Chapter 5401

Counting the moments he lost consciousness, Charlie had no idea how long he had been adrift in the void. Suddenly, a faint light pierced through his vision, accompanied by excruciating pain and a profound sense of powerlessness. He lacked the strength to even open his eyes. But then, a comforting warmth enveloped his entire body, easing the intense pain to some extent. Gradually, he realized that the warmth was propelling him upward, urging him to float. Then, he heard a familiar voice exclaiming in his ear, "Charlie!" With that call, Charlie's vision slowly returned. When the feeble man opened his eyes and beheld the figure before him, he was utterly stunned! For there, immersed in the hot spring, revealing only a hint of her bare shoulders, stood the enigmatic Maria Clark herself! Charlie was immediately shaken to his core. It felt as if he were trapped in an unimaginable and irrational dream, unable to discern whether he was alive or dead. As Charlie gazed at her in disbelief, Maria Clark bestowed upon him a sweet smile and spoke softly, "Charlie, What are you afraid of?" Her pure and slender smile left Charlie utterly spellbound, erasing the severe pain that had ravaged his body in an instant. Moreover, deep within his heart, a peculiar sensation of tranquility took hold, defying all logic. In a daze, Charlie couldn't help but mutter, "Damn, I'm probably dead... But even if I am, why do I see Maria Clark? She shouldn't be dead too, right? It doesn't make sense... I explicitly told her to stay in school and grow old gracefully... Are these mere hallucinations after death?" As he uttered these words, Charlie's eyelids grew heavy, compelling him to close his eyes once more. In the midst of his haze, he felt a pair of delicate hands firmly gripping him beneath his armpits. Simultaneously, the figure pressed against him, her body intimately melding with his own. He could even discern the soft curves pressing against his chest. Yet, despite this, the figure continued to exert herself, lifting him effortlessly from the warm waters. Just as he was on the verge of being lifted out of the water, Charlie opened his eyes again. There, beside him, stood none other than Maria Clark herself. Charlie, bewildered, couldn't help but mutter, "What in the world is happening... Are you also... dead?" Maria Clark hastened to respond, "Charlie, you are not dead. You've arrived at my home." Her words struck him like a lightning bolt and he surveyed his surroundings with wide-eyed astonishment. He vividly recalled the moment when Gideon had transformed into a human nuclear bomb, leaving him severely injured and instantly unconscious. He believed he was surely on the brink of death. However, when he opened his eyes, he found himself in the hot spring of Maria Clark's courtyard, cradled and lifted naked from the water by none other than Maria Clark herself! Observing Charlie's eyes flicker open, Maria's cheeks immediately flushed a deep shade of red, extending all the way to her ears. Hastily, she spoke, "Charlie, don't be alarmed. You are completely safe here. If you have any questions, stay in the room and I will explain everything to you!" Charlie's mind was completely exhausted, struggling to comprehend the perplexing sequence of events. He suddenly recalled that Maria had arrived in Aurous Hill under the guise of Cathy Clark. However, upon seeing him, she had insisted on being called Maria Clark. Though the two names differed by a single word, the significance to Charlie was extraordinary!

An icy shiver raced down his spine and he weakly but shockingly asked, "No... do you... do you remember me?" Maria Clark softly replied, "Charlie, I will never forget. In Northern Europe, you saved my life!" Charlie's heart was awash with turmoil. He mumbled, "Why... Why do you still remember... Could it be... Could it be that you too possess supernatural abilities?" Maria Clark blushed coyly. "Charlie, I am not gifted with supernatural powers. I possess a unique constitution that prevents memory loss." She then became aware of the physical closeness between them and spoke shyly, "Charlie, please refrain from questioning me further. Once I have settled you, I will reveal the entire story myself, leaving nothing hidden!" Charlie nodded faintly. He understood the immense effort Maria was exerting to support him and he wanted to contribute whatever strength his body could muster to alleviate her burden. However, aside from being able to open his eyes and speak, his body remained almost completely paralyzed, rendering him utterly helpless. Yet, amidst his despair, Charlie found solace in one thing he could still feel pain! Feeling pain meant he wasn't paralyzed. With immense effort, the slender Maria painstakingly carried Charlie, inch by inch, back to the room. She struggled to ascend the second floor and gingerly placed him on her bedroom's soft, inviting bed. Throughout the process, the two remained unclothed, their bodies perpetually intertwined. Initially, Maria Clark was overcome with embarrassment, but soon enough, she cast her inhibitions aside, wholeheartedly cradling Charlie's scarred form. In that instant when Charlie reclined, his eyes inadvertently caught sight of Maria's flushed cheeks, the glistening beads of sweat on her forehead and her unadorned perfection. Understanding he mustn't harbor wicked thoughts, he quickly shut his eyes. Observing his response, Maria blushed even deeper, yet she pretended not to notice. She tenderly covered Charlie with a thin quilt and positioned two pillows behind him, allowing him to rest against the headboard. Throughout this entire process, Charlie never opened his eyes, filling Maria's heart with warmth. After settling Charlie, she wrapped her graceful form in a cotton and linen robe from the nearby hanger. Returning to the bed with haste, she sat on the floor beside him, gazing at Charlie as she inquired, "Charlie, how are you feeling now?" Her voice rang in his ears and he slowly fluttered his eyes open. Though aware that Maria was far from ordinary, he also believed she couldn't be his enemy. He parted his chapped lips and asked, "Miss Clark... why am I here?" Maria smiled and replied, "Before I answer your question, let me take your pulse first." She gently withdrew Charlie's right hand from beneath the covers, placing her fingers on his pulse. After a thorough examination, she spoke, "Although your internal injuries are severe, fortunately, they won't prove fatal." Charlie exclaimed in surprise, "You possess medical skills?" Maria nodded modestly, "I possess knowledge in various fields, but only to a limited extent." Charlie couldn't help but sigh, "Before embarking on my journey, I carried numerous medicinal pills with me. Sadly, I am now bereft of them..."