Chapter 42 Massage

Valerie sat there, her hands clenched into tight fists. She was determined to prove to those who doubted her that she, Valerie, had what it took to excel at her job!

Snapping back to reality, she glanced at Howard beside her, giving him a slightly apologetic nod. In a soft voice, she asked, "Would you think I don't like you if I keep rejecting your kindness?"

"Of course not," Howard replied, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "It's good that you want to strive and prove yourself." He rested his chin on his hand, his voice dropping to a whisper, "But don't push yourself too hard. If it gets to be too much, you can always come to the Carter Group."

"That day will never come!" Valerie's face was full of excitement for her future work, her passion almost palpable. Seeing her like this, Howard's smile deepened.

Just as he was about to say more, two familiar voices echoed from outside the conference room, causing Howard's expression to change slightly. He instinctively looked at Valerie on the sofa.

"Valerie," Howard maneuvered his wheelchair quickly towards a nearby partition, "come here."

Though Valerie didn't understand what he was up to, she followed him instinctively. They had just stepped into the partition when the door to the reception room opened.

Howard didn't want Jasper and Hayden to see him in the same room as Valerie. In a moment of panic, he grabbed Valerie's hand and pulled her into his lap before she could react.

The sudden closeness made Valerie reflexively wrap her arms around Howard's neck. Her breath slowed, but her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably as she looked at his face so close to hers.

Feeling Howard's warmth beneath her, Valerie felt every point of contact between them heat up. His warm breath brushed against her cheek, causing a tingling sensation. She couldn't help but shrug her shoulders, her face turning as red as a ripe apple.

Outside, Jasper and Hayden's voices continued.

"Dad, I don't want to lose money either!" Jasper's voice was full of frustration. "If it weren't for Howard and Valerie interfering with the last project, I would have succeeded! Now just hearing their names irritates me!"

Meanwhile, the two people being complained about were hiding in the partition, holding their breath and eavesdropping. Valerie couldn't help but smile slightly.

Howard, however, was tense. He raised his hands to gently cover Valerie's ears, not wanting her to hear the unpleasant conversation outside.

Valerie looked up at Howard in confusion, her breath occasionally brushing his chin, causing a strange tickling sensation in his heart. But he had no time to dwell on that.

Listening to the conversation outside, Howard's heart pounded, fearing they might reveal some unwanted secrets.

"Howard," Valerie whispered softly.

In response, Howard hugged her tighter.

Valerie leaned against Howard, her hand resting on his chest, feeling the firm muscles beneath. She hadn't realized Howard was so well-built. 'He must have abs,' she thought, her mind wandering as her gaze drifted down his body, her face burning.

Fortunately, Jasper and Hayden's voices soon faded from the reception room. Howard finally relaxed, his tense body unwinding.

He looked down, realizing how tightly he was holding Valerie.

"Sorry," his voice was hoarse as he loosened his grip, "I didn't mean to... Jasper's always looking for trouble with me. I was worried he'd use this as an opportunity."

Valerie nodded, lowering her hands to find leverage to stand up from Howard's lap.

But as she moved, Howard suddenly bent over, reacting strongly. Valerie, still in his lap, felt his leg move. She froze, unable to believe what she felt.

Hesitating for a moment, she instinctively reached out to touch the spot that had moved. Before she could, Howard grabbed her hand.

"Don't touch," Howard's voice was low and strained.

"Howard, I just," Valerie stopped, her eyes filled with suspicion as she glanced at Howard, "I think I felt your leg move."

Howard's expression remained unchanged as he held her hand tightly, a hint of pain in his calm demeanor. "It's probably just an old injury acting up."

"An old injury?" Valerie exclaimed, her doubts instantly forgotten. She quickly struggled to get up from Howard's lap, her face full of concern as she checked his leg.

Her slender fingers gently pressed on his thigh, her eyes watching Howard's expression closely. "Did I hurt your leg because I'm too heavy?"

Howard forced a smile, shaking his head at Valerie. "It's not like that..."

The more he downplayed it, the guiltier Valerie felt. But all the necessary items for leg care were at home, and the company wouldn't allow her to help Howard during work hours.

After some thought, Valerie hesitated and asked, "Can you ask for a leave?"

Half an hour later, Joseph drove them home. Valerie quickly pushed Howard to his room, then rushed to her own room to gather the necessary items for his care.

Returning to Howard's room, she knelt in front of him, reaching to pull down his pants.

"What are you doing?" Howard asked, surprised by her actions.

Valerie's face turned bright red. Though she had initiated it, Howard's question made her blush even more, her eyes avoiding his.

"I need to massage you," she stammered. "The oil won't reach the upper part of your thigh with your pants on."

Howard's tense body relaxed slightly, though still surprised by Valerie's actions. Even more surprising was how red her face had become, like it was about to drip blood. A mischievous thought crossed his mind.

A sly smile tugged at his lips. "Alright." His eyes locked onto Valerie's, Howard unbuckled his belt and grabbed her hand, guiding it to his waistband.

"Then I might need your help changing."

Valerie felt like her head was about to explode, but Howard wasn't done. He added, "After all, we are husband and wife, right?" The word "wife" was emphasized, making Valerie's heart race even more.