Chapter 9 I was awakened by the cold . Opening my eyes , I saw pitch - black darkness . [ ] My claustrophobia gradually made me feel suffocated . I heard the criminals negotiating with my father over the phone . [ ] Suddenly a sliver of light appeared - their leader had arrived , his face full of malicious intent The leader said viciously into the phone . " I've suddenly changed my mind . I don't want any of those things anymore . Now I just want your daughter dead ! " ] I I forced myself to steady my breathing , pretending to still be unconscious , waiting as he approached step by step . ] Just then , Xavier's voice echoed through the abandoned factory ] " Stop ! " I suddenly opened my eyes and grabbed my high heel , smashing it hard into the leader's face . He groaned in pain , and I seized the chance to run desperately toward Xavier . " Sage ! Get down ! " Xavier suddenly roared . H The gunshot exploded through the empty factory ] Before I could react , I was knocked to the ground by a powerful force Xavier pressed himself protectively over me , and I gradually felt warm blood on my hands . Xavier's face was deathly pale , but he still forced a smile : " It's okay … didn't hit anything vital … The leader sneered and raised his gun again : [ ] " How touching , such deep love . " " Go to hell Reid suddenly lunged from the side , delivering an elbow strike to the criminal's wrist . [ As the gun flew from his hand , the two men grappled together . ] 1 pressed desperately against Xavier's bleeding wound : " Hold on …. please … " Those criminals were quickly subdued by the Archer and Quinn family security , and Xavier was rushed to the hospital before falling into shock . ] The moment the operating room lights came on , I finally snapped back to reality . [ ] The next second , all the intense emotions I'd been suppressing crashed over me like a tidal wave , and I collapsed powerlessly to the floor . Father pulled me into his arms , constantly comforting me . Looking at the bloodstains on my wedding dress , I couldn't help but remember : ] The gentle , considerate Xavier ; Xavier making coffee for me ; Xavier holding me as I slept … now Xavier covered in blood . ] I curled up in Father's arms , the suffocating grief making me retch . ] " RH negative blood ? " A doctor rushed out . " The hospital blood bank doesn't have enought " ] My heart skipped a beat . ] Father immediately had people fetch some from the nearest hospital . But I couldn't help thinking of the worst - case scenario : what if it was too late … " Take mine . I'm also RH negative . " Reid suddenly stood up from the shadows . [ ] As he spoke , he'd already rolled his sleeves up to his elbows . The nurse didn't have time to take him to the blood collection room and drew blood on the spot . Actually , he'd been injured during his physical struggle with those criminals - wounds of varying depth that he'd only hastily bandaged himself During the process , seeing his lips turn slightly purple , the nurse hesitantly said : ] " This should be enough for now . Mr. Archer said more blood supply is on the way … " ] " Keep drawing . " Reid interrupted the nurse . " He can't have any complications . " ] In the end , Reid endured the discomfort and insisted on giving paying attention . Ing twice t the normal amount , then quietly left when no one E was The surgery went smoothly . After being unconscious for one night , Xavier gradually woke up . At that moment , I was lying by his bedside when I suddenly felt his gentle touch . " Sage , go sleep on the bed . Don't catch cold . " was so overjoyed I couldn't speak - tears came first . [ ] When Xavier was doing his final training in the rehabilitation room , I received a text from Reid . [ ] [ Booked a flight for today . I won't disturb you two anymore . ] ] ] [ Ten percent of Matthews Corporation shares - don't refuse it . Consider it my wedding gift to you . ] ] ] Outside the window , the sky was crystal clear with an airplane cutting through the clouds . Xavier embraced me from behind , his chin resting on top of my head . ] ] " What are you thinking about ? " I shook my head and looked at him with concern . " Don't rush things . The doctors all said to take it slowly . You must rest more . " Wavier gently touched my nose tip , pretending to look aggrieved : " I'm just afraid that if I don't recover soon , my wife will run off with someone else . guy while I can't " After all , someone used to think I was too old and didn't want to be with me . If she runs off with some young guy chase after her , who am I going to cry to ?" I glared at him indignantly . So Xavier actually holds grudges like this ! I pretended to walk away , but he held me firmly in his arms . Fine , fine - I won't argue with a patient ! ] In "CEO, That Intern is Actually Your Wife" by CrushReel, delve into a captivating romance where a billionaire CEO becomes contractually linked to an unexpected partner. When faced with the urgent need to fund her grandmother's critical surgery, our protagonist finds herself in a unique situation—entering a one-year contract marriage with a stranger. As the story unfolds, themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of modern relationships come to light. The novel offers a fresh take on the familiar billionaire romance genre by exploring the dynamics of office relationships and the intricacies of contract lovers. Discover this modern tale of unexpected connections and heartfelt emotions, available to read at CrushReel.