Chapter 788

How awkwardly did he have to fall to end up hitting the corner of his lips in the process?

Everyone present knew what had actually happened, but they tactfully kept silent as they lifted their utensils and dug in.

After the meal, Gwendolyn went to help Megan with the dishes.

As the men were going to discuss some matters, they grabbed a kerosene lamp and headed out.

The atmosphere was incredibly tense as they walked along the quiet village path.

The three of them walked in complete silence. It wasn’t until they could no longer see the house that Cedrick, who was leading the way, came to a stop.

He then turned around abruptly, his dark eyes shooting Charles a hostile glare.

Charles stuffed his hands in his pocket, calm and casual as ever.

The very sight of his face made Cedrick’s blood boil, and he called out grimly, “Nico.”

Nico instantly understood what Cedrick wanted without needing the latter to spell things out. He took two quick steps forward to grab Charles’ collar and clenched his fist, ready to punch Charles’ face.

Cedrick gave Nico a glance and reminded him, “Don’t hit me in the face. It’ll be too obvious.”

Nico’s fist halted midair and soon changed direction to hit Charles’ stomach.

He swung his fist several times, each time increasing in intensity.

Charles offered no defense or resistance. He remained silent, tightly furrowing his brows, enduring the immense pain inflicted upon him. Only when a metallic scent rushed up his throat did he finally turn his head to the side, coughing out a mouthful of blood.

Nico stopped and let go of his collar. Still not satisfied, he shoved the latter.

Charles stumbled back, leaning heavily against the tree behind him. With one hand pressed against the tree trunk for support, he coughed violently, trying to regain his breath.

Blood seeped out from the corner of his lips, and his face paled. He was in terrible pain.

The sight of Charles’ miserable expression lightened Cedrick’s mood. “I can’t believe you had the audacity to pretend to be Gwenny’s husband. If Gwenny believed you, you would’ve fled with her, right?”

Charles wiped the blood from his lips and licked his teeth. A flippant smile appeared on his face.

“No way, Mr. Jenson. I was just teasing Gwen. Who would’ve thought that even without her memories, she’d still be so sharp?”

Cedrick knitted his brows and gritted his teeth. “You’re asking for it.”

With that, Nico took another step forward and pinned Charles against the tree before punching him several times in the stomach again.

The pain was agonizing, and Charles coughed uncontrollably, but he clenched his jaw and didn’t make a sound.

Cedrick glanced at him coldly. “Why aren’t you dodging?”

“Two big shots of the Federal Bureau of Investigation are trying to hit me. Do you think I could dodge?”

The smile on his face carried an air of despair and charm, and even with blood on his lips, he remained captivating.

Charles preferred to endure a harsh beating from Nico now rather than wait for Cedrick to throw him back into another high-security prison.

Knowing full well which outcome was best for him, he smiled and asked, “Is this enough to quell your anger?”

His tone carried a sense of provocation.

Livid, Nico grabbed his shoulders and slammed him hard against the tree.

“You’re really asking for it! I wish I could beat you up all night and tear your smug face apart. I’d like to see what you’re going to use to charm Gwendolyn without this handsome face of yours!”

Charles’ smile was still plastered on his face, and he seemed unfazed by the situation.

With most of Cedrick’s anger dissipated, he asked somberly, “Do you know why Gwenny lost her memories?”

Charles shook his head. “Not quite. Gwendolyn doesn’t remember anything herself. I asked Megan about it, and she said she found Gwendolyn in the field. Gwendolyn was injured and unconscious, so Megan brought her back out of kindness. She’s been like this ever since she woke up.”

How did she get hurt? Was she in some kind of accident while escaping? Is that how she got hurt?

Cedrick’s heart clenched. He was frustrated at himself for not being by Gwendolyn’s side to protect her.

However, he still couldn’t be sure whether Gwendolyn had actually lost her memories based on her behavior earlier. I’m afraid I’d have to bring her to the hospital for a checkup. That’ll have to wait until tomorrow.

“We’re going back.”

With that said, he strode away and began walking back up the path they came from. However, the two men behind him made no move to follow. He turned to glance at them, his gaze seemingly questioning, Aren’t you coming? Are you planning to feed the mosquitoes here?

Nico put on a smile and said, “Cedrick, you should head back first. I’d like to talk to Charles in private.”

He’s too annoying, and I’m still not satisfied yet.

Reading Nico’s mind, Cedrick said nothing else but, “Know your limits. If you stay out here for too long, they’ll grow suspicious.”

“Got it, Cedrick. Don’t worry.”

Almost fifteen minutes later, Nico and Charles returned to the house one after another.

Nico was rolling up his sleeves as he walked into the house, seemingly in a good mood.

In contrast, Charles was supporting himself against the doorframe, limping. His face was ashen, but besides the bruise by the corner of his lips that was there before he left the house, there were no other signs of injuries on his face.

His blue eyes were slightly unfocused as well, and he silently made his way further into the house.

