Chapter 18
Chapter 48
At 3 am, the previously passionate and intimate bedroom had returned to silence.
Enoch carried the exhausted, sleeping Tiana to the bathroom. After a shower, he gently placed her on the chaise lounge. Picking up a hairdryer, he set it to silent mode and carefully dried her long hair.
His fingers combed through her locks with such tenderness as if he were handling a treasure lost and found again.
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As for Simon, he had yet to take any direct measures. Internally, however, Enoch felt a hint of gratitude for Simon’s absence at the engagement party. Without that, where would he have found the chance to win Tiana over?
Despite Simon’s past taunts and verbal provocations, Enoch had always ignored them. But this time, Simon dared to drug
his woman.
A cold and menacing shadow darkened Enoch’s features. After drying Tiana’s hair, he tucked her in with a light blanket. Then, stepping out of the bedroom, he made a call.
“Simon’s been too idle lately. Stop all the projects Starlight Entertainment has recently taken on,” he ordered.
The person on the other end responded respectfully, “Understood, Mr. Gaston.”
“And the person we’re looking for any updates?”
to the
“We’ve found a lead, but it’s related to the Schneider family,” the voice answered.
Enoch furrowed his brows slightly. After hanging up, he returned to the bedroom and sat by the bed, gazing at the serene, sleeping woman. His eyes were filled with affection, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“Ms. Schneider, vou.
my priceless treasure,‘ he said inwardly.
The next day, Tiana woke up feeling sore all over.
Opening her eyes, she stared at the ceiling, her mind blank. Pulling off the blanket, she gasped at the bruises and marks covering her body.
Just then, the bedroom door swung open. Enoch, who had gone for his morning run, was back
Flustered, she quickly wrapped herself in the blanket, glaring at him with a mix of shyness and annoyance. “Enoch, I have an audition in two days! With all these marks, how am I supposed to wear an off–shoulder dress?” she said.
Enoch approached the bed, his dark eyes gazing at her intently. “Ms. Schneider, would you like to see what you did to my back?” he replied.
Without waiting for her reply, he pulled off his T–shirt.
Tiana’s eyes widened when she saw the crisscrossing scratches on his back. “Did I do that?” she asked.
Enoch raised an eyebrow and asked, “Who else could it be?”
Oh, my! How hard have I gone last night? Am I some kind of wild cat? It looks painful, she thought.
She bit her lip, seeming embarrassed and indignant. “It’s your fault for being too insistent. I wouldn’t have scratched you
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Chapter 48
otherwise!” she said.
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Enoch leaned closer, his voice low and teasing. “Ms. Schneider, want to recall exactly where I kissed you to make you scratch. like that?”
The heat of his breath sent tingles through Tiana, leaving her simultaneously weak and flustered. In a flash of realization, her fingers tightened on the bedsheet.
“Enoch, you shameless jerk!” she scolded, feeling utterly embarrassed. “Go to hell!” she yelled.
Mortified, she buried her face in the blanket, unwilling to face him.
Enoch tried to pull the blanket away, but she wrapped herself up like a cocoon, refusing to show her face.
Enoch sighed, “Ms. Schneider, don’t suffocate yourself. I’ll go take a shower first, and then we can have breakfast together.”
Once he went to take a shower, Tiana quickly got out of bed.
She changed her clothes and bolted out of the mansion, fleeing to her studio without washing up, brushing her teeth, or looking back. She couldn’t face Enoch again.
However, the moment Tiana arrived, a furious figure emerged from the shadows. It was Simon.
“Tiana! How could you stoop so low? Last night, you were in bed with me, and now you’re with Enoch again? Can’t you live without him?” Simone accused.
Tiana looked at the enraged man before her, feeling a chill. She wondered, “How was I so stubborn in liking him for so many years?‘
With a mocking smile, she pulled out her phone and played a video. “Last night, you were with a pillow. I wasn’t there. To this day, I’ve only ever had one man–my husband, Enoch.”
Simon’s pupils contracted as he saw the footage. It was him calling out her name after coming out of the bathroom, hugging and kissing a pillow.
His face turned ashen. “You used perfume that causes hallucinations?” he asked.
Tiana replied, “Exactly.”
Simon wasn’t stupid. He immediately pieced together what had happened. She had anticipated his scheme and set him up in advance.
Furious, he glared at Tiana and growled, “You’d rather sleep with a bodyguard than be with me? After all these years, your love for me real? Or are you just that cheap, sneaking around with him behind my back?”
