Chapter 212
The car drove smoothly on the road home.
Lisbeth leaned against the passenger seat, turning her head to look at Sebastian driving. The light and shadows from the street lamps flickered across his face, outlining his strong, distinct profile.
She didn't speak, just watched him quietly.
Until Sebastian sensed her gaze and turned to look at her, his eyes were gentle. "Why aren't you saying anything?"
"I'm thinking about how to settle accounts with you."
Sebastian's fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel.
He knew what she was referring to. His impulsive actions today—going to find Beau, even getting physical—were indeed somewhat inappropriate.
But—
The red light came on, and the car slowly stopped.
Sebastian turned his head and looked at her seriously. "I'm sorry. I admit my behavior today was impulsive."
He didn't make excuses or try to justify himself, frankly admitting his mistake.
"Do you know how dangerous what you did was?" Lisbeth's voice carried worry. "You're a public figure, the CEO of the York Group. If today's incident had been exposed by the media, do you know how much public pressure it would bring? Your image, the York Group's reputation..."
She was halfway through when Sebastian said quietly, "I know, but if I could do it over, I'd still do the same thing."
Lisbeth froze.
"Because when I think about how he almost killed you, when I think about what would have happened if the brake line had been cut completely enough, if Leopold hadn't happened to be in the car..." Sebastian's voice trembled slightly. He turned to look ahead, his Adam's apple bobbing. "When I think about possibly losing you, I lose all reason."
Lisbeth's heart felt like it had been struck hard, sour and bitter.
She suddenly understood that Sebastian's composure at the police station had all been an act. He'd actually been afraid all along.
Afraid of losing her.
The car fell into brief silence, only the low hum of the air conditioning audible.
After a long while, Lisbeth spoke softly. "Sebastian, you can't do this."
Sebastian turned to look at her, his eyes darkening.
"You can't disregard your own safety for me," Lisbeth said seriously. "You're not just my... husband. You're also the father of two children, your parents' son, the helmsman of the York Group. You have too many responsibilities to bear. You can't put yourself in danger because of a moment's impulse."
She paused, her voice growing softer. "I would also be afraid of losing you."
Sebastian froze, slowly turning to look at her. "What... did you say?"
Lisbeth pressed her lips together and turned her face away, refusing to repeat it. "From now on, whatever happens, handle it calmly. Don't be impulsive."
Sebastian's Adam's apple bobbed. He grabbed her hand, his gaze burning. "Say it again, Lisbeth. I order you to say it again."
But his tone was soft, without any threat or command—more like pleading. "What did you say I am to you?"
Lisbeth felt his palm burning hot, her fingers involuntarily curling. "If you didn't hear it, forget it. I won't say it a second time."
The car remained silent for a long time, and an ambiguous atmosphere gradually growing.
Sebastian said in a low voice, "I heard it. I just don't dare believe it. I'm afraid I heard wrong. Please, Lisbeth, say it again. Just once."
When had he ever begged anyone so humbly? Lisbeth simply couldn't refuse. The heat on her face climbed higher and higher, but she still chose to hold Sebastian's hand. "I said, you're my husband. You have to listen to me."
Though their marriage certificate had never been brought out, that didn't mean it didn't exist.
The corners of Sebastian's mouth slowly curved up, the softness in his eyes rippling like water. "As you command, wife."
Lisbeth's face turned crimson. "Drive your car."
"As you command!" This time, Sebastian couldn't get that term of endearment out because Lisbeth covered his mouth and warned him in exasperation. "If you say it again, I'm revoking your husband status!"
Sebastian nodded quietly, indicating the green light ahead was on.
Lisbeth awkwardly withdrew her hand, covering her face with both hands, trying to use the wind from outside the window to quickly lower her face's temperature.
Though that term of endearment didn't seem so disagreeable after all.
The car started again, entering the villa district.
As they approached home, Sebastian suddenly stopped the car by the roadside. Just as Lisbeth was about to get out, he locked the doors.
"What's wrong?" Lisbeth asked.
Sebastian turned to look at her. The light from the street lamp filtered through the car window, coating his profile in a soft halo. "Lisbeth, thank you."
Lisbeth was slightly stunned. "Thank me for what?"
"Many things." Sebastian actually wasn't someone who liked to express himself verbally. His feelings were mostly restrained and deep. Otherwise, he wouldn't have watched Lisbeth date Leopold, marry him, even give birth to Dennis.
He turned, holding Lisbeth's hand and kissing it at his lips. "So I'm very happy today."
Lisbeth understood his words and suddenly felt her nose tingling.
In front of others, Sebastian was always calm, composed, and strategic, yet he always showed sides to her that he showed to no one else.
Just a term of endearment could make him this happy.
She suddenly reached out and gently touched his cheek.
"Fool." Her voice was very soft, carrying an indescribable tenderness.
Sebastian tilted his head slightly, his cheek nuzzling against her palm, his eyes as soft as a pool of spring water.
The atmosphere unconsciously became ambiguous.
Lisbeth watched his face draw closer, watched her own reflection in his deep eyes, her heartbeat involuntarily accelerating.
When his lips touched hers, she closed her eyes.
Sebastian's hand gently cradled the back of her head, his tongue exploring her slightly parted lips, plundering her breath both tenderly and dominantly.
She went completely soft, able only to lean in his embrace, passively yet willingly enduring this increasingly deepening kiss.
This kiss was different from before.
They'd had passionate entanglements, they'd had light kisses, but none had made her heart palpitate like this. Her heartbeat drummed like thunder, her heart seeming ready to leap from her chest. Her hand unconsciously tightened on his collar.
The temperature inside the car gradually rose, and the sounds of ambiguous entanglement continued.
Lisbeth slowly raised both hands to wrap around his neck, deepening the kiss.
Just as the two were kissing inseparably.
The car window was suddenly knocked.
The two separated like startled rabbits.
Lisbeth's face was so red it could drip blood as she frantically tidied her somewhat disheveled hair and clothes.
Sebastian also unnaturally pressed his lips together, took a deep breath, and turned to look out the window.
Then they both froze simultaneously.
Outside the car window, Anne was pressed against the glass, her big eyes curiously looking at them. Even knowing the window was one-way, and people outside couldn't see in, Lisbeth and Sebastian still instinctively held their breath.