Chapter 7 When Shirley woke again , she found herself lying in the manor's bed . Exaggerated laughter and cartoon dialogues boomed outside the door , the volume cranked so high it seemed to shake the walls . Pushing herself upright , she opened the door to see Patricia sitting cross - legged on the living room carpet . Hugging snacks to her chest , the girl doubled over laughing at the television . " Shirley's awake ? " Patricia turned , remnants of laughter still dancing across her face . " Sorry , did my anime bother you ? " She deliberately crunched her chips loudly . " My chest has felt tight lately . The air's better in this neighborhood , so Timothy suggested I stay here to recover … You don't mind , do you ? " Shirley instinctively glanced toward the sofa- Timothy sat there , slender fingers flipping through financial reports , hist gaze cold and focused beneath his gold - rimmed glasses . The TV blared , yet his brow remained smooth . Shirley suddenly remembered words from her diary : " He got angry today because I ate an apple beside him . My chewing distracted him , so he told me to leave . " 0.00 % 00:28 Chapter 7 288 IVouchers "Remember : When he's in the study , even your breathing must soften . " But now … Patricia rustled the chip bag noisily , exaggerated fight scenes booming from the anime , yet Timothy didn't even look up . She was about to speak , but Timothy suddenly said , " If it weren't for that accident years ago , this home would have been yours . " His tone was cold , his gaze still fixed on the documents . " She's just a usurper ; why do you need to report to her ? " Shirley said calmly , " Yes , no need to report to me . You can stay as long as you want . " Timothy's finger paused slightly as he turned the page , and finally he looked up at her , his gaze behind the lenses narrowing slightly . This wasn't like her . In the past , she would either cry hysterically or hold back tears with red eyes , never this … calm . But this strangeness only lingered in his mind for a second . He averted his gaze and resumed handling the documents . After all , anything related to her never crossed his mind , let alone mattered . Shirley didn't care about his thoughts either , walking straight in and shutting the door . The entire day , Shirley locked herself in the room , listening to the 22.17 % ONCOG N 00:28 Chapter 7 17 288 Vouchers jarring noises outside . Patricia blasted reality shows at maximum volume , clacked her high heels across the hardwood floors , and even opened Timothy's treasured wine to pair with fried chicken . Each act landed squarely in Timothy's forbidden zones . Once , her accidental brush against his bookshelf earned her an icy glare ; the shuffle of her slippers prompted a frown and immediate silencing ; touching his wine was utterly unthinkable … Yet now , she clearly heard Timothy say with resignation . " Take your time . No one's rushing you . " Only when dinner approached did Shirley push the door open and step out . The dining table was laden with dishes . Patricia sat beside Timothy , her eyes crinkling with a smile . " Timothy , these are all my favorite dishes ! " " Mhm , " Timothy's gaze softened . " I never forget your preferences . " A blush spread across Patricia's cheeks . Spotting Shirley at the doorway , she called out , " Sister , come join us ! " Shirley silently walked to the far end of the table and sat down . Here Patricia reigned like the lady of the house , while Shirley felt like an uninvited guest . She picked up some food with her fork . After two bites , her throat suddenly tickled . 45.70 % 11 00 28 Chapter 7 288 Vouchers She frowned and tried another dish , but the discomfort only intensified . " Shirley , what's wrong ? " Patricia suddenly exclaimed . " Why are there red spots on your arms ? Is it an allergy ? " Shirley looked down to see her arms indeed covered in a rash . Her breathing grew increasingly labored , words trapped in her throat . With great effort , she pointed toward her bag containing emergency medication . Patricia scrambled to check but accidentally knocked over the steaming soup bowl- " Ah … " The scalding broth splashed across Shirley's rash - covered arms . Searing pain sent tears streaming down her face . She saw Timothy dart forward , only to- Shield Patricia in his arms ! " Did it burn you ? " He anxiously examined Patricia's hands , his voice dripping with tenderness . " How could you be so careless ? " Darkness swam before Shirley's eyes . Before losing consciousness , her last sight was Timothy carrying Patricia away … When she woke again , she lay in a hospital bed . 69.92 % 11 P2 N 00 28 Chapter 7 1288 Vouchers A nurse changing her IV remarked , " With allergies this severe , you nearly died . Second - degree burns too . How come no family's visited in two whole days ? " Shirley parted her lips , but voices drifted from the hallway : " Heard Mr. Mitchell reserved the entire floor ? " " Just for that minor burn on Miss Patricia's hand . " " Utterly spoiled . Any later and it'd have healed completely … " Shirley slowly closed her eyes . " I have no family here . " The nurse hesitated to speak but ultimately left in silence .