Actually, Kris Cooper had been there for a while.
When he saw Harry Snowpine, he was rather peeved.
In terms of looks, height, physique... In his eyes, no matter what, that guy didn’t compare to him at all. Was this girl blind? How could she fall for someone like him? He even thought that after all this was over, he’d thoroughly mock her.
But at this moment, feeling her hand trembling slightly as she clutched his suit, the nameless anger in his heart had completely melted away, replaced by a deep ache of concern for her.
He lifted his hand to hold her back, his large hand gently caressing her hair.
"Don’t be scared, your husband’s here. Relax. At most, it’s superficial injuries. With your little strength, you couldn’t even break bones. No one’s going to die!"
"Really?" Vera Wave looked up to confirm.
"Inside people’s skulls is a soft brain. If the bone breaks, it creates an indentation. I saw it clearly; he’s just bleeding a bit. It’ll be fine."
Vera sighed with relief, but a moment later, worry creased her brow again.
"What if... I get detained? I’m sure the company will fire me, right?! I’m doomed! Impulse really is a devil; I’m sure I won’t even be able to find a job later..."
Being detained was a small matter, but getting fired was huge. If she got a criminal record, wouldn’t it be hard to find a job later...
"Who says it’s fine!" Vera suddenly stood up and glared at him. "It’s all your fault! Afraid things weren’t serious enough, were you? Why else would you shove a vase into my hands for no reason? Is this how you help?! And what’s all this ’keep hitting him; if he gets hurt, you’ll treat him; if he dies, you’ll bury him’ nonsense? Do you think he’s a dog?!"
Kris Cooper raised his eyebrows.
So, this was his fault?!
But hearing the latter half of her rant, his temper, once again, was defused by her.
"I think he’s even worse than a dog."
It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought of dealing with the guy himself; he was just afraid he wouldn’t be able to hold back and would end up crippling or killing him. Then things would truly get out of hand.
"Relax. Even if you truly killed him, your husband will take the blame for you."
"Stop it!" Vera rolled her eyes at him. "When the time comes, you’ll run faster than a dog. And ’husband’? Yeah, right! Whose husband do you think you are?!"
Despite her words, she reached out and grabbed his sleeve again.
"You’re experienced in dealing with the police. If they’re called, what should I say so I don’t end up with a record?"
"I don’t go around fighting all the time like you. Where would I get that kind of experience?"
"Oh, come on! I don’t believe you’ve never been caught in an anti-vice raid!"
Kris Cooper fixed her with a look of exasperation. "Didn’t you just say I’m not your husband? Why are you asking me?!"
"TEE HEE!" Vera’s expression changed in an instant. She fawningly took his arm. "Manager, please don’t be angry! I... I just misspoke. I admit my mistake, I really do! You’re a magnanimous person; please don’t hold it against me, okay? Please, help me think of something! You know I still have my grandmother, and besides, I owe you so much money! If I go to jail, how will you ever get your money back? Come, come, sit down. Have some water."
She pushed Kris Cooper to a chair, poured him a glass of water from the table, and brought it to him. Her hand then reached out to rest on his shoulder.
"You think it over carefully. I’ll help you relax, relax... OW!"
The moment she pressed, pain shot through her right hand, making her wince and snatch it back. She brought it close to her eyes to examine it. From that earlier blow—delivered in a fit of anger and with too much force—she hadn’t noticed at the time, but the skin in the web of her hand, between her thumb and forefinger, had split.