Chapter 79
John stumbled forward and crashed heavily to the ground.
I looked up in shock, my eyes meeting a pair of bloodshot yet familiar ones.
Michael stood a few steps away, his chest rising and falling slightly, his clenched fists showing white knuckles, anger surging in his eyes.
He wasn't looking at me. His gaze was locked on John, who was struggling to get up from the ground. Michael stepped forward and kicked John hard in the shoulder again.
"Nancy, get down here!" Michael reached out his hand toward me.
The overwhelming relief of surviving made my legs feel weak. I practically stumbled as I placed my hand in his palm.
He gripped it firmly and pulled me away from the car, then wrapped his arm around my shoulders in a protective gesture, holding me close against him.
Michael and I stood side by side, watching coldly as John struggled to his feet.
John wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Seeing Michael protecting me, his eyes instantly filled with venom. He hissed, "Michael, she's just a woman I got tired of playing with. You seem pretty happy picking up my leftovers."
Michael's jawline tightened sharply. I didn't even see his movement clearly before another heavy punch landed on John's face.
John was knocked back against the car again, looking completely pathetic.
"Michael!" I quickly grabbed Michael's arm, afraid he might really lose control.
At the same time, I took the opportunity to hold onto him tightly, pressing my cheek against his tense upper arm as I looked at John.
I had to make this crazy man give up.
I raised my voice, "John, look clearly. I'm already Michael's fiancée. Things between us ended long ago. Stop fooling yourself."
"Nancy, no, if you forgive me, we can go back to how things were..."
John's eyes reddened as he reached out to grab me, but I dodged away in disgust.
The coldness radiating from Michael was almost tangible. I knew he was still angry about our earlier disagreement and scared about the danger I'd just been in.
But right now, Michael and I have to present a united front.
I took a deep breath, looked up at Michael with a slightly pale smile, softening my voice with deliberate dependence: "Honey, let's go home. I'm a little scared."
Michael's body paused almost imperceptibly as he looked down at me.
In the end, he said nothing, just tightened his arm around me, glanced coldly at John, and replied, "Okay, let's go home."
He looked at John, adding ice-cold words: "Stay away from my wife. If there's a next time, I can't guarantee you'll still be able to stand and talk."
John glared at us with bloodshot eyes.
Michael helped me into the back seat. Before I closed the car door, I turned toward John outside the car and suddenly reached up to hook my hand around Michael's neck, quickly pressing a light kiss on his tightly pressed lips.
This was a performance for John to see.
But the moment our lips touched, I could feel Michael stiffen.
"Nancy!" John's breakdown-like roar was cut off by the closing car window.
The car drove away smoothly.
Only when I could no longer see that crazy figure did I finally let go, as if all my strength had been drained, and leaned back into the seat.
The car was completely silent.
Michael didn't speak right away, nor did he hold me as he had just now.
He sat silently beside me, his profile cold and hard, the pressure around him so low it was suffocating.
As soon as we got home, Michael got out of the car and walked straight in without looking back.
I followed behind him, my steps somewhat slow.
"Nancy, have you and Michael been fighting lately?" Amelia naturally noticed something was off between us and asked curiously.
I shook my head, "It's nothing, Amelia..." I said that, but I couldn't hide the dejection on my face.
Amelia immediately said, "I'm going to give Michael a piece of my mind. You're about to get married, how can he still bully you?"
I quickly stopped Amelia.
"Really, it's nothing! Amelia, we don't have any problems."
That evening, when I came out to get water, I happened to run into Michael sitting on the couch.
Seeing me come out, Michael raised an eyebrow and looked at me.
"I bullied you?"
I quickly shook my head.
"No, I... I'll go back to bed now."
Without getting my water, I heard a knock at the door. When I opened it, I saw a glass of water on the floor, and next door, Michael's door closed with a sound.
I brought the glass into my room and took a small sip.
Once this matter is investigated, I'll go talk to Michael!
But I still felt a bit guilty, so I was more attentive at work during the day.
The project department happened to send up a lot of reports on emerging markets. I reviewed them all, picked a few projects that I remembered developing well, analyzed them, and sent them directly to Michael's office.
Sure enough, they all passed, but Michael still hadn't let go of his anger. I felt a bit helpless.
It seemed Michael definitely wanted me to back down.
But I never said anything.
The project department, on the other hand, looked at me with new respect because of this 100% approval rate.
That day, when I was delivering documents to Michael's office, I heard a conversation inside.
"Mr. Johnson, the newly appointed Ms. Smith is doing very well. The projects she's selected have great potential."
Hearing this voice, I stopped in my tracks, then heard Michael's voice at the same time.
"Indeed, very good. She's excellent."
Although I was eavesdropping, I was still very happy.
I left the documents with the secretarial department and left.
"Ms. Smith, that cleaning lady resigned."
I frowned and asked him, "Do you know where she went?"
Tom nodded.
"Mr. Johnson has had people following that cleaning lady all along. His people told me right away. She hasn't left the city. I've already had someone keep an eye on her."
I breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
If that cleaning lady didn't make any moves, that would be fine, but now that she had, sooner or later, I'd catch her!
The photos from their investigation were quickly sent to my phone. Looking at the content, I frowned.
The cleaning lady met with a man wearing a mask. This man seemed somewhat familiar, but I couldn't remember where I'd seen him.
All day long, my mind was consumed by this photo.
In the evening, Michael waited for me to get out of work, and I followed him.
"Is Mr. Johnson not angry with me anymore?"
Michael was walking ahead. Hearing this, he paused and walked alongside me.
"What can I do? Someone simply won't listen to me and would rather die than give in. If I don't help, and something happens later, I'll be even more worried."
I shamelessly took Michael's hand.
"I know Mr. Johnson has my best interests at heart. Please don't be angry anymore."
Michael nodded slightly. I could tell this matter was over, and I finally relaxed.
Michael ignoring me all day made me uncomfortable, too.
After getting home, I continued to carefully examine that photo. I'd looked at it so much the photo seemed to have double vision, but the only thing I could make out was that familiar-looking man.
Who was this man?
My mind was in complete chaos.
Suddenly, a sharp flash of inspiration crossed my mind.
I think I know.
The next morning, as soon as I opened my eyes, I found Michael standing by the bed. I asked groggily, "Why are you here?"
Michael pulled the phone from my hand.
"If I hadn't come, I wouldn't have known someone was so absorbed!"
Seeing Michael take my phone, I said anxiously, "Tom should be sending me a message soon."
Michael didn't return my phone, but instead got into bed and wrapped his arm around my waist.
"If you don't reply to him, he'll naturally call you. Rest first, I'm tired."
Seeing the bright sun outside, I pouted.
"We need to go to work!"
Michael's arm tightened slightly.
"Not going. I'm giving you the day off!"