From

Chapter 21

Natalie had just bought her coffee and was heading back when she was stopped by a group of well–dressed young people.

Arms crossed, Sienna declared mockingly, “Look, it’s the bride who my brother dumped at the altar.

Her comment made her companions laugh at Natalie. The man next to Sienna looked Natalie up and down with a sneer, “You can tell she’s a country girl from the smell alone. She should look in the mirror. What made her think she was good enough for Mr. Sherman!”

The laughter grew louder as Natalie gripped the coffee cups, considering how to handle the situation by herself. She tried to walk past the group, but before she could. Sienna signalled to the man next to her. Smirking, he carelessly spilled his hot coffee on Natalie’s top.

Wincing from the pain. Natalie looked down.

“Ouch! What’s wrong with you? Say sorry to her now! Sienna shouted, feigning concern.

The man shrugged with fake irritation, “My coffee only burns lowlifes. No idea why it splashed on her.”

Just then, a tall figure suddenly stepped in front of Natalie and kicked the man in the chest. The man yelled out as he fell to the ground. The onlookers gasped in surprise.

Josh approached the man sternly, grabbing the man’s collar with one hand and his right wrist with the other. Though Josh appeared calm, his voice was icy. Is this the hand you used to spill coffee on her?” he asked.

Silence fell over the group. With his striking looks and presence, combined with a dignified air, Josh was intimidating. Sienna found herself both scared by his commanding presence and captivated by his charm for a moment.

Then, a snap echoed–the man’s wrist was broken! The man shrieked, his wrist hanging uselessly.

Josh stood up, his gaze sweeping over the stunned onlookers. He said nothing as he took Natalie’s hand and walked away with her.

Sienna rushed to assist her injured friend. A bystander exclaimed, “Who was that guy?”

“He’s so good–looking. He must be better than Mr. Sherman. Could he be Natalie’s secret husband“”

“Looks don’t mean much. He’s probably broke!”

Sienna, growing impatient, yelled, “What are you doing standing there! Take him to the hospital”

Josh quietly escorted Natalie back to the car and headed to Galaxy Manor. Once they were home, Josh led Natalie upstairs to the bedroom, retrieved some cream from the nightstand, and started to unbutton her shirt.

“I can do it myself, Natalie protested.

But Josh just gave her a look and kept unbuttoning her shirt, his movements gentle and careful. Even though he was undressing her, he did so in a respectful and calm manner. Natalie was too startled to move,

Inspecting the red marks from Natalie’s collarbone down to her chest, Josh began to apply the cream in silence, his expression showing a mix of gentleness and care.

After finishing, he attempted to unhook Natalie’s bra to check for further injury. However, Natalie, flustered, smacked his hand away. The cotton swab in Josh’s hand dropped to the floor.

Looking at Natalie, he fell silent for a few moments before smiling. “Tve seen your breasts and kissed them many times before. Why are you still shy!

Embarrassed, Natalie’s ears turned red, wishing to hide her face in the bedding.

“It’s fine. You don’t need the swab,” Josh said. He carefully applied the cream with his fingertips, gently unhooking her bra, and covered the affected area without going any further.

Afterward, Josh softly apologized, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not

1/2

not your fault” replied Natalie, her voice tense,

10:34 AM

Chapter 21

Feeling his own tension, Josh vowed, I’ll be there for you from now on.”

Natalie looked at him, a bit thrown off. “But you can’t always be there to protect me,” she pointed out.

Josh held her gaze for a long time before asking. “But what if I can!”.

Surprised. Natalie met his gaze. They said nothing further, simply looking at each other, Josh’s expression was sincere.

色