Abel could not believe she was reacting to the situation this way. He patted her back and asked patiently, “Were you scared?”Ruth shook her head and nuzzled against his chest, but she said nothing. Galen got out of the car and was just about to greet Abel when his phone rang. He went to the side to answer the call. It was from his subordinate, who was reporting the situation on his side. After hanging up, Galen walked over and saw how Ruth was huddled up like a frightened bird in Abel’s arms. His expression twisted into one that cannot be described by words. Perhaps it was because his stare was burning into her back, but Ruth was able to get herself out of her funk. She looked at him. “Did they seriously manage to escape?”Abel scowled in displeasure. “They ran?”Galen shook his head. “No. They’re all in the MPV. We managed to capture all of them.”Ruth nodded. “That’s good.”Galen continued staring at Ruth’s calm face. In the end, he could not quell his curiosity and a
Ruth did not turn down having lunch with Abel. Soon, the hotel delivered their lunch to their room. It smelled great and looked appetizing. Ruth was salivating just by looking at it. She had not had lunch, and, after the ordeal, it was already past noon. In fact, it was approaching dinner time. Somehow, Ruth managed to elegantly wipe her plate clean of food. Then, she looked at Abel, who had spent the entire time cutting up her food for her instead of eating. His plate was practically untouched. “Aren’t you going to eat?”Before he could say anything, she decided to answer her own question instead. “Makes sense. Despite being so busy, you always make sure you eat all three meals on time. It’s now too late for lunch, but too early for dinner. You wouldn’t be able to stomach your food.”She took the bowl of soup Abel passed to her and elegantly took a spoonful. “Unlike me, who was abandoned and abducted while hungry.”Abel nodded. “True. You fought against your abductors with
Abel was surprised. He did not expect her to ask this question. When he saw her inquisitive and anxious eyes, his heart fluttered. “You’re worth it.”“But—”“No buts.” Abel cut her off before she could launch into any sort of self-doubt. “Didn’t you say you wanted to apologize? Are you trying to change the topic?”He did not like seeing her look so vulnerable and helpless. She should shine brightly and confidently at all times. At the sight of him asking for her apology so sternly, Ruth snickered before she put on the face she always had when she talked about something serious. “Alright. Did you think that I didn’t want to go watch a movie with you because I wanted to see Caelus?”Right after the words left her mouth, Abel’s expression froze, and he fell silent. The silent agreement verified Ruth’s theory. With an expression that said, “I knew it,” Ruth explained in resignation, “That wasn’t the case. Brendon Hollis sold the formula for the medicine, and Caelus was the buyer.
Desire burned in him, and he hugged her tighter so that she was pressed flushed against him. “You didn’t sound like you were apologizing. It was more like a complaint.”Ruth blinked innocently. “Was it?”Pressing his forehead against hers, Abel whispered, “Yes.”Their breaths mingled together, and there was only an inch between their lips. But he did not move any further. He only gave a hint. “Besides, I taught you how to show your sincerity if you want to be forgiven. Have you forgotten how to do it?”His warm breath fanned her face. Passion burned intensely in them, but Ruth’s mind was clear. She did remember. When she revealed that she was Harper Williams, he had shamelessly reminded her that she could show her sincerity by initiating. As she looked into his dark eyes and saw the desire burning in them, she felt like that same desire was burning her. Her throat became dry, and she gulped. “Do I have to?”Abel said nothing and only watched her with a smile. The implicati
Abel had looked her over just now; Ruth was not injured. Besides, considering how gutsy she was and how she had actually waited for Jasper to arrive, there was no way Jasper could have actually scared her. So, what exactly happened that made Ruth feel so down when she came back? Abel had never seen Ruth behave like that before. She was dejected, frail, and in despair. In fact, she looked like she was doubting everything, including herself. Ruth’s eyes were partially shut. She nuzzled against his chest and said in a drawl, “What could he have possibly done to me? You should be asking what I did to him.” Abel looked down at her and asked, “What did you do to him?”Ruth sneered and looked at him. “You already know. I asked Eilam to beat them up and strip them naked before leaving them there.”“You knew that I would send someone to pick you up, and that’s why you made sure they couldn’t leave?”“Nah.” She did figure that Abel would notice she was in trouble, but she did not kn
They fell silent. But something between them had changed. As Abel stared at her dumbstruck look, he smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead. It was as if a switch was flipped with that kiss. Ruth’s entire face lit up with a bright smile. She pushed him away, and her voice was filled with glee. “Tell me more.”Abel just looked at her with a smile and said nothing. “I love listening to those things. Praise me more! You don’t have to use such plain words, either. You can use some metaphors or hyperbole. My memory for this sort of thing is really good. I’ll remember it very well.”Ruth’s eyes were sparkling with joy, and she was smiling so brilliantly that all her gloom and frailty from before was gone. She regained her usual prideful and smug behavior. Abel sighed in relief and chuckled. He hugged her and changed the topic. “What do you want for dinner?”“Come on. I don’t want dinner. Let’s just talk!”“But I don’t like talking while under a blanket. If you’re not hungry
Meanwhile, the Goldwells were panicking. Callum looked ten years older ever since the police told him they arrested Jasper.Bella cried day and night until her eyes were swollen. When Luna finally returned, Bella started asking her for help as she wept. “He’s your brother. You have to do something! Ask Mr. Nicholas to help get Jasper out of detention, please! We’re a family! We could have just settled this behind closed doors. Why did she have to kick up such a big fuss?”Luna scowled impatiently. She always had to do something in exchange for favors from Nicholas. She had nothing to offer Nicholas to help Jasper. After a moment, she said, “It’s not that I don’t want to help, I can’t. Jasper offended Abel Blakewell this time. No one can save him.”Bella started crying again. “How on earth did he end up offending someone like him?!”“How else? It’s all because of Ruth.”“My poor son! Why is he so unlucky to have someone like Ruth as his sister?!”Luna took a look at Callum.
Each of the Goldwells had differing motives as they hosted Gabriel nervously. Luna silently observed Gabriel before she softly said, “Did you come here for my sister, Mr. Gabriel?”Gabriel put down his teacup and gave Luna an intimidating stare. “Your parents haven’t even spoken to me yet, so you have no right to speak to me. Did your parents even teach you any manners?”Luna’s face immediately turned red in shame. She had always been praised by her relatives and friends, and she was outstanding in everything she did. She had only wanted to alleviate the tension in the air, because it was clear that her parents were shocked and terrified by the situation. Hence, she did not expect Gabriel to rebuke her so mercilessly. But this was good. This meant that he was not pleased with the Goldwell family. He might even be here to force Ruth into divorcing Abel. “Don’t be so harsh on her, my friend. Luna is just worried about her sister and wants to be closer to you. She did not mean any