Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Fred immediately replied, “Let me send you. Sir’s instructions are for me to not let you drive and to protect you.”
“Alright,” Mary agreed and did not utter another word. She turned to look outside the car window. Fred did not know what she was thinking about, but he could sense a certain gloom about her.
Fred glanced at Mary twice. He then probed when he looked at her the third time. “Lady Mary, what exactly happened five years ago? Do you know who harmed you?”
Fred had three of his right fingers cut off but this did not affect his driving. Mary’s gaze landed on his right hand and said, her tone a little warmer, “I do. I’ll tell you about it another time.”
Fred had always protected Mary and treated her well. He commented, “Lady Mary, I don’t absolutely have to ask you about something you don’t want to talk about. I’m only worried that the person who harmed you back then would attack you again now that they know you are back.”
Mary’s clear gaze became cold. She said, her voice sterner, “Fred, all you have to do is protect Jason, and do not trust anyone except Max Gaston.”
“Understood, Lady Mary,” Fred replied. He did not understand the full meaning behind Mary’s words, but he knew that there was something to be inferred. He must not trust anyone if he wanted to protect Jason Hanks. He did not know who the culprit was as Mary had yet to tell him. Thus, he had to be on guard against everyone.
The Johnsons’ computer repair shop was not very far away from Mary Co. and only needed a few minutes by car. It also only took a few minutes to walk there.
Fred parked the car by the side of the road. Mary told him not to follow and went into the shop to look for Paul alone.
The computer repair shop occupied 600 square feet. It received decent business as Paul had remarkable skills.
Paul Johnson turned around and walked toward his office after opening the door for Mary.
Mary knitted her brows when she saw the finger marks on Paul’s face. Her brows became even more tightly knit when she followed Paul into the office.
Paul brushed past the hand she had on the door handle and said apologetically, “I didn’t know you were coming and had a few cigarettes. You can leave the door open if you find it stuffy.”
He walked over to the water dispenser after he spoke and poured Mary a cup of water, then signaled for Mary to have a seat.
His office was not large. There were only two chairs and an office table. The water dispenser and bookshelf in the office did not take up too much space. There was not much else in the office.
Mary received the cup of water from Paul. She was just about to ask Paul about the situation when he suddenly squinted. His gaze landed on his hands and he asked before Mary could speak, “How did you get that?”
Mary laughed and returned a question, “Isn’t the mark on your face more obvious than the ones on my hand?”
Paul Johnson knitted his brows and said, “How is that the same? You’re a girl— Did that bast*rd Max Gaston hurt you?”
His tone was tinged with fury the further he got into the sentence. The wrinkles on his hardy face became even deeper.
Paul was a handsome man. His looks were not noble and exquisite like Max Gaston’s. Instead, he looked a little boorish and had boxy features. He was dressed casually as he had to do physical work for long periods. He gave others the impression that he was a rough and unruly.
Though Paul Johnson had dropped out of high school, he had immense talent when it came to computers. He supported his family through self-study. He was an entrepreneur. He was earning a sizable income though he only had a tiny shop. Half of all the companies in Sheares had business dealings with Paul. Paul Johnson was also liked by many girls, Rebecca Yelton being one of them.
“I’ll go and look for him,” Paul Johnson said. He walked towards the exit when he saw the slight change in Mary’s expression.
Mary quickly shouted to stop him, “Paul, wait a minute!”
Paul stared at Mary. He snarled, unable to hide his fury, “I can’t let him hurt you.”
“It’s not him. I fell,” Mary lied. She disregarded the suffocating smell of the cigarettes and closed the door, not allowing Paul to leave. She could not help but cough a little.
Paul’s expression turned a shade darker as he witnessed this. He said, “Mary, you wouldn’t be so anxious if it truly had nothing to do with him.”
Mary was at a loss for words.
Paul turned around and took a moment to calm himself down. He took a few steps forward and got Mary a chair to sit on. He then said, “Ever since we were young, you’ve never said a single bad word about him. No matter how much badly he treats you, you—”
“Paul, I came to look for you today not to discuss Max Gaston,” Mary interrupted, “I don’t know what happened between you and Rebecca, but she’s pregnant now. Can’t you accommodate her and not agitate her?”
“What did she say to you?” Paul asked.
“That she was going to die with the child and asked you to pray for her every year,” Mary answered truthfully. Her tone became a little gentler as she continued, “No matter what, try to tolerate it before the child is born. Stop arguing with her. The baby will be affected if she’s in a bad mood.”
Mary thought back to her hardships and the fear and anxiety she had felt back then. She truly did not wish for anything to happen to Rebecca’s baby.
All of the fury that Paul had toward Rebecca dissipated when he heard what Mary told him. He also remembered how Mary had been like back then. He had never told Mary that he was with Rebecca not because of love. Instead, it had been…
“Alright, I understand,” Paul agreed, his tone a little rigid. He then took two steps away from Mary and said as he opened the door, “You should go back. Don’t stay here and breathe in second-hand smoke. I’m covered from head to toe with the smell of cigarettes. I’ll go back after a shower and a change of clothes.”
Mary looked at Paul, then said, “Don’t go back too late. It is normal for Rebecca to be very emotional during pregnancy. I already got Priscilla to accompany, but Rebecca cannot replace you.”
“Do you not believe me?” Paul rolled his eyes and asked. He pushed Mary out of the office and instructed, “Go back quickly.”
Mary knitted her brows. She pursed her lips when she saw how Paul was in a hurry for her to leave. She said, “John Liam has read through the case file for the accident back then— But he does not have any clues yet. I’ll notify you if he finds anything.”
“Alright,” Paul answered as he grabbed the door handle. He shooed Mary out of the office with the other hand.
Though Mary had not been here for five years, the employees of the shop knew who she was as they were good friends of Paul. A blonde man came over to see her out.
Fred, who was waiting beside the car, immediately opened the car door for Mary when he saw her come out. He reported, “Lady Mary, I just received a call from Monty, saying that Madam had gone to look for you at the villa. She heard that you were not around but still asked to meet Jason.”
“Did he let her in?” Mary asked, her expression darkening when she heard the update.
Fred shook his head and answered, “No. Sir instructed us to not allow anyone into the villa. Madam left angrily when she was prevented from entering.”
“Alright, you can head back after sending me to the office. Remember what I said. Don’t trust anyone except for Max Gaston,” Mary instructed.
“You have my word, Lady Mary,” Fred promised.
—
In the CEO’s office of the Gaston Group, Max had just finished signing off a document when his phone rang. He took the call and asked, “What is it?”
“Sir, half an hour ago, Madam went to the villa to meet Lady Mary but was stopped from doing so. She left very angrily,” Fred informed him.
Max’s deep eyes narrowed darkly as he asked, “Does Mary know?”