Chapter 162
Charles came down the stairs.
The man, already roughed up by the bodyguards, was on his knees, pleading for mercy. He felt like the unluckiest guy around. He saw Charles and spilled the beans. “I was just after some cash. I didn’t mean to hurt her. That woman… she’s got issues…”
Before he could finish, Charles swiftly kicked him in the mouth. The man let out a yelp, crumpling to the ground. He clutched his mouth, tasting the metallic tang of blood. Unable to hold back, he spat out a mouthful of blood and a few teeth. His eyes, wide with terror, fixed on Charles. He couldn’t fathom what he’d done to tick off this force of nature. “Keep talking, and watch your mouth.” Aiden gave him another hard kick. Was he insulting Evelyn? Not on his watch.
Swallowing the pain, the man fished out the necklace he’d swiped from Evelyn. Just looking at it made his blood boil. He’d gotten it checked out. It wasn’t worth as much as her coat. He spoke with obvious bitterness.
“She guarded it like it was something precious. I figured it was worth a lot, so I tried to take it.
“But she went berserk protecting it. She made me think it was really valuable…”
He didn’t mention Evelyn’s claim about her daughter’s ashes being inside and keeping it as a memento. To him, that was ridiculous nonsense. Where he came from, daughters weren’t held in high regard. Why would anyone make a necklace from their daughter’s ashes and wear it? Absurd. “I only got rough with her because I had no choice… Ah!”
His scream echoed as Charles snapped his arm. The necklace dropped into Charles’ hand. He glanced at it, then looked up, his voice icy, “She really cared about this necklace?”
“Yes!”
The man didn’t know why Charles asked, but desperate to prove he hadn’t meant any harm, he blurted, “It’s true. She really cares about this necklace. No matter how much I hit or kicked her, she wouldn’t let go…” “Hit and kicked?”
Charles’ voice was like ice, his presence even colder. The man realized he’d crossed a line and clamped his mouth shut.
“Pay him back a hundredfold.”
Charles tossed out the command coldly, holding the necklace as he headed for the elevator. Once inside, he hit the button for Evelyn’s floor.
As the doors closed, the man was surrounded by Charles’ bodyguards. They were trained and relentless, returning to him what Evelyn had endured a hundredfold.
…
In the hospital room, Evelyn lay back on the bed, looking at Brooks beside her. After a moment’s hesitation, she spoke up, “Brooks, can I ask you a favor?”
“You don’t need to be so formal with me. Just tell me what you need,” Brooks replied gently.
“Could you help find the guy who robbed me today? He took a necklace that’s really important to me…”
“Of course.”
Evelyn’s emotions stirred at the mention of the necklace, and she didn’t catch Brooks’ response. She grabbed his sleeve, afraid he’d think
is too
it was too much trouble. Her eyes were teary, and her voice was
urgent. “That necklace is incredibly important to me… so…”
“Evelyn, I promise I’ll help you get it back,” Brooks assured her, holding her hand.
Charles stood at the door, watching Brooks and Evelyn, his sharp gaze locking onto their clasped hands. His presence was impossible to
ignore. Evelyn noticed him right net
away, her eyes meeting Charles’ and her expression darkening. Her face practically broadcasted her
rejection.
“Charles, didn’t you hear me?”
Evelyn was surprised he had come back. As he stepped inside, her tone was frosty. Brooks stood up, trying to block Charles. The tension between the two men was palpable, ready to explode at any moment. Charles moved past Brooks, staring at Evelyn on the bed. His voice was cold yet commanding, “Tell him to leave.”
Evelyn was blunt, “You’re the one who needs to go!”
“Is that so?”
Charles’ voice was icy. He suddenly opened his hand, revealing the necklace. Evelyn’s eyes widened in shock. “Give me back my necklace!”
She lunged at Charles in an attempt
to grab it, but she missed and ended up in his arms. Evelyn moved too
fast for Brooks to stop her. As he tried to pull her back, Charles, being close wrapped his arms around her
waist, pulling her in. He shifted slightly, moving away from Brooks’ reach, putting distance between them.
Evelyn immediately struggled. Charles didn’t release her, meeting her fiery gaze. He smiled slightly, whispering in a voice only they could hear, “Do you want the necklace?”
Evelyn froze, her eyes even redder, glaring at Charles. She resented him more than the stranger who had attacked her.
Ignoring her anger, Charles tightened his hold, keeping Evelyn close. He looked over at Brooks, his gaze challenging. In front of Brooks, he leaned down, his lips near Evelyn’s ear, looking almost intimate as he murmured, “Tell him to leave.” His words were final. If Brooks wouldn’t leave, the necklace wouldn’t return to her.