Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Chapter 32: 1 Provoked Her First

Candice’s wounds were crimson red but the one on her forehead had already fully healed, with only an extremely light scar that was only visible when looked at closely.

Byron controlled his pressure and applied the medicine on her chest with his fingers.

While doing so, he said, “Tell me immediately if it hurts you.”

“Who harmed me?”

He paused in his actions.

Initially, Candice still had hopes that Harry’s news wasn’t reliable.

However, Byron’s reaction had proven that it was true.

“It’s Vicky…” she said in a shaky voice.

His expression was calm but the gaze in his eyes was filled with surging emotions and he remained silent.

Chipter 32 (Provoked Her First,

Even if the police were to arrest that man, Vicky wasn’t present at the time and she didn’t hurt Candice herself. Besides, Robert would not sit idly by and do nothing.

Compared to the pain Candice suffered, this was nothing at all.

Hence, she felt extremely disgruntled and aggrieved.

“Your heart aches for Vicky but you’re ignoring my death?”

Samson said that the second surgery was trickier because there was more bleeding than the first. Her wounds had yet to heal and after the external impact, it was further

aggravated. As a result, her rib, which had just been stitched up, was broken, and inflamed again.

Byron was present throughout the entire diagnosis.

At this point, he actually chose to cover up for his old flame. In fact, Candice wasn’t even considered his new love.

He was covering up for his true love.

Byron was seated on the sofa with his arms against his knees, leaning forward and rubbing his brows and eye sockets silently.

Chapter 32: | Provoked Her First

After a long time, he said, “No such thing.”

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Candice wasn’t a calculative woman and in fact, she was usually very magnanimous. However, this time, she refused to give in.

“You’re not covering up? Or did Vicky not harm me?”

Byron didn’t make a single sound.

Staring at him, she wanted an answer.

“I’ll cover all of yours and Patrick’s medical expenses. Feel free to ask me for any extra amount of compensation.”

He was really good at targeting the key points.

He took advantage of the fragile desperation of a single woman in a vulnerable state of mind while she was being blackmailed, in order to gain full control and manipulate her.

He was like that both in bed and in love.

He would forever have the upper hand, dominating one “battle” after another.

He was both rational and heartless.

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“Candice, give it some consideration. I want an answer before six,” Byron said, shifting his hand away.

As he passed by her bed when he was about to leave, he tucked the corners of her blanket in.

“Fine, I’ll give in, but it’s not entirely for the sake of money,” Candice said in a h o rse voice.

Byron stopped and turned his head to the side to stare at her.

“I do like you to a certain extent.”

She didn’t go on any further but Byron understood what she

meant.

This time, it was Candice’s turn to draw a clear line and use. her feelings for him as a sacrifice.

After walking out of the hospital room, Byron went straight to the rooftop and gave Vicky a phone call, but she didn’t pick up.

He added a text message: [Behave yourself. I was the one who messed with her first. She’s innocent.]

Vicky was incredibly upset to see this after taking a shower

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in the bathroom.

He would never intercede for another woman, especially not in front of her.

She called Byron back but he declined the call.

She tried calling again but he had already switched his phone off.

She raised her phone high and let go, after which it was smashed into pieces.

Robert pushed the door open and the battery rolled towards his feet.

“What nonsense are you getting up to?”

Vicky calmed down and pulled out her cigarette case.

“You should smoke less since you’ve just gotten an abortion.”

Her expression stiffened and she changed the subject.

“Are you going out?”

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Robert’s outfit carried a touch of The Beatles’ vibes.

The men of the Wilson family were all genetically blessed with thick and lustrous hair as well as youthful good looks.

“I’m going to the clubhouse,” he clipped.

“Be mindful of your behavior,” Vicky said as she glanced at his trousers from the corner of her eyes.

“You’re really controlling.”

“I’m keeping an eye on you for Mrs. Wilson. She’s coming back soon. Do you understand Byron well?” she asked while easing into another position.

Robert asked with raised brows, “Isn’t he your ex- boyfriend?”

“Can’t I ask you?”

