Chapter 299

Anna Ross looked toward the noisy booth area and gave a slight nod.

Going home meant being alone anyway. Might as well sing a few more songs and earn some extra money.

The final song ended. The bar owner, beaming, grabbed her arm. He shoved a thick stack of cash into her palm. "That VIP guest praised your singing. He specifically requested you next time. This is an extra tip."

Anna clutched the heavy wad of cash. Her fingertips trembled slightly. This amount equaled several days of her regular pay.

She packed her bag and hurried out of the bar. The night was deep. She had work tomorrow and couldn't afford to be late.

Fortunately, her apartment wasn't far.

The street was deserted. Streetlights stretched her lonely shadow.

Anna looked down at her phone. A cold raindrop hit the screen without warning. Then, the downpour began.

She frantically protected her phone and sprinted toward her apartment building. She should have checked the weather forecast.

The rain completely soaked her thin jacket. The night wind blew, chilling her to the bone.

The apartment door was slightly ajar. She pushed it open.

"Sis! You're drenched!" Sophia Roscente dropped her book and rushed over. She spotted the umbrella by the entrance and stamped her foot in frustration.

"It started raining suddenly. I didn't have an umbrella." Anna's voice was nasal. She sneezed twice in quick succession.

Sophia grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her. "Why didn't you call me to bring an umbrella? What if you catch a cold?"

Before she finished, Anna sneezed again.

Sophia immediately pushed her toward the bathroom. "Take a hot shower, now! I'll find the cold medicine!"

Anna didn't dare delay. She quickly showered in hot water.

She slept restlessly that night. Her head felt heavy. Her entire body was cold.

Anna tried to open her eyes. Her eyelids were too heavy to lift.

"Sis? Are you still asleep?"

Through the haze, she heard persistent knocking. She wanted to answer, but no sound came out.

Sophia got no response. She saw the shoes by the door and her heart clenched. She pushed the door open.

The figure on the bed was curled up, face flushed. Sophia called her name twice.

Anna forced her eyes open. The sunlight made her dizzy.

"Sophia... what time is it?" Her voice was terribly hoarse. The taste of blood lingered in her throat.

Sophia touched her forehead and jerked her hand back in shock. "You're burning up!"

It had to be a fever from getting caught in the rain last night.

Anna struggled to sit up. There was an important meeting today. She absolutely could not miss it.

"Sophia, I'm fine..." She just stood up when everything went black. She collapsed heavily to the floor.

"Sis!"