Chapter 6 Tenderness

• Ethan called the police and rushed to the said villa—Holtz Villa 37—with his bodyguards.
• Inside a room, Ophelia looked at her broken phone and picked up a chair to use as a shield.
• Sebastian locked the door, chuckling at her feeble attempt. "Do you really think a broken chair can stop me?"
• The blood dripping from his head made his face look even more menacing.
• Trembling with fear, Ophelia gripped the chair tightly and stared at him with a look of terror.
• "My patience is limited. I'm giving you one last chance to come to me." He licked his lips and charged at her.
• "Step away!" She raised her arm and swung the chair at him with all her might.
• Sebastian caught the chair and slapped her hard across the face.
• "How ungrateful."
• Her glasses were knocked askew. He grabbed her and took them off.
• "Your face is pretty small. Do you wear these ugly things to hide it?"
• He was excited by her delicate features and wondered if the freckles on her face were intentional.
• Her smooth skin further enticed him, and he leaned in to kiss her.
• Slap!
• The sound echoed as Ophelia pushed him away with her trembling hands.
• "How dare you hit me!"
• In a fit of rage, Sebastian slammed her head against the wall.
• A searing pain shot through her, and everything went dark as blood began to flow from her head.
• She shivered as Sebastian ripped her shirt.
• "No!" Ophelia screamed in despair.
• Bang!
• The door was smashed open.
• Sebastian and Ophelia turned to see Ethan charging in.
• Ophelia had never felt such relief at the sight of him.
• "Who are you?" Seeing an intruder, Sebastian turned to drive him out.
• In a split second, Ethan kicked him in the chest.
• Sebastian hit the ground, sliding several feet away, and struggled to get up.
• Ophelia quickly adjusted her shirt, huddling in a corner and wrapping her arms around herself.
• Without saying a word, Ethan walked over, took off his suit jacket, and draped it over her shoulders.
• "Get up. I'll take you to the hospital."
• There was no comfort in his tone, not even a second glance.
• Yet to Ophelia, those simple words were the most reassuring she had ever heard.
• Ethan left a bodyguard to manage the scene and led Ophelia out. The scent of pine from his suit surrounded Ophelia's frazzled state.
• Ethan took her to the hospital, registered her, and had her wounds treated.
• In the corridor, a woman approached. Ophelia, clutching Ethan's arm, took a step back.
• She silently moved behind Ethan, using his broad back as a shield.
• Thankfully, the woman didn't notice her and walked straight past. Once she was gone, Ophelia let out a quiet sigh of relief.
• "Do you know that person?" Ethan asked, pausing as he noticed her earlier reaction.
• His intense, deep-set eyes studied her closely.
• Ophelia mumbled and lowered her head.
• Her movement made the wound on her forehead stand out more vividly from Ethan's view.
• Without her glasses, she wasn't as plain as when they first met, but she still looked ordinary.
• Yet, despite her injuries and the oversized clothes she wore, her anxious fidgeting sparked an unexpected urge in Ethan to protect her.
• "Are you scared to see her?" he asked again.
• Ophelia looked up, meeting his intense gaze.
• His striking almond-shaped eyes, set deeply with slightly upturned corners, were filled with a profound emotion when he focused on someone.
• "I just can't face it. My mother is still in the hospital and remains in critical condition," she said softly. She was deeply worried about her adoptive mother, whom she regarded as her true mom.
• This was why she had been working hard and had even awkwardly asked him for money to buy an electric bike.
• "Let's tend to your injury first," Ethan said. He gently cupped the back of her head and led her into the examination room.
• The injury on her head wasn't severe. By the time he finished his phone call and returned, the doctor had already treated her and was giving her aftercare instructions.
• As Ophelia said her farewells to the doctor, she heard a notification chime from her phone.
• It was a new transfer of a hundred thousand from the bodyguard who had previously sent her money.
• "Was this sent by mistake?" She held up her phone, looking at Ethan in confusion.
• "This is for saving my grandmother," he explained.
• Her face flushed slightly at his words.
• "No, I can't accept this," she protested. "It was just a coincidence that I helped her. Someone else would have done it if I hadn't. I can't take this money."
• Ophelia attempted to return the funds, but Ethan gently stopped her hand. "Keep it. You've earned it."
• His voice was firm, and his eyes carried a resolute determination.
• Ophelia withdrew her hand, her face still flushed. "Thank you."
• She needed the money and planned to repay it once she was able.
• Ethan headed to work at the company right after leaving the hospital.
• The seriously ill person there wasn't Ophelia's biological mother but her adoptive mother.
• After covering the medical expenses, Ophelia was worried that her adoptive mother's family might arrive soon, so she left the hospital promptly.
• …
• The next day, Ophelia noticed a new friend request on social media. The profile picture featured a white Samoyed dog, which resembled Sophia's pet.
• After accepting the request, she received an instant video call.
• Sophia's face appeared on the screen.
• "Ophelia, how's your head? Is it feeling any better?" Sophia asked, her voice full of genuine worry.
• Ophelia felt a comforting warmth in her heart. "Old Mrs. Moore, it's much better now. I'm very grateful for Mr. Moore's help yesterday."
• "He was just doing what he should," Sophia responded. She had already considered Ophelia her granddaughter-in-law, so it was only natural for her grandson to offer help.
• "I was quite upset that he left you alone at the hospital. He should have brought you back. It pains me to see such a serious injury. I had the kitchen make some nourishing chicken soup for you. It's great for your recovery. Would you like to come by and enjoy some?"
• "No, thank you, Old Mrs. Moore. I'll have to pass," Ophelia replied with a smile, gently declining the offer.
• She had already accepted so much from their family and didn't want to impose further.
• Sophia, slightly disappointed by the refusal, shifted the topic. "The man who harassed you has been caught. Since you can't do part-time work elsewhere now, how about taking on some work here for me?"
• Ophelia realized that this incident would reduce her income.
• However, she had no desire to work part-time at the Moore Residence again. She shook her head and turned down the offer.
• Sophia sighed. "I get it. Sometimes, old people can be a nuisance, and young folks prefer to keep their distance. Well, I suppose I'll just grow old alone..."
• As she spoke, she pretended to wipe away tears from the corners of her eyes.
• "Old Mrs. Moore, that's not what I meant. I just..."
• Ophelia struggled to find the right words to decline. With her head injury, she was unable to take on any other part-time work, and there were no classes to attend.
• "Let's make it official then. You can start working here. If it's difficult for you to get here, I can have the driver pick you up," Sophia suggested cheerfully.
• "It's alright. I can manage on my own," Ophelia replied.
• Eventually, she gave in and agreed to start working at the Moore Residence in an hour.