“I don’t know him that well. He spent the majority of his childhood away from the family.”

Although she had been with Byron for a long time, Vicky barely knew anything about him.

“What about his mother?”

Chapter 32 | Provokund Her First

“She lived in the villa on Third Avenue.”

“It turns out she’s still alive,” she said with a nod.

“Are you going to switch targets and cozy up to his father instead?” Robert asked while fixing the buckle of his belt.

George was rich and had a high status as an elite of the industry but the troublesome thing was that his elder son was an incredibly powerful and formidable big shot.

“Give up. Percy will leave you begging for mercy.”

Soon, the sounds of a car engine starting resounded. Vicky lit up a cigarette in the empty bedroom.

She had a hunch that the Wilson Family had a complicated background filled with mysteries and secrets.

They weren’t an ordinary wealthy family.

On the other hand, Byron had started conducting consultations but he was rather distracted all afternoon.

In the evening, the nurse put Candice on the drip and casually asked about it during the process.

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Candice smiled and answered, “Maybe it was just an accident.”

After examining the last patient, Byron unbuttoned his shirt and was completely out of focus.

He gradually developed an inexplicable feeling for Candice. It wasn’t really considered love but it was close to adoration.

At a stage when Vicky was monopolizing his emotional needs, he didn’t think a second woman would appear in his life and change his mind.

He was an expert player who had indeed gotten sick of women after having gotten to know many of them.

Candice’s innocence and vulnerability silently aroused Byron’s long-suppressed desire to protect someone.

After resigning from Fortune Group, Nicole went to Candice’s office.

www

She poached four or five core employees and revived the declining marketing department.

A woman’s feelings of hatred and love should never be underestimated. Once they decide to go all out, men would be no match for them.

Chapter 32 (Provoked Her First

However, Percy didn’t take it to heart. After all, he felt a little guilty towards Nicole and as long as she didn’t go overboard, he would give in to her.

Fearing that he might face the retaliation of Fortune Group, Candice’s boss took the initiative to ask Percy out for a meal. In fact, it was a form of submission and apology to Percy.

Being a shrewd and tactful businessman, Percy wouldn’t turn this invitation down. Hence, he showed up and symbolically had some drinks before taking his leave.

At the entrance of the restaurant, he specifically mentioned Candice.

“I do have some dealings with Miss Candice Scott from your company.”

Candice’s boss said with bewilderment, “I haven’t heard. Candice mentioning it.”

Percy chuckled and said, “Is that so?”

He found Candice to be really interesting.

Most corporate employees would rush to show off their connections to a big shot in hopes of increasing their value in the company.

Chapter 32: 1 Provoked Her First

However, Candice hid it really well.

Percy somehow felt the thrill of a suspenseful clandestine relationship. It had been years since he felt such a strong urge in terms of romance.

When the car passed the intersection of NY General Hospital, Percy instructed Rose to pull over.

However, he didn’t rush to get out of the car and simply remained seated with his jaw resting in his hand while he pondered about something.

Rose stared at him through the rearview mirror.

Percy was practically the s*x iest man in this city.

He exuded the masculine charm that was a perfect balance of stoicism and exuberance.

He was more than just a man. He was a masculine man who was breathtakingly attractive and s**y, so much that he was unforgettable to most women.

Rose knew that there was a Candice Scott in that inpatient wing who was on Percy’s radar.

She had heard Candice’s voice before and thought that it

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sounded really sweet, delicate, and angelic.

It was no wonder that Nicole would be defeated by Candice, whom Rose was certain that no man could resist.

After a while, Percy suddenly asked, “Miss Rose, what do women like?”

Rose came back to her senses.

“Are you thinking of courting Miss Candice?” he asked.

After some thought, he said, “I do feel pretty good about her.”

At Percy’s age, he had plenty of experience in business and romance, and had been exposed to all sorts of people and situations.

However, he had never had any experience with women like. Candice, who had her guard up high after being hurt by her failed marriage. Thus, he didn’t know how to start courting her at all.

“Send her flowers, take her on movie dates and ask her out more often.”

