Watching Roxanne and Jack working in harmony with each other made the flames of jealousy in Colby’s heart blaze even more fiercely. The pre-testing went on for three whole days.
By the end of it, they succeeded in testing the various properties of the finished product and determining its basic feasibility. Only then did they start gradually increasing the dosage.
Following the increased quantity of medicinal herbs used, the stamina required for the experiment also gradually rose.
Due to the delicate nature of the experiment, they could not add the materials all at once. Instead, they could only stand watch at the laboratory bench and add it slowly, a little at a time.
On top of that, it was not easy to obtain the materials. Hence, they had to be extra careful while adding them. Noticing the beads of sweat on Roxanne’s forehead, Jack offered in a low voice, “Let me do it.”
As he spoke, he made to take the materials from her.
However, she dodged his hand cautiously. She was worried about spilling the materials and dared not move about too much or abruptly. Nonetheless, that action was enough to indicate her refusal.
After all, there was no one else she trusted more than herself to carry out such a delicate task.
Seeing that, Jack raised his brows but did not insist any further. Instead, he grabbed two pieces of tissue from the side and said, “You’re sweating. I’ll help to dab it off.”
Without waiting for her to respond, he stretched his hand toward her forehead.
Absorbed in observing the process of the experiment, the sudden realization that his hand was in front of her face took her by surprise, and she subconsciously jerked her head away.
For a moment, Jack’s hand froze in midair. Only when Roxanne noticed the tissues in his hand did it finally dawn on her what he had wanted to do. Even so, she felt a sense of repulsion in her heart..
“Thanks, Mr. Damaris, but I can do it myself,” she uttered after returning to her senses, breaking the awkward atmosphere rather abruptly. Then, she took the tissues from him.
Jack smiled nonchalantly in response. The sight of his smile threw her into a daze for a brief moment.
No matter how I think about it, what he tried to do earlier seems like a rather intimate gesture. Looking at that smile on his face now, however, I can’t help feeling that perhaps that ambiguous feeling was merely my imagination.
Just as she was wondering whether she had read too much into it, Jack reached for the tissues in her hand that she had used to wipe her sweat as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
That caused her to waver again. Meanwhile, jealousy and rage intermingled within Colby as he watched the pair interact as if they were the only people in the room.
If this goes on, sooner or later, something is bound to happen between those two! At that thought, he furrowed his brows and strode over to Roxanne. “You must be tired by now, Dr. Jarvis. Why don’t you rest for a while? | can take over here.”
I can’t let these two spend any more time alone! Roxanne was also at a loss for how to face Jack, so she went along with his suggestion. “Okay, then. Thanks.”
Suppressing the raging jealousy in his heart, Colby shot her a reassuring smile. Soon, she was standing at one side, leaving the two men at the bench by themselves.
After discarding the tissues, Jack turned around and gave Colby a cryptic smile. “It’s a pleasure to work with you, Dr. Galloway.”
“Mr. Damaris, since you’re specifically here to assist with the research, please don’t do anything unnecessary,” Colby replied, looking somewhat grim.
Jack snorted. “How can you be sure it’s unnecessary? Who knows? I may gain some unexpected results after the research is concluded.” Both of them understood the unspoken meaning behind their conversation. Colby’s gaze darkened instantly when he heard Jack’s reply.
That was because he knew there was a high possibility that what Jack said would turn into reality after seeing how well the latter got along with Roxanne.
His fury spiked as that prospect crossed his mind. I’ve been by Roxanne’s side for so long, yet she isn’t even willing to spare me a glance. How can I possibly let Jack get his way?
