Chapter 104
Chapter 104
“Get in. No worries,” Cliff said with a casual wave toward the car.
“Yeah, all good,” Howard replied, leaning heavily on Cliff as they approached the sleek black sedan. In the backseat, Jeannie lay slumped over, the scent of whiskey heavy on her breath, while Gwendolyn sat beside her, keeping a vigilant eye.
The car made its way to the Chadwick family’s cozy suburban villa.
As they arrived, Marina, the housekeeper, rushed out, concern etching her features. “Mr. Chadwick, Mrs. Chadwick, and… Miss Jeannie? Good heavens, she’s plastered!”
“Marina, give me a hand, will you?” Gwendolyn grunted, trying to support Jeannie’s staggering form.
Together with Marina, they managed to escort the inebriated woman inside. No sooner. had they reached the guest room than Jeannie vomited all over the floor.
Marina started cleaning up the mess, her expression soured. “Why on earth did she drink so much? I’ll get her some hangover pills!” she declared before setting the mop aside and hurrying off to the living room.
“Oh, God!” Jeannie burst into tears, clutching Gwendolyn tightly. “Gwen, I’m scared!”
“Disgusting, they’re all jerks,” Gwendolyn murmured, her lips pressed into a thin line. She asked gently, though the question was harsh. “Did they… did they hurt you?”
Jeannie shook her head, her voice choked with anguish. “No, but they touched me.”
She couldn’t shake off the revolting sensation of their hands on her, like slithering vermin crawling over her skin. The thought alone made her seethe with anger.
Gwendolyn softly patted her back. “Don’t worry. It’s all in the past. Your brother took care. of them, good and proper.”
Jeannie sobbed until she hiccupped, lamenting. “What now? Jimmy is Bainbridge’s lapdog. If my brother can’t even protect himself, they’ll retaliate! And you, you’re still working at the hospital…”
Jeannie felt a dark cloud lingering overhead, blurring any way out. If they dared to bully her like this, had Howard not arrived in time, she dreaded to think what might have happened. She would have been toyed with by so many.
“It’s okay! Howard is tough as nails, Gwendolyn reassured her, holding her close. “Trust me. Now that he’s back, everything will get better.”
Exhausted from crying, Jeannie nestled into Gwendolyn’s embrace. Gwendolyn’s heart ached for her, and she didn’t dare leave her alone yet.
11:20
In the villa’s living room, Nathan sprawled on the couch, boneless after dealing with the night’s chaos.
Howard, I’ve covered their medical bills,” he said with a mischievous grin. “Jimmy got four broken ribs, and he’s off his rocker. When they wheeled him into the hospital, he freaked out seeing the male doc, like he saw a ghost. Probably, he has a phobia of men now!
Nathan laughed heartily. “Oh man, you did a number on him. All those bruises serve him right.”
Howard sipped his water, his reply casual. “He got what he deserved.”
Nathan tossed a gilded invitation onto the coffee table. “It’s Warren’s seventieth birthday party invitation, penned by Bainbridge. I couldn’t feel more embarrassed while reading it. Imagine him trying to suck up, but it’s your butt he’s kissing. He’s scared of offending you, hoping you’ll grace the party.”
Bainbridge had delivered the invitation to the Summit Corp headquarters himself.
Howard glanced at it and scoffed.
“Tell him I’ll be there tomorrow night.”
Nathan’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Can’t wait to see the fireworks!”
Bainbridge would’ve never guessed that the man he’d been kissing up to was the very same one he’d been giving hell. It was Howard.
Nathan couldn’t resist and gave Howard’s knee a sudden punch.
Howard’s leg jerked forward in a classic knee–jerk reaction.
“Whoa! It’s working!” Nathan exclaimed with delight. Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.
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Howard’s face darkened, his gaze sharp as he turned to Nathan.
Nathan rubbed his hands together, gave a cheeky thumbs–up, and blew into the “OK” sign
he made with his fingers. It was an inside joke that needed no explanation.
“So, about that magic pills which could make your wife happy, are you done with it?” Nathan asked slyly.