Chapter 139

Violet calmed down after crying for a long time. Still in his embrace, she spoke up. “I liked him once, but I never pursued him.”

Lucius felt a twinge of unease at her confession. He became concerned by Violet’s obsession with that man.

“Why are you here so often? Aren’t you busy? Do you know my boss?” Violet questioned him, puzzled by his frequent visits.

That was the only thing she could think of.

For her, the mere fact that Lucius knew the company’s president was amazing, the fact that he owned the company was beyond her..

Lucius’s rage erupted in response to her remarks. What brought him here? Did she not understand anything?

Of course, as proud as he was, he refused to reveal the true reason.

He grumbled, “Your designs aren’t terrible, but why are you such a fool?”

Frustrated, Violet wiped her eyes, explaining. “I’ve dedicated a lot of time to my art.”

She had devoted countless hours to the library and dorm, working tirelessly to overcome her innate limitations and to remain near Oliver.

“Why did you work so hard on learning to draw?” Lucius probed, not easily duped.

His question caught Violet off guard, and she had no idea what to say.

“For your crush?” he pushed, seeing right through her.

Violet bit her lower lip and remained silent.

He accused, “How can you claim you haven’t pursued another man’s man? Isn’t this some kind of pursuit?”

She was speechless because she had never heard such an accusation before.

Her apparent fixation on Oliver irritated Lucius. He retracted his hand and decided against giving Violet the USB stick, which contained proof of Emily’s deceitful acts.

According to George’s research, Oliver might have had affection for Violet, but Lucius was no longer entirely convinced by this and chose caution.

+15 BONOS “What are your colleagues‘ rumors about you?” he asked, diverting the conversation from her personal feelings.

There was no need to disclose that information to Lucius, because he wasn’t close to her.

Violet shook her head, and answered, “Nothing.”

Lucius didn’t push the issue, and got up to leave.

Believing the discussion was over, Violet also prepared to exit the office.

“Come back here immediately!” Lucius’s voice thundered.

Violet spun around at the doorway, startled to see Lucius clutching an ice pack. His eyes were icy and stern.

She returned to him with reluctance.

He walked over to the sofa and sat down, motioning for her to join him. Obediently, Violet sat down.

“Your face is so swollen, it’s alarming. Do you really intend to go out and frighten people looking like that?” he commented scornfully.

Violet felt a surge of anger. While her face was swollen, it certainly didn’t reach an alarming state.

Before she could retort, the ice pack was pressed forcefully against her face.

The pressure aggravated the pain on her injured face, causing her to instinctively pull away.

Lucius kept pressing down on her, holding her in place. “Ice is supposed to help with the swelling.”

She knew that ice could reduce swelling, but Lucius’s heavy–handed method might just make it worse.

Lucius was unskilled in providing care for others, and he used too much force, causing her teeth to clatter in discomfort.

Violet took the ice pack away from him. “I can manage it myself.”

“Stay still!” Lucius insisted, disregarding her attempt and reapplying the ice pack.

“It’s painful,” she blurted out.

“Good, now you understand the pain. Will you still let yourself get into such situations?”

His rough handling was a reflection of his anger.

Realizing this Violet Innked at him in confucion Wae ble annar a cinn of him worrying about her?

+15 BONOS “How could I have known he would hit me?” she responded, feeling unjustly treated.

He pressed, “Would knowing prevent it?”

Lucius softened his touch with the ice pack but continued to move it impatiently around her face. Violet quietly followed his actions, feeling a sense of safety.

She didn’t respond. The truth was evident to her. Patrick was her father; would she be able to evade his wrath? Her heart ached at the thought of his hard stare and harsh words.

Lucius noticed the sorrow in her expression. Seeing her look so pitiful and wronged, his rage subsided somewhat.

He offered, “Next time something like this happens, call me.”

She wanted to know why. To help her fight her battles? But she remained silent for fear of upsetting him.

Gradually, Lucius became more adept at applying the ice, careful not to overdo it and frequently removing the pack, concerned about freezing her skin.

He focused intently on her face, his movements precise. His long eyelashes almost brushed her skin, and his breath was warm on her face.

His attentiveness was both overwhelming and alluring.

Her face involuntarily blushed in response.