Little Ethan had caught a cold, and by dinnertime, it had worsened, with him continuing to cough.
Lila Campbell had two night scenes to film, so she let Harton Clark take the children back to the hotel first, leaving Anisa Cooper to accompany her.
By the time she finished filming, it was past eleven oâclock. When she returned, Ethan was sitting on the bed with his eyes red and swollen.
Harton was wiping his face with a washed towel.
âMom.â Ethan brightened up a little when he saw Lila, reaching out for her to hug him.
Lila walked to Ethanâs bedside and asked, âHas it gotten worse?â
âNo,â Harton gently replied, âItâs actually a bit better than at dinnertime, and heâs not coughing as much anymore. He just woke up from a nap, but because his nose was stuffy, he cried, wanting you.â
Lila looked at the pitiful child on the bed.
Ethanâs little face was flushed, his eyes red.
âWait for me to wash my hands,â Lila said.
Ethan nodded.
After washing her hands, Lila picked him up and patted his back. âDoes your throat still hurt?â
âIt doesnât hurt anymore.â Ethanâs voice was a bit stuffy. âI canât breathe with my mouth shut.â
Harton chuckled.
âThen keep your mouth open,â Lila suggested.
Ethan responded, âBut when I open my mouth, it drools.â
âThatâs fine. I donât mind,â Lila stroked his head. âGo to sleep.â
âCan I sleep with you tonight?â Ethan whispered shyly.
âYes,â Lila answered. âGo to sleep.â
Lila stood holding him, gently patting his back.
Harton poured her a glass of water.
âYou rest a while,â Lila said, freeing a hand to sip a bit of water.
When Ethan was sick, he tended to be rather demanding, so Harton had not been idle since their return.
He changed out of his soiled dress shirt and into his home clothes, as Ethan had coughed suddenly while taking medicine and spilled it on him.
Harton only had the chance to change after Ethan had taken a nap.
âIâm not tired,â Harton said, caressing her head before kissing her temple. âDonât worry. Itâs just a common cold, and heâll be fine in a couple of days.â
Seeing him coughing on the film set, Harton had taken Ethanâs pulse and given him some traditional Chinese medicine to drink.
Lila nodded. âWhereâs Bella?â
âI let her sleep with Casey,â Harton said. âIâm afraid sheâd get infected.â
âMm,â Lila agreed.
Standing behind Lila, Harton massaged her waist and let her lean on him, helping her conserve some energy.
âThis little rascal is usually spoiled rotten,â Harton whispered, kissing the top of Lilaâs head. âHe cried continuously, giving me a headache.â
âIâm not a rascal.â Ethan tightened his grip around Lilaâs neck, mumbling softly.
Lila chuckled, âHeâs so pitiful that I didnât have the heart to hit him.â
Harton poked Ethanâs face gently, âI couldnât bear to when I saw him so uncomfortable.â
âMm,â Ethan let out a small sound.
Harton looked at him and smiled. Just when he was about to say something, the roomâs doorbell suddenly rang.
It was almost midnight, and the room had a dim yellow light. The environment was quiet, and the two adults spoke in hushed tones.
The sudden doorbell sounded extremely piercing, accompanied by some eeriness.
Lila and Harton exchanged glances.
Harton said, âIâll go take a look.â
Lila nodded.
Harton went to the door, peering through the peephole first.
Seeing Alex Martin standing outside, his expression grew cold and he promptly opened the door.
The door opened, creating a draft. Alexâs clothes fluttered slightly.
His face showed a gentle smile, which faded when he saw Harton at the door.
Hartonâs face remained cold, glancing at him indifferently.
Alex Martin was also looking at Arthur North. Maybe it was because he was a bit shorter than Kevin, or maybe because Arthurâs skin was too fair, making the redness on his skin stand out.
Alex saw the bite mark on Arthurâs collarbone quite clearly.
Arthur was wearing casual home clothes, with a low collar.
