Bella guided James toward the bathroom, her hand steady on his arm. Despite his weakened state, his presence remained indomitable—his heat, his scent, everything about him screamed raw masculinity. Her gaze flickered down without thinking, and her eyes widened slightly.
"Wow," she blurted out before she could stop herself, her cheeks burning. "You're, uh, big."
James's brows shot up despite the haze clouding his mind. "Bella," he drawled, his voice rough but teasing, "If you keep looking at me like that, I might take you up on that ride idea."
What? At this point, he might tell Bella to tie both his hands and his mouth until the drug effect wears off. 
Her head snapped up, eyes wide. "I was just....oh, shut up!" she sputtered, pushing him toward the bathtub. "Stop being so cocky."
He arched a brow as he leaned back against the edge of the tub for support. A minute passed, and then five minutes went by as they engaged in a staring contest. Finally, James spoke, "Trying to sneak a peak while I get naked?"
Bella's face turned crimson. "What? No! Absolutely not!"
He smirked, voice low and teasing. "Then why aren't you leaving?"
"Because you still look like you might pass out any second," she shot back, flustered, and then she waved a hand toward the shower. "Just hurry up before I lose my mind."
James chuckled softly, the sound low and tired, as he began to undress. Bella stood with her back to him, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as if trying to physically hold herself together. The sound of water splashing into the tub filled the room, and she could hear him easing himself into the water with a relieved sigh.
"Alright," he said after a moment, his voice still dripping with amusement. "You can turn around now. I'm decent."
She turned slowly, keeping her gaze fixed on the ceiling for a moment before daring to look at him. He was indeed submerged in the water, his broad shoulders and muscular arms resting on the edges of the tub. His dark hair was damp, clinging to his forehead, and his piercing eyes were half-lidded, still clouded by the lingering effects of the drug but now less intense.
Bella swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus on anything else, "How are you feeling?" she asked. 
"Better," he admitted, tilting his head back to look at her. "The cold water helps. But I still feel... off."
She nodded, understanding. "I am going to call my doctor. Just hang in there a bit."
Bella rushed back inside James' room. She knew she had to act quickly. She grabbed her phone and dialed a number she hadn’t used in a while—Dr. Ethan Carter, a close friend and a trusted physician. He picked up on the third ring.
“Ethan, it’s Bella. I need your help. It’s urgent,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.
“Bella? What’s wrong?” Ethan’s voice was calm but concerned.
Bella explained what had happened to James and Ethan didn’t hesitate. “I’ll be there in 15 minutes. Keep him calm and cool. Don’t let him overexert himself.”
Bella let out a shaky breath. “Thank you, Ethan. Please hurry.”
She hung up and rushed back to the bathroom, where James was still in the tub, his head resting against the edge, his breathing uneven but steadier than before. She stood in front of him. 
“The doctor’s on his way,” she informed him. 
James nodded, his eyes half-closed. “Thanks, Bella,” he murmured, his voice hoarse.
---
Fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang. Bella rushed to answer it, and there stood Dr. Ethan Carter, a tall man in his late thirties with a calm, professional demeanor. He carried a medical bag and gave Bella a reassuring nod as he stepped inside.
“Where is he?” Ethan asked. 
“In the bathroom,” Bella replied, leading him down the hall. “He’s in the tub, trying to cool off.”
Ethan entered the bathroom and immediately assessed James’s condition. James was now out of the tub, standing upright with a towel wrapped around his waist. His skin was still flushed, but it was less intense than before. His eyes were glassy, but he managed to look up as Ethan approached.
“James, I’m Dr. Carter,” Ethan said, his voice steady. “Bella told me what happened. Can you tell me how you’re feeling?”
“Dizzy. Hot. Aroused. I feel like my damned dick is now heavy enough to fall off. But the cold water helped a little.”
Ethan nodded, pulling out a small flashlight to check James’s pupils. “You’ve been exposed to a potent herbal incense. It’s been going around lately—people are calling it ‘Dragon’s Breath.’ It’s designed to induce arousal and disorientation. Most people who get exposed to it can’t move, let alone fight the effects. You’re... unusual.”
James let out a weak laugh. “Guess I’m just built different.”
Ethan smirked slightly but quickly returned to his professional demeanor. “You’re lucky Bella called me when she did. This stuff can be dangerous if left in your system for too long.” He reached into his bag and pulled out a syringe filled with a clear liquid. “This will neutralize the effects within the next hour. It might make you feel a bit drowsy, but it’s better than any other alternative.”
James hesitated, his brow furrowing. “Will there be any side effects? Long-term damage?”
Ethan shook his head. “No, the effects are temporary. Once the injection takes effect, you’ll be back to normal. Just rest and stay hydrated.”
