Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: There's No Need to Make Such a Fuss

*Creak—*

The door was pushed open, and a tall, robust figure appeared at the entrance. Standing nearly 1.9 meters tall, he exuded an almost intimidating presence. His face was calm and indifferent, his eyes as still as a lake without ripples.

Such a sharp aura almost made everyone in the room feel suffocated.

It was Edmund Montgomery.

"Do you really need to make such a big fuss just to welcome me?"

He joked, but there was no hint of amusement in his eyes.

As his gaze swept over Vanessa Galsworthy, who was surrounded by others, Edmund Montgomery's eyes narrowed. Before anyone could react, he had already strode forward, his towering shadow enveloping her completely.

His hand forcefully lifted her chin, and Vanessa Galsworthy couldn't quite describe her feelings at that moment. It was a mix of embarrassment, discomfort, and...

Grievance.

"Why are you so red?"

His cool fingertips brushed against her delicate cheek, causing her to shiver involuntarily.

She still remembered the unpleasantness between them, and she turned her head away, biting her lip.

Edmund Montgomery's eyes grew even colder, and he let out a cold snort, audible only to the two of them.

"Edmund?"

"Brother-in-law?"

Dominic Galsworthy and Phoebe Galsworthy were dumbfounded at the sudden appearance of the man in the Nan household. For some reason, meeting his gaze made both of them feel a chill down their spines.

The man nodded in acknowledgment, then paused:

"I heard Vanessa Galsworthy was coming home, so I came to pick her up after finishing my work. As for the phone call you just made, Dad..."

"I didn't understand what you meant. Maybe you can explain it to me?"

Dominic Galsworthy, sweating profusely, quickly backtracked, saying it was just a misunderstanding, a joke, and that he hadn't meant anything by it.

Like a clay tiger, under Edmund Montgomery's scrutiny, he crumbled quickly.

Phoebe Galsworthy, who had been blushing and trying to speak, now cowered in a corner, not daring to breathe a word.

Vanessa Galsworthy found their reactions amusing.

Just a moment ago, they had been eagerly waiting for Edmund Montgomery, but now they were trembling with fear.

She didn't want to delve into why the man had suddenly appeared, nor did she want to stay any longer. She was about to leave without saying much when Edmund Montgomery suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Naturally, she tried to pull her hand back.

"Don't move."

He spoke almost directly into her ear, his breath warm and familiar, sending a tingling sensation through her.

Vanessa Galsworthy recoiled as if burned.

"What do you...?"

Before she could finish, she felt a sudden chill on her ring finger as a ring slid on.

She was utterly stunned.

This was their wedding ring, which she had taken off and sent to Edmund Montgomery when they decided to divorce.

"Next time, don't be so careless."

Their interaction was intimate and natural, hardly resembling a couple on the brink of divorce.

Dominic Galsworthy was delighted, and his look towards Vanessa Galsworthy carried a rare tinge of guilt.

"So, you left the ring behind. I thought..."

Vanessa Galsworthy paid no attention to the man's words. She scrutinized his expression and, as expected, saw a hint of insincerity.

It was all just an act.

Of course, to keep up appearances for the Montgomery family, Edmund Montgomery would naturally want to play the part of a normal husband.

They might not be in love, but at least they shouldn't be constantly fighting and threatening to divorce.

Vanessa Galsworthy said nothing more and walked out the door.

Edmund Montgomery frowned and followed, his face stern.

"Get in the car."

The man's voice was cold again, "You don't want your father to suspect anything, do you?"

Vanessa Galsworthy turned and saw Dominic Galsworthy standing at the door, watching them.

She didn't argue and got into the car.

But as soon as she sat down, a wave of intense male scent hit her.

Edmund Montgomery's rough hand caressed the faint red mark on her face, his voice emotionless.

"Did he hit you?"

Vanessa Galsworthy turned her head, subtly avoiding his touch.

She neither confirmed nor denied it, instead looking out the window at the smiling father and daughter.

To Dominic Galsworthy and Phoebe Galsworthy, Edmund Montgomery was like a god of wealth.

Edmund Montgomery's hand froze mid-air, a flicker of coldness passing through his dark eyes.

