Chapter 99
Pearson spoke softly, trying to calm things down. “Albert, take it easy. Do this for me, okay p>
Albert slammed his foot into a stool, knocking it over, then stormed out without looking back.
There was no way he could return to dinner with The Greshams looking as wild as he did now.
Wade shoved Latham back into the car. “Are you out of your mind? Did you actually want to fight Albert p>
Latham glanced at his slightly swollen knuckles and, out of nowhere, said, “Punch me p>
Wade stared at him. “You really have lost it p>
Ignoring that, Latham grabbed Wade’s hand and pressed it against his own mouth, giving himself a quick, measured hit. Then he pulled down the mirror, checking the mark with a careful look. “Yeah, this’ll do p>
A little bruise was all he needed.
“Alright, get me home p>
After Albert left, no one bothered Dorothea anymore. The tension in the room faded and the mood settled into something almost friendly.
She sipped at her wine, just a little. She wasn’t drunk, just feeling pleasantly warm.
As she scrolled through her phone, a news alert suddenly popped up on the screen. [Latham and Albert in a fight p>
Her heart skipped. Did that really happen?
She sat up straight, reading the article. It claimed Albert started it and Latham had no choice but to fight back. The two of them were evenly matched, and someone eventually broke them apart.
The whole thing was written so vividly, she could almost picture it happening right in front of her.
She told the driver to hurry. Worry gnawed at her. What if Latham fought because of her?
Before, she would have thought she was being ridiculous. But after hearing Latham’s tone earlier, she couldn’t help but wonder.
She rushed upstairs, only to find Latham’s room in darkness.
Where was he? Hadn’t he come back?
“Looking for me?” Latham’s voice drifted out, low and smooth.
Dorothea looked up and found him watching her, a lazy smile in his eyes.
But the bruise on his mouth made her chest tighten.
The words spilled out before she could stop herself. “Did you really fight Albert p>
Latham’s face stayed calm. “Yeah. I saw him trying to get you drunk p>
Doro
heart softened. “You
idiot. Lonly had one glass. Waithet
*.get
the first aid kit.
Latham nodded. “Alright p>
He sat on
like he’de sofa, quiet and patient, t her do whatever she ne
wanted. Go ahead,
“You want me to put medicine on it?” Dorothea asked.
Latham raised an eyebrow. “I helped you last time, didn’t I p>
She smiled despite herself. “Fine p>
She grabbed a cotton swab, dipped
it in antiseptic, and warned him
“This might sting a bit. Try not to
movers
content belongs to
She knelt on the floor beside him. Latham lowered his head, bringing his lips close
to her hand.
His warm breath brushed against her skin, sending a shiver right through her.
She tried to ignore the butterflies and focused on treating his wound.
Latham let out a soft hiss right on cue.
Dorothea paused. “Does it hurt that much p>
“A little p>
She frowned. “Don’t bother with Albert again. He’s not worth it p>
That last bit made Latham smile for real, his lips curling up. “Dorothea, what about me? Am I worth it p>