"Indulging in amusements leads to loss of ambition. I won't accompany you." William Carter finished speaking and slammed the window shut.

Henry Clark sighed regretfully, "Your young master can really be dull sometimes."

Julia Lane was playing with Henry Clark, but still sided with his own young master in his heart: "That's because we're at the Marquis's residence. When we're at the Lin residence, the young master isn't like this."

Henry Clark recalled that William Carter had once traveled and studied for many years with his mentor, and said, "You're right." Then he smiled again, "But even his dullness, I still think..."

Before he could finish, a loud crash suddenly came from the study. Everyone hurriedly pushed the door open and entered, only to see William Carter leaning against the bookshelf, several medical books scattered around him, and a toppled wooden stool.

Julia Lane cried out anxiously, "Young master, are you alright?"

William Carter replied calmly, "I'm fine, just missed a step while putting away books." Seeing so many people crowding the doorway, he looked rather uncomfortable. "Don't you all have anything better to do?"

Henry Clark supported his arm and smiled, "No need to be shy. Even a beauty falling is still beautiful."

"I didn't fall, just twisted my ankle." A sharp pain struck, and William Carter couldn't help but let out a muffled groan. "Help me to the bedroom, there's medicine there."

"How are you going to walk like this?" Henry Clark said, "I'll carry you."

William Carter exclaimed in surprise, "You..."

What's with Henry Clark? Has he suddenly forgotten how weak he is?

Henry Clark's hand slid to his waist, and he lifted him up in his arms.

With that lift, Henry Clark's expression changed slightly, his body swayed violently, and he nearly fell along with the person in his arms. Fortunately, Julia Lane was there to steady him.

William Carter's face turned pale from the pain. "I'm begging you, stop tormenting me."

Henry Clark had never been this flustered before. "I didn't mean to..."

"I'll do it, young marquis! I'm strong!"

Henry Clark watched as Julia Lane easily carried William Carter on his back and quickly ran toward the bedroom. He suddenly let out a low laugh and muttered, "Damn it."

Chapter 8

Julia Lane carried William Carter into the room and placed him on the soft couch. William Carter had him fetch the medical kit from the cabinet and find the medicine specifically for bruises and sprains. Grace Reed, seeing William Carter sweating from the pain, asked worriedly, "Should we get a doctor to take a look at you, young lord?"

Julia Lane helped William Carter take off his shoes and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Our young master is the best doctor there is."

William Carter poured the medicinal liquid into his palm and rubbed it onto his sprained area. The light scent of medicine spread through the bedroom.

Grace Reed said, "Young lord, let me help you massage it? I'm really good at massages."

"No need." William Carter endured the pain. "Go fetch a basin of well water and soak a cloth in it. After applying the medicine, I still need to cold compress for half an hour."

As William Carter massaged his injury, he suddenly felt the room was too quiet—where had the most talkative person gone?

William Carter looked up and saw Henry Clark sitting at the table, his face gloomy, looking quite unhappy.

Remembering how Henry Clark had almost fallen earlier, William Carter asked him, "Did you hurt yourself?"

Henry Clark shook his head. "How's your injury?"

"It's not serious. I'll recover in three days of rest."

Henry Clark smiled, "That's good."

William Carter added coolly, "Originally, I only needed two days to recover from a sprain, but after being dropped by you..."

Henry Clark covered his face in anguish, "Say no more, I was wrong."

To make up for his mistake, Henry Clark generously gave his wheelchair to William Carter. However, William Carter didn't appreciate it, only letting Julia Lane attend to him closely, and asking Julia Lane to fetch whatever he needed. If he really couldn't avoid moving around, he also had Julia Lane support him as he walked.

At that time, Grace Reed was serving Henry Clark his medicine. She saw William Carter in white robes, walking slowly with Julia Lane's support, one hand on the table, his long hair falling over his shoulders, and a slight frown between his brows. Even as a young girl, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

Henry Clark asked languidly, "Does he look good?"

Grace Reed nodded honestly, "He does! The young lord looks different when he's injured."

Henry Clark looked at William Carter, and downed the bitter medicine in one go. "This is what they call a 'battle-damaged beauty.'"

After nightfall, William Carter as usual leaned on the soft couch reading, but from behind the screen, the big bed kept making noises of someone tossing and turning, making it impossible for him to read in peace. Normally at this hour, Henry Clark would already be fast asleep, but tonight, who knows what was up with him.

He heard another sigh, so William Carter asked, "Young marquis, indifferent to fame and fortune, unconcerned with gain or loss—what could possibly trouble you so much that you frown and sigh deep into the night?"

After a moment of silence, Henry Clark's silhouette slowly sat up behind the screen, looking desolate and lonely. "Damn it... I actually couldn't carry you?"

William Carter: "..." Henry Clark is losing sleep over this?

Henry Clark said gloomily, "This is even scarier than a ghost story."

This piqued William Carter's curiosity. "Where did you get the confidence that you could carry me?"

Henry Clark couldn't understand, "Your waist is so slender, you can't possibly weigh much. How could I not be able to carry you?"

William Carter couldn't be bothered with Henry Clark's inexplicable pride and said honestly, "With your current body, you get out of breath after just a short walk. Even Grace Reed is stronger than you. Young marquis, it's important to have self-awareness."