My yell drew curious stares from onlookers, but unfortunately, my words didn't reach my intended target. Lily Lang smiled innocently as she accepted the glass from her stepsister and then drank it.
Oh boy. This wasn't good.
Unfortunately, I had caused a ruckus and everyone was glaring at me. Justin Han, in particular, was smirking at me. God damn it…of all the people to laugh at me…
Cursing, I dodged behind a pillar and forced myself to calm down. I was too late. There wasn't anything I could at the moment except…I don't know. What could I do? Report this to the police? But I didn't have any evidence.
Seriously, what were you expecting? For me to pull my smartphone and record Linda Ling spiking the drink? By the time I found the function and hit the record button, she would have already tossed the sachet away.
"Ugh…"
I sighed and slumped against the pillar. I noticed that there were still people staring at me in amusement, so I grimaced and slunk away. Like I said, I hated these banquets. What did they call this nonsense? High society? Screw that. I would much rather spend my time in my garage, in the company of my robots. My Titan was calling for me.
Then I remembered William's instructions. He was right. There wasn't anything I could do until I found some way to fund the components I needed for the shield generator. Once I perfected that, I would have a product to show to the investors. I would be able to secure alternative funding, which would allow me to pay the banks back and pull my company out of the red.
For tonight, though, I might as well accept the hospitality of my hosts.
Once I had disappeared from the eyes of the CEOs, heirs, heiresses, and other people of high social status, I proceeded toward the lobby. There was little point in sticking around. Everyone would continue to mock me, especially that damned Justin Han. I would much prefer to retire early. Besides, I had my fill of food, so I didn't have a reason to stay in the stifling reception hall.
"What should I do now?"
I spent a few minutes relaxing on one of those luxurious leather couches in the lobby, staring blankly at the ceiling. At this time of the night, there were still a lot of people walking about, and once again I drew several curious glances from the guests in the hotel. Feeling uncomfortable, I sat up and fiddled with my smartphone.
Swiping the screen, I saw that William had sent me a text with a code on it. Approaching the receptionists at the lobby, I displayed the code and they handed me a key.
"Room 1416, huh?"
When I got to the fourteenth floor, I moved through the corridor while searching for my room. While I did so, I overheard a conversation.
"Mr. Pang, don't worry. I'll get my sister to accompany you tonight. She's in the restroom right now, but I'll lead her to your room later. Just be patient."
"Ha ha ha! Thank you, Linda Ling. I really appreciate it."
"No, not at all. I'm happy to help. Remember our deal."
I stopped when I heard the familiar voice. Linda Ling was speaking to a balding, overweight man. I didn't recognize him, but apparently Linda Ling called him Mr. Pang. Most likely he was a CEO, but much richer than me.
He was already halfway toward undressing, his jacket removed and hanging from his arm, and a few of the buttons on his shirt unbuttoned, exposing his bulging belly. He licked his lips as he raked his eyes over Linda Ling's gorgeous figure in a lecherous manner. Even Linda Ling didn't seem comfortable with accompanying him.
"Uh, I will have to go fetch my sister now. I'll be back, Mr. Pang."
"Sure! I look forward to it!"
Mr. Pang chortled, resting his hands on his stomach. I scowled, realizing what this was. That bitch, Linda Ling, was plotting against her stepsister. That explained the whole drugging thing.
I scratched my head, wondering what I should do. Shaking my head, I turned, only to see Lily Ling stumble out of the public restroom, looking extremely red.
She staggered forward, only to topple over. I quickly moved forward and caught her before she could hit the ground.
"Are you all right?" I asked, concerned. Lily groaned incoherently, but her eyes remained close. I supported her, feeling the heat radiating from her body. Did she have a fever or something? No, this was caused by the drug that her stepsister put in her drink, wasn't it?
I didn't have time to think. I could hear footsteps approaching. Linda Ling was approaching, and fast. I had to do something before she found us.
