There was no time for words. In the next heartbeat, Eugene's lips crashed down on hers. Maybe her lips held a trace of coolness, or maybe he was burning up too fiercely. That faint chill seemed to offer him a moment of relief. His kiss was like a storm—fierce and overwhelming, giving her no chance to push him away. He kissed her deeply, shamelessly, without restraint. Chloe froze. In all her life, this was only the second time she had experienced anything like it. The only other kiss that had ever felt this intense, this consuming, was the night she conceived. Not with Arthur, but with that stranger. Maybe her heart had been still for too long. Eugene's kiss shattered that calm in seconds. Her mind went blank. Her body no longer felt like her own.Eugene seemed to have lost all reason. A kiss wasn't enough. His hand slid beneath her clothes, desperate for more—and that was when Chloe's senses snapped back. She stared at the man in front of her, completely out of control, her eyes turning cold. Then she heard footsteps. One set, then another. More than two people were coming. Whoever it was, they couldn't see this. Her gaze hardened. She forcefully drove her elbow into Eugene's abdomen. The sudden blow forced a pained grunt from Eugene. He stumbled back two steps before catching his balance. "Mr. Rosewood?" "Eugene?" Joseph and Landon spoke almost at the same time. Eugene heard them. His eyes flickered toward the end of the hall. Upon seeing Landon and Joseph, his body swayed, about to collapse. Chloe quickly grabbed his arm, pulling him back and holding him upright. "He's in a bad way! Get over here, now!" she yelled. Landon and Joseph didn't hesitate. They rushed forward. Seeing Eugene up close, Joseph looked alarmed. "What's—" Landon took one look and understood. "Get Mr. Mull to call the medical team. Now. I mean right now," he ordered sharply. He didn't waste a second, hooking an arm around Eugene and half-dragging him away. Joseph hurried after them, already dialing a number on his private line, instructing Joe to bring the estate's doctors immediately—and to bring every possible antidote they had.Chloe watched as Eugene was taken away, her expression dark. She hadn't held back with that hit. She could only hope he wouldn't hold it against her when he came to. "Here. You might want to fix your lipstick." Selina's voice came from behind. Chloe turned. Selina was holding out a tissue. Chloe met Selina's eyes and the tissue. Lipstick! Her hand flew to her mouth. She flinched. The corner of her lip stung, probably cut, and whatever lipstick she'd been wearing was long gone, smeared and messy. A flush of heat crept up her neck. She took the tissue and wiped away the smudged color at the corner of her mouth. That scene just now... Landon and Joseph must have seen everything. Thankfully, everyone's attention had been on Eugene, not on... Wait. Eugene! She didn't dare delay any longer. She exchanged a look with Selina, and the two of them took off. Selina knew the estate layout better. She led Chloe through a shortcut straight to the medical room. Joe was standing outside. He raised a hand to stop them. "The doctors are with him now. Please wait here," he said firmly. Chloe didn't argue. She stood quietly by the door, unsure what was happening inside. Eugene was in bad shape; the drug had fully taken hold. She didn't know if any outside treatment could still help. A short while later, Landon and Joseph came out. Chloe and Selina immediately stepped forward, both speaking at once. "How is he?" Landon glanced at Chloe, hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "Not good. The good news is, we have a medical team on-site, so he got help fast. But..." He paused, and Chloe's heart sank. "But what?" she pressed. Landon met her eyes, held her gaze for a few seconds, then said in a heavier tone, "The drug started working right after he drank it. He's been fighting it hard until he finally broke. He held on for a long time. We don't know if there will be any... aftereffects." He let out a sigh. Aftereffects? As she thought about how Eugene had been gritting his teeth and holding back for so long, a coldness settled in Chloe's eyes. She looked at Landon, hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Then... maybe... we should find someone for him? A woman, to help him... relieve it?"