitful sleep.


    As she woke, the painkillers were still working their magic, and Quinn felt no pain. Her first instinct was to get out of bed.


    As she lifted the nket and attempted to stand, a searing pain shot through her calves. The moment her feet touched the ground, she lost her bnce and fell back onto the bed.


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    Clutching the nket, she struggled to turn her head, her gaze falling on her legs. It was then she noticed her pants had been cut off, reced by a thickyer of gauze wrapped around both her legs.


    The source of her agonyy beneath the gauze. The impact of her fall had overridden the painkillers'' effect. She copsed onto the bed, her forehead slick with cold sweat, her vision blurring.


    At that moment, Sean entered the room carrying breakfast. He found her sprawled on the bed, her legs on the floor, a mask of pain etched on her face.


    Sean rushed over, cing the breakfast on the table before helping Quinn back onto the bed.


    "Quinn, why did you try to get up? Your injury hasn''t fully healed yet, despite the painkillers."


    Through her pain, Quinn looked up at Sean. His face was somewhat familiar, yet mostly a stranger''s.After a long moment of thought, she couldn''t ce him.


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    Instinctively, she pulled her hand back and retreated further into the bed.


    Seeing her reaction, Sean assumed she was still upset about the dog attack the previous day.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    With a pained expression, Sean sighed and began to exin.


    "Quinn, I''m sorry. I should have been more careful yesterday. Those dogs aren''t fond of strangers, and since you''ve never been here before, they mistook you for an intruder. The doctor said your injuries aren''t severe. A few days of rest and you''ll be back on your feet."


    Quinn stared at him, fear causing her to curl up into a ball. Sean was a stranger, and being alone in a room with him was frightening.


    After he finished speaking, Sean looked at Quinn with a pleading expression. "Quinn, may I ask you a favor?"


    Quinn blinked, her gaze never leaving his face.