Chapter 18

As Sara spoke, her lips engulfed Hank's finger. Hank felt that his fingertips were wet as if a little pet was licking him, feeling slightly numbing but gentle.

Only then did Sara realize the presence of his finger. Her face instantly became scarlet and she hurriedly shrunk into a corner. Hank's hand that was on the back of the seat pulled her in and held her tightly into his arms. He squinted his eyes and looked at Sara's flustered look. "Are you so afraid of me? I just did a huge favor for you. How can you be so ungrateful?" He asked.

When Sara thought about the incident earlier, she immediately felt guilty. She frowned and explained softly, "No... I was just..."

"Just what?" Hank asked in a low voice. Sara bit her lip and whispered after a while, "I'm sorry..."

Hank seized the opportunity to pinch her face and teased, "Why are you so shy?"

Sara puffed out her cheeks and got mad quietly. She swore to herself that she would not speak to Hank for three minutes.

As the car turned at a corner, Sara saw rows and rows of dessert shops.

The desserts there were all popular and expensive. Back then, Sara barely had enough money to afford them and so she could only watch William enjoy them with her friends. Now that she was here, she wanted to try them out.

"Stop." Hank said in a tired voice and the car stopped immediately.

Hank then ordered Bella, "Get me two sets of dessert."

Bella wanted to refuse, he felt like his huge, masculine figure didn't match well with the setting of the pink, adorable dessert shop.

Hank pretended not to see his look, so Bella was forced to get off the car helplessly.

Sara asked curiously, "Master Bishop, do you like desserts?"

Hank did not answer.

Sara opened her mouth again, but a realization dawned on her. She was just a young bride who was sold to the Bishop family and she didn't have the right to ask so many questions, let alone inquire about Hank's preferences.

Back then, she had overheard Yen mentioned that people like Hank had to be very careful about their daily lifestyle. Any careless move could lead to their death. Once his preferences were disclosed, someone else could easily target him and poison him.

Hank had been too kind to her that she forgot about all of that.

Soon, Bella came back with two cupcakes in his hands. One was in a sky-blue packaging, and the other a light pink, both were in extremely girlish colors.

Sara couldn't imagine Hank eating these sweet, soft and cute little cupcakes.

Hank didn't reach out to take them, but he told Sara to hold them.

"Okay."

Sara nodded obediently, and her small hands took over the cupcakes. She thought that she was only helping the shy man, Master Bishop, who had a sweet tooth, to hold the cupcakes.

"Hmm... What a pity that Master Bishop has to be self-conscious. He is the legendary ruthless devil, if others find out that he likes such cupcakes, they would definitely laugh at him!" She thought.

Sara sympathized with the man and decided to treat Master Bishop more gently.

As soon as the car arrived at the Bishop family's house, Bella made a disapproving noise and informed, "Sir, Madam Bishop is here."

Sara saw the impatience and irritation forming between Hank's eyebrows.

Bella got off the car first and pretended to take the wheelchair out from the boot. Sara suddenly reminded of something, and she quickly put down the cupcakes and rushed to the other side to help Hank to get in the wheelchair.

The elderly Mrs. Bishop gave Sara an unfriendly look though she regarded her beloved grandson kindly. "Hank, why put yourself through such intensive labor? You barely even recovered. I was shocked to learn that you left home..."

Rose quickly chimed in, "It's true. You made Grandma so anxious, Hank!"

As a child, Rose grew up under the care of Mrs. Bishop and was considered almost a daughter to Hank's father. Like Hank, Rose addressed Mrs. Bishop affectionately as "Grandma".

Hank's face was pale and his complexion looked ghostly under the light. He was clearly in poor health. However, he replied his grandmother nonchalantly, "Don't worry, I'm not that close to death." He did not even glance at Rose at all.

Mrs. Bishop was used to Hank's stubbornness. She turned her attention to Sara, "You're Hank's bride, which makes you a part of the family. You should convince him to take care of his health, not get him to do your bidding!"

Bella had warned Rose earlier, yet it fell on deaf ears. Judging from her reaction, it was clear that Rose was gloating at Sara getting reprimanded.

Sara never understood why Rose was so hostile to her. She couldn't refute the old lady's reprimands either. In any case, it was true that Hank had gone out to help Sara seek justice.

Since Sara continued to keep quiet, the elderly lady went on. "You are truly an illegitimate girl from a lowly family! What nonsense upbringing!" She scoffed.

Usually, Sara wouldn't be bothered about what they had to say about her. But if someone insulted her mother or her upbringing, they would be crossing the line.

The Lowell family was a renowned family of scholars throughout history and they would never allow their family upbringing to be insulted.

"That's enough!" Before Sara could respond, a deep voice boomed. Hank grabbed her hand and stroked it. His voice was cold, "She belongs to me, old lady. She does not need you to reprimand her!"

Mrs. Bishop didn't expect him to defend Sara. She nearly slumped to the ground out of anger, "Hank! I'm your Grandmother!"

"You're right!" he sneered unconcernedly. "Which is why I still have you stay here."

"Hank!" Hank was driving his grandmother insane. She was upset that he would disrespect her this way!

Rose's eyes flickered and she quickly interrupted, "Hank. Grandma. We are a family. There's no need for us to get upset. Simon and Sebastian are here today so let's have dinner together. All problems have a solution."

Mrs. Bishop did not dare make a fuss with Hank further. At present, she could only suppress Hank's power using her status as an elder. If Hank were to sever their ties as a family, the consequences would be horrific. Since Rose word allowed some leeway to retreat, Mrs. Bishop quickly agreed, "You're right, Simon is back. We should get together and have a peaceful meal."

Hank was initially unfazed, but when he heard Simon Bishop's name, he still silently nodded. "Alright."

"What's wrong? Are you feeling aggrieved?" Hank squeezed Sara's hand. He just realized she was still in shock.

No, she did not feel aggrieved at all.

Sara was just surprised that Hank had defended her the moment Mrs. Bishop had insulted her.

It's just that... Sara heard a familiar name being mentioned in their conversation...

"It probably isn't him," Sara pondered.

She smiled sweetly at Hank, "Nothing. Let's head in, it's windy outside."

Mrs. Bishop and Rose watched Sara push Hank's wheelchair away. As they disappeared outside, the old lady's face immediately turned sour. Rose, where did you find that sl*t? Look at Hank, he's already under her spell!"