His Destructive, Toxic Love

They were a short distance away from him.

Eliza picked up her pace, overtaking the woman.

The woman grabbed her arm, pulling her back. "What's your rush? Are you into my husband or something? Come clean. Do you two have some secret affair?"

"Ma'am, you've got it all wrong. I've never even met your husband," Eliza said, reluctantly pulling out the painting Carlos had given her the day before. "Look, my colleague painted this. I thought it captured something special, and I really wanted to meet your husband in person."

The woman scrutinized the painting in Eliza's hand, then snatched it over. "What's this supposed to be? This doesn't capture a fraction of my husband's charm. Your colleague's skills are seriously lacking."

"That's exactly why I'm here, ma'am. I wanted to see for myself if your husband is really as handsome as you say," Eliza explained patiently.

"Well, if that's the case, I guess I don't mind." The woman shoved the painting back into Eliza's hands. "But don't scare him. He's shy around strangers."

"Is it alright if I just look and not say anything?"

"That'll be fine." The woman looked up at the sky, noting how the late autumn rain felt cold against her skin. "Then follow me."

The man hadn't turned around yet.

Only when they were almost upon him did the plump woman call out his name, "Sam."

The man's eating motion abruptly paused, and he slowly turned around...

For some reason, Eliza's heart began to race.

Was it him?

Could it be him?

In the few seconds it took for the man to turn around, Eliza imagined a thousand different outcomes.

However...

Before she could get a clear look at the man's face, he suddenly ran towards her, pushing her to the ground.

The man was strong, and Eliza hadn't expected him to attack her.

She was caught off guard. The fall was painful.

"Ouch..."

Carlos hurried over, helping Eliza up from the ground, scolding the man before him. "Why are you pushing her? That's totally out of line." Sam's face was covered in mud, with only his bright eyes darting around.

The plump woman protectively shielded Sam. "Who are you calling a fool? That's just how my man is."

"He might be simple-minded, but that's no reason to push people, especially Ms. Valerie. What if she was seriously injured? Would you have afforded the consequences?"

en NovelDrama.Org

Hearing Carlos mention compensation, the plump woman immediately became agitated. She sat down on the ground, not caring about the mud, and started wailing.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"Everyone come see this injustice!

They're bullying us, saying my man

is a foot and demanding we pay up for my husband's actions. I might as well give my life as paymento."

The woman's crying turned into a theatrical performance.

Soon, a crowd of workers gathered around.

Carlos was furious.

He was about to step forward to argue, but Eliza stopped him. "It's no use arguing with her. Besides, why bother with a fool? I'm fine."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Carlos was concerned.

Eliza nodded lightly. "I'm fine."

The simple-minded man hid behind the plump woman.

Eliza hadn't gotten a good look at him and didn't dare to approach him again.

Maybe he wasn't Casper after all.

Perhaps she was overthinking it.

"Mr. Carlos, the rain is getting heavier. Let's head back," she suggested.

"Alright then."

On the way back, Eliza was lost in thought.

Carlos called her name several times before she responded, "What?"

"You're not going to let one bad apple spoil the bunch, are you?" He smiled adding, "I mean, you're not going to avoid the construction site just because of what happened today with that fool, right?"

Eliza smiled lightly. "Of course not."

"Fools are like that, emotionally and psychologically abnormal. But have you noticed? He gives off a peculiar vibe..."