chapter 6 love at first sight

Baldwin puckered his lips, then took out a box of special cigarettes that ordinary people had never seen before from his pocket, lit one for himself, and then sat on the small couch in the living room.
"That old man probably won't let me off the hook so easily, so... I hope you guys can go all out." Baldwin puffed out a swirl of smoke; his fearless eyes flashed with frosty, murderous intent.
Chop! Chop! Chop!
At this time, the sound of vegetables being cut on the chopping board sounded from the kitchen. In Baldwin's ears, it sounded cozy and warm.
Baldwin had not felt the warmth of home for many years since his adoptive mother died, and his adoptive sister, the girl who had constantly bullied him since he was young, went missing when he was fourteen years old.
Therefore, starting today, his home would be wherever Violet and Alyssa were, and if anyone dared to harm them, he would chop off the person's arm.
Ahh!
Baldwin had just finished saying his oath inwardly when he heard Violet scream from the kitchen.
He immediately stood up and rushed to the kitchen door like a frightened rabbit and saw Violet covering her left thumb after he opened the door violently.
There was an evident trace of blood on the edge of the half-cut green vegetables.
Distress flashed across Baldwin's eyes, and he really wanted to chop the vegetables into a thousand pieces.
Violet was usually quite skilled in knife skills, but she was so worried today that she cut her finger while being preoccupied.
She didn't expect Baldwin to rush into the kitchen, though.
"Let me take a look."
The space in the kitchen was restricted, and it only took Baldwin one step to reach Violet's side. She wanted to back away, but there was nowhere to escape, so she could only let Baldwin grab her palm.
"Don't touch me," Violet said with a vigilant expression. She wanted to withdraw her palm, but Baldwin suddenly put her injured finger into his mouth and sucked on it.
Violet's face burned bright red, and feelings of disgust and anger quickly followed.
"What are you doing?"
Slap!
Instinctively, Violet raised her hand and slapped Baldwin, her palm landing harshly on his cheek.
Baldwin could dodge her slap, but he didn't because he owed this to her.
He did not let go of Violet's finger during the whole process, though. Violet's finger felt nice. However, it was impractical to put her cut finger into his mouth and suck on it.
Baldwin was angry. In those TV dramas, the male lead would do this whenever the female lead hurt her hand. As a result of the male lead's action, the female lead would be touched. But why didn't the same thing happen with Violet?
When Baldwin reluctantly released Violet's finger, she leaned directly against the wall behind her, and her anger gradually turned into timidity.
The earlier slap was completely intuitive, and she had a hunch that he might hit her.
Unexpectedly, Baldwin was not only chill with the slap he received but also smiled at her shamelessly. "Don't worry about that. I deserve it."
With that, he picked up the knife and said, "Teach me how to do this, and I'll do it for you. You are just responsible for cooking the meal."
Violet was in trepidation, looking into Baldwin's tender gaze and his knife-holding hand that was prepared to chop up some vegetables. She wondered how he intended to torture her.
Noticing that she was leaning against the wall at a loss for words, Baldwin spoke sadly. "Honey, come on. Cook for me quickly. I have not eaten in a day."
Hearing this, Violet became even more hesitant and confused as she didn't know how to guard herself against him.
Then, she said expressionlessly, "Just cut it into sections."
After that, she picked up two potatoes, wanting to clean and peel off the skins.
"Let me do it. I'll do it. You better stay away from water as it will slow the recovery speed of your finger."
Baldwin hurriedly snatched the potatoes from Violet's hand. He acted like a new son-in-law who had visited his in-law's place for the first time, wanting to prove himself worthy lest his mother-in-law looked down on him.
Violet was at a loss again for a moment. She even doubted whether Baldwin was truly a rapist.
Half an hour later, the "happy" and "harmonious" family of five, probably feeling frustrated and depressed, sat around the dining table that was just big enough to accommodate them.
Baldwin was starving. His eyes widened after he shