Chapter 11

Rickard stepped forward abruptly and grabbed Julian by his collar. “Hesper is a member of the Duvals, and she will be with the Duvals even if she dies. Trying to get her to start her life again? Dream on!”

As he was speaking, he swung a punch at Julian’s face ferociously.

Hesper watched the scene incredulously. “Rickard! Have you lost your mind? Why are you beating him?”

Rickard grew even more furious after noticing how she defended Julian. “Why? Does it hurt you to watch?”

As he was speaking, he threw a few more punches.

Julian was a practicing doctor, so he was no match for Rickard. His face bruised and swelled up from the beating quickly.

“Stop it! Stop it, quick!”

Hesper’s eyes reddened with anger. Julian was the family that she did not have much of in the world, but he was beaten up ferociously by Rickard now.

“Rickard, if you hit him one more time, you can forget about working on grandfather’s matter together!” Hesper stretched her arms and defended Julian in anger.

Upon hearing her remark, the furious man gradually stopped.

Rickard narrowed his eyes in a dangerous manner. “What did you say?”

Hesper did not wish to threaten Rickard with Mr. Duval Sr., but there was nothing else she could do to stop him from hitting Julian. She could only brace herself to say, “Rickard, you can come at me if you hate me, don’t implicate others! I’m only staying with the Duvals for the sake of grandfather’s health. I’m not staying so your family can treat me inhumanely!”

“Good, very well. You’ve learned to talk back.” Rickard’s eyes were bloodshot from anger, and the veins on the back of his hands throbbed. He kicked over a rack next to him. “Hesper, how dare you threaten me for this man!”

“Who do you think you are, and how dare you!”

Rickard stretched out his arms in an attempt to grab her out of rage.

However, as soon as Rickard moved, Julian used his body to shield Hesper and wrapped his arms around her.

Rickard’s anger soared to its max when witnessing the scene. In fact, he felt like he wanted to tear up the people before him so he could let them experience the consequences of going against him.

“What’s going on?”

Juniper’s voice was heard coming from the door.

Rickard turned around and glanced at her. “Why are you here?”

Juniper was startled by the sight of the anger in his bloodshot eyes, but she feigned her calmness with great effort and said, “I went to meet Sophia at the Duvals’ residence and heard that Hesper was hospitalized, so I came to visit her with some healthy snacks.”

As she was speaking, she raised the box in her hands to show him.

The snacks in the box were all of superior quality food; she brought it to showcase her gentleness and thoughtfulness.

Rickard sneered. “That’s very kind of you, but it’s a shame that she doesn’t deserve it.”

“Huh, what do you mean?”

Juniper appeared to be dumbfounded, but in reality, she heard the loud quarrel from outside.

Rickard did not wish to continue fussing over the matter anymore, so he turned around nonchalantly and said, “Nothing. Let’s go.”

Juniper followed after him obediently and willingly.

Julian loosened his grip over Hesper and noticed that there was a blood backflow in the infusion tube on her arm. Her blood filled the whole tube, turning it bright red.

“Lie down, Hesper!”

Hesper was in pain as well, but she held back from talking about it earlier.

When everything was settled down, she said to Julian with fatigue, “I’m sorry that I got you beaten up for no reason earlier, Ian.”

“I’m fine. This trivial injury is nothing for a man. You, on the other hand… Is this how Rickard treats you at home too?”

Hesper turned her face to the side and did not answer.

How would he treat me like this at home?

At home, Rickard ignores me as if I don’t exist. He disregards my concern and favor, and doesn't even look me in the eyes.

“B*st*rd!” Julian was furious. “Who was the woman earlier? Was she his mistress?”

“No, she's Juniper Wight…” Hesper told him about the situation briefly before she said in all apparent seriousness in the end, “I know that you care about me, Ian, but I’m scared of Rickard bearing grudges against you, so it would be best if you could stay away from me.”

“What's that supposed to mean? You’re my sister! How could I possibly not care about you?” Julian patted her shoulder and said sincerely, “Listen to my advice, Hesper. Your place is not with the Duval family or with Rickard. Will you leave him?”

“I know. Just hold on. We'll get a divorce once grandfather has recovered.”

Julian, rendered speechless, heaved a sigh.

It did not take long before Rickard’s assistant came rushing over suddenly.

“Mrs. Duval, is my boss here?”

Hesper nodded after noticing how anxious he looked. “He was, but he left.”

“Left?” The assistant looked as if he feared for his life. They were supposed to have a discussion with the Haven Group that day, but when Rickard received information from the hospital, he came over without the slightest hesitation.

The discussion was about to begin, but the assistant was unable to locate Rickard.

The assistant was troubled, but before he left, he seemed to remember something and pulled out a new phone from his bag.

“Mrs. Duval, this the phone my boss ordered me to get for you. Your sim card is inside. Frankly, Mr. Duval…cares about you.”

Hesper did not appreciate Rickard’s concern.

If he really cared about me, why would he humiliate me?

If this is how he shows his care, I would rather not have it!

Meanwhile, Juniper was also provoking Rickard casually by saying, “Who was that man protecting Hesper in the hospital earlier, Rickard? Why haven’t I seen him before?”

“Don’t mention them to me anymore. They disgust me.”

Rickard waved his hand impatiently and picked up the glass before him to down the alcoholic.

Juniper’s eyes glistened. “It’s boring to drink alone, so I’ll drink with you.”

Soon, an exchange of glasses quickly happened, and Rickard drank more and more out of anger.

He began to gradually grow tipsy.

Juniper seized the opportunity to take an intimate selfie with Rickard and sent it to Hesper right away. “Don’t worry. Rickard is with me tonight. I’ll take good care of him.”

The interpretation of what her care meant was up to Hesper.

Hesper stared at the photo for three full seconds before finally sneering.

So, he was kind enough got me a new phone just so he could show off their loving relationship. Thank you for the trouble you’ve taken and your consideration!

“Thank you for taking the trouble. Although, I’m afraid there’s nothing impressive about Rickard’s performance when he’s drunk. You might not be able to fully enjoy yourself.”

Hesper turned off the phone right after sending the provocative message.

All I have to do is disgust her, right? Anyone can do that.

Not having expected Hesper to actually reply to her text message, Juniper turned green with rage.

She could not suppress her jealousy at the thought of how they had once been so intimate that they had a child together.

Let's wait and see, Hesper!