Chapter 6 Why Should I Stay Here

Krax could see the hatred in Astrid's eyes. Her piercing blue eyes made her look incredibly adorable. With the file his assistant had sent him, he could see that the woman had really suffered. But wait—did she really kill her brother-in-law? If so, what could have driven her to do that?  

Interesting, this is really interesting, he thought to himself while studying the woman who looked so innocent. She didn't seem like a killer.  

As he remained immersed in his thoughts, Astrid snapped out of hers and noticed Krax’s intense gaze fixed on her. She instinctively touched her face, wondering if something was wrong. “What?” she asked, annoyed, after realizing there was nothing out of place.  

Krax said nothing. Instead, he shifted his gaze from her and stared at the IV drip attached to her hand with an expressionless face. “You’re going to stay here for a week. We’ll talk about everything after you’re fully healed,” he said firmly.  

Astrid was stunned. “A full week? Are you kidding me? What will I even be doing here for an entire week?” she demanded, frowning.  

“You’ll do as I say. I don’t want to be a young widower,” Krax replied, glancing at her as he slid his hands into his pockets.  

“No way!” Astrid exclaimed stubbornly.  

“You don’t have a choice,” Krax declared before walking out of the hospital.  

Outside the hospital, Krax opened his car and adjusted his necktie. His driver, who also happened to be his personal secretary, Josh Wood, turned to him and asked, “Boss, should we head to the company?”  

Krax, still fixing his tie, replied, “Find someone to protect the lady. Also, order her some food and make sure she doesn’t leave the hospital this week. You don’t need to come to the office for the time being; your job is to ensure her safety.”  

Josh was confused by his boss’s sudden interest in the woman. He swallowed hard and cautiously asked, “Umm… boss… have you fallen for this strange woman?”  

Krax paused and looked at him. “Why would you say that?” he asked, his brow furrowed.  

“You’re suddenly paying a lot of attention to her. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you show such interest in any woman,” Josh said with a nervous smile.  

But the moment he saw his boss’s cold gaze, Josh shivered. Krax’s piercing stare sent chills down his spine, and he instantly regretted speaking.  

“Josh,” Krax called out in a chilling tone.  

Josh stammered. His boss’s voice sounded like a lawyer delivering a death sentence. “Y-Yes, b-boss?”  

“Do you want your mouth to be sealed?”  

“No…no…no, boss. My job starts today. Take care,” he said and quickly escaped. He didn’t want to face the devil king any longer. He was suddenly grateful that his boss had assigned him to the lady. If not, he wouldn’t have found the perfect excuse to escape.  

Krax looked at the back of his secretary, who had just fled like a scared rabbit. He shook his head helplessly and got into the driver’s seat. He suddenly recalled Josh’s words.  

He quickly shook that idea from his mind. How could he fall for a stranger he had just met four days ago? He smirked and drove off to his company.  

Meanwhile, inside the hospital, Astrid was boiling with rage. “Why should I stay here for more than four days? Isn’t this ridiculous? Hmm, who does he think he is?” she thought angrily.  

She hated the hospital’s sterile smell—the pungent antiseptic scent always reminded her of the baby she’d lost.  

Memories of Eira’s confession and her cold laughter flooded Astrid’s mind, blending with the empty hospital room that symbolized her pain and loss. The images rushed through her mind like a spoiled dam.  

Determined, she stood up from the bed without bothering to put on her slippers. “I can’t stay here for seven days,” she said under her breath. Pulling out the IV drip, she winced at the pain but gritted her teeth and walked toward the door.  

She opened the door slightly and peeked through.  Astrid scanned the corridor and was relieved that it was empty. Smiling mischievously, she gently closed the door, slipped on her slippers, and hurried toward the exit.  

Just as she opened the door and prepared to escape, she bumped into someone.  

“Ouch!” Astrid winced in pain.  

Josh studied the woman he had just collided with. She looked much better now compared to when he had first met her. Back then, she seemed miserable. “Where are you going, miss?” he asked in a serious tone.  

Astrid sized him up and muttered softly to herself, “Where did this one come from?” 

Clearing her throat, she rubbed her hand through her hair. “I’ve been cooped up in the ward for too long. I just need some fresh air,” she lied smoothly.  

“All right, I’ll escort you out,” Josh replied in a flat tone.  

“Huh?” Astrid was stunned. “Why would you follow me?” she asked, perplexed.  

“Because I’m here to protect you,” Josh answered simply.  

Astrid scrutinized him from head to toe. He was handsome, but not as striking as the Wooden Board (Krax). He didn’t seem as cold, though.  

“Do you work for that Wooden Board?” she asked, still sizing him up. If he wasn’t one of the Wooden Board’s men, she might have considered pairing him with one of her friends.  

“Wooden Board?” Josh repeated, confused.  

“The man who just left,” Astrid clarified, pointing toward the hospital exit.  

“You mean my boss?”  

“Yes. Is he your boss? Tsk, tsk. You shouldn’t stick around him too much, or you’ll never find someone to marry. With that poker face, how could he ever brighten anyone’s life?” She puckered her lips in frustration.  

Josh couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Hahaha! My boss would lose his mind if he heard you call him Wooden Board. This is too funny.”  

Still amused, he asked, “Why would you call him that?”  

“Because he’s always wearing that poker face, as if he’s at war with the world,” Astrid answered innocently.  

“Oh, I see,” Josh said, nodding while suppressing his laughter. “Are you still planning to go out?” he asked.  

Astrid nodded firmly. She needed to get out of here and escape. She could discuss the marriage later.  

“Of course. I’m suffocating in here; I need some fresh air,” she replied with a smirk, already plotting her getaway.  

“All right,” Josh said, still amused but keeping an eye on her.  

Astrid smiled to herself. “This is my chance to run away from these people.”