Wasn’t
Once, such words might have pierced Tiana’s heart. But now, she felt nothing. She was already immune to it and had seen through him
“Simon, Enoch might only be a bodyguard, but he’s a man with principles and responsibility, and, most importantly, he
treats me well,” Tiana retorted.
Simon’s face contorted in rage. “Do you really think he loves you? He’s just after your money and status. Once he finds someone richer and prettier, he’ll dump your he roared.
“Even if he does, at least I’ll have been happy with him for however long it lasts.” Tiana replied.
2/6
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Chapter 18
Simon still wanted to say something, but his phone rang, cutting him off. It was a call from his assistant. After taking the call. his complexion turned ghostly pale.
“How is this possible? What do you mean the deal fell through? The contracts were already finalized!” he yelled.
Tiana had no idea what Simon’s assistant had said over the phone. All she knew was that after answering the call, he left in a hurry.
After entering the studio, Tiana went to the lounge to freshen up, washing her face and rinsing her mouth.
Soon after, Elodie arrived for work. Seeing Tiana stepping out of the restroom, Elodie looked surprised and exclaimed. “Boss, why are you here so early today?”
Before Tiana could reply, Elodie suddenly tugged at her collar and caught sight of the purplish marks scattered across her collarbone and chest. Her eyes widened in shock.
“Oh my gosh, where did all these marks come from? Spill it. Do you have some secret lover outside? Elodie asked.
Just as Elodie finished speaking, the studio’s door swung open. A man dressed in all black strode in, carrying two bags. He had brought breakfast and fruits.
Tiana, upon seeing him, instinctively wanted to run away. However, with Elodie present, she couldn’t make her escape too
obvious.
Elodie turned to look at Enoch and asked suspiciously, “Mr. Gaston, do you know which man Tiana was with last night?”
Enoch nodded slightly and replied, “Yeah, I know.”
“Who? Don’t tell me she’s gone and stupidly reconciled with Simon again?” Elodie pressed further.
Enoch glanced at Tiana, who had turned her back to him, avoiding his gaze entirely. The corners of his thin lips curled slightly. “It was me,” he said.
Elodie’s eyes widened in utter disbelief. For a moment, she thought her ears were playing tricks on her.
“What? It was you who left all those marks on her body?” Elodie shrieked, fuming.
She turned to glare at Tiana, who looked guilty beyond measure. She scolded, “How could you let this happen? You might as well do labor work in the future!”
Tiana quickly pulled Elodie aside and whispered to explain her relationship with Enoch. She and Enoch were in a secret marriage, something she had only confided in Aurora and had yet to inform Elodie about
Elodie glared fiercely at Tiana and said, “Divorce in six months? You’ll be a second–marriage woman after that! Are you out of your mind?”
“No choice. It’s the only way to fulfill my grandmother’s wish. My dearest Elodie, just pretend you know nothing about it. From now on, I’ll focus on acting and making money to buy you a luxury sports car,” “Tiana said.
Elodie pushed away the babbling Tiana and glanced back at Enoch. She had long noticed his godlike looks and even once considered recruiting him as an artist under her management. However, he rejected the idea outright.
For the past two years, he had been by Tiana’s side as a bodyguard, doing his job with utmost dedication. However, she never imagined he would end up in bed with her artist.
Sure, Enoch was ridiculously handsome, but Elodie still couldn’t support Tiana’s impulsive decision to marry him.
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Chapter 18
“With your status, even if it’s not Simon, you could easily find someone with a better background than Enoch!” Elodie exclaimed.
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Tiana knew Elodie meant well but didn’t feel like explaining too much. Perhaps next time, she would bring her to Wisteria Heights for a visit.
Enoch walked over, placing breakfast and fruit on the table. He said, “Ms. Ivy, I’ve arranged for an MPV and a driver for Ms. Schneider to make her work more convenient.”
He handed Elodie a key–an Alphard, the most luxurious model of MPV. Elodie was perplexed.
She couldn’t figure out how a bodyguard could afford something like that.
Before she could voice her doubts, Enoch presented two exquisite boxes and said, “These are gifts for you and Ms. Potts.”
Their studio was small, with only Elodie and the assistant, Jenny. Jenny, who had just started her job, gasped in disbelief when she saw the gift–a Cartier bracelet. The cheapest one would cost at least 15,000 dollars.
