Chapter 605

“Did you hit me?” Mabel stared at Russell with a mix of terror and anger, unable to believe what had just happened as she clutched her throbbing cheek.

Before her mother went to prison, Russell would never have hit her so casually, nor would he have struck her with such force. It felt as though her face might split open from the pain.

Now that her mother was in prison, Russell’s attitude toward her had become erratic, treating her as nothing more than a pawn.

She had always known Russell had a temper, quick to hit or berate servants and even her mother, but he had always been somewhat indulgent with her, his daughter who

brought him prestige.

But now, he had struck her simply because she had said a few things that jarred him.

Her current position was different from before.

He had hit the future wife of Ulric.

Russell, however, remained oblivious to the fact that Mabel’s mindset had already shifted.

He glared at her coldly and said, “Since you’ve cursed the family’s business to falter, why shouldn’t I discipline you? If you don’t bring Ulric to the dinner tonight, I’ll punish you again when you get home.”

“You…” Mabel began to protest.

“What?” Russell snapped, his anger evident. “You used to be so obedient and compliant. Now you dare to defy me? Are you planning to run away like that wretched Melody?” Mabel wanted to retaliate, but she was no match for Russell’s strength. Furthermore, she couldn’t completely distance herself from the Fox family at this moment. Instead, she clenched her hands and apologized, enduring the humiliation. “I’m sorry, Dad. It was my mistake.”

Russell’s expression softened slightly. He smirked and said, “If you had been more obedient earlier, would I have had to hit you? From now on, don’t speak such ominous words. I’m doing this for a reason. The Fox family will be fine, and you’ll have more leverage when you marry into the Swanson family. Otherwise, Mrs. Swanson won’t take you seriously, and sooner or later, you’ll be replaced.”

“I understand, Dad…” Mabel lowered her gaze.

Russell’s words echoed her deepest fears. She worried that Astrid looked down on her and their relationship deteriorated, so she was concerned about the rise and fall of the Justalion Group.

But at this moment, Russell was not open to any of her objections. She could only hope that everything would go as he wished and that the Justalion Group would use this opportunity to make a comeback.

“Alright, you’re off to find Ulric, right? Hurry up. Remember that you must bring him to the Blue Moon Lounge for dinner at six o’clock tonight,” he said.

“Yes…” Mabel agreed with her words, but in her heart, she had no intention of bringing Ulric over.

For one, she didn’t want Russell to loan out so much money. For another, she didn’t want Ulric to look down on her.

Mabel adjusted her clothes and took a car to the Swanson villa.

Since Astrid was not home today, Mabel had no trouble meeting Ulric.

Before entering the room, she pinched her thigh hard enough to make her eyes turn red, resembling a pitiable little rabbit.

She knew very well that her greatest weapon was her beauty, which could evoke a man’s protective instincts.

She knocked on the door, and Ulric’s voice called from inside. “Come in.”

As Mabel stepped in, she saw a stunning woman helping Ulric put on his shirt. Instantly, she felt a sense of intimacy in the air, and her blood seemed to freeze as she stared in disbelief. “Mr. Swanson, you…”

Seeing her, Ulric signaled the woman to let him handle the buttons himself and said, “You can leave now. We’ll discuss what you mentioned earlier later.”

“Okay.” The woman nodded and glanced at Mabel before leaving.

Mabel then had a clear view of the woman’s face. She was a well-preserved middle-aged woman, with excellent looks and demeanor, her charm still intact. Her figure was curvaceous, the kind that made men overlook her true age. ‘So, Ulric didn’t refuse my advances before because of respect but because he was involved with this middle-aged woman as well?’ Mabel’s expression stiffened further.

After a quick glance at the woman, Mabel treated her as if she were invisible, brushing past her as she left the room. Her gaze followed the woman, but Ulric’s voice pulled her attention back. “She’s my doctor.”

Mabel was taken aback and quickly refocused her attention on Ulric, who was now standing right in front of her.

She momentarily forgot the shock from seeing the woman and exclaimed in surprise, “You can stand up?”

“Yes.” Ulric nodded. “Thanks to that doctor, I have feeling in my leg and can manage a few steps. But it will be some time before I’m fully recovered.”

“Is she just a doctor?” Mabel asked uncertainly.

“What else could she be?” Ulric concealed his irritation well, smiling as he replied, “Have you misunderstood something?” Before Mabel could respond, Ulric continued, “Don’t worry. I’m a man of integrity. With you around, I won’t be interested in anyone else.”

Mabel’s heart, which had been in suspense, finally settled. She knew Ulric wouldn’t choose that older woman over her. No matter how old a man was, he preferred young girls.

“I knew you wouldn’t hurt my feelings,” Mabel said, flashing a radiant smile as she reached out to wrap her arms around Ulric’s waist.

The strong, muscular frame of his waist made Mabel’s heart race.

She had always thought that his legs, having been disabled for years, would have left him physically weak. However, she was surprised to see that his physique was still in such excellent shape.

‘How disciplined must he be to maintain his body in such good condition despite his leg disability? How painful and challenging must the process have been?’ she wondered. Mabel felt even more assured that she hadn’t made the wrong choice, but she forgot that someone who could be so harsh on himself would be even harsher on others.

Mabel’s weight pressed down on Ulric’s still-recovering legs, making them strain under the pressure.

Yet, a man like him would never show any sign of weakness in front of others. Casually, he pulled away Mabel’s arms from his waist and took the opportunity to sit back in his wheelchair.

Once seated comfortably, Ulric gently asked, “By the way, why did you come by today? I have a lot to do and might not have time to spend with you.”

Mabel then remembered her purpose and put on a delicate, sorrowful expression, her eyes reddening as she said, “It’s not that, Ulric. I didn’t come here just for fun. I heard that Cadence has died… I’m feeling a bit scared. I couldn’t sleep at all last night, and I kept having nightmares.”

As she spoke, she knelt on the floor and rested her hands on Ulric’s legs, resembling a vulnerable little kitten.

A breeze from the window lifted her hair, revealing her slender, delicate neck, making it impossible not to want to hold and cherish her.

Ulric, being a man, couldn’t help but feel his throat tighten in response to such beauty.