Chapter 2

“Seraphina, are you in there? Seraphina? Open the door for me, Seraphina!”

Perhaps because there was no response, Damon Blackwood’s tone grew angry.

“Damn it, whoever's in there, I’m warning you, don’t touch my woman!”

“How dare you think about my woman? Do you have a death wish?!”

“Open the door right now! When I get my hands on you, you’re dead!”

Hearing that, I secretly smirked.

Then I turned around, my face full of tension, and grabbed Seraphina, who was about to open the door. I whispered:

“Ms. Thorne, when you open the door, could you please say that I was the one you called?”

“Distrust is the bane of any relationship. We’re two single adults in one room, and while we've done nothing wrong, our current appearance… it’s easy for people to get the wrong idea. Of course, I know you don't want to lie to Mr. Blackwood, but this is the best solution I can think of.”

“Of course, I could hide. But if Mr. Blackwood finds me, it would only cause a bigger rift in your relationship. Besides, the job market is tough right now, and I finally found this position. Please, could you help me?”

Seraphina was silent for a moment, then nodded.

I smiled gratefully at Seraphina, then straightened my clothes before walking to the door and opening it.

As I expected, an enraged Damon Blackwood immediately blew up when he saw my face.

He swung the baseball bat, aiming straight for my head.

“Damon, stop!”

I ducked, covering my head, my face filled with feigned terror.

Seraphina grabbed the bat from Damon’s hand, her face clearly displeased.

“Put the bat down.”

Damon’s eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Seraphina, then grudgingly lowered the bat.

Seraphina’s expression slowly softened. She gave Damon a look, signaling him to follow her inside.

As Damon passed me, he angrily kicked me several times before Seraphina’s urging made him enter the room.

I wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of my mouth, my gaze fixed on Damon’s retreating back.

I had intended to turn and leave, but Seraphina called out to me.

“Asher, you come in too.”

I had only meant to make an initial impression on Seraphina, but I hadn't expected her to actually remember me.

What a great start.

I responded, then stumbled into the room, cautiously standing in a corner.

“What, are you still sulking?”

Seraphina asked, rubbing her throbbing head with a helpless tone.

Damon stood nearby, propping himself up with the bat, his face defiant.

His eyes were locked on me, refusing to speak.

“Damon, I don’t feel well.”

Hearing that, Damon forgot all about me.

He immediately dropped the bat, sat on the bed, wrapped an arm around Seraphina’s shoulders, and asked anxiously:

“Seraphina, where do you feel unwell?”

Seraphina leaned against his shoulder, her eyes closed, looking a little fatigued.

“I was made to drink a few too many glasses tonight. My head is throbbing, so I came upstairs to rest. I woke up and initially wanted to call you to bring me some honey water, but then I remembered you said you were going for a drive with friends today. So I asked Asher to bring me a cup from downstairs.”

“I was just about to rest when you burst in, all furious. What, has someone been spreading rumors again?”

Damon pursed his lips.

“No, I just wanted to check in.”

“After all, my Seraphina is beautiful and outstanding. She’s had countless admirers since childhood. If I’m not vigilant, what if some clueless guy tries to whisk you away… No, just thinking about it makes me upset.”

“Seraphina, you have to promise me you’ll only be with me, or I’ll be heartbroken.”

Seraphina looked up at Damon, a wry smile on her face.

“You’re talking nonsense. I have you; where would I find the time to look at other men?”

“Don’t always be so riddled with anxiety and possessiveness. We’re already engaged, aren’t we?”

In front of outsiders, Seraphina was always cool and unsmiling.

In all my research on Seraphina, I had never seen her so gentle and coaxing.

It seemed she truly loved Damon Blackwood.

I subtly adjusted my gold-rimmed glasses, my eyes fixed on Seraphina, filled with determination.

No wonder high society said Seraphina Thorne was the leash on Damon Blackwood, the mad dog.

With just a few words, Seraphina dispelled the suspicion in Damon’s heart.

I sneered silently. The idea of a 'mad dog' turning into a fawning lapdog just to keep what he thought was his – that wasn't how his story should go. He should remain a mad dog.

After they shared a moment of tenderness, Damon’s eyes landed on me again.

He pursed his lips, buried his head in Seraphina’s neck, and mumbled:

“Seraphina, I don’t like him. Fire him.”

Seraphina patted Damon’s back, then glanced at me, standing in the corner, discreetly wiping blood from my lip, my face pale.

She hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly:

“Damon, if Asher hadn’t helped take care of me today, who knows what might have happened. You know I can’t stand the smell of alcohol; I definitely would have gone to the bathroom myself. If Asher hadn't arrived promptly after my call, no one would have found me if I’d fainted in the bathroom.”

“Asher, isn’t that right?”

I immediately understood that Seraphina was covering for me.

I nodded vigorously, my words earnest:

“Yes, Mr. Blackwood. When I brought the honey water up, I even met some hotel staff. I literally just knocked and entered when you arrived. You can see the honey water on the table is still warm.”

Damon glanced at the half-drunk honey water on the table, sneered, but his expression wasn’t as dark anymore.

I knew he believed it.

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