Chapter 9 A Petty Man

Wendy sat on the floor with stupefaction for a moment, feeling like a helpless damsel in distress, and she couldn't help grumbling about the fact that a grown *ss man was lying right next to her. At that, she sighed and dragged him back into his bed like she was dragging a fainted goat. After chucking him onto the massive, comfortable bed, she also 'thoughtfully' bandaged his wound before finally sneaking back to her servant's quarter. The long night passed, and the morning sunlight streamed into the spacious bedroom. The man on the bed furrowed his brows and finally opened his eyes. Subconsciously, he ruffled the back of his head only to wince in pain, confirming what happened the night before wasn't a dream. He still remembered the woman struck him with a vase. At that, he turned grim at once and sat right up on the bed, giving orders on his phone. In less than half an hour, Ray rushed to Indigo Sanctuary and found a furious Patrick in a dark green silk robe with silver trimmings and head wrapped in gauze descending the stairs as soon as he entered the villa. If life was a comic strip, the man would have a pop-up sign above his head that wrote 'infuriated' right then. Ray was stunned, dumbfounded that he would wake up to find his boss injured again. His thoughts immediately went to the ambush that happened a few days ago. No doubt a few that escaped them were roaming out there. "Mr. Willoughby! To think they have the guts to attack you in your own home! I'll send the guys to deal with them right away!" At that, Patrick took a gander at him, then directed his gaze, which turned inexplicably grim, at the door in front of him, enunciating, "Deal with her!" Wendy had also stirred at this point, and she had just gotten dressed when the door suddenly burst open. She turned around and found two fierce-looking black-clad bodyguards standing at the doorway. Alas, she was dragged out of the room before she could even ask what was going on. "We've brought the culprit out, sir!" one of the bodyguards reported. Wendy followed their line of sight and looked up only to be startled, for she found Patrick gazing down at her like an emperor, his grim eyes hiding two daggers, wanting to shred her to bits. Innocence instantly enveloped Wendy's face as she wondered, He's come to sentence me guilty, hasn't he? On the other hand, a sneer escaped Patrick when he saw her harmless gaze. She was the first woman who dared lay hands on him. Did you go all out when you hit me with a vase yesterday? Who are you to play the defenseless victim now, you wretched wench! Ray, stuck in the middle, couldn't help feeling baffled as he watched the two exchanging deadly glances back and forth. Isn't she Mr. Willoughby's newly wedded missus? What are they on about so early in the morning, and why should I be a part of their marital dispute?! "Ray!" Patrick spoke up suddenly. "Bright that vase over and stand next to her. Smash it on her when I tell you to." Wendy gazed at the porcelain vase, which was four times the size of the nephrite vase from the night before, in the corner of the staircase. "You see that?" Patrick bore into the young woman's side profile. "I will show you today what it means to repay someone in their own coin." Wendy tensed up for a moment. He's not actually serious, is he? She honestly never thought a man could be so petty. No wonder no woman in Woodspine Heights would dare to marry you. I'd be dead if that vase actually hit me. Meanwhile, Ray, with all his might, brought the massive vase over and stood right next to Wendy. However, he dared not act rashly. After all, the person Patrick wanted to harm wasn't someone else but the new young missus of the Willoughby Family! What were they to do if something irreversible were to happen?! "But… I can give you another chance." Patrick smirked all of a sudden, his face enveloped in mystery. "Hand the medical canon over, and I will overlook your attack last night." The medical canon? That again?! He's still on about that thing after a night?! Wendy shook her head firmly, her gaze clashing with his dark eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about. What medical canon?" Hmph, this woman sure is obstinate. But let's see how long she can continue the act! "Do it!" Patrick gave the order as he took a gander at Ray, whose hands trembled slightly while holding the vase. Whether or not he followed the order, it wasn't a good choice. Mr. Willoughby isn't serious, is he? But I'm just an assistant. How can I possibly hit Mrs. Willoughby?! "I said smash the vase on her! What are you, deaf?!" Patrick roared impatiently, his eyes filled with determination. It seemed that there was no room for negotiation this time. As he couldn't afford to offend his usually decisive boss, Ray did as told and raised the vase with both hands, inching it closer to Wendy's head. At the same time, he mused, Just fake it. Mr. Willoughby can't possibly go so far as to really harm his wife, right? "Stop!" Just then, a hoary voice came from outside the door. "Who dares bully my granddaughter-in-law?!" Ray withdrew his hands at once upon hearing the old madam's voice. Phew, help has arrived! Thank you, Lord, Jesus, and Mother Mary! Meanwhile, everyone turned their heads toward the source of the voice to find the old madam of the Willoughby Family, Lilian Hale, entering with the latest limited-edition handbag, her silver hair exuding an air of elegance. A hint of helplessness flashed across Patrick's face at the sight of her. This old woman just has to show up right at this time. "Grandma." "Don't call me grandma! Do you still care that I'm your grandmother?!" the elder reprimanded while glaring daggers at Patrick, who shut up at once. "You've been a bachelor for twenty-six years. Now that someone is willing to marry you without any complaints, you're still not satisfied? What's all this commotion for? Do you want to resort to domestic violence?" Lilian scolded mercilessly. As the words were spoken, even Ray felt embarrassed for his boss. Woodspine Heights' wealthiest man, the mighty Mr. Patrick Willoughby, had the looks and the power. If it weren't for the rumors circulating outside, he wouldn't have had trouble finding a wife…