Chapter 191: Chapter 189: No One Dares Bully You
"What happened to your hand?"
Upon reaching Moonlake Villas, Elliana Lyle noticed that Tiana Harris’s arm was red, different from the five-fingered red and swollen mark on her face.
It was clearly a burn injury.
Tiana shook her head quickly and said, "It’s nothing."
She regretted getting into Elliana’s car but couldn’t resist Elliana’s enthusiasm, yet she felt even more uneasy upon arriving at the grand villa.
To be honest, this was her first time stepping inside a villa; she had only seen pictures before. A sense of inferiority welled up inside her.
"Lana, get the burn ointment!"
Even before, Elliana had already called to have Lana prepare a room for Tiana to stay in.
Now she was supporting Tiana into the room.
Once seated, Tiana began to take in her surroundings. The bedroom felt slightly too large, strangely empty despite having everything.
Just like her current mood, very unsettled.
She felt envy but no jealousy.
"This burn will get worse if not treated..."
Elliana carefully applied the ointment, patient and gentle, afraid of causing her pain.
No one had ever treated her so well, so attentively.
To her, Elliana wasn’t just a good person but a beacon of light in her life.
That day, she was on the balcony sending Elliana a message, wanting to say goodbye because Elliana had given her warmth.
She hadn’t expected Elliana to call her or come directly to patiently listen to her talk, which was truly rare.
"Huh? What are you thinking about?" Elliana waved a hand in front of Tiana’s eyes.
She had been speaking a lot, yet Tiana had no reaction, remaining wooden, which made Elliana worry about her mental state.
"Nothing..." Tiana shook her head again and then asked, "Elliana, what were you saying earlier? I was a bit confused, and didn’t pay attention. I’m sorry..."
Elliana interrupted, "There’s nothing to be sorry about. I was asking if Shane has been harassing you."
Upon mentioning Shane, Tiana found it strange. She thought she wouldn’t have to see him again, yet he showed up unexpectedly today.
He even... helped her.
"No, he just arrived today," Tiana answered honestly.
So it was a whim from Shane? Elliana frowned immediately, then said, "I saw Shane going into your neighborhood with flowers when I passed by today, and I sensed something wasn’t right, so I followed to check."
She then assured her, "Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, he won’t lay a finger on you."
Since Tiana was her employee and a friend, how could she let anyone bully her?
"Elliana..." Tiana said as tears began to fall, her words becoming choked with sobs.
Elliana was stunned, wondering if she had said something wrong.
"Tiana, don’t cry; crying too much isn’t good." She immediately grabbed two tissues.
Amidst the chaos, Hannah Collins stood at the door, knocking gently on the open door.
The sound immediately drew her gaze to the doorway, where Tiana hurriedly wiped her tears.
"Hannah, what’s up?"
Hannah asked, "Lana made wontons. Does your friend like cilantro?"
"Yes! Add a little more, please." She answered for Tiana because she noticed at the last hotpot meal that Tiana liked cilantro.
...
―――The next day.
Six in the morning.
Rarely had she just woken up to see Norman Bennett tying a tie, prompting her to sit up and softly say in her slightly hoarse morning voice, "Norman Bennett, let me do it. I’ve learned online."
She then stretched out her hands, beckoning him.
The man didn’t refuse, walking straight over to sit by the bed, waiting for her to move.
As he faced her, she motioned, "Turn around, I learned from a first-person perspective."
Then she circled her arms around his neck from behind, attentively tying the knot, which proved difficult and kept going awry.
Frustrated, Elliana, with a touch of morning grumpiness, tied a dead knot on Norman Bennett’s tie.
Seeing the dead knot on his neck, the man remarked seriously, "Hmm, still room for improvement."
Elliana: "..."
She realized she’d have to practice more, so she said, "Norman Bennett, I’ll practice more and make you a tie every day so I won’t be rusty."
"Okay, I’ll pick you up this afternoon."
"Huh? Pick me up? Where are we going?" She was curious, as he had been busy lately, making him almost unseen during the day.
He untied the wrinkled tie, tapping her nose, "Think about it."
Clearly, he wanted her to guess and wasn’t telling her outright.
Could she guess? The first thought was perhaps Norman Bennett wasn’t busy in the afternoon and planned to spend time with her.
She was about to voice her thoughts when Hannah Collins knocked on the door.
"Little Sprout, are you up?"
She responded with some excitement, "I’m up, Hannah. I’m almost ready. Just changing clothes."
They had agreed the previous day to take a walk up the mountain today, which was why she naturally woke up.
The busy little girl didn’t escape a certain man’s notice, causing some discomfort in his heart.
When Elliana stood up, he picked her up horizontally into his arms.
In his cold gaze was a hint of fiery passion; she knew immediately what he wanted!
"Norman Bennett! Hannah is waiting... Mmm~ I..."
...
The kiss lasted a long time, making Elliana’s head fuzzy.
She just wanted to immerse herself in his embrace forever.
Knock, knock!
"Little Sprout? Ready yet? Why is the door still locked?"
Hannah’s voice came again from outside, accompanied by the sound of the doorknob being tested.
"Norman... Mmm~..." Elliana quickly pushed him aside, though her strength was weak and ineffective. Still, a few persistent pushes caused him to release her.
Blush spread across Elliana’s cheeks, nose, and earlobes, making her appear innocent, likely more from holding her breath than shyness.
The man, observing his "work," no longer appeared as stern, instead showing some concern.
He ruffled her hair gently, saying softly, "Be good. Wait for my return."
Door open.
Hannah paused, surprised to see Norman Bennett, asking, "You’re still here? What time is it?" she said, checking her watch.
"Hmm." Norman merely replied, visibly colder than before, then brushed past her and went downstairs.
Hannah: "?"
She looked at Little Sprout in the room and asked, "Did you upset him?"
Elliana shrugged, "...It shouldn’t be me. He was like that after you knocked."
It was clear who had irked him.
Last time, Hannah had been warned by Norman that she wasn’t allowed in this room without his permission.
Evidently, Hannah ignored this, as Norman couldn’t actually tie her up and throw her out.
"I just knocked on the door,
what’s there to be mad about? Interrupted something?"
As soon as Hannah finished speaking, a feather pillow was flung her way!