Despite Alec's repeated calls, Jarrod remained unresponsive.

Seeing this, Alec grew frantic and planned to forcibly take Jarrod to the hospital.

However, when Alec's hand touched Jarrod's, Jarrod's deep and commanding voice stopped him in his tracks. “Stop it!"

Undeterred, Alec pleaded, "Mr. Schultz, you can't continue like this.

You are experiencing sunstroke!"

“I'm fine," Jarrod insisted with difficulty, his thin lips pale and dry. “I can handle it."

Faced with little choice, Alec reluctantly knelt beside Jarrod. After a brief period, the heat became unbearable for Alec. The concrete road, magnified by the intense temperature, felt like a searing barbecue grill even through his trousers. It seemed as though he might burst into flames at any given moment.

Consequently, Alec found himself compelled to stay on his feet to maintain sobriety. Should Jarrod collapse later, he would be the one to take care of him.

And so, another three hours dragged on.

Jarrod's once-flushed face faded to a pallor, and his back bent slightly.

It was the dog days of summer, and despite the scorching weather, Jarrod's limbs felt damp and cold, as if a cold breeze had permeated his body.

A profound coldness gripped him, prompting involuntary shivers. He recognized it as a likely case of sunstroke.

Survival might be possible if the symptoms were mild, but death could be the outcome if it proved severe.

Yet, Jarrod was not ready to succumb to death just yet. This was not because he thought his life was precious. His determination stemmed from the fact that Nicole had returned! He had waited for her return for five long years. Therefore, collapsing at this moment was not an option.

As if recalling something, Jarrod fumbled to retrieve a sharp Swiss army knife from his belt.

The next moment, onlookers stood in stunned silence.

Jarrod thrust the knife into his leg. The searing pain snapped him back to reality.

When Jarrod was about to stab himself again, Alec swiftly intervened, wresting the knife away. "Mr. Schultz! Are you out of your mind?"

Alec's voice trembled, his face drained of color.

Jarrod seemed oblivious to Alec's words. He absently scratched at the wound on his leg to keep himself sober and refused to rise from the ground.