Ellinorâs face started turning purplishâred.
Marissa, having just caught her breath, quickly said, âTheo, let her go.â
Only then did Theo loosen his grip, shoving Ellinor aside to ask, âGranny, are you okay?â
Marissa weakly waved her hand, âIâm okay now. I just had a dale pit stuck in my throat. Ellinor saved me using first aid. The pit on the floor. I just spat it out.â
Theo paused, looking down at the insignificant pit on the floor, then back at Ellinor, his brows slightly furrowed.
Ellinor, pushed harshly to the ground, picked herself up and rubbed her sore arm..
She then walked over to Marissa and explained, âMarissa, I baked that dessert for myself this morning.
I didnât remove the pits from the dates, which isnât suitable for the elderly. Iâm sorry for the trouble I caused.â
She bowed sincerely, then straightened up to look at Theo, âMr. Blanchet, I suggest you call a doctor for a checkâup, just to be safe.â
With that, she turned and went upstairs, back to her room.
Theo watched Ellinorâs thin figure, his expression complex.
Marissa, having been frightened, was helped into her room for a rest.
In the afternoon, their family doctor came to check on Marissa, took her blood pressure, and confirmed she was alright.
After the doctor left, a revived Marissa said, âVeronica, you go out, I have some words with your brother.â
Veronica was reluctant but left obediently at Theoâs stern look.
Now alone, Theo walked beside the bed, asking. âDo you feel unwell anywhere?â
Marissa looked up at her tall grandson and smiled kindly. âIâm fine, Theo, donât worry.â
âIâm glad youâre okay.â Theo said.
Marissa asked, âTheo, how did you meet this Ellinor?â
âCoincidentally.â Theo said.
Marissa slowly nodded. âThat girl is good, I like her.â
A hint of surprise flashed in Theoâs eyes, then he squinted, âJust because she just saved you?â
He remembered that before he came back, his grandmother had even punished her. Now she liked her?
Appreciation shone in Marissaâs eyes, âMs. Mendoza is calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant in front of me. Even when misunderstood by you, she didnât freak out, and calmly apologized to me. Sheâs sensible and good.â
Indeed.
Theo thought about how he almost choked her just now, and didnât say a word.
âTheo, you havenât spent the night with her yet, have you?â Marissa asked.
The topic changed abruptly, and Theoâs face turned serious.
Marissa joked, âYouâre almost thirty years old, whatâs there to be shy about!â
Theo didnât respond.
âTheo, I know, you rushed into this marriage to deal with your grandfatherâs pressure, but I think the wife you chose is good. Marriage is no childâs play, you two need to get along.â Marissa said.
Theo didnât explain anything to Marissa.
Marissa continued, âOn your wedding day, I was abroad with your grandfather preparing for his surgery, so I couldnât attend. Today, Iâll bear witness for you newlyweds, and you can move into your new house later. I hope when your grandfather recovers, heâll see his grandson.â
Theoâs face was solemn, âGranny, I thinkâ¦â
Marissa frowned, âIf you donât listen to me, Iâll tell your grandfather that you faked the marriage to deceive him! You know your grandfatherâs temper, even after his surgery, he could hurt himself from anger.â
Theo rubbed his temples, âGranny, Iâll have dinner sent in later. You should rest after eating.â
With that, Theo turned to leave.
Marissa didnât give up. âI hope you two donât disappoint me.â
When Theo returned to his room, he saw Ellinor sitting at the desk, writing something, not even looking up when he entered.
He walked behind her, looking at what she was writing. âDoing homework?â
Ellinor, focused on her work, retorted, âIâm copying your family rules! Itâs the 21st century and your family still has rules, how outdated.â
Theo took her pen, âNo need to copy, no one will punish you again.â
Ellinor stretched, âThen I go take a bath and sleep.â
After the earlier clash, Ellinor had a deeper understanding of the power difference between her and Theo.