For the past few days, Megan had been accommodating Charles by offering him to spend the night in her room, which was further inside the house. As a result, she had been staying with Gwendolyn during this time.

When Charles limped into the house, Megan, who was holding a basin, happened to bump into him.

It was too late by the time Charles realized he should correct his posture to a normal one, for Megan had already noticed something amiss.

“What’s the matter? Why do you look so battered up?”

The two men who would spend the night in the living room were on their phones, acting as though his condition had nothing to do with them.

Charles forced out a smile and muttered, “I’m fine. I think I’m just feeling dizzy because of how cold it was outside.”

“Did you catch a cold?” Megan asked in concern. “I have some medicine in the house. Let me go and look for it. You should take some.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m quite strong, and I’ll be fine after a good night’s rest.”

“Is that so?” Megan gave him a once-over, her concern still apparent. “Are you really just dizzy? Why are you holding your waist?”

Charles flashed her a reassuring smile and explained, “I have some back muscle issues. It’s an old problem. Don’t worry; it’s nothing serious. I’ll be fine in a few days.”

Nico couldn’t help snickering before clicking his tongue.

“Mr. Newton, you’re only thirty years old, but your back muscles are already giving out? My, that won’t do. You’ll need to train more and improve your health, or else your future wife is going to despise you.”

Charles’ expression darkened, but he merely grunted in response and straightened his back before returning to his room, walking steadily.

He slammed the door shut behind him, making the unsteady wooden door tremble.

Megan could tell that he was angry, and she stood rooted by the door for a long while in awkward silence.

Nico comforted her, “Just ignore him, Megan. He has a bad temper, and he won’t let anyone comment on his health even though he knows it’s bad. Do go and get some sleep. It’s rather late.”

“All right then. The two of you should rest earlier too. Feel free to tell me if you’re not comfortable sleeping on the floor. I’ll think of a way.”

Nico bobbed his head and smiled. “Don’t worry, Megan. We can sleep anywhere. This mattress is good enough.”

“I’ll be going back to my room now. You guys get some rest.”

With that, she shut the door to her room, too.

Due to the house’s shabby condition, the soundproofing was poor.

Cedrick sat by the wall, and he could hear the conversation between Gwendolyn and Megan on the other side of the wall.

“Gwendolyn, this Mr. Jenson’s reaction was stronger than Mr. Newton’s. When he gazed at you, the sorrowful look in his eyes was so genuine that I felt sad, too. I think he might be telling the truth.”

Holding his breath in anticipation, Cedrick continued to eavesdrop, wanting to find out what Gwendolyn thought.

Two seconds later, Gwendolyn’s soft voice rang out. “Neither of them can be trusted. They’re both too good at acting. Forget it, Megan. Let’s sleep. I’m tired.”

After that, he heard the sound of lights switching off.

The light filtering through the gap under the door also dimmed. Cedrick wore a gloomy expression, his chest feeling constricted.

He had been losing sleep every night worrying about his wife, but now that he had finally found her, not only did she regard him with distrust, but he also didn’t get to hug or touch her.

Woe is me.

Cedrick let out a long, dejected sigh.

Nico swiftly moved closer. Worried that Cedrick would feel cold, he draped two coats over him. “Don’t dwell on it anymore, Cedrick. It’s been a tiring day. Try to get some rest now.”

Cedrick was seething with anger, but he couldn’t find a way to release it. Frustrated, he directed his fury at Nico, giving him a sharp glare and hissing, “Whether or not I’m sleeping is none of your business.”

Nico nodded sheepishly. “Of course, of course. I’ll go and sleep now.”

He fell asleep within minutes, his snores echoing beside Cedrick’s ear.

Cedrick’s breaths were heavy, and in the stillness of the night, he swallowed the bitterness that filled him, feeling profoundly lonely.

All of a sudden, Nico, who was fast asleep, turned to his side and placed his arm on Cedrick’s waist, pressing up against the other man as if seeking warmth from him.

Words eluded Cedrick.

He narrowed his eyes as his chest heaved, the wrath in him reaching its boiling point.

Despite his efforts to hold back his anger, he failed in the end and pushed Nico’s arm away, delivering a kick to his backside and sending him sliding across the floor.

Then, lifting the blanket off himself, he stood up and put on his coat before taking out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from Nico’s coat. Silently, he put on his shoes and went out.

He could not sleep, so he went to sit in the yard which was showered by the moonlight.

After lighting a cigarette, he inhaled and drew in a thick cloud of melancholy.

The look in his eyes was dull and melancholic as he exhaled clouds of smoke.

All of a sudden, someone opened one of the bedroom doors.

A silhouette carrying a kerosene lamp then emerged out of the room.

Cedrick froze and turned his head around to see Gwendolyn.

He panicked. As his instincts took over, he tried to hide his cigarette.

However, after two seconds of panicking, he regained his composure.

His beloved wife did not even remember him, so none of that mattered anymore.

Sulking, he took a deep drag of his cigarette and blew out the smoke in Gwendolyn’s direction, his eyes fixed on her.

He behaved arrogantly.