Chapter 183
Arthur's fist grazed his jaw, making him stumble back a step. He wiped away the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, but the provocative edge in his smile only intensified.
"Love isn't a business deal. You can't just bulldoze your way back into someone's heart. You don't deserve Elaine's love."
"Whether I deserve it or not isn't for you to decide!"
Rage consumed Arthur as he stepped forward, grabbing Bradley by the collar while his other hand clenched into a fist, poised to deliver a heavier blow.
"Stop it! Arthur, what are you doing?!"
Elaine rushed in, just in time to witness Arthur clutching Bradley's collar, his fist frozen mid-strike.
Her pupils contracted as her heart seized in her chest.
She hurried forward, forcefully pushing Arthur away and positioning herself in front of Bradley. She glared up at the man radiating hostility before her.
"Arthur! Is violence all you know? First you accuse me without reason, and now you're attacking people? You're completely irrational!"
Elaine's words left Arthur stunned.
His raised fist hung suspended in the air as he watched helplessly while Elaine shielded Bradley behind her.
In that moment, hidden from Elaine's view, Bradley—protected behind her—slowly raised his eyes.
The blood at the corner of his mouth remained unwiped, but his gaze had already taken on the challenge of a victor.
His eyes swept over Arthur's ashen face, and the corner of his mouth curled upward slightly.
Bradley was mocking him.
Arthur's veins bulged instantly.
That punch—Bradley had provoked it deliberately!
This realization exploded in Arthur's mind.
Bradley had intentionally provoked him, deliberately taken that hit, all so Elaine would witness Arthur's violence firsthand.
He'd been played!
He stared at Bradley, his gaze so dark it could drip with venom, desperate to yank that pretentious hypocrite out from behind Elaine.
"Arthur! Have you lost your mind enough?"
Elaine's voice cut through again. "What exactly do you want? Won't you be satisfied until everyone's miserable? Until Vera doesn't have even a moment's peace?"
At her accusation, Arthur's boiling blood froze instantly.
"Elaine, I..."
His Adam's apple bobbed as he tried to explain, his voice rough and dry.
He wanted to tell her Bradley had done it on purpose, that he'd been set up, to explain about that photograph...
But Elaine didn't give him the chance to speak.
Seeing him attempt to approach, she stepped back defensively, shielding Bradley even more completely.
She turned her attention fully back to Bradley.
"Bradley, are you okay? Is it serious?"
She asked urgently, her voice carrying a gentleness Arthur hadn't heard directed at him in ages.
Bradley drew in a perfectly timed, sharp breath, but immediately offered her a reassuring smile. "It's nothing, just a minor injury. Don't worry, and please don't get into any more conflict with Mr. Smith on my account."
His tone was gentle, showing consideration at every turn, creating a stark contrast with Arthur's aggressive demeanor.
This theatrical performance only added fuel to the fire. The veins at Arthur's temples throbbed as he forced words through clenched teeth, "Elaine, look carefully! He's pretending—"
"I see very clearly!"
Elaine whipped around, cutting him off, her gaze sharp. "I clearly saw you attack someone without provocation! Arthur, there's nothing between us anymore!"
She enunciated each word with finality, "I signed the divorce papers. I'm a free woman. Whoever I choose to be close to is none of your business! You don't get to control me!"
Arthur looked as if her words had physically wounded him, the atmosphere around him dropping to frightening levels.
Ignoring his shifting expressions, Elaine turned to support Bradley's arm, her tone instantly softening, "Let's go. I'll take you back to treat that wound. I'm sorry you got caught up in this mess because of me."
Bradley nodded compliantly. "Okay, whatever you say."
As Elaine turned to help him, hidden by their positioning, he once again lifted his gaze, aiming it precisely at Arthur, who stood frozen in place.
This time, his eyes held no pretense, throwing naked provocation at Arthur.
Arthur trembled with rage, a metallic taste rising in his throat that he forcibly swallowed back.
He wanted to rush forward, to tear the deceitful Arthur away from Elaine, to hold her in his arms and tell the world she was his!
But remembering Elaine's icy stare, his feet remained rooted to the spot.
Elaine seemed to be drifting further and further away from him...
Meanwhile, Elaine brought Bradley to the hospital's temporary treatment area.
She helped him sit down on a chair in the hallway, her face filled with remorse.
"Bradley, I'm truly sorry," she said softly, her tone sincere. "It's because of me that you've been dragged into this mess and gotten hurt."
She frowned deeply at the purpling bruise at the corner of his mouth.
Bradley waved dismissively, even flashing her a relaxed smile.
"It's really nothing, just a surface wound. Seeing you defend me like that makes this punch worth taking."
He joked, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
Seeing Elaine still troubled, he changed tactics, "But if you really feel bad about it... could you help treat my wound?"
He pointed to the medical kit nearby.
Elaine nodded without hesitation, "Of course, it's the least I can do."
She quickly retrieved the medical kit, opened it, and took out cotton swabs and ointment.
Sitting on the armrest of the sofa beside Bradley, she leaned in slightly, gently dabbing at the wound at the corner of his mouth.
Her movements were extremely gentle, afraid of causing him any pain.
They were so close that Bradley could smell the faint fragrance in her hair.
He sat quietly, cooperatively tilting his head back slightly, his gaze inadvertently falling on her fair, delicate neck, a flicker of satisfaction passing through the depths of his eyes.
"This might sting a little, bear with it," Elaine warned softly, her voice almost at his ear.
Bradley responded in a low, slightly husky voice.
For a moment, only their breathing filled the room, creating a subtle, charged atmosphere.
After treating the wound, Elaine applied a bandage and finally relaxed.
"There, just keep it dry for a few days, and it should heal quickly."
Bradley looked at her, his eyes gentle. "Thank you. It feels much better."
Just then, Elaine's phone rang—it was Bradley's assistant calling.
She answered, listened for a few moments, and her face instantly lit up with anticipation.
"They've arrived?"
She looked excitedly toward Bradley. "The medical team has landed and is on their way to the hospital!"