If this man wanted to hurt her, itâd be as easy as crushing an ant. She wasnât afraid of him, just didnât want to make life harder for hersell. For these three months, she needed to maintain stability in the Blanchet family, avoid making enemies, and minimize contact with this man. Then she could leave.
Ellinor got up and walked around Theo, trying to stay as far from him as possible, but her arm was suddenly grabbed-
âAh!â She winced in pain, âWhat are you doing?â
Theo squinted at her, âYou still feel pain?â
He was gripping her injured arm! When Theo pushed her today, her arm hit the corner of the coffee table and got hurt.
Ellinor was unhappy, âThis injury is also caused by you!â
Theo paused, then let go, âGo downstairs and have the family doctor treat your wound.â
âItâs okay, I just scraped my skin, itâs no big deal.â Ellinor didnât want to go downstairs. She shook off his hand and went straight to the bathroom to shower.
After she finished showering and changed into her pajamas, she prepared to go to bed.
âCome here!â The manâs voice rang out coldly.
Seeing Theo lazily leaning on a single sofa, his gaze proud like an emperor.
She had no intention to go over, âWhatâs up?â
The manâs face was handsome as he slowly pointed to the medical kit on the table, âLet me apply medicine for you.â
Ellinor smirked a little, âNo need, thanks for your kindness!â
Theoâs gaze deepened, he said, âYou come over, or should I?â
Ellinor was fed up. She didnât want the guy to approach her bed. Gritting her teeth, she got up and extended her injured arm to him, âGet on with it! Hurry!â
The medical kit was just delivered. Theo intended for her to treat her own wound, but she seemed to misunderstand, thinking he was going to help.
Heâd never taken care of anyone before, and didnât intend to start now.
He opened the medical kit, dabbed a cotton swab into some ointment, and slowly applied it to the girlâs wound.
Ellinor had intentionally extended her arm to him in a fit of pique, she didnât expect Mr. Blanchet to actually help her apply the ointment himself. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, âDo you feel guilty towards me?â
Theo was expressionless, âI injured you today, and itâs my responsibility. As for my grandmother, donât hold a grudge. She wonât be here much longer.â
Ellinor shook her head, âYour grandmother isnât a bad person!â
Theo looked at her, âShe made you copy house rules, donât you think sheâs bad?â
Ellinor pouted, âOnly bad people make others copy house rules? Thatâs probably the harshest punishment a good person could think of. The bad people Iâve met wouldâ¦â
She didnât continue. Theoâs gaze became tense, âWould do what?â
She spoke too quickly earlier, and Ellinor felt no need to share her experiences with a stranger.
âItâs nothing! Is the ointment applied yet? If itâs done, Iâm going to sleep!â She said.
After applying the ointment, Theo didnât let go of her arm.
Ellinor assumed Theo still had concerns, so she assured him, âDonât worry, I promised you I would cooperate for three months. Iâll treat it like a job and fulfill my duties! Your sister may be annoying, but your grandmother is just misunderstood and protective of her granddaughter. I understand and wonât hold it against her.â
Theo looked deeply Into Ellinorâs eyes.
He initially thought she would be difficult, but turned out she was quite understanding. Plus, she was cute.
Ellinor had long, curled lashes and her small face had two dimples.
Theo suddenly stood up, startling Ellinor, âWhat?â
His long arm reached under her waist, lifting her up without warning!
Ellinor was scared as hell, âWhat are you doing?â
After she spoke, she was ruthlessly thrown onto the bed. Theo took off his coat, loosened his tie, and started unbuttoning his shirt, his actions full of intense desire.
Ellinor just sat up to run, but was pushed back onto the bed by his large hand. This was her first time up close with a manâs adamâs apple and chest muscles, and she found it quite attractive!
âMr. Blanchet, you canât do this! Keep your cool, remember Iâm not your type!â She shouted.
Theoâs arms propped on either side of Ellinorâs head, his gaze was like a wolf, staring down at her from above.
âWhat if I want to let loose tonight?â He said.
His strong body suddenly pressed down. Ellinor was about to scream, but her mouth was muzzled, âMmmâ¦â