Chapter 43

Scarlett‘s POV

What happened? The sudden choking left my mind instantly blank.

I couldn't understand why Richard, who had been fine just a second ago, now seemed like a completely different person.

I instinctively struggled, my hands weakly batting at Richard's arms, but no matter what I did, it was futile.

Facing imminent strangulation, I almost dared not hope for survival.

However, at that moment, Alexander's casual voice came from the doorway.

"Uncle, who has upset you so much that you're taking out your anger on my little aunt? Look how frightened she is..."

After entering, Alexander sat down beside me as if no one else mattered.

His gaze swept over me briefly before turning to Richard.

Only then did Richard release his grip.

In the instant of freedom, I collapsed to the floor clutching my throat.

Desperately gasping for air, each breath was painful, but at least I could breathe.

The oppressive aura emanating from Richard hadn't completely dissipated even now.

"What brings you here?" Richard asked coolly.

I watched as Alexander tilted his body, leaned against the chair, and played with a lighter in his hand.

The metal lighter clicked crisply between his fingers with a distinct "click-clack" sound.

Richard lowered his eyes, the ferocity instantly vanishing from his face, then gestured for the maid to bring another place setting.

During the meal, the uncle and nephew both seemed to be in good spirits, their enthusiasm high, each drinking a few extra glasses of wine.

Only I sat there as if on pins and needles.

I still had no idea why Richard had suddenly lashed out at me, even trying to strangle me.

Was it because of that phone call?

At the time, I vaguely heard the other end mention "the Blair family." Could it be that my encounter with Alexander at the Blair residence had reached Richard's ears?

But if that were true, then they...

Abruptly, I looked up at Alexander.

He must have noticed my gaze, because he put down his glass and looked at me with composure.

A faint smile played on his lips.

The man was naturally blessed with good looks; when he smiled, he seemed approachable, as if he were easy to talk to.

But only those who had truly dealt with him knew just how despicable he could be.

I looked at him and forced a smile.

"That night at the Blair house, I haven't properly thanked Mr. Gray yet..."

My words were sincere, though I deliberately left half unsaid.

Alexander raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at me with amusement.

The smile on my face remained unchanged, but hidden beneath the table, he had already firmly gripped my hand.

Our fingers intertwined, and Alexander even cruelly pinched the back of my hand.

It hurt!

But it's still better than being strangled to death.

I was certain it wasn't Alexander who had revealed that night's events to Richard.

But if I'm going to suffer, don't blame me for showing no mercy.

We would either all die together, or Alexander would take the initiative to solve this trouble for me.

The curve of my smile deepened.

Richard indeed grew "curious."

"You also attended Mr. Blair's birthday?"

"Yes," Alexander said frankly. "Uncle, you were in Silverpeak City with an undetermined return date. Our families have been friends for generations, so it would have been inappropriate for me not to attend..."

Halfway through his statement, his gaze fell on me.

"Had I known little aunt would be there, I wouldn't have made the trip."

Richard glanced at Tom standing beside him.

I observed their silent exchange of glances from the sidelines, finally relieved that no one was paying attention to me.

Tom's face darkened, but he couldn't withstand Richard's piercing gaze.

Subsequently, Richard smiled lightly, "Then what was Scarlett referring to just now?"

"It was just..." Alexander deliberately paused, narrowing his eyes, his gaze falling on my neck. "It was just that my little aunt was being harassed in the small garden, and I 'played the hero' for once."

His teasing tone and ambiguous expression.

He didn't look like he was trying to cover for me at all.

Especially after these words, I noticed Richard's right cheek muscle twitch involuntarily.

"Scarlett, why didn't you tell me about something so important?"

Are these two trying to kill me today?

I steeled myself, freed my hand from Alexander's grip under the table, and then took hold of it again.

In that instant, the dynamic of control shifted.

I turned to face Tom directly, "I thought Tom had already reported these matters to you."

My voice was casual, even nonchalant, passing the problem from one person to another like a hot potato.

Creating confusion was exactly what I needed to do right now.

Tom clearly hadn't expected me to suddenly turn the accusation toward him.

There was confusion on his face—he had indeed truthfully reported that night's situation, but obviously, there were some things he wasn't aware of...

Tom lowered his head and remained silent, and Richard finally backed down.

Seeing the matter set aside, I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Let's eat first," Richard announced, ending the discussion.

"Alexander, come with me to the study afterward."

I slowly exhaled. The immediate danger had been avoided, but I knew this was only a temporary respite.

After dinner, Alexander followed Richard to the study, while I remained at the dining table, continuing to eat.

My movements were slow; I was in no hurry to go upstairs.

Tom pulled out the chair across from me and sat down without invitation.

I stopped eating, making no effort to hide the disgust in my eyes.

"Tom, does Mr. Gray always indulge you like this?"

"What does Miss Smith mean?" Tom smiled, his eyes full of uncomfortable scrutiny.

How cunning and treacherous,

I examined him carefully, then slowly revealed a smile.

"I thought any cat or dog could sit at the table and dine in the Gray household."

"Miss Smith, there's no need for sarcasm toward me," he countered, leaning slightly forward.

"After all, if someone like you can sit at the Gray family table, why not others?"

"Are you reminding me that my position as 'Mrs. Gray' might not be secure?"

My voice remained light, though the memory of Richard's hand around my throat remained vivid.

"I just didn't expect you to shift blame this way," Tom said, his tone turning accusatory.

"Have you forgotten? If I hadn't concealed your affair with Alexander at the Blair house, do you think you'd still be alive under Mr. Gray's hand?"

"Haha..." I couldn't help but laugh. "Tom, you're being too alarmist. You can eat as you please, but you shouldn't speak so carelessly. What kind of relationship could there be between Mr. Alexander Gray and me?"

"Miss Smith, do you think Mr. Richard Gray can't live without you?" Tom's question carried an obvious threat.

My laughter grew louder, "I can make him unable to live without me!"

Having lost what little appetite I had, I stood up and walked toward the stairs.

When I reached the third-floor corner, my phone rang.

The familiar number on the screen seemed to sting my eyes. Just as I answered the call, without saying anything, I was pulled away.

The next second, I was lifted up and placed on the bathroom sink.

The strong scent of tobacco hit me. Before I could comprehend what was happening, a large hand had already slid under my dress.

My body tensed. When he tugged at the thin fabric of my underwear, I immediately grabbed his wrist.

"Alexander, we're done!"