Flash Marriage To The Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Nearby, several small tents had been set up, where many doctors and nurses were already resting.
Nelson's eyes narrowed when he realized the space was co-ed.
Noting his frown, Hallie explained, "There's a severe shortage of resting areas. What's the use of gender segregation in a crisis? I just found this cot and got it here temporarily."
The implication was clear: he shouldn't be picky. After all, they couldn't leave here and had to make do for the night.
"Have you been sleeping here these past few days?" Nelson asked abruptly, a chill hardening his gaze.
"Where else would I sleep?" Hallie spread her hands, feeling helpless. She was certain he must be utterly disgusted.
"Hallie, you're finally back." A young man in a doctor's overall approached and called out, holding a quilt.
"Look, these are supplies the villagers donated today. I saved this quilt specially for you..."
Before he could finish, he felt a cold stare fix on him. Turning around, he saw a tall, handsome man eyeing him sideways.
The look was far from friendly, and his imposing height only amplified the sense of intimidation.
"Hallie, this is...?" The young man swallowed nervously, venturing a tentative question.
"A friend," Hallie answered without pause, taking the quilt from his hand. Her red lips curled into a faint smile.
"Thank you. Go rest. There's still much to do tomorrow."
"You're welcome. My pleasure. I'm going to bed. See you." At the sight of Hallie's smile, a hint of shyness crossed the young man's face. He scratched his head sheepishly and hurried away.
As Hallie made up the cot, she recalled Nelson's unexpected willingness to help with rescues that day and decided to let him have the bed.
She thought, 'After all, after a full day's work, he'd surely want to go home tomorrow. The long journey through the mountains will leave him exhausted.'
"Good night. I'll find a spot with the others," she said, turning to leave.
"It's late. Where exactly do you plan to sleep?" he asked, grabbing her shoulder and forcing her to sit on the cot. "Stay here."
"There's only one cot. How can two of us sleep here?" Hallie stood up, frowning and glaring at him.
She wondered, 'Did he come all this way just to contradict me?'
"Though it's narrow, two people can manage."
For a moment, Hallie thought she'd misheard. "You want us to share the cot?"
"Is there another option?" Nelson imitated her tone and asked her back.
"It's nearly midnight. Do you really want to argue until dawn?" As he said, he lay down on the cot, leaving half the space vacant.
Hallie felt rooted there, her heart pounding with resistance.
Nelson caught the wariness in her eyes and sneered, feigning revulsion. "You think I'd take advantage? I'm more worried you'll make a move and use it as an excuse to latch onto me."
His words sparked Hallie's temper. She wordlessly stripped off her doctor's overall and coat, climbed into bed, and even gave him a firm nudge.
Nelson was caught off guard, nearly falling out of the cot.
"Just kidding. I'm not worried at all."
Before Hallie could savor the fleeting sense of triumph, her expression abruptly froze, for Nelson suddenly rolled over, his hand coming to rest on her waist.
His handsome features were mere inches from hers, pupils dark as a bottomless abyss. The scent of cedar wafted into her nostrils.
Hallie's body tensed instantly. Instinctively, she sensed danger, her expression a mix of surprise and apprehension.
Her heartbeat, which had just settled, now raced uncontrollably.
"What are you..." Before she could finish, warmth enveloped her.
Nelson lifted the quilt, wrapping Hallie tightly like a mummy, leaving only her head exposed.
Then he stood, gazing down at his handiwork with satisfaction. The corners of his thin lips twitched, his eyes glinting with the joy of a successful revenge.
"See if you nudge me again?"
Trapped and immobile, Hallie could only glare at him.
At 7:30 the next morning, Hallie woke to sounds outside. Glancing over, Nelson was already gone, no sign of when he'd risen.
Rubbing her temples, she couldn't recall when she'd fallen asleep the night before.
Hallie got up, splashed water on her face, dressed quickly, and stepped out of the tent.
Arriving at the temporary ward, she was surprised to find twice as many doctors as the day before.
"Dr. Levine, you're awake?" A nurse greeted her politely.
Hallie pulled her and asked, "Why are there suddenly so many people? I thought the rescue teams from other areas weren't supposed to arrive for a few days?"
Puzzled, the nurse replied, "Well... I'm not sure either. The support team initially said they needed a few days, but their hospital abruptly arranged an emergency flight for them yesterday.
"Word has it the Blair Group, the top conglomerate, funded it. Anyway, more reinforcements mean we can finally catch our breath... These days have been beyond grueling."
As she spoke, the nurse sniffled, then walked inside with tweezers and other tools on her tray.
Hallie wondered, 'The Blair Group funded this... Could Nelson especially have made these arrangements?'
"Make way! Come on, help, bring these in!"
Just as Hallie pondered, a commotion erupted outside.
Pulling back the curtain, she saw several vehicles driving in from the end of the muddy road, loaded with food and medical supplies.
She wondered, 'Is the road cleared overnight?'
People unloading goods and carrying the wounded shuttled past her.
Hallie's gaze instinctively scanned the crowd, finally fixing on a tall figure.
"I see. If you can't recruit enough staff, offer higher salaries. Do I need to teach you how to handle this?" Nelson was speaking into a satellite phone, contacting his men.
Not only had doctors arrived ahead of schedule, but a massive work crew had also flown in overnight, working around the clock to clear the roads.
And Nelson was still orchestrating the deployment of even more personnel.
"Nelson." A cold, slightly hoarse voice sounded from behind.
Nelson turned around and froze slightly the moment his gaze locked with Hallie's.