Chapter 4 Where Were You When She Was Sick and Injured
Lucas's sudden appearance startled me. "How did you get in?"
Lucas sneered, staring at Marcus. "However he got in, that's how I got in."
So he also climbed over the wall. I figured I'd need to urge Gale tomorrow to send me some bodyguards as soon as possible.
"However you got in, get out the same way," I said coldly.
Lucas seemed provoked by my attitude. "I thought there was a burglar breaking into your house, but turns out it's your lover. Just how many men do you have? When did things start with them?"
"I knew them before I knew you."
I knew Lucas was a very domineering person. Probably because he wasn't valued by his family growing up, he especially hated others touching what belonged to him.
Now Lucas was pestering me and flying into a rage, not because he had deep feelings for me, but because he felt his possession had been taken away.
Lucas shook his head. "I investigated you before we got married. Your social connections were simple. If you'd been in contact with these three men after marriage, there's no way I wouldn't have noticed!"
I laughed lightly. "You only think of me when you're hungry or want to sleep with someone. How would you know what I do or who I see?"
In the first year of marriage, I was indeed very careful when contacting my brothers, afraid of being discovered.
Later, when my brothers' situations improved, worried I wasn't doing well, they sent me quite a few things. Lucas saw them several times but just assumed I'd bought them with his money.
In the past two months, my contact with my brothers had been very frequent. I thought as long as Lucas asked once, I'd come clean, but his eyes were only on Amelia—he couldn't even spare me a glance.
"You betrayed me!" Lucas said through gritted teeth.
Marcus lost his patience. "Didn't you betray Bella? On the 2nd of last month when Bella had a high fever, where were you?"
"Half a year ago when Bella was hospitalized for a stomach ulcer, did you visit her even once?"
"In March two years ago, when you took over Bloodwolf Mob's territory, their leader's brother ran Bella down with a motorcycle at the bank to get revenge on you! But the very next day you flew to Dawnharbor to see your mistress!"
I suddenly felt hurt.
Lucas, who was right beside me, knew nothing of my grievances, while Marcus, far away, knew everything clearly.
This was the difference between love and not loving.
Marcus stared at Lucas with a dark expression. "There are countless similar incidents. What right do you have to accuse Bella?"
"Shut up!" Lucas roared angrily, pulling out his gun and flicking off the safety in the blink of an eye.
I instinctively stepped in front of Marcus.
This action was like adding fuel to the fire. Lucas became furious and ordered me. "Move aside!"
Marcus also quickly drew his gun and aimed at Lucas. "You're asking for it!"
I used my body as Marcus's shield. Lucas warned me again. "Bella, move! Don't think I won't shoot!"
"If you want tomorrow's headline to be 'Northhold Kingpin Lucas Shoots Wife Dead,' then go ahead and shoot."
I was confident Lucas wouldn't shoot.
"Just one bullet and you can kiss your inheritance goodbye."
It was laughable really—most men in the Valeri family were playboys, but family rules stated men couldn't harm their wives. This involved the relationship between both parties in business marriages. Emotional loyalty was secondary; physical safety was the bottom line.
Violators would face severe punishment.
Lucas's siblings couldn't wait to see him fail. No matter how angry Lucas was, he wouldn't impulsively ruin his own future.
He was trying to scare me. He thought the meek and obedient me he remembered would definitely be frightened into moving aside, but he was wrong.
I wasn't a docile sheep. I had only retracted my claws around him because I loved him.
"Just a few days away from me and you've learned to threaten me?" Lucas looked at me as if seeing me for the first time, until a sweet ringtone interrupted our standoff.
Lucas froze for two seconds, then pulled out his phone.
"Amelia, I have something to deal with. Don't be upset, I'll be right there."
Marcus muttered with disgust. "Why does he use such a cutesy ringtone?"
"It's Amelia's special ringtone," I said.
Marcus pushed his tongue against his cheek and snorted unhappily. Watching Lucas hang up, he said mockingly. "Your mistress is summoning you. You'd better run back and please her."
Marcus used to be an arrogant guy with a terrible temper. Except for our parents and me, anyone who upset him would get a good scolding—Gale and Brian included, which is why they often got into fights.
After our family's downfall, despite Gale and Brian's objections, he became a hitman. Every time we didn't see each other for a while, Marcus's cursing skills would level up.
I figured if Lucas didn't leave soon, he might actually be driven mad by Marcus and me.
Lucas left with a cold face. Perhaps truly confused with anger, Lucas didn't ask me to open the gate and actually climbed back over the wall the way he came.
Marcus sneered with displeasure. "I really want to put a bullet in him."
I took the gun from Marcus's hand, tossed it aside, and got out the first aid supplies to rebandage Marcus's wound.
It was a simple task, but when I finished, I was covered in sweat and my hands were trembling uncontrollably as if drained of strength.
I'd studied medicine under famous teachers since childhood and once had the title "Miracle Surgeon." If my family hadn't fallen, I would definitely have had a place in the medical world by now. But now, because of psychological trauma, I couldn't even hold a scalpel.
"Bella? Are you okay?" Marcus looked at me with concern.
"I'm fine." I smiled at Marcus. "The wound looks good. So far there are no signs of infection or inflammation, but avoid strenuous activity to prevent tearing the wound."
"Got it. You're our medical genius—I'll listen to everything you say." Marcus pretended not to notice my cold sweat and sweet-talked me to cheer me up.
I made Marcus a late-night snack, settled him in the guest room, and we said goodnight to each other.
The next day, Marcus dragged me to the mall.
From the map, Starstream City was shaped like an irregular inverted triangle. The northern half was all under Lucas's rule—he was truly the "Kingpin of the North."
The southern territory was divided by a large river into the "Government District" on the far west, the "Chaotic Zone" along both banks of the river, and the "Co-governed District" on the east where various forces maintained a delicate balance.
The biggest and best mall was Regal Court Mall in the north. Even drugs, bombs, cold weapons, and firearms could be easily bought here. Lucas was committed to making an all-inclusive, all-capable mall his trademark.
After shopping for over two hours, Marcus's hands were full of shopping bags.
"Bella, where to next?" Marcus asked enthusiastically.
"Let's go to Elite Emporium," I said.
Elite Emporium specialized in luxury goods. On the most prominent counter in the store sat a silver-white crocodile leather square bag, encrusted with lots of diamonds and pearls. Passing customers couldn't help but take a second look.
"Is that a new style?" I asked.
The saleswoman. "Yes, limited to 15 worldwide, very popular! Our store only has this one right now. It just arrived a few minutes ago. The price is $188,000."
"Not expensive." Marcus smiled at me. "Buy it if you like it."
The saleswoman smiled and flattered me. "Your boyfriend is so generous. Shall I take it out for you to look at?"
"He's not my boyfriend." I handed over my bank card. "I'll take this bag."
"I want that bag!" A somewhat familiar female voice came from behind.
I glanced over my shoulder, and sure enough, Amelia stood there beside Lucas.