Chapter 54

Needless to say, they were someone sent by Madam Collins.

Lucille stayed quiet.

Her whole body was stiff, and they stayed in that position for a few seconds.

She could hear his strong heartbeat, and the faint scent of herbs on his body lingered around the tip of her nose.

Although he was a sick man, his figure was really too good. He was tall with a straight back, and his body was well-proportioned. Even through his clothes, she could tell how strong he was.

Lucille could not help but wonder if the rumors about him being sick were true.

It didn’t seem like it.

While she was lost in thought, she heard his clear and pleasant voice coming from above her. He asked, “That person has left. Do you still want to stay in this position?”

When Lucille came back to her senses, she realized that he had already moved his hand away. He was gentlemanly and polite, with a hint of indifference.

She immediately stepped back and realized that there was a jolt of pain in her ankle when she stood up straight.

Looking down, she saw a few red marks.

She must have gotten scratched by the broken wooden board when she stepped on it. Fortunately, there was only a little blood, so it was not serious.

Lucille didn’t think it was a big deal and wasn’t planning on saying anything about it.

Despite that, even though she didn’t say anything, Joseph immediately noticed because her skirt didn’t cover her ankles.

The blood stains particularly stood out on her fair ankle.

“Come with me.”

Joseph tugged Lucille’s wrist and led her back inside.

On the way there, the trembling maids bowed and said in a shaky voice, “M-Mr. Joseph, it really has nothing to do with us. We check and perform maintenance every day. For some reason, today, it just…”

That wooden bridge had always been sturdy. There was no one who could trip just by standing on it.

Madam Collins particularly loved taking walks there. If she was the one who had tripped that day, she would probably have fallen into the lake together with her wheelchair.

Therefore, there was no way it could be an accident.

Joseph didn’t even turn his head. His eyes were filled with coldness as he ordered, “Go and investigate.” “Yes!” The servants and maids immediately retreated.

Lucille observed the situation carefully. She knew that the Collins family was a well-known family with a hundred years of complicated history. There was definitely more going on behind the scenes than she had imagined.

Soon, they returned to the big living room.

Lucille was made to sit down on the couch. Joseph instructed the servants to bring her a first-aid kit.

Then, he told her, “Lift your leg up.”

He patted the couch and motioned for her to put her feet onto it.

Lucille shook her head. “There’s no need. It’s just a minor injury. I’ll be fine in no time.”

In the past, no matter how serious her injuries were, she could only grit her teeth and endure them.

She was not that delicate.

However, as soon as Lucille said that, she saw Joseph staring at her.

The man’s eyes, which were as deep as the abyss, were surging with a flickering light. It was dangerous and eye-catching, but also fatally attractive, Lucille felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze. She was about to look away when he asked with a faint smile, “Have you always been like this?”

“What?” she questioned.

“You never say anything, you never cry, and you never make a fuss.” Joseph moved a step closer to her. He stared into her eyes and slowly uttered, “How can people care for you if you won’t tell them when you’re hurt?”

Lucille was stunned.

Right after that, a soft pillow was thrown into her arms. It covered the hem of her skirt.

Then, her injured foot was gently grabbed by Joseph. The cold ointment was applied to her burning scratch, instantly relieving all the pain.

Those words kept circulating around Lucille’s mind.

How can people care for you if you won’t tell them when you’re hurt?

But what if…

There was no one to care for her in the first place?

When she was seven years old, the Jules family was destroyed. She saw her closest relatives die miserably in front of her. Since then, no one would wipe her tears, and no one would stand in front of her to protect her.

Whether she was alive or dead, she didn’t need anyone to feel sorry for her.

Lucille lowered her gaze, her long lashes hiding all the emotions in her eyes.

At that moment, Madam Collins, who had heard the news, had her wheelchair pushed in by Madam Louisa. She asked, “What’s going on? Where did you get hurt, Lucille? Let me have a look!”