Chapter 44
Chapter 44
"Since Mr. Shaffer doesn't welcome us at his restaurant, let's go somewhere else." Lucy stood up and walked out.
Kylah snorted loudly at Chad and followed Lucy.
"Hey, you're so ungrateful!" Chad exclaimed and tried to chase after them.
However, Maddox blocked his way. His handsome face was full of hostility.
"Get lost!" Chad was angry after being provoked repeatedly. "You're just a coward who needs help from a woman, so stop acting up!"
Chad disliked gigolos like Maddox who interfered in other people's relationships the most. Who knew what evil intentions he had up his sleeve?
By then, Lucy and Kylah had already walked outside.
Maddox's face paled as he asked in a low voice, "What do you mean?"
"You don't know what I mean?" Chad always ruined Arthur's image. "I'm sure you know about the shareholders of Pate Group pulling out their investments and reinvesting, right? Who do you think was behind it? Let me tell you, it was Arthur!"
As for why Arthur had done so, the answer was obvious.
"They divorced five years ago." Maddox's amber eyes glinted coldly, but a gentle yet indifferent look
returned to them quickly.
"They didn't!" Chad leaned in so closely that his face nearly touched Maddox's. "Even if they did get divorced, Lucy is Arthur's woman. She isn't someone a small fry like you can get near!"
"Maddox, why are you wasting your breath on a sc*mbag like him? Hurry up, let's eat at another restaurant! I feel disgusted eating at his restaurant!" Kylah ran in again and tugged Maddox after her.
Maddox cast a glance backward and pulled his hand away calmly, then followed her out.
Chad didn't chase after them this time. As a good friend, he thought that he should let Arthur know that his wife nearly cheated on him!
After making up his mind, he took out his phone and sent Arthur a text of what had happened just now with exaggerated details, along with the time and location.
Standing outside the restaurant, the hot summer breeze blew at Lucy, making her feel annoyed and worked-up.
"Lucy," Maddox called out. It seemed like he had something to say.
She nodded and asked, "What's the matter?"
"...I know a good pasta restaurant. Let's eat there." Just as he was about to blurt out the words, Maddox realized that he did not have the courage.
Lucy forced a smile. "Sure."
In fact, it didn't matter what they ate anymore. After Chad's interference, she had lost her appetite.
Hearing that, Kylah's eyes glimmered, and she said, "Oh dear, I suddenly remember that my parents asked me to go home for dinner tonight! I'll be off now!"
Without waiting for Lucy to reply, she hurried off.
She didn't know martial arts, but she could run very fast. In the blink of an eye, she was out of sight.
Lucy and Maddox watched her go, neither of them exposing her true motive.
"Maddox, where's the pasta restaurant you mentioned? Is it far from here?"
"It's a ten-minute walk from here."
The night was dark and hot wind blew in gusts. They walked side by side in silence and the atmosphere slightly strange.
Fortunately, they arrived at the pasta place. The waiter broke the strange atmosphere. "This way please."
"It's quite packed here." Lucy's gaze swept across the restaurant and realized that most of the tables were occupied.
"Business at this restaurant has always been good. Their food suits your taste." There was a smile in
Maddox's eyes, and Lucy was reflected in them.
Lucy was slightly surprised. "Maddox, you know my taste?"
"As long as it's something you like, I'll know about it." He looked her in the eye and said seriously.
For some reason, the atmosphere became a little romantic, and his gaze was more sincere than usual. Lucy didn't know what to do.
Lucy looked away first and purposely ignored the deeper meaning in his words. "I've always thought you were sincere towards others, but I never knew you were so thoughtful that you remember everyone's preferences."
"Not everyone." Maddox sat down and said slowly, "I only remember your preferences. Lucy, in fact, from the moment I saw you, I..."
"Maddox, I'm so hungry. Can we order now?" Lucy's heart was beating wildly. She stood up and interrupted him.
If Maddox came right out with his feelings, then she really wouldn't know how to act around him anymore!
Her response was already a form of tactful rejection and disappointment flashed across Maddox's face. "Okay, let's order."
Lucy ordered a few random dishes and ate absent-mindedly. She kept worrying that he would confess his feelings all of a sudden.
Maddox could not deny the disappointment he felt as he saw her uneasiness. However, he dared not bring up that topic anymore for fear that she would avoid him on purpose.
"Maddox, it's getting late. Goodbye!" Once they were outside after their meal, Lucy said goodbye first. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
Just as Maddox was about to say okay, he caught sight of Arthur, who had just gotten out of his car not far away. He changed his mind and said, "I didn't drive today. Would it be convenient for you to drop me home?"
"...Yeah." Lucy had her back facing Arthur, so she didn't spot him at all. She hesitated for a while, but ended up agreeing.
Arthur forbade her from being in touch with Maddox, but he wouldn't send people to follow her or bump into them himself by coincidence, would he?
"Let's go then. It's really late." Maddox smiled slightly and patted her head with Arthur watching.
Lucy was shocked, and she went blank.
Before she could react, a tall man suddenly appeared beside her and punched Maddox in the face.
The punch was so hard that it sent Maddox stumbling backwards and his face became swollen. Blood trickled from the corner of his lips too.
Only then did Lucy realize who it was. She felt scared and furious at the same time. "Arthur, what are you doing?"
Arthur ignored her, a frigid expression on his handsome face. Rage and jealousy overwhelmed him, and he stepped forward and kicked Maddox's waist.
From the moment he had seen Maddox kiss Lucy, he had disliked him. That day, his dislike had reached its limit!
Maddox didn't bother to say anything. He got up and punched him right back.
Their punches hit home every time, and neither of them backed off. Although Arthur's leg was injured, he still had the upper hand. Lucy saw that Maddox had been hit many times already.
"Stop fighting!" Lucy stood in front of Maddox, worried that Arthur wouldn't control his strength.
Seeing her standing in the center, Arthur barely managed to lower his leg that had already brushed her coat. Veins throbbed in his temple. "Lucy, you're too much!"
She had signed the contract to be with him for Maddox's sake, and now, she ignored the danger and protected Maddox. How much did she care about that man?!
"Lucy, are you okay?" Maddox was so scared for her that his face turned pale. He quickly turned her around to see if she was hurt.
Arthur clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles became white. His expression was cold and hard, and he looked as violent as a wild beast.