Chapter 3: Maggots and Manipulation

3

Natalie hovered by Caleb’s side every moment, even personally bandaging his legs.

I watched her wrap all that muddy, rotting flesh with gauze.

The air upstairs reeked of sweat, wet towels, and something sharper—like old pennies and infection. I wrinkled my nose, but Natalie was oblivious, humming under her breath as she worked.

[Great, according to the plot, the main guy will wake up this afternoon, and tomorrow morning the richest man will come to take him home. The good days for the leads are about to start.]

[The richest man’s wife is really ruthless—just to keep the main guy from returning to the family, she even sent people to kill him. Truly lawless.]

[It’s fine, once the main guy returns with power, all these people will pay.]

I stared in surprise.

So Caleb was beaten up by the richest man’s wife? No wonder he was so badly hurt.

After thinking for a moment, I guarded outside Caleb’s room as well.

After two days and a night without sleep, Natalie was so tired her eyelids were drooping.

The moment Caleb opened his eyes, I grabbed his hand excitedly.

“Great, you’re finally awake!”

“Natalie, don’t sleep—wake up, this guy is awake!”

Natalie jolted awake and immediately pushed me aside.

“What are you trying to do? I was the one who saved him. Are you trying to steal my credit again?”

While fixing my hair, I smiled quietly, then stood up and continued:

“How could you think that? I was just too excited and wanted to wake you up.”

Then I solemnly introduced Caleb:

“This is Natalie—she’s the one who saved you.”

“She personally bandaged your wounded legs and stayed by your side these past two days. Even when I suggested taking you to the hospital, she wouldn’t agree.”

“You’re lucky to have met such a kind girl as Natalie.”

I smiled like I was hosting a reality show reunion special. The words came out honey-sweet, but I watched Natalie’s jaw tighten from the corner of my eye.

[What’s the vicious supporting character doing? Why did she suddenly change her attitude?]

[Is she…]

Natalie was stunned for a moment, but after realizing, she pushed me aside.

She smiled shyly. “No need to thank me, I just did what anyone would do.”

Caleb came to his senses and nodded to Natalie. “Natalie, right? Thank you.”

“Once I recover, I’ll definitely repay you.”

Natalie had dressed up, wearing a long dress, bowing her head and smiling like a delicate flower.

Caleb tried to get out of bed, but as soon as he stood, he collapsed to the floor.

He was stunned for a moment. When he saw the blood-soaked gauze tied in a bow, he panicked.

Caleb seemed to remember something, sweat beading on his forehead from the pain as he hurriedly untied the gauze.

The stench of rot hit him, and looking closely, you could see maggots wriggling in the wound.

Caleb’s expression froze.

“Miss Natalie, you… you also treated my wound?”

Natalie twisted her fingers and nodded.

“I told you, no need to thank me. It was just a small effort.”

“After all, I can’t be as cold-hearted as some people.”

Natalie was so focused on belittling me, she didn’t notice the change in Caleb’s expression.

I smiled again and said, “You have no idea. To save you, Natalie dragged you through the rain for over an hour.”

“Because she was worried about you, she didn’t even dare use the medicine I bought. Although there was no time to disinfect, her bandaging was really something.”

Caleb’s face instantly turned ugly. He looked down at the abrasions on his legs and said in a low voice:

“Thank you, but could you take me to the hospital now?”

Natalie nodded frantically and immediately called an ambulance.

But when they got to the hospital, the doctor’s face changed as soon as he saw the wound.

“The hospital reeked of antiseptic and burnt coffee, the kind that clings to your clothes.” The doctor’s nose wrinkled. “How long has it been since the injury?”

To show how attentive she’d been, Natalie blurted out, “Two days and one night.”

But the doctor really laid into her: “Are you kidding me?”

“It’s been so long and you still didn’t come to the hospital? The wound is infested with maggots and you even wrapped rotten flesh in gauze. Young lady, don’t you know ignorance can kill?”

“Prep for surgery. There’s an eighty percent chance the leg can’t be saved.”