Chapter 235 Truly Crazy

Chapter 235 Truly Crazy

I stared down at our tightly clasped hands, torn between laughing and crying. With us standing like this, it felt like I had no choice but to see him out.

The moment I walked him to the villa’s front door, Atlas grabbed me like a tiger pouncing, wrapping me in his arms as a flurry of hard, hungry kisses rained down.

He kissed me until my head spun and my knees went weak. Just as I managed to gasp for air, he murmured against my ear, “God, I want to get you into bed right now.”

Hearing this, I snapped back to reality and my fist landed on his chest with a light punch. "Pervert!"

He caught my fist in his palm, laughing so hard his shoulders shook. "How is that perverted? I’m just being honest.”

With that, he cupped my face and said, "Helena, let's get married. If this keeps up, I'm going to lose it. And if I lose it, you won't be able to use me anymore."

"Atlas, what are you saying?"

I covered my ears, my face burning.

In my past life, I had been married to Knox, so I understood what he meant. II just hadn’t expected Atlas—usually so composed—to have this side to him in private.

Seeing my embarrassment, he pulled me into his arms. "Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing you."

He kissed each of my cheeks, then sighed. “But I mean it. I want to marry you. Soon.”

"Marrying me is fine," I said in a muffled voice. "But you'll have to get past my family first."

His face lit up when he saw I wasn’t refusing. “I’ll make it happen.”

Everything went quiet and still. Under the warm orange lamplight, we stood there holding each other, savoring the moment.

After a long while, I pushed him away. "I should go back to sleep, or Mom will worry."

"Okay."

Atlas affectionately tapped my nose. "Then I'm heading back."

I nodded. "Drive carefully."

"Okay."

Atlas turned and got in his car. After starting the engine, he waved at me. "Go on inside."

I nodded and headed for the villa. Behind me, the engine roared, then faded into the distance.

The next day, as soon as I got to work, I received a call from Knox.

Seeing the familiar number, I frowned and hung up directly. But Knox was persistent. He kept calling, like he wouldn’t stop until I answered.

The phone kept ringing. Finally, I picked up.

As soon as I picked up, Knox's excited voice came through. "Helena, you finally answered my call."

I cut him off, my tone cold. “Knox, are you sober now?”

"Yes, yes, I'm sober. I've been sober for a while. Helena, I'm sorry. Last night was my fault—I was drunk and lost control. My dad tore into me this morning. I know I screwed up. I really do.”

The apologies kept pouring out. I knew it wasn’t real remorse. He just couldn’t afford to offend me right now.

I laughed coldly. “Save it. From now on, talk to legal about anything work-related. Don’t contact me unless you have to. And call me Ms. Lockwood.”

"Don't hang up! Please, don’t hang up!”

His desperation made me frown deeper. “What is it? Spit it out.”

Hearing my impatience, he rushed to say, “Ms. Lockwood, I’m truly sorry about yesterday. Can you forgive me?"

"No!"

I didn’t hesitate. “Knox, I know exactly what you’re thinking. Don’t plot against me. And this isn’t over.”

With that, I hung up.

After ending the call, I blocked his number. Only then did I feel like I’d let off some steam.

But it still wasn’t enough. Atlas had been looking for a way to deal with the Pemberton family, so I told him about Knox’s call.

Atlas just replied with a simple “Okay.” Nothing more. But I knew—this time, he wouldn’t let the Pembertons off easy.

Sure enough, that afternoon, Xavier brought Knox to the company to see Henry.

Henry only called me in after they had left.

"Helena, did you get hurt at the Pemberton Group's dinner yesterday?"

Seeing that Henry already knew about this, I could only nod honestly. "Yes, but don't worry. I had people with me. I didn't suffer too much."

"Why didn't you tell me about something this serious as soon as you got back?”

Henry snorted. “My daughter gets insulted and the Pembertons think the Lockwood family has no one?”

Seeing him furious, I tried to calm him down. “Atlas is already handling it. He won’t let them get away with it.”

"But I can't just sit by and do nothing!"

Henry continued, "I've already contacted the banks I'm familiar with.They won’t extend any more credit to the Pembertons. We gave them a chance before, but they didn’t stop. If that’s how they want to play it, we’ll send them a gift they won’t forget.”

After saying this, Henry looked at me with displeasure. "Something this serious happened, yet you didn't say a word. If Xavier hadn't come to apologize, I'd still be in the dark. Helena, you may be grown up, but no matter how old you are, you're still my child. If someone bullies you, you come home and tell us.”

I obediently replied, "Okay, Dad. I understand."

“From now on, stay out of the Pembertons’ affairs. Let other people handle it. And you especially should stay away from Knox.”

I knew Henry was worried about my safety. Hearing his words, I nodded. "Okay, Dad. I understand.”

With both Henry and Atlas involved, the Pemberton family would definitely learn a painful lesson this time.

A month passed in the blink of an eye. I sent Natasha a wedding gift a day early—a check. Not long after the money was delivered, she called.

"Helena, what do you mean by this? This is pocket change. You’re obviously looking down on me!”

Natasha’s loud voice blasted through the phone.

I frowned, displeased. "If you think it's too small, you don't have to take it."

That only made her angrier.

"Helena, I think you're clearly unhappy that Knox and I are getting married. You say nice things, but you’re actually jealous. Jealous that I get to marry him.”

She had to be delusional.

"Yes, I'm jealous that you can marry Knox. Happy now?"

My admission just made her smug. "It's too late to be jealous. Knox is marrying me, period. Helena, if you still have any feelings for Knox, hurry up and change that check to ten million dollars. Otherwise, I won't let Knox see you anymore!"

Not see me?

That would be even better.

I played along. “Okay, okay. Just wait.”

After hanging up, I shook my head. "She's really lost it!"