Concerned, Natalie asked in a low voice, “I forgot to ask last time. Why were you two at the clinic?”
Elizabeth’s voice filled with sorrow as she explained, “Jorge used to be a drug addict. After quitting, he seemed like a different person. But he lost his job and became violent. Everything used to be so good between us. I don’t know why things have come to this.”
Natalie frowned, forming a worse impression of Jorge upon hearing about his past as a drug addict. Carefully choosing her words, she asked, “What are you planning to do? Do you have any plans?”
Elizabeth sighed heavily, nursing a glass of wine, her sadness evident. “I want to break up with him, but I don’t think it’s the right time. I can’t just give up on him when he needs me.”
Trying to offer comfort, Natalie said, “If you’re certain that he has truly quit drugs, maybe breaking up isn’t necessary.” Elizabeth managed a bitter smile and downed two more glasses of wine.
Just then, Elizabeth’s phone rang, displaying “BF” on the screen.
Elizabeth answered the phone in a rush, her heart pounding. “Where are you?” Jorge’s voice sounded anxious on the other end of the line. “Why aren’t you home yet? I’ve been waiting for you for half an hour!”
“I’m having dinner with my friends at the Riverside Restaurant. I’ll be back later,” Elizabeth explained, her face filled with disappointment.
“What the hell are you talking about? Friends? What friends? Come up with a better lie, Elizabeth! Tell me—are you with another man?” Jorge’s voice grew louder and more aggressive, causing everyone at the table to overhear the conversation.
“You’re crazy!” Elizabeth didn’t want to waste her breath on him, so she angrily hung up the phone and reached for another glass of wine. By that point, she had already finished almost an entire bottle of red wine by herself.
Worried that Elizabeth would get drunk, Natalie intervened. “Let’s eat something first before you have another drink, okay?”
But Elizabeth ignored her, turning a deaf ear and continuing to drink. Eventually, Natalie turned to Draco for help, even though he usually avoided meddling in other people’s private affairs. However, Natalie’s pleading look was hard to resist, so Draco stepped in.
“That’s enough. Getting drunk won’t solve anything,” Draco scolded, surprising everyone. He was known for being gentle and level-headed, both at work and in private. Elizabeth obediently stopped drinking, but it seemed too late. Her cheeks were flushed, and she struggled to keep her head up, tears welling in her eyes.
After the phone call, Elizabeth lost her appetite. She sat quietly while Draco and Natalie finished their meal. Concerned, Natalie walked Elizabeth to the restaurant’s gate, wanting to drive her home. However, their homes were in opposite directions across the city.
Realizing Natalie’s worry, Draco offered to take Elizabeth home himself. “You should go home now. Drive safely,” he said, understanding Natalie’s unspoken concern.
“Thank you, Mr. Wesley. You too,” Natalie replied gratefully. Draco approached Elizabeth to help her, as she was too drunk to stand on her own. Coincidentally, just as Draco reached her, she stumbled and fell into his arms. Natalie saw nothing wrong with this, considering Elizabeth’s state and Draco’s offer to help.
However, someone lurking nearby had a different perspective. An angry man suddenly stepped in front of Draco, blocking their way. He pointed an accusing finger at them. “So, you’re her new boy toy? Bitch, how dare you cheat on me!” It was Jorge, Elizabeth’s boyfriend.
Worried that the situation would escalate, Natalie tried to intervene and explain, “Sir, calm down. We’re both Elizabeth’s colleagues. We just had dinner together.”
“Go to hell, bitch!” Jorge refused to listen, shoving Natalie away without hesitation. Natalie nearly fell, but luckily, Brandon, wearing a black overcoat, caught her just in time. He helped her up and looked into her eyes with concern. “Are you okay?”
Brandon held onto Natalie until she regained her balance. Then, he confidently approached Jorge, gripping his shoulders tightly before forcefully throwing him to the ground.
Jorge, bewildered and enraged, cursed vehemently, “What the—?! Who the fuck are you?”
“Mind your own fucking business!” Brandon retorted sharply.
“Oh, fuck off!” Jorge spat back defiantly.
Frowning with disdain, Brandon glared down at the despicable man on the ground. He had no intention of wasting his breath on scum like Jorge. Unbuttoning his cuffs, he prepared himself to teach him a lesson.
Terrified, Jorge curled into a ball and hastily covered his head. The imposing presence of the man before him was overwhelming. He didn’t know who Brandon was, but it was clear that Brandon’s towering stature and strength gave him no chance in a fight.
“Don’t come any closer! I’ll call the police!” Jorge threatened, his voice trembling.
Observing Jorge cowering on the ground, Brandon decided it wasn’t worth dirtying his hands with a confrontation. He issued a warning instead, “You better not show your face in front of me again.”
Jorge dared not utter another word. Meeting Brandon’s chilling gaze, he nodded, quickly got up, and hurriedly fled the scene.
Natalie, still taken aback by Brandon’s unexpected appearance, recalled telling him she would go home alone. As Jorge disappeared around the corner, Brandon turned to Natalie and spoke gently, “I promised you I’d come pick you up.” Thankfully, he had kept his promise.
Brandon hadn’t anticipated Natalie encountering danger during their dinner outing. Glancing at Draco, Natalie’s boss, he addressed him in an unfriendly tone, “If you’re going to have dinner together again, make sure it’s somewhere safe.” Though feeling uncomfortable, Draco maintained his composure and replied, “I’ll handle it. Thanks for your concern, Mr. Larson.”
Brandon pursed his lips, realizing he didn’t like Natalie’s boss. Call it a man’s instinct. He continued in a low voice, “This is about my wife’s safety. Of course, I’m concerned.”
Draco’s expression darkened.
Sensing Brandon’s strange behavior, Natalie urgently grabbed his arm and tugged at it. Why was he acting so strangely? Finally understanding her signal, Brandon ceased speaking.
Natalie remained worried about Elizabeth, who had been intoxicated the previous night. She decided to let Elizabeth stay at their house for the night. As she helped Elizabeth onto the sofa, she heard her groan in pain. Confused, Natalie rolled up her sleeve and discovered numerous bruises on Elizabeth’s arm. It was evident that Jorge had physically abused her.
“That jerk!” Natalie muttered angrily under her breath, applying ointment to Elizabeth’s injuries.
New Book: Beginning with a Daring Encounter
Celsie was tired of being labeled as an introvert, workaholic, and dull virgin by her friends. Determined to prove them wrong, she made a bet that she would do something daring on her 25th birthday. Now that the day had arrived, it was time to fulfill her promise. On her daring to-do list, there was one task: a one-night stand with someone.
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