James nodded, and Ethan administered the injection with practiced ease. Almost immediately, James felt a slight wave of relief, as if the tension in his body was beginning to ease.
“Thank you, Doctor,” James said. 
Ethan gave him a small smile. “You’re in good hands. Bella’s would keep an eye on you, and she’ll make sure you’re okay.” He turned to Bella, his expression softening. “Call me if anything changes. Otherwise, he should be fine by morning.”
Bella nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thank you, Ethan. I really appreciate it.”
Ethan patted her shoulder gently. “Anytime, Bella. Take care of him—and yourself.”
With that, Ethan left, leaving Bella and James alone once more. Bella turned to James, who was now leaning back against the tub, his eyes closed but his breathing steadier.
“You heard the doctor,” she said, her voice gentle. “You’re going to be okay.”
James opened his eyes and looked at her, his gaze softer now, less clouded. “Thanks to you,” he said quietly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Bella.”
She smiled, though her cheeks flushed slightly. “You’d probably be passed out on the floor somewhere. So, you’re welcome.”
He chuckled weakly, the sound warm and genuine. “You're right.”
Soon enough, James started to feel drowsy. He tried his very best to stay awake, but he was too tired to even lift a finger, and it didn't take long for James to fall asleep still in a towel.
****
Bella stepped out of her black sedan, the sleek car gleaming under the soft afternoon sun. Her heels clicked against the pavement with each deliberate step toward Lilian's grand estate.
The security guard stationed at the gate attempted to stop her.
“Ma’am, you can’t—”
Her cold, piercing gaze froze him mid-sentence. "Move." Her voice was calm, yet sharp enough to cut through steel.
The guard hesitated before instinctively stepping aside. Something about her presence warned him that denying her would be a mistake he'd regret.
Bella strode through the manicured garden without a glance at the extravagant roses blooming along the path. She stopped at the grand oak door and pressed the doorbell once.
A maid answered, her expression polite.
"I’m here for Lilian," Bella stated flatly.
"I'm not sure if—"
Bella arched a brow. "Do I look like someone who cares if she's available?"
Before the maid could stutter a reply, Bella stepped past her, heels tapping on the marble floor.
Lilian, upon hearing that Bella was here, sauntered down the sweeping staircase, dressed in a silk nightgown, a glass of wine in hand, her lips curling into a smug smile.
"Bella," she cooed mockingly. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
Bella’s lips twitched into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Cut the crap, Lilian. We both know why I'm here."
Lilian sipped her wine leisurely. "Oh? Enlighten me."
Bella's voice was ice-cold. "You drugged James." Her eyes gleamed with dangerous intent. "And that was your first mistake."
Lilian chuckled, though there was a flicker of unease in her eyes. "You're being dramatic. James is a big boy. He can handle himself."
Bella's smile vanished. In the blink of an eye, she crossed the room, snatched the wine glass from Lilian's hand, and hurled it against the wall. The glass shattered, crimson liquid staining the pristine white walls like blood.
Lilian's composure cracked. "Are you insane?"
Bella stepped closer, her voice low but laced with venom. "No, Lilian. I'm just done playing nice." She grabbed Lilian by the silk collar, yanking her forward until their faces were inches apart. "If you ever, ever try to drug or manipulate James again, I will ruin you in ways you can't even imagine."
Lilian laughed bitterly, eyes gleaming with defiance. "Ruin me? I’m already ruined, Bella." She gestured around the mansion. "This place is all we have left. The company's gone, my family's in shambles, and our so-called reputation is nothing but a joke. You're too late to ruin me."
Bella's eyes narrowed, but Lilian wasn’t done.
"You don’t scare me," Lilian hissed. "I’ll do whatever it takes to get back what I've lost—my luxury, my power. And if drugging or manipulating James is the way to do it, so be it." Her lips curled into a twisted smile. "James is my only way back to the top."
Bella's gaze remained cold. "Dumb choice." She turned on her heel, pausing only briefly. "Oh, and Lilian?"
Lilian flinched. "What?"
"You'll be getting a call from your tax advisor soon," Bella said with a wicked smirk. "Seems there are some... complications with your property taxes. My doing, of course." She leaned in, her gaze sharp and filled with malice. "James was kind enough to let you keep this mansion and some cash to rebuild you and your family's pathetic lives. But me? I’m not that merciful." Her lips curled into a sinister smile.
"Enjoy what’s left while you can—because I’ll take even more if you keep pushing your luck."
With that, Bella strode out of the house, leaving Lilian standing amidst shattered glass and broken pride. The maid watched in stunned silence as Bella disappeared through the grand doors. 
Outside, Bella slid into her car, her expression, pissed. And about Lily, James had spoken to her a few days ago that he'd be taking Lily from them soon.