NovelOnline
Chapter 186
“Edmund, you guys continue talking, then. I'll go back to the study to sort out some medical reports
first.”
“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 the
guests.”
“All right. You do your work, then. Stay for dinner. I'll bring the food over later.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
Bailey turned and walked toward the door. On her way out, she stole a glance at Artemis, and their
gazes met.
The brief interaction was all it took for Bailey to spot an inexplicable glint in Artemis' deep and dark
eyes.
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 achieve
something.
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 she
had developed feelings for Artemis.
No. This cannot be. I promised myself to stay away from Artemis before I came to Hallsbay. I'll only fall
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtinto a bottomless abyss if I eat my word. Bailey Jefferson, you've only been here for a short time, yet
you've fallen for him. How could you?
Behind her, Edmund watched her leave and turned back with a smile. “Since Grandpa, Father, and
Aunt 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's
relationship 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 get
married eventually, so it all boils down to whether Edmund and Ms. Bailey are meant to be. Other than
that, 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 said
to 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 swept
away the documents on the table with one hand and grabbed her waist with another. He then pinned
her 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 she
could 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 on
making 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 if
anything happens?
“Um...”
Bailey was on the verge of giving up all hope when the man stopped everything he was doing. He
pulled 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 his
charming 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 of
anything. I know how relentless and ruthless he can be. Artemis is never a kind man. Such a decisive
and 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't
mind 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 you
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmlet me go now?”
Artemis ran his slender and long fingers on her shirt and unbuttoned it. “What if I say I regret not
continuing 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 my
control,” 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 warn
you. 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't
force myself on you. But, you also have to promise me that you won't marry Edmund, or I won't mind
making 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 wants
by 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 Edmund
before I get rid of you first.”
Artemis arched his brows at the challenge. “So, you won't agree to Edmund's proposal, nor will you
move 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 clear
enough. Are you that unconfident in your own indecency? You yourself said you would sleep with your
own cousin's wife, so stop doubting how shameless you can be.”
Bailey Jefferson, do you have to be this savage?
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