The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Elice turned on the bedside lamp. She noticed that Garrett’s face was covered in sweat.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Maybe it’s just the medication,” Garrett replied as he sat up. “Don’t worry.”

Garrett reached for the glass on the bedside table. But there was no more water. He had finished it earlier, just before he tried to fall asleep.

“I’ll get some. Just wait a minute.”

Elice got out of bed, put on her robe and went out.

Not yet accustomed to the upper-class lifestyle, there was one habit that made Elice uncomfortable. It was letting the housekeeper in and out of her private room. She felt uncomfortable, especially when Garrett was with her.

So, Elice chose to go downstairs in the middle of the night instead of calling a housekeeper to her room. She happily prepared a glass of warm water with her own hands.

“Madam.”

Yocelyn was in the kitchen. Elice smiled, stepped forward and grabbed a glass.

“You’re not asleep yet?” Elice asked as she filled the glass with water. “It’s already midnight.”

Yocelyn shook her head. “There are a few things I need to check before I go to bed. It’s my nightly routine to make sure everything is ready for tomorrow.”

“I didn’t know the head maid’s duties were so heavy.”

“No one ever does, madam.”

“I hope you take care of your health,” Elice said as she carried the filled glass. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

Yocelyn smiled as Elice left, then took a long breath. Dramatically, she closed her eyes and put a hand on her chest.

*

“Madam, shouldn’t we tell Mr. Garrett what really happened? I do not think it is wise to hide all of this.”

A topic that Carolus had brought up that morning was clearly not a good one, according to Daphne. She sighed, openly showing her disapproval.

“I did not call you here to discuss this, Carolus. I will never let Garrett know what happened, no matter what,” Daphne refused, shaking her head. “Have you forgotten? What happened when Allan tried to investigate his father’s death? What did he get when he started looking for proof?”

Carolus remained silent. Slowly he took a long breath.

“But with all this, Mr. Garrett might think badly of you, Madam. I-”

“That’s enough!”

Daphne immediately interrupted Carolus. Not only with this one command. But also with a raised hand. Further emphasizing that Daphne didn’t want to hear any more from her personal assistant.

“I don’t care what Garrett thinks of me. That’s what’s been in his head all along,” Daphne said with a shaking voice. “Not just towards me. It happens to my husband and my child, too.”

Immediate guilt made Carolus bow his head. “Forgive me, Madam. I didn’t mean to be impertinent. But I’m only concerned for Mr. Garrett’s safety. The attack was a signal. That Mr. Garrett is in danger.”

Daphne took a deep breath. The horror she had felt when she had found Harlan lifeless with a surge of pain in her heart flashed by. The horror she felt when she saw Allan with his damaged face was haunting. And all of it closed with the condition of Garrett, who almost experienced the same.

“He won’t experience that, Carolus. You must take care of Garrett as best you can. If anything bad happens to him, you’ll be responsible.”

Carolus swallowed hard.

“And what about Garrett’s attackers? Did you take care of them?”

Taking a moment to compose himself, Carolus nodded. “Yes, Madam. And it turns out they were sent by Mr. Ariel.”

“Ariel?”

Daphne’s eyes widened. She seemed so surprised by this information. Something she hadn’t expected before.

“Yes, Madam. And now I’ll wait for your next orders.”

Daphne’s face hardened. Her body shook with waves of anger she could barely contain.

“Get rid of them, Carolus. Make sure there’s nothing left.”

No need to explain. Carolus knew what Daphne wanted. And he agreed.

“I didn’t think Ariel would be cruel enough to do such a thing.”

Daphne growled. She tried to suppress her emotions. But the ferocity of her anger couldn’t be contained. It instantly made Carolus shudder.

“But what else can I expect? Didn’t they say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree? I shouldn’t be surprised. He really is Farrah’s son.”

“So, what will you do now? Do you want to meet Ariel?”

Daphne tried to push her emotions out of her mind for a moment. If she was thinking, she knew she had to be calm. She didn’t want to make a hasty decision.

“No. I don’t need to meet Ariel right now. Because I’m sure he’ll take a break for the next attack.”

That made sense. But it still didn’t make Carolus feel good.

“And for that, madam. Is there no consideration for madam?”

“Consideration for what?” Daphne looked at Carolus briefly. “Informing Garrett? No, Carolus. When I say no, it means no. He doesn’t need to know. But it’s your job to ensure his and Elice’s safety.”

But Carolus shook his head. Because that’s not what’s on his mind right now.

“Not that, madam.”

“Then what?”

Carolus raised his face again. He looked desperate as he said it.

“That madam should report Mrs. Farrah to the police.”

Daphne immediately grabbed the arm of the sofa. Startled by Carolus’ words, the shock was clearly visible on her face. She immediately turned pale.

“How long will you continue to hide all this from the world? What Mrs. Farrah has done is beyond the pale, madam. I’m just worried that Mrs. Farrah will take further actions from this. And it’s obvious. Even Mr. Ariel has come out in support of her.”

Daphne’s grip on the arm of the sofa tightened. She shook her head in confusion.

“No, Carolus. I won’t do that. So you have to make sure she can’t touch Garrett.”

Carolus looked exasperated. “We’ve held out for so long, madam. And we can’t go on like this forever. Sooner or later, Mrs. Farrah is bound to escalate.”

Daphne closed her eyes. She tried to ignore Carolus’ words. But the opposite happened. All those shadows came to her mind.

“We should have acted before Mr. Allan tried to investigate this, madam. If only we had reported this to the police, maybe we could have avoided all this.”

Daphne shook her head again. Her body was shaking more visibly now. Clearly shaken.

Because Carolus’ words made that memory even clearer in Daphne’s mind. When Harlan’s death had aroused Allan’s suspicions. And finally, Allan had to experience a similar incident.

“I’m afraid Mr. Garrett will meet a similar fate.”

“No. That won’t happen if you take good care of Garrett, Carolus,” Daphne rebuked. When she opened her eyes, they were red. “Make sure Garrett doesn’t touch anything that has to do with this case.”

Carolus looked helpless. “Madam.”

“Say no more, Carolus. I will never report this to the police, no matter what.”

Daphne stood up. Breathing heavily, with reddened, determined eyes. A bead of sweat formed on her forehead. Then she screamed.

“How could I? How could I turn in my own daughter?! She is still my flesh and blood, Carolus!”

*