Daniel’s grip was like being caught in iron clamps. Roman’s arm went numb, but he couldn’t break free.
"You’re something else, Mr. Bently," Daniel said coldly while gritting his teeth. "Hurting her arm during a simple chat?"
He gently took Chantelle’s arm in his hand and worry filled his eyes.
That’s when Roman finally noticed the gauze on her arm, now soaked in blood.
He quickly said, "Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt, you foolish girl? Now Mr. Wilson thinks I did this to you. What will he think of me?"
This was the real Roman. He never took responsibility. He always blamed others and made excuses.
Chantelle let out a scoff.
It was a good thing Roman had cut ties with her five years ago. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like if they were still connected. She opened her mouth to speak, but her strength faded.
She once thought she might get angry, argue, or feel weak when facing him again. But now, there was nothing she wanted to say.
She knew nothing would change. So why bother?
Daniel noticed how down she looked and he gently pulled her into his arms.
Chantelle didn’t resist. Instead, she leaned into him, waiting for the pain in her arm to fade.
Daniel gently stroked her hair and motioned for Ashton to step forward.
Ashton came over right away.
"Mr. Bently hurt Chantelle. I want you to injure him the same way."
"Yes, sir!" Ashton was shocked when he saw Chantelle’s arm. He knew right away that Daniel wanted payback for what happened to his wife.
He quickly called the bouncers to come and surround Roman.
"Mr. Wilson, this is all a big mistake. Chantelle is my daughter. Why would I hurt her? She must’ve been injured before. This has to be a setup!" Roman tried to explain.
Ashton rolled his eyes.
Who hurts their daughter and then blames her?
"What are you waiting for? Didn’t you hear Mr. Wilson? Mr. Bently hurt Mrs. Wilson. Take him away."
Ashton gave the order and had his men drag Roman out. He made sure to say it loud enough for everyone to hear.
He wanted them to know how much Chantelle mattered.
There would be a price to pay if anyone hurt her.
Roman kept trying to defend himself as he was dragged away. Then, two loud screams echoed through the house. Everything went silent after that.
Ashton came back and gave his report. "Apologies, Mr. Wilson. The guards got confused. They dislocated both his wrists."
"Let it be a lesson to everyone," Daniel replied calmly.
Ashton smiled to himself. He decided to treat the guards to a good meal later for pleasing Daniel.
Once Roman was gone, the villa became quiet again.
"Thank you! But... why are you back so soon? Didn’t you say you had work?"
Chantelle thanked Daniel, then turned to get the first aid kit for her bleeding arm. But Daniel picked her up before she could go.
"Don’t worry everything has been handled in the company. I’m here to take you and the children back home. I can’t believe he came here to make trouble. Don’t move. You’ll make your injured arm worse."
"I can take care of it myself..." she muttered. It was her arm that was injured, not her leg.
Being carried like a bride felt a bit much.
She sighed as he brought her to the couch and wrapped her in a blanket. He then searched the cabinets for the med kit.
"Here, let me take off the gauze. Philip should be here soon."
"Huh? That’s not necessary. Russell’s more than enough. He lives nearby."
"You used the lab’s medication on that wound. It’s better if Philip checks it."
"Okay then." Chantelle didn’t argue this time.
Daniel had a point. The medicine from Philip’s lab really did help her heal faster.
Her quick recovery was mostly thanks to the special drug he created.
It was a miracle drug. It eased the side effects of bandages and helped wounds heal much faster.
Suddenly, she pictured Russell clinging to her, crying and begging to meet Philip and work with him.
She silently sent Russell a message.
"Come to Western Hill Villa right now. Bring your family’s porcelain set with you!"
Daniel gently took off the gauze, but when he looked up, he saw Chantelle typing quickly on her phone. She was clearly texting back and forth with someone. His face darkened. He pressed harder than needed with the cotton swab.
Chantelle let out a cry.
"Be gentle, Daniel! That hurts!"
Daniel stayed silent. Then he did it again.
She realized he was doing it on purpose and put her phone away, annoyed.
"Are you doing that on purpose, Daniel? Trying to kill me so you can keep the kids?"
"Tell me if I’m wrong, Ms. Chantelle. Aren’t they my kids too? I played a part in this, didn’t I?"
"What’s wrong with you? I’m the one who’s hurt, and you’re picking on me. Are you enjoying this?"
"You’re the one injured. And yet you’re busy on your phone. Are you finished?" Daniel kept a straight face, but he didn’t press the cotton too hard again.
Then it hit her. Was he suspicious about her texting Russell?
I’m an adult. What’s wrong with sending a message?
It’s not like I’m doing anything wrong.
Wait a minute.Is this guy seriously jealous?
"Are you jealous, Daniel?" Chantelle asked, curious to hear what he’d say.
Somehow, the tension Roman caused had faded.
"Jealousy is something only lowly people feel. Do you really think I’d feel that?" Daniel said while cleaning the blood around her arm—again, a bit rougher than needed.
At least he avoided the wound this time. If he hadn’t, she might’ve thought he really wanted her dead.
"Then why are you acting so shady and hurting me on purpose? I wonder who it was that called me his wife, then went right back to calling me Ms. Chantelle? Feelings change so fast!"
Her words seemed to hit him because he kept his eyes down.
She leaned back against the cushions, playing the part of a heartbroken woman.
She looked like a partner who felt let down.
"So, you like it when I call you Mrs. Wilson?" Daniel looked up at her and asked her curiously.
His voice was warm and gentle, with a playful glee.
"Mrs. Wilson? That makes me sound old!" she said, flustered and clearly embarrassed. "What about just calling me your wife?"
"I’m still in pain. Can you not take advantage of me right now?"
"This is what it means for me to take advantage of you, my darling wife," Daniel said, then leaned in and kissed her without asking her permission.
Chantelle’s face turned bright red.
Daniel Wilson! You jerk!