Ariana's heart still held some unresolved frustration. But then, a suspicious look crossed Sonia's face as she stared at her. With a bewildered expression, she leaned out and stroked Ariana's neck, saying, “Why is your neck covered with red marks?"

Sonia's fingers brushed against her neck, and Ariana involuntarily flinched, vividly recalling the events of the previous night. She hurriedly used her hair to conceal the marks and managed an awkward smile.

“Oh, it's nothing. Just a mosquito bite that I couldn't resist scratching. Looks a bit worse now."

“Is that so?" Sonia withdrew her hand, a hint of confusion playing on her features. Despite the oddity, she didn't probe any further.

However, Sonia's inquiry provided Ariana with an opening to process the events from the night before.

There was certainly something amiss about the cabin. Yet, Ariana hadn't visited her homeland in five years, and this trip was deliberately low- profile, making it improbable for someone to target her intentionally.

After a brief contemplation, Ariana nonchalantly inquired, feigning indifference, “By the way, what's our room number?"

"It's Room 309," Sonia replied casually, then turned to Ariana with a strange look and asked, “You didn't get it wrong, did you?"

"No, of course, How could I possibly get it wrong? Ha-ha, just had a momentary lapse of memory." Ariana fumbled with her phone, attempting to cover her brief embarrassment with a couple of awkward laughs.

She chastised herself inwardly for her stupidity. Assuming the room was technologically advanced, she had wandered into the wrong one. Little did she anticipate that such a blunder would lead to this situation. She felt incredibly foolish.

She yearned to erase the memory of the incident, yet the more she tried, the more it lingered, gnawing at her composure, Just as her patience wore thin, a nurse walked in.

“Hello, the hospital is facing a shortage of rooms now. You can be discharged since your condition isn't critical. Simply return for regular check-ups."

“Understood, I'll prepare to leave right away," Sonia acknowledged. The news brought relief to her. The hospital had become stifling, and she yearned to escape its confines. She eagerly gathered her belongings to ready herself for discharge.

Meanwhile, in a VIP ward on the top floor, Sadie rested on the hospital bed, her face marred by swollen, bruised skin, resembling a pig's countenance with splotches of red and blue. She had even shattered the room's mirrors in an outburst of frustration.

The sight of her current appearance ignited anger within her, leaving her feeling thoroughly wretched.

Afflicted by a heart condition from a tender age and devoid of swimming skills, she had believed her fate sealed when she plunged into the sea the previous night. Fortunately, the presence of others on deck and the ensuing commotion summoned swift rescuers to her aid,

Weakly, a cough escaped Sadie's lips, as if her heart were struggling to catch a breath.

As she clutched her chest, a surge of anger coursed through her.

This body had endured two heart transplant surgeries and a myriad of medical procedures, rendering it incredibly delicate.

But Sadie couldn't dwell on that now; her thoughts were consumed by Holden and the potent aphrodisiac permeating the room.

A product from the black market, she had procured it, its only antidote being intimate contact. If Holden remained ensnared, what recourse did he have?

Holding her phone, Sadie dialed Holden's number once again, hoping for a solution to her predicament.

Continuously reaching out since her awakening, each call remained unanswered, No one around could connect her to him.

The realization that Holden never assigned anyone to her side like Theodore had done for Ariana made her feel resentful,

Disconnections plagued her calls, leaving panic and regret in their wake.

Intuition whispered something awry might have occurred. Anxiety grew, the fear of discovery gnawing at her. If Holden's situation unraveled and her involvement with the aphrodisiac surfaced, consequences would be dire.

Her gaze shifted, resting on Adele engrossed in doll play nearby. Annoyance surged as she instructed, “Call your father."

Yet, Adele remained unmoved, absorbed in her play. Sadie's countenance darkened, silent frustration directed at the child.

Suddenly, the door swung open, Shawn and Holden entering. Swiftly, she regained composure, feigning weakness with a cough.

Prepared to voice her grievances, Sadie's words stalled as Holden hastened toward Adele, disregarding her entirely.

Sadie's words got caught in her throat, a sense of grievance gnawing at her. But then, she realized something was off.

Why did Holden act as if nothing had transpired? Was he immune to the aphrodisiac's effects? How had he broken free from its grip?