“That’s all?”

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“Mr. Percy, women know women the best. The cornier your moves, the more effective. If you resort to tactics that are too out of the ordinary, I think Miss Candice will run away.”

Percy burst into laughter and said, “That makes sense.”

“Remember, you have to take her to late night movies.”

“Must it be so specific?” he asked, laughing even more loudly.

“It would be really late when the movie ends, giving you the perfect excuse to spend the night at a hotel.”

“I don’t want to violate her easily,” Percy said after a moment of silence.

With his status and abilities, he could easily get any woman he wanted.

That would be too boring.

Percy bought a bouquet of white roses from a florist on the corner of the street. Although it wasn’t really appropriate for patients, he felt that Candice really resembled a pure and flawless white rose.

She wasn’t frivolous and was instead incredibly attractive

Chapter 12 | Provoked Her First

because of her unique purity.

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Percy entered the ward to see that Candice was still sleeping.

After arranging the bouquet, he subconsciously glanced at her face and her luscious, long locks which were exuding al floral fragrance.

She had shocked him in the deepest parts of his heart and caught him off guard.

Percy paused.

He was intoxicated and couldn’t help himself.

In fact, Candice wasn’t sleeping and was just about to open her eyes. While in a daze, she felt a warm, rich, and lethally attractive masculine aura on her face, which was tinged with some alcohol.

Percy had a habit of drinking only white wine. He didn’t like red wine.

He felt that white wine was much stronger.

His kiss was filled with some maniacal lust even though it didn’t linger for long.

His touch felt a little stiff on Candice’s skin, like stubble, lip lines and the sense of security stemming from the man’s determination and bravery.

There was warmth and edges.

Candice lay motionless, clueless as to how she should face this.

Percy’s face was right in front of her, and his gaze was filled with maturity.

At this moment, Maggie, who was in charge of putting her on the drip said, “Mr. Percy, you’re here too.”

Percy straightened his back and asked, “Do you know me?”

“Of course. You’re Miss Candice’s fiancé. You’re very well- known among the nurses.”

Staring at the woman who was sound asleep, he asked, “What did she say?”

“Miss Candice rarely leaves her ward.”

Maggie woke Candice up and hung up her drip bag. After she

left, the atmosphere became a little strange.

Chapter 32 1 Provoked Her First

A long time later, Candice asked, “How long has he been. here for?”

“He just arrived.”

“Have you been drinking?”

“I was out socializing,” Percy replied indifferently.

Their conversation added to the ambiguity.

Candice had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue, “Did you drive here on your own?”

“My secretary drove.”

“Has Nicole… quit?”

Percy glanced at her and said, “Yes.”

She didn’t say anything.

“Why don’t you ask why?”

His tone was deep and low, so enchanting that Candice seemed to have been compelled into going along with him.

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“Why?”

“I was afraid you’d get mistaken.”

Feeling startled, she asked, “What could I have been mistaken about?”

“I’ve never slept with her.”

His words were so straightforward that Candice didn’t know how to reply.

“Oh.”

“What does that mean?” Percy asked smilingly.

“It means acknowledged.”

Amused by her answer, Percy laughed and asked, “You don’t feel disgusted anymore, do you?”

Avoiding eye contact with him, Candice said, “That’s your freedom. It has nothing to do with me.”

She was deliberately trying to keep a distance from him.

Percy was very attracted to her.

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He reached out to help Candice pull up a strand of hair that was draped in front of her face. Her body stiffened and she dodged.

Percy’s hand missed and he paused in midair before hovering it over her.

“Sorry, I’m a bit tipsy,” he apologized.

Shaking her head, she said, “I don’t blame you.”

“Lawyer Seth has been following up on Rufus’ case.”

Before she answered, Percy asked, “Do you like watching movies?”

Candice burst into laughter. “Now?”

Percy’s palms were damp and sweaty, but not because he was nervous. He was an expert at romance after all. It was just that the ward was too warm.

Hearing her laugh, he laughed along and said, “Should we get you discharged then?”

