Chapter 5

As Richard's mouth curved into a smile, a glistening trail of saliva dripped from the corner of his lips.

Catherine's pupils constricted as she shouted, "Don't move!"

She grabbed a towel with one hand and wiped Richard's mouth, her movements rough enough to fill his eyes with resentment.

"Ouch! Ouch! Could you be a little gentler?"

Catherine's eyelid twitched violently. After suppressing this strange feeling several times, she finally forced a smile.

"I'm sorry. I hurt you just now, and I apologize. But you need to understand that what happened earlier can't be shared with anyone outside this room, okay?"

Richard nodded with vague understanding. Just when Catherine thought the matter was settled, a sudden warmth spread across her chest.

Catherine's expression cracked slightly as she stared at the large hand on her chest, her lips twitching sharply.

"What exactly do you think you're doing, kid?!"

Richard's gaze was clear and innocent, his confusion mixed with obvious naivety.

"Huh? This part of you seems different from mine. Why is that?"

After speaking, Richard gave a little squeeze. Catherine's face flushed crimson as she swatted his hand away.

She must have been crazy to think this idiot was pretending like she was. Now she'd been groped—how unfortunate!

When they emerged from the bathroom, Catherine had changed into proper sleepwear. Meeting Richard's still-curious eyes, she felt a twinge of guilt.

"Alright, let's go to sleep now. No more talking."

Noticing Richard about to speak, Catherine stopped him preemptively.

Seeing Richard's eyelids beginning to droop, Catherine hesitated briefly before taking spare bedding from the cabinet and making a simple bed on the couch. She fell into a deep sleep.

Only after her heavy, prolonged breathing filled the room did Richard, who should have been asleep, suddenly open his eyes.

Those deep, unfathomable eyes were filled with wisdom and cunning—where was the foolishness from earlier?

In the moonlight, Richard walked barefoot to the couch where Catherine lay, noticing her strange sleeping position. The corner of his mouth unconsciously curved upward.

Catherine's blanket had slipped halfway off. As Richard reached to cover her, his gaze inadvertently fell on her chest again.

The soft, plush sensation from earlier seemed to linger on his palm.

Richard's eyes gradually deepened with intensity. After a long while, he sighed softly and turned toward the bathroom.

Tonight would be sleepless.

Early the next morning, Catherine stretched luxuriously.

She had slept quite comfortably. As expected of a wealthy family, even their couch was extremely soft.

Catherine looked around, walked to the bed, and saw a slight bulge under the white bedding.

She instinctively poked it, and a fuzzy little head popped out from under the covers.

Richard, bleary-eyed, rubbed his eyes while asking Catherine, "What's wrong?"

His pure, adorable appearance made Catherine wonder if she'd made a terrible mistake in disturbing this cute person's sleep.

Catherine cleared her throat gently and said, "Nothing, just checking if you were awake."

Richard sat up in bed, his eyes not fully open yet.

His voice was husky with the unique magnetism of an adult man. A simple "No" sent a shiver down Catherine's body.

Richard seemed to notice something then. Before Catherine could grow more suspicious, he spoke in the voice of the foolish Richard.

"I'm so tired. I want to sleep in today."

Catherine's budding suspicions instantly vanished without a trace.

She glanced at the dark circles under Richard's eyes, assuming he had stayed up watching cartoons while she slept.

Catherine patiently patted Richard's head and said in a gentle voice, "That's fine. You go back to sleep. I need to take care of something."

Richard was so tired that his eyelids needed toothpicks to prop them open. Just as he heard these welcome words, a knock at the door interrupted.

Catherine paused, got up, and walked to the door to open it.

A servant stood outside. Upon seeing Catherine, she was visibly startled for a moment before her expression turned somewhat suggestive.

Catherine disliked that look, so she put on a vacant expression and voice.

"What is it?"

The servant smiled and said, "I came to see if you were awake. Mr. Lucas Smith has brought in a famous doctor to examine Mr. Richard Smith and asked me to inform you."

Catherine's attention was completely captured by the mention of the renowned doctor.

Given the Smith family's resources, any doctor they invited would certainly be globally recognized. With only a handful of top-tier doctors worldwide, she wondered who would be coming today.

She was genuinely curious.

After all, she had another identity, which was...

Catherine's lips curled into a meaningful smile. Yesterday, amid the chaos, she had examined Richard's body. His pulse was steady and strong—superficially, there seemed to be no problem.

But only she could tell that beneath this seemingly peaceful pulse lurked a turbulent undercurrent.

Richard had been poisoned, and that poison was definitely not ordinary.

Now she needed to meet this doctor and see the other members of the Smith family to prepare for her future plans.

With this thought, Catherine immediately perked up.

"Richard, a doctor is here to examine you. Get up quickly! I want to see the doctor too! Come with me!"