He straightened up and pulled his hand back.

Just as Vanessa Galsworthy thought he was about to start the car, he suddenly opened the door.

The tall, imposing man, like a walking statue, circled the car and headed back to the door.

Vanessa Galsworthy remained seated, lost in thought as she watched him.

She thought she had given up when she signed the divorce papers.

But now, even from a distance, seeing him still caused a pang in her heart.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice what was happening outside.

...

Edmund Montgomery stood before Dominic Galsworthy and Phoebe Galsworthy once again, surprising them.

"Edmund, is it...?"

"Vanessa Galsworthy is a member of the Montgomery family, and no one has the right to hit or scold her," Edmund Montgomery cut off Dominic Galsworthy's words.

He lowered his eyes, and the cold aura around him was palpable.

Dominic Galsworthy's smile froze on his face, and he didn't know what to say.

"Brother-in-law, you misunderstood. It was my sister who..."

"Do you have the right to speak here? When did a nameless person dare to talk back to me?"

Edmund Montgomery raised his eyes, shooting a cold glance.

Phoebe Galsworthy shrank back, hiding behind Dominic Galsworthy.

It was understandable; few people weren't afraid when Edmund Montgomery was angry, especially a mistress's daughter who relied on Dominic Galsworthy.

Dominic Galsworthy wanted to protect Phoebe Galsworthy, but he knew the consequences of offending Edmund Montgomery.

"Edmund, I was impulsive today. It won't happen again, I promise."

As he spoke, Dominic Galsworthy kept glancing at the car, where Vanessa Galsworthy remained motionless.

Edmund Montgomery said nothing, giving them a cold look before returning to the car.

The sound of the car door brought Vanessa Galsworthy back to reality.

She looked up, her eyes moist.

She wanted to ask what he had done, but the words died in her throat.

What did it matter what he did?

Anyway, their relationship was over.

But as the car started to drive away, Vanessa Galsworthy saw the ugly look on Dominic Galsworthy's face and the unmasked hatred in Phoebe Galsworthy's eyes.

A bad feeling washed over her, but she couldn't pinpoint it.

She glanced at the man beside her, focused on driving, his perfect profile illuminated by the sunlight, making his features even more defined.

He was very handsome.

Even the most popular celebrities paled in comparison.

"Where are we going?" Vanessa Galsworthy finally asked.

She didn't want to go back to the Montgomery family.

Edmund Montgomery stared ahead, his handsome face expressionless.

He didn't answer, his eyes unreadable.

The air in the car grew colder, and Vanessa Galsworthy didn't have the courage to ask again.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, the pain in her body becoming more apparent.

Vanessa Galsworthy almost forgot she had run out of the hospital. She forced herself to stay strong, at least not to show weakness in front of Edmund Montgomery.

When the car finally stopped, Vanessa Galsworthy was shocked to see the hospital in front of her.

She turned to him, her pale face full of confusion.

"Why did you...?"

She wanted to ask why he brought her back to the hospital.

But before she could finish, she saw a familiar figure at the hospital entrance.

Stephanie Doherty.

Edmund Montgomery's beloved, pacing anxiously under the sun, her fair face filled with worry, looking around frequently.

Stephanie Doherty's slender figure gave her a fragile, delicate appearance.

Any man, let alone Edmund Montgomery, would feel a strong urge to protect her.

Vanessa Galsworthy withdrew her gaze, and the man beside her had already gotten out of the car and rushed to the woman.

Vanessa Galsworthy lowered her head, a bitter smile forming on her lips.

For a moment, she thought Edmund Montgomery had a change of heart and brought her to the hospital himself.

Now, it was clear it was just wishful thinking.

Taking a deep breath, Vanessa Galsworthy opened the car door and got out.

She walked into the hospital, glancing briefly at the two of them as she passed.

In that brief glance, she met Stephanie Doherty's triumphant gaze.

Vanessa Galsworthy didn't care, but the tenderness on Edmund Montgomery's face stung her.

After years of marriage, she had never seen this icy man show such warmth.

"Edmund, is Miss Nan angry? It's all my fault. I was just so scared."