Candice remained silent.

Percy bent forward slightly and inched closer to her, exuding

a gentle charm.

“It’s settled then.”

Candice was discharged from the hospital on Friday while Byron had an impromptu surgery to perform on a seven- year-old boy whose lower body had been scalded by boiling water and was at risk of disability.

He didn’t plan to be the surgeon for this surgery at first but Doctor Roger had specifically insisted that Byron perform it.

The boy’s background was too powerful to warrant the slightest mistake.

At noon, Harry came out of the operating theater next door and ran into Byron, who had taken off his sweaty scrubs and was in a hurry to get out of there without taking a break.

“Where are you headed to?”

“To get down to business.”

Harry looked across at the inpatient unit. Well, something related to his women could be considered business too.

Nancy was stalking an infamous loser who sponges off his wealthy entrepreneur wife today. She wanted to teach him a

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lesson so she didn’t have time to go to the hospital. Candice went to look for Monica.

On the other hand, Byron’s Jaguar was parked in the middle.

His body reeked of the odor of sweat mixed with the strong smell of disinfectant liquid, a tinge of bloodiness, and the crisp scent of men’s rosewood perfume.

He was wearing the same perfume on the day he caught Rital red-handed.

Byron was a sentimental man.

He couldn’t let go of the past.

His breath was like an icy cold gun that was restrained.

“I almost forgot that I have to pick my boyfriend up from class later,” Monica said with the self-awareness to excuse herself at this juncture.

After saying that, she pulled the car door and was about to leave.

Candice held onto her and asked, “From class?”

“He’s a civil engineering student and he’s 20 years old this

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Chapter 12. 1Provenkad Her Find

year.”

“What a cougar you are.”

Irked by her comment, Monica pushed Candice’s hand away and said, “There are news reports of women marrying men who are 16 years younger than them. May-December relationships are in trend these days.”

“What about me?”

“You have your suitors. Why waste my gas?”

Monica stepped on the gas pedal and left.

Candice stood rooted to the ground without moving.

Byron lit up a cigarette with one hand in his pocket. Hel remained silent and continued playing the game with her.

Numerous colleagues walked past them and greeted him. At the same time, they sized up Candice too.

With a cigarette in his mouth, he acknowledged each of them calmly.

There was traffic control nearby and no taxis in sight. After standing there for a long time, her sternum began aching.

Chapter 12 | Provoked Her First

Unable to stand it anymore, Candice got inside the car.

Immediately afterwards, Byron snubbed his cigarette.

When putting on the seat belt, his hand inevitably brushed against her chest.

Although it was extremely light, Candice was in so much. pain that she inhaled sharply.

“Can you send me home?”

The gauze hadn’t been removed, and given her condition, she would have to get her medication changed at least once a week. Samson handed her case over to Byron.

“Let’s go to mine?”

Candice looked out the window and said with an indifferent expression, “No, I’m injured.’

Byron frowned and said rhetorically, “Am I a beast?”

Besides, he was lustful yet ascetic.

It was all down to whether he wanted to do it or not, rather than whether the woman was beautiful or not.

Chapter 12 (Provoked Her First

If he wasn’t in the mood for it, it wouldn’t matter even if

she was pretty. If he wanted to do it, he could make do with a girl that wasn’t as pretty by his standards.

Compared to Vicky, Candice fared much less in terms of

beauty. She could, at most, be considered pure and

innocent-looking.

子

However, Byron still had desires about her.

He wouldn’t force her to do it if she didn’t want to.

He understood that she still bore some resentment towards him.

“I’m a doctor. I can handle something as simple as replacing your dressing,” he said as he drove away from the hospital.

“There’s a cab up ahead. Pull over.”

“There’s traffic control. I can’t stop here,” Byron said with

annoyance.

Candice kicked the car door open and was about to jump out of the car.

She was obviously serious about going against him.

Chapter 12. 1 Provoked Her First

He locked the doors immediately and sped up.

“Throw your tantrum when we’re somewhere else.”

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Women who were too rational and morally upright couldn’t

be coaxed.