Chapter 270

“I’ll be there with you to share your pain. I’m also learning how to indulge and shield you.”

Grace’s gentle and melodic voice echoed in Eder’s ears, a refrain in his mind. Her radiant smile was ever–present before his eyes. Her warmth enveloped his aching, shadowy heart, melting his icy exterior.

A lump formed in his throat, and his right hand instinctively reached out, yearning to touch her soft face.

However, he realized his hand, encased in a leather glove, had just caressed Ava.

Upon this realization, he subtly withdrew his hand, clenching it into a fist hidden on his thigh.

Nick was correct. When facing adversaries, Grace was like a blazing sun too scorching to touch without getting burnt. Yet, she was akin to a gentle kitten towards her loved ones and her beloved, making one fall hopelessly in love, impossible to relinquish. She was vibrant, radiant, and brimming with an indomitable spirit.

Eder had believed that he could control the virus within him, allowing him to accompany Grace on her journey for a long time. But now, the virus was spreading, turning those hopes into mere fantasies.

He was now but a shell, a dying man utterly undeserving of Grace. He was the one who was holding her back.

“Eder?”

His thoughts were disrupted by her soft call. Grace knelt before him, her hands resting on his legs ast she lifted her face to look at him, her voice imbued with tenderness.

“Were you injured on your border trip? I’m sorry for kicking you last night without knowing the circumstances. But you’re not alone now. You don’t have to endure the pain alone. I’ll be there with you to share your pain. I’m also learning how to indulge and shield you. Isn’t that good?”

Eder composed himself, his hands loosening their clench slightly. Meanwhile, his expression reverted to its usual icy demeanor. “I’m not injured. If you don’t believe me, you can verify.”

“I don’t believe you. You look pale, and you can’t deceive me. I want you to tell me what’s really happening with you. And what were you and Ava doing when I walked in? Why do I always feel like you’re trying to provoke me…”

“I seem to quite like her.” Before she finished speaking, Eder interrupted her in a cold tone.

“What did you say?” Grace was stunned, pulling her hands from his legs. She took a step back, her gaze upon him unfamiliar and incredulous.

He turned his attention to the rain outside the window, his tone icy. “She is sweet, beautiful, gentle, and appears fragile, which could make her seem pitiful. It’s no wonder that any man would be drawn to her.

What else do you think I was doing with her?”

“Are you saying you find me repulsive?” Grace retreated another few steps, her bright eyes slowly dimming Eder gave a derisive laugh, his eyes cold and unfeeling. “Compared to her, you are arrogant, domineering, and ruthless. I spent a long time chasing after you hack then, but now I’m weary and want to try something different.”

Grace looked at his handsome face, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly. “Eder, you’ve changed…”

“Men are always seeking a thrill, novelty. It’s not that I’ve changed. It’s that I was never a good man.

You can leave now that you see me for who I am.”

The Uriani After the subtle undercurrent of a threat tinged his final words, an eerie quiet hung in the room like an unwelcome visitor, stretching out the minutes into an uncomfortable eternit Grace stood frozen, her feet seemingly soldered to the floor, the silence amplified by the rhythmic tick–

tock of a wall clock. Her mind raced, struggling to process the moment’s gravity.

Across the room, Eder’s gaze remained anchored to the window, his icy eyes, devoid of any trace of longing or attachment, painted a perfect picture of apathy. He stared into the endless expanse, his eyes reflecting an inscrutable emptiness.

However, slicing through this mounting tension, a sudden outburst of laughter detonated. The unexpected sound was akin to a balloon popping in an echo chamber, its abruptness jarring against the otherwise heavy silence.

Eder turned his head in surprise, only to see that instead of being angry, Grace was… laughing? Her sparkling eyes held not an ounce of anger.

His heart skipped a beat as he fought to maintain his frosty demeanor, shooting her a sharp glare. “Is something funny?”

Grace walked up to him, grasped the armrests of his office chair with both hands, leaned down, and kissed his forehead unexpectedly. The vivid imprint of her lipstick stood starkly against his forehead.

“You!” Eder’s gaze shot up, glaring at her in anger. “Can’t you understand human language?”

However, Grace only laughed louder, almost provocatively, as though she had seen through his performance long ago. “You put on quite a show. I almost fell for it. But…”

She stopped mid–sentence, her curling lashes lowering, her gaze falling on his hands clenched tightly on his thighs, a mocking tone in her voice. “When you act, you need to be thorough. Next time you lie, make sure not to clench your fists so tightly. It’s a dead giveaway!”

Eder was caught off guard, instinctively retracting his hand and hiding it behind his back. His eyelashes fluttered nervously. Having his charade uncovered so directly was a blow to his pride!

He could only maintain his dark expression and feign nonchalance.

But Grace was one to play her hand. She just had to tear down his defenses layer by layer. She lightly curled her finger under his chin, her dainty finger fearlessly tracing and teasing, drawing circles on his skin.

“Eder, you’re underestimating me. Did you really think I could be so easily fooled? Last night, I was angry and didn’t see through your act immediately. But today, I’m very clear–headed. Every word you’ve said, every little action, is a slip in my eyes.”

She persisted in her provocation, wearing a smug expression. “Do you really think I’d believe your fell so quickly for someone else? For Ava? Obviously, you’re deliberately playing this drama with her to provoke me. We’ve reached this point, and you still refuse to tell the truth, hmm?” The last note was hummed coquettishly, pleasant to the ear, carrying a captivating allure.

Eder sidestepped her hand that was still tracing circles on his chin, his lashes fluttering several -times.

“What I said earlier was the truth. It’s just that you think… I mean…”

He hadn’t even finished his sentence when Grace leaned in again, kissing his left cheek. She staked her claim, leaving behind the impression of her red lips.

“You!” Eder shot her an infuriated glare.

“Angry, are you?”

Her finger continued to trace circles on Eder’s neck, her eyes gleaming with mischief, a teasing smile on her lips. She clicked her tongue and added, “Your little scheme’s been seen through. Are you unhappy? But what can you do? I just love seeing you angry and unable to do anything about me. It’s too satisfying!”

Eder’s lips tightened, and his eyes narrowed menacingly, exuding a cold aura. “Do not test my limits.”

“Oh, but what if I do? Will you hit me? I’m so scared!” Her voice was dripping with goading. She acted scared, but the smile dancing at the corners of her mouth could reach the moon. “We’ve had fights before. If you dare, let’s fight again. Let me see if you can surpass my strength now.”

Eder felt a twinge of guilt. His deteriorating physical condition, combined with the angina attack two nights ago, had left him sapped of energy, the pain taking its toll. He hadn’t managed to rest well last night, either. If they really did start a fight, he likely wouldn’t stand a chance against Grace.

“A real man doesn’t fight with a woman!” His gaze was fierce, his low voice laced with obstinacy. Grace laughed, pulling out a lipstick from her bag, swiftly applying a generous layer to her lips, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Then keep lying. I’ll leave a mark on your face for each lie you tell. Let’s see how many marks I can leave.”

“Stop being unreasonable!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Grace quickly leaned in and planted several more kisses on his cheeks and chin.

His face was scattered with red lip prints, radiating an irresistible appeal.

Grace grinned, her eyes curving in delight, and sweetly said, “Go on. When you’re ready to stop spewing nonsense and start telling the truth, I’ll reason with you.”

Eder was feeling suffocated and lacked the energy to argue back. He had underestimated Grace’s cunning nature. She not only saw through him but was also teasing him. Now that she was behaving like this, he was unsure how to handle her!