Female Novel
Chapter 186
“Edmund, you guys continue talking, then. I'll go back to the study to sort out some medical reportsfirst.”
“I'll go with you.”
Bailey shook her head and smiled. “It's okay. I can finish it faster on my own. You can just stay with theguests.”
“All right. You do your work, then. Stay for dinner. I'll bring the food over later.”
“Okay. Thanks.” novelbin
Bailey turned and walked toward the door. On her way out, she stole a glance at Artemis, and theirgazes met.
The brief interaction was all it took for Bailey to spot an inexplicable glint in Artemis' deep and darkeyes.
What is that I see in his eyes? Helplessness? Unwillingness? Resentment? No. It's determination.
The look in Artemis' eyes was resolved, as if he had an unwavering determination to achievesomething.
The man was like a prowling beast that was prepared to flash its claws and pounce on its prey.
The scene where Artemis was stabbed suddenly flashed in Bailey's mind, and it made her feel
suffocated.
She subconsciously quickened her pace and rushed out of the ward.
Bailey could not help but realize that Artemis had a stronger hold over her than Edmund. She felt shehad developed feelings for Artemis.
No. This cannot be. I promised myself to stay away from Artemis before I came to Hallsbay. I'll only fallinto a bottomless abyss if I eat my word. Bailey Jefferson, you've only been here for a short time, yetyou've fallen for him. How could you?
Behind her, Edmund watched her leave and turned back with a smile. “Since Grandpa, Father, andAunt Felicity have given the green light, I'll pick a date and visit the Jeffersons next.”
Yoel conceded with a nod. “Yes. We should still observe proper etiquette regardless of Bailey'srelationship with her family.”
“I'll start preparing the next few days,” Gwendolyn chimed in from beside.
Meanwhile, Glen looked over at Artemis with a complicated gaze. “Artemis, you're Eddy's older cousin.What do you think about him marrying Bay?
Artemis lifted his head slightly and replied calmly, “I believe people destined to be together will getmarried eventually, so it all boils down to whether Edmund and Ms. Bailey are meant to be. Other thanthat, I don't have anything else to say.”
Glen nodded. “Well said. I'll remember what you said today. I'm your granddad, so I hope what you saidto me counts.”
A faint smile curved on Artemis' face as he answered plainly, “I mean what I said. I'll take my leave first.I still have some work to do at the company.”
Over in the study, Bailey was poring over a pile of documents when she heard the room door open.“Edmund, you don't have to come here. You should stay with Old Mr. Chivers.”
Wait. It's not Edmund. Bailey turned around in alarm when she sensed something amiss.
“Artem—”
The man was already right behind Bailey when she turned. With a gloomy look on his face, he sweptaway the documents on the table with one hand and grabbed her waist with another. He then pinnedher down and kissed her, chafing her lips intensely in the process.
Bailey resisted, but the man's grip tightened around her like manacles, locking her so securely that shecould not even move her fingers.
That was when she realized that she was no match for him. The man was a lot more agile and quick-witted than she was, so no matter what she did, he would subdue her somehow.
What took place next was no teasing kiss. Artemis bit and ravaged her lips as if he was fixated onmaking her his. That tenacity reminded Bailey of his gaze back at the ward earlier on.
He must be crazy! Is he going to take me right here?
Bailey struggled violently to break free.
What does he think he's doing? This is the Chivers residence! How am I supposed to face everyone ifanything happens?
“Um...”
Bailey was on the verge of giving up all hope when the man stopped everything he was doing. Hepulled away from her and stared into her eyes, deep in thought.
Bailey was exasperated. She vehemently freed herself from his grip and raised her hand to slap hischarming face.
“I'll take you here and now if you hit me,” Artemis warned.
Bailey's hand stopped a few millimeters away from his face.
She knew she had better not dismiss his remark, given how unpredictable the man was.
He meant it. He would really do something brutish to me if I slapped him. This man is capable ofanything. I know how relentless and ruthless he can be. Artemis is never a kind man. Such a decisiveand cruel man will never give in and go easy on me, so I shall not wish for the impossible.
“Are you not hitting me? I'm disappointed, to be honest. Maybe I shouldn't have warned you. I don'tmind getting slapped for sleeping with you. It's a good bargain.”
His gruff and captivating voice echoed in Bailey's ears, pulling her back to reality.
She put her hand back down in defeat and sighed. “Whatever. It already happened, anyway. Can youlet me go now?”
Artemis ran his slender and long fingers on her shirt and unbuttoned it. “What if I say I regret notcontinuing what we did and would like to carry on? Will you agree to it, Ms. Bailey?”
Bailey laughed.
“You'd better stop it, you b*stard. I'm not a carpet you can walk all over. If you do anything to me today,I'll be sure to make you pay in the future.”
“Are you threatening me? You know what I'm capable of. There's no way you're running out of mycontrol,” Artemis replied with a soft chuckle.
Bailey was at a loss for words.
He's right. Who am I kidding? I really can't run away from him. No one can, actually.
“You want me, right? Fine. Just don't do it here. I don't want to hurt Edmund. Don't say I didn't warnyou. You'll pay with your life if you do this.”
Artemis disregarded her words as his fingers brushed across her delicate features. “Don't worry. I won'tforce myself on you. But, you also have to promise me that you won't marry Edmund, or I won't mindmaking my own cousin a cuckold.”
This guy is a complete freak! Why did I not realize earlier that he's such a jerk? He gets what he wantsby hook or by crook. Once he falls for someone, he's even willing to put aside morality to get his way.
“I must be cursed to have met a lunatic like you. Don't worry, for I won't do anything to hurt Edmundbefore I get rid of you first.”
Artemis arched his brows at the challenge. “So, you won't agree to Edmund's proposal, nor will youmove on with the marriage, right?”
Bailey gritted her teeth and put on a smile that didn't reach her eyes. “I think I've already made it clearenough. Are you that unconfident in your own indecency? You yourself said you would sleep with yourown cousin's wife, so stop doubting how shameless you can be.”
Bailey Jefferson, do you have to be this savage?