“Tiana, Elodie, I never dreamed of receiving such an extravagant gift!” Jenny exclaimed, glancing at the handsome and aloof Enoch. “Mr. Gaston, rest assured, I’ll report every move Tiana makes at work to you truthfully,” she said.
Tiana was speechless.
Elodie was equally shocked. Earlier, she had thought Tiana was settling for a mere bodyguard, but now, his generosity left her speechless.
“Is he secretly involved in some fraud or criminal activity? How can he be this rich?” Elodie whispered.
Tiana rubbed her nose and replied, “Probably not. He’s acquainted with several wealthy heirs in Jadewick.”
Elodie remained puzzled. She asked, “If he’s so wealthy, why would he work as your bodyguard? A bodyguard’s monthly salary is only around 2,000 dollars.”
Tiana pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
“Tia, could it be that he’s had ulterior motives all along? Has he been secretly in love with you?” Elodie asked.
Tiana’s heart skipped a beat. “Secretly in love with me?’ she thought.
Then, Tiana recalled him mentioning he had had a crush on a little girl for over a decade, and she dismissed the thought After all, they hadn’t known each other before, so how could he have secretly liked her?
Tiana rolled her eyes at Elodie and said, “Elodie, do you really think I’m so irresistible that every man must fall for me? Relax, I’m not going to be a lovesick fool this time, and he won’t be able to deceive me.”
At most, there might be some physical connections. However, that would be a mutual pleasure, neither a loss nor gain for
anyone.
After setting the breakfast table, Enoch pulled Tiana over. He brought out two boxes–one containing a bracelet, the other
an anklet.
Tiana sat on the high stool as he fastened the bracelet on her wrist, then knelt down to clasp the anklet around her delicate ankle. The cool anklet and the warmth of his fingers brushing her skin sent a small shiver through her.
She lowered her gaze, watching Enoch reverently kneeling before her, her eyes landing on his prominent nose and lightly tinted lips. Her heart stirred slightly.
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Chapter 48
Witnessing the scene, Jenny found it unbelievably beautiful and romantic. She snapped a picture and posted it on her Instagram with the caption: [Fairy–tale love. I’m moved to tears.]
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Meanwhile, Simon was having a terrible morning–several projects lost, a scandal involving one of his company’s artists, and his head was about to explode.
“Simon, look at this! Isn’t this Tiana’s leg?” Harry said as he hurried in, holding his phone.
Harry, who followed Jenny on Instagram, showed Simon her social media post.
Simon’s expression froze as he glanced at it. That anklet was a limited–edition Cartier piece, nearly impossible to purchase even with money.
His eyes shifted to the man’s hands in the photo, fastening the anklet. The hands were unmistakably Enoch’s. Simon’s eyes turned bloodshot, his chest heaving violently.
“Simon, isn’t that the ‘One and Only‘ anklet with a starting auction price of 15 hundred thousand the other day? They say gifting it symbolizes binding someone for this life and the next,” Harry said.
Simon had attended the auction where the anklet was sold to a mysterious bidder. While the meaning behind the anklet was enchanting, he hadn’t thought it was worth 15 hundred thousand.
With a dark expression, he muttered, “Do you think a mere bodyguard could afford the genuine piece? He probably gave her a knockoff to make her happy.”
However, he recalled the phone call from last night when he overheard Tiana’s soft and alluring cries of “honey” under Enoch. A torrent of jealousy, bitterness, and rage surged in his chest.
Tiana was his woman, yet that bodyguard had gotten to her first. He wouldn’t let them off.
At six in the evening. Tiana left her studio. As soon as she stepped out of the building, she spotted Enoch leaning casually against an SUV.
When he saw her, he strode toward her. Tiana’s long lashes fluttered as she avoided his gaze.
This morning, after delivering gifts to her colleagues, he had left without saying he would come to pick her up after work. “Why are you here again?” Tiana asked.
Enoch narrowed his dark, piercing eyes slightly. He said, “Ms. Schneider, that’s not the attitude you had when you were seducing me last night.”
Tiana blushed and covered her face with a hand. “That flirty girl last night must’ve been my doppelganger,‘ she replied.
Enoch chuckled lowly, grabbing her delicate hand from her face. His voice was magnetic and indulgent as he said, “Ms. Schneider, we’ve never been on a proper date. How about tonight?”
Tiana was caught off guard. ‘A date?” she thought.
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Chapter 49
Chapter 49