Alex saw a very distinct bite mark.
There were some redness and swelling around the bite mark, which showed the intensity of the bite. Judging from the shape of the mark, one could imagine the angle and position of the person who bit him.
âMr. MartÃn, itâs quite late, what brings you here?â Arthur asked coldly, interrupting his thoughts.
Alex regained his composure and looked at Arthur. âNothing really. I just heard that Bryce was sick and thought Brook Sister might not be able to take care of it all by herself, so I wanted to see if I could help.â
âMy child, my wifeâI can take care of them myself, thereâs no need for you to worry, Mr. MartÃn,â Arthur said coldly.
âIâm just showing normal concern. Whatâs there to be so anxious about, Third Master?â Alex asked.
Arthur replied, âNot to mention that my wife doesnât need your concern; you know full well whether your concern is normal.â
Alex laughed and looked at Arthur, âIndeed, I am very fond of Brook Sister. But Third Masterâs concern, is it because you have no confidence in yourself? Or perhaps no confidence in your own feelings?â
Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly and sneered, âYou? Worthy of my worry? I just donât want some messy thing to bother my wife.â
Charlotte Lane held Ethan Clark hearing Arthurâs words, and laughed softly.
There was no need to look, one could imagine how ugly Alexâs face must be now.
The âmessy thing.â
Sure enough, as Charlotte had expected, Alex Martin stood outside the door with a gloomy face, not speaking for a while, just staring at Arthur.
Arthurâs gaze was relaxed but sharp as a blade, âAlex Martin, I donât care about your relationship with M Continent or whose side you want to stand on; just donât reach your hand into my home.â
Charlotte, who was in the room, raised her eyebrows slightly as she heard this sentence.
âGael Easton is my wifeâs friend and the godfather to our son and daughter,â Arthur said softly. âWhat makes you think you can touch that relationship and get Charlotte to stand on your side?â
Both men were on guard, confronting each other, and neither one yielded an inch.
After a while, Alex sneered, âSo it turns out Third Master has been investigating me.â
âAlex Martin,â Arthur looked at him and said, âIf not for your brotherâs sake, do you think you could still be standing here?â
Alexâs eyes flashed slightly.
âOr perhaps you think you could challenge me and the Clark Family?â Arthur chuckled, âYouâre welcome to try; Iâll keep you company anytime.â
Alex didnât say anything.
Arthur said, âItâs already late; we need to rest.â
With that, he closed the room door.
Alex stared at the closed door, his expression dark. After a moment, he finally turned and left.
Arthur returned to the room and looked at Charlotte. He immediately smiled gently, âGoing to bed?â
Charlotte nodded.
âGive him to me, you go wash up,â Arthur said softly, taking Ethan from her.
âIs Alex with M Continent people?â Charlotte asked.
Arthur nodded, âHeâs meddling in Gaelâs domestic affairs. It seems he intends to marry you away and have you join forces with him.â
He gritted his teeth as he spoke the last part.
Charlotte looked at him for a moment before kissing him gently on the corner of his lips.
Arthur felt better and smiled, âIf they managed to win you over, Gael would lose a great source of support. Mainly, theyâre afraid of you.â
Charlotte had no restrictions on the Mountain Sea Continent-front.
For years, the outside world didnât know who the real master behind Hundred Demons Pavilion and Dark Radiance was.
But a few years ago, when an incident occurred on the Mountain Sea Continent, Charlotte resolved it, revealing a few clues to some people.
That made people more fearful of Charlotte.
âAlexâs brotherâ¦â
âWe have some connections,â Arthur said, âBut we almost never contact each other unless thereâs business; thatâs why I never mentioned it to you.â
Charlotte nodded.
Arthur continued, âHis brother said that Alex is going through a rebellious phase again. The more you try to keep him away from someone, the closer he wants to get. Just wait until he gets a good beating someday.â
Charlotte raised her eyebrows, âYes, heâs his real brother.â