I swiftly pulled Lily along the corridor, swinging her arm over my shoulders and half-supporting her by placing my hand on her delicate waist. It was unfortunate, but I wasn't very fit or strong, so there was no romantic princess carry where I swept her off her feet and carried her in my arms. Perhaps some muscular and handsome CEO might be capable of that, but I was just a plain and poor CEO who was about to lose my job and my company.
Fortunately, I still had enough strength to half-carry Lily. Turning around the bend, I tried to move as swiftly as possible. I heard Linda push open the door to the restroom and entered, calling out for Lily.
"Sister? Are you there? Where are you?"
I had to hurry and help hide Lily before Linda realized that her sister was no longer in the restroom. While dragging her along the corridor, I spotted my room. 1416.
Excellent.
With a surge of strength, I stumbled toward my door and scanned my keycard. There was a click and the door automatically swung open. I partially pushed Lily inside before spinning around and shutting the door.
"Ugh…"
Lily was moaning as she leaned against the wall, her face completely flushed. She cocked her head toward me, her eyes lolling, and whispered something feverishly.
"There was something wrong with the drink."
"Huh? Oh, right. Do you mean the drink your stepsister gave you?"
"Y…yes…I can't control myself." Lily shuddered, tears leaking from her eyes. Her mouth was slightly open and she panted. "Ah!"
"Are you okay?" I asked nervously. Lily gritted her teeth and shook her head, her hands rubbing against her chest and stomach.
"My…my body is burning. I…I don't know what's happening to me."
She wrapped her hands around the back of my neck and pulled me closer. I managed to put my fingers between us and stopped her from kissing me. Our faces were a few centimeters apart and I could see Lily gazing helplessly at me with those sapphire blue eyes of hers. I could feel her warm breath on my face.
"Please help me," she pleaded hoarsely. I tore out of her grasp and backed away, but I didn't escape.
"Right. I will do my best."
Glancing around, I then pushed her into the bathroom and placed her in the bathtub. I shoved her hands away and doused her in cold water.
"Whoa!" she cried out, flailing about frantically. "Cold…cold! Stop that!"
"Just bear with it for a while," I instructed. Lily trembled uncontrollably, wrapping her hands around herself even as I continued to drench her in more cold water. Slowly, the redness receded from her face, and she appeared to have dozed off.
"Are you all right now?" I asked, but received no answer. Lily lay in the bathtub, her eyes closed. I placed a finger on her forehead and realized just how cold she was. Her body temperature had plummeted drastically and I was pretty sure it wasn't a good thing.
Uh oh. I hadn't studied medicine so I had no medical knowledge, but I was sure I read somewhere that she would catch pneumonia if I left her like this in the cold. No, was it hypothermia? Damn. I had no idea. Then again, I wasn't a doctor. I was a CEO. Actually…I should be ashamed of calling myself a CEO given how terrible my business sense was (and I didn't study in business school anyway).
"What should I do?"
I looked around and caught sight of the white towels and robes that the hotel had kindly left for guests. Turning back to Lily, I saw that her expensive gown was completely soaked.
That wouldn't do.
I was uncomfortable with the idea of helping a stranger change her clothes. But I didn't know what else I could do. I didn't have female maids or servants whose help I could call upon. And I couldn't deliver Lily back to her sister. Linda evidently had insidious schemes planned for her – I wouldn't be surprised if she orchestrated the whole thing to ruin her sister's reputation.
But to drug her and then get her raped by a balding, overweight man…what kind of sister was she? She was a fucking bitch, that was for sure.
Speaking of which, I recalled William's words. Didn't he mention that Linda and Lily had bad blood between them, and that the former stole the latter's fiancé? It seemed that she was also aiming for Lily's position as the heiress as well. A scandal would almost guarantee that Lily would lose her inheritance.
Poor Lily. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Unfortunately, I couldn't leave her like this either. There was no point saving her from rape, only to watch her die from hypothermia.
"I'm very sorry," I told her, even though she clearly couldn't hear me right now. Reaching for her, I began to change her out of her wet gown and into the bathrobe.