Chapter 281: I Brought Ginger Tea

Alexander’s head snapped toward Nat instantly. "Collins, what if she actually says yes?" he barked, his eyes widening in pure horror. "She takes everything literally! You’re going to end up in a tub with a woman who will ask you to measure the water displacement for maximum efficiency!"

"Hey, I’m just offering to help wash her back," Nat smirked, though his grip tightened protectively around her. "And if she lets me, I ain’t complaining."

April blinked up at Nat, her tired mind actually processing the offer for a second. "Well... my energy levels are low. A second pair of hands for utility purposes will—"

"Absolutely not!" Xavier cut in sharply, his voice dropping into that unyielding corporate authority that left zero room for discussion. "No utility baths or whatever. No joint soaking. Collins, if you so much as set foot past her bathroom threshold, I am going to have my guards drag you out."

Before Nat could hurl a snappy retort back, rapid footsteps echoed across the marble floor of the foyer.

Emily and Samuel came hurrying down the grand staircase.

The moment Emily caught sight of Nat carrying April—wrapped tightly in his oversized suit jacket, her face pale and her eyes slightly dazed—her heart leaped straight into her throat.

She sprinted down the remaining steps, completely setting aside her usual lingering fear of Nat’s terrifying presence.

"Sister!" Emily gasped, rushing straight to their side. She reached out, her hands hovering trembling over April, her eyes wide with frantic concern as she searched her face for any signs of pain. "What happened?! Are you hurt? Did something happen on the way back?!"

Samuel stepped up right behind her, his sharp eyes instantly scanning the four of them with practiced, analytical precision. Taking in Nat’s missing jacket, Xavier’s tense posture, and April being carried like a delicate glass doll, Samuel’s brows drew together into a hard, vigilant line.

"Did an incident like the previous one occur?" Samuel asked low and sharp, his posture subtly shifting into operational readiness. "Did she run into another rude individual?"

April’s face instantly flushed a brilliant shade of crimson all over again. Being carried into the grand foyer looking like a victim of an apocalyptic raid, with her beloved sister panicking and Samuel ready to mobilize a full defense—all because of her period—was almost more than her dignity could bear.

"No... nothing of sort, Samuel," April squeaked out, her face burying directly into the lapel of Nat’s jacket to hide her burning cheeks. "There’s no threat."

Emily’s eyes welled up with worried tears as she looked up at Nat, completely forgetting to be terrified of the mercenary. "Is she really okay? Why is she wearing your coat? Why isn’t she walking?!"

Nat’s eyes softened just a fraction as he looked down at the anxious sister, his heavy arm keeping April securely cradled against his chest.

"She’s fine," Nat rumbled gently, his voice devoid of its usual mocking edge. "No bad guys, no attacks. Her body’s just running low on battery tonight, and her stomach is throwing a fit."

"Her... stomach?" Emily blinked, her teary eyes darting to Xavier, who stepped forward with a reassuring smile.

"It is just severe exhaustion, Miss Emily," Xavier said smoothly, placing a gentle hand on Emily’s shoulder to calm her racing pulse. "She needs a hot bath, warm tea, and a good night’s sleep. Samuel, you can stand down. Everything is completely under control."

Samuel’s eyes flicked over the way Nat was holding her, a quiet, critical sneer passing through his thoughts.

Look at how this unrefined barbarian is hauling her around like a sack of grain, Samuel thought, his jaw tightening slightly. Clumsy brute. He’s probably going to bump her head against the railing if he doesn’t watch where he’s going. I should be the one carrying her.

"Is it... your cycle, Lady April?" Samuel asked softly, his tone shifting into that absolute, quiet gentleness, devoid of the malice in his mind.

April flushed again. How did he guess it so quickly?

She gave a tiny, humiliated nod against Nat’s chest, her cheeks burning brighter by the second.

Samuel let out a slow, controlled breath, stepping aside to clear the way up the stairs, though his eyes stayed fixed on Nat with a cool, watchful warning. "I understand. I will personally inform the kitchen to prepare a hot ginger infusion and ensure your room is properly heated."

He gave Nat one last sharp, mistrustful look before turning toward the kitchen, clearly unconvinced the man had enough finesse to navigate a set of stairs without dropping his mistress.

"I’ll go get the hot water ready right now!" Emily added quickly, hurrying up ahead of them.

Nat let out a faint, amused huff at Samuel’s obvious hostility, stepping past him to carry a thoroughly mortified April up to her room, with Xavier and Alexander following close behind.

Once they reached her spacious, private floor, they found Emily already bustling around the bedroom, fluffing the pillows and adjusting the thermostat. Samuel stepped into the room after, carrying a steaming tray, his movements immaculate and silent.

Nat carefully set April down on the plush velvet bench at the foot of her bed, though he remained standing close, his broad frame casting a warm, protective shadow over her.

Instantly, the room devolved into a coordinated flurry of group pampering.

"I brought the ginger tea," Samuel said smoothly, placing the tray on the nightstand and pouring a steaming cup. "I’ve also instructed the kitchen to prepare a light broth if you feel up to eating."

"Do you need another heat patch?" Alexander asked, leaning over slightly with genuine, attentive concern. "Or maybe an extra pillow for your back? I can fetch whatever you need from down downstairs."

"I can double-check the water temperature in the en-suite," Xavier offered, his usual crisp, corporate authority replaced by a focused, hyper-vigilant care. "Make sure it’s not too hot."

April sat frozen in the center of their attention, wrapped tightly in Nat’s oversized jacket, her dark eyes darting between the four men and Emily. The mortifying conversation from the car seemed to have completely evaporated from their minds—or rather, they were deliberately keeping the atmosphere light and attentive so she wouldn’t feel awkward.

"I’m fine," April squeaked out softly, holding up a small, defensive hand. "Really, I’m fine. I just need to take a bath and lie down."