Chapter 234 To Pursue My Daughter, You Must First Get Past Me

Chapter 234 To Pursue My Daughter, You Must First Get Past Me

Seeing me say this, York and Owen both responded in agreement and didn't bring it up again.

They drove me to the front gate. As soon as I got out of the car, I saw Atlas's car parked at the entrance. When York spotted him, he looked at me nervously and said, "Ms. Lockwood, what should we do? It's Mr. Lancaster. Why is he here?"

Seeing his nervous expression, I reassured him. "It's fine. I texted him to come."

Hearing this, York breathed a sigh of relief, but quickly added, "Ms. Lockwood, if Mr. Lancaster gets angry later, should I step in as a witness? This wasn't your fault, it was all because of that jerk Knox."

I shook my head. "No need. If we don't even have that much trust, what's the point of being together?"

I opened the car door and said, "You two head back."

Seeing me, Atlas got out of his car and pulled me into his arms. "Helena, what happened?"

I held tight to his waist. The familiar scent of tobacco on him made me feel safe. When Knox came at me earlier, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared.

Now, with Atlas right in front of me, I realized just how much I relied on him.

"Atlas, someone bullied me today."

"What happened?"

As Atlas spoke, he cupped my face in his hands. Seeing that my eyes were red, his expression immediately grew anxious. "Helena, tell me what happened."

I pouted, looking at him pitifully. "It was that jerk Knox. He got drunk and tried to get back together with me, but York and Owen held him down and beat him up."

"So you left the hotel and had me wait at the front door because you were afraid I'd misunderstand?"

After Atlas finished speaking, I quickly nodded. "I didn't want any gossip spreading around that would make you suspicious."

"How could I possibly misunderstand you?"

Atlas stroked my head. "I only feel bad for you. How could I misunderstand? And that jerk Knox—he's asking for it!"

Atlas snorted coldly, pulled out his phone, and made a call. "Those suppliers working with the Pemberton Group—find a way to get them all to stop supplying!"

The person on the other end responded, and Atlas hung up. "Helena, don't be scared. Leave this to me. I'll make the Pemberton family pay."

I nodded. "Okay, but Knox is about to marry Natasha, so take it easy. Don't destroy him completely—that wouldn't be any fun."

"Naughty girl!"

Atlas pinched my cheek and chuckled. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll just create some trouble for the Pemberton family first. That's what he gets for going after my woman."

After speaking, Atlas leaned down and kissed me lightly on the lips. "Were you scared today?"

I nodded, leaning against him and complaining softly, "Yes, Knox looked so crazy—he really freaked me out."

Atlas frowned. "Should I assign you two more bodyguards? One doesn't seem like enough."

"That's way too much. Really, I don't need that."

I quickly refused. One was already plenty—any more would be unnecessary.

Seeing my refusal, Atlas reluctantly conceded. "Alright then, but from now on, if you go out for any events, remember to call me so I know where you are."

I looked up at his profile and smiled. "Are you asking me to report my whereabouts whenever I go out?"

He tapped my nose. "Yes, exactly. So I don't worry."

"Fine, I'll obediently report. But what about you? If you go out for business, shouldn't you report to me too?"

I looked up at Atlas as I spoke.

Atlas's eyes burned with intensity as he leaned down for another kiss. "Helena, do you want to know where I am at all times?"

I responded enthusiastically, mumbling, "Can't I?"

"Of course you can. You don't know how long I've been waiting for this day."

Atlas pulled me tightly into his arms, deepening the kiss.

"Helena, you're back?"

Just as we were locked in an intense embrace, I suddenly heard Maria's voice from inside the gate. Startled, I quickly pushed Atlas away.

I wiped my mouth with my sleeve, feeling a bit guilty as I looked toward the gate.

Behind me, Atlas chuckled softly and took my hand. "I'll go in with you."

As he finished speaking, the gate slowly opened, revealing Maria and the butler standing in the courtyard.

Seeing us, Maria smiled. "I thought I heard a car. Sure enough, you're back. Come on in."

"Mrs. Lockwood, hello."

Atlas greeted her politely. Maria was delighted. "Hello! Why haven't you come by the house these past few days? Come whenever you have time from now on. I'll have them prepare delicious food for you. And since the season's changing, I've had them prepare lots of clothes for you. I'll have them sent over in the next few days."

"Thank you, Mrs. Lockwood."

Seeing Atlas being so well-behaved, Maria was even more pleased.

"No need to thank me. From now on, just treat this place as your own home."

I interjected, "What about me?"

"Silly girl!"

Maria laughed and tapped my forehead with her finger.

Just then, Henry came out after hearing the voices. His gaze fell on our clasped hands. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I tried to pull away, but Atlas held on tighter.

He raised our joined hands. "Mr. Lockwood, hello."

Now even Maria noticed our hands clasped together. She smiled and said to Henry, "Atlas is greeting you."

"Good, come in."

Henry stepped back a few paces. After we entered, his gaze fell on our joined hands again. "Helena has been spoiled since childhood, and now she's the company's CEO. If you want to date her, you'll have to pass our test first."

Hearing this, Atlas released my hand and looked at Henry seriously. "Mr. Lockwood, my feelings for Helena are genuine. But right now, words may not be enough—only time can prove my sincerity. However, I'll accept any test you have for me."

Seeing Atlas's earnestness, Henry nodded with satisfaction. "Good, then I'll be watching."

"Alright, Atlas rarely comes to the house. Don't make it feel like an interrogation."

Maria laughed and interrupted Henry, calling to Atlas, "Have some fruit."

"Thank you, Mrs. Lockwood."

Atlas was so well-behaved and obedient in front of Henry and Maria, completely different from how he was with me. I found it amusing and couldn't help tracing my finger in his palm.

Atlas, who had been chatting with Henry, stiffened and coughed expressionlessly, gripping my hand even tighter.

After more than an hour, Atlas finally got up to leave.

Seeing our hands still clasped together, Maria nodded with satisfaction and smiled. "Helena, see Atlas out."

"Sure."

I tried to pull my hand free, but it wouldn't budge.

"I'll take my leave then."

Atlas looked at me. "Helena, walk me out."