fantishu
Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Howard had never imagined that a moment of impulse could become a beacon of light in her life. Seduced into a daze, he reached out and ran his fingers through her soft hair.
Like a jolt of electricity, they both froze, the silence thick with unspoken desire.
“Mr. Chadwick, are you the one who sponsored me?”
Gwendolyn was about to speak when a knock interrupted her in succession.
“Mr. Howard, the Peterson family is here,” called Marina from outside.
“Understood.”
He acknowledged with a quick response, and Gwendolyn hastily straightened his shirt. “Let me wheel you down.”
Her hand, pale as a freshly cut leek, rested on the wheelchair. A long–lost flutter stirred in Howard’s heart, which he forcibly suppressed, cursing Nathan for his foolish words.
In the living room.
Alberta glanced around, relieved not to see Roselind.
“Alberta, our lady has moved back and no longer resides here,” Marina offered, cleverly catching onto her thoughts. Whenever the two ladies met, it was like a catfight.
Valor laughed heartily, “Mom, you’re as strong as an ox, afraid of her?”
“Ungrateful wretch! What are you on about!” Alberta, fuming, playfully slapped his back. She was plump and well–rounded!
“Ouch, that hurts!” complained Valor.
When Gwendolyn and Howard entered the living room, they found Valor playing up his pain.
Gwendolyn coughed lightly, and they turned to look..
Alberta greeted them with proper decorum, while Valor’s cheeks turned red at the sight of Gwendolyn, stumbling over his words.
“Mrs. Chadwick, you saved my son. The thought of what could have happened is unbearable. We’ve come specifically to express our gratitude.” Alberta handed over a check for $500,000, showcasing her wealth.
Gwendolyn quickly waved it off. “It was nothing anyone wouldn’t have done.”
“Is it too little for you?” It seemed as though if Gwendolyn just nodded. Alberta would be ready to increase it to $5 million on the spot.
Howard knew the Peterson family’s way. They loved to throw money around. He took the check and placed it in Gwendolyn’s palm..
“Since it’s been offered, you should accept it. Mr. Peterson’s life is worth a fortune. $500,000 is nothing.” Howard was cool, his gaze dark and commanding.
Valor, hiding behind, glanced repeatedly at Howard’s legs. Rumors were rife that Howard was finished. Valor felt a pang of sympathy, thinking they shared the same plight.
“What’s with that look?” Howard asked coldly.
Valor ventured cautiously, “Howard, are you really… unable to perform? That would be quite unfair to Gwendolyn, leaving her in a lonesome marriage. But with her medical skills, she should be able to cure you, right?” Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
“Rubbish, what nonsense are you spouting!”
Alberta looked like she wanted to smack his mouth off.
“Oh dear.” Valor scrambled around, clutching his head, “I just wanted to beg Gwendolyn to treat me. I woke up after one prick from her. Maybe a couple more, I’ll be cured!”
No man would want to live with an affliction. He had been the butt of jokes in the high society of Bayridge City for too many years.
“Just kill me. I don’t want to live anymore. What’s left for a man who’s not sexually capable? I’ve taken so much medicine, and nothing works.” Valor threw a tantrum on the floor, his eyes brimming with tears as he spoke.
Alberta ached her heart and wept together with him.
Marina tried to console them to no avail and could only watch helplessly.
Gwendolyn bit her lip, her eyes full of distress. She reached out and hooked her finger around Howard’s arm. Howard grasped her hand, his fingertips caressing her smooth skin.
Finally, he wrote two words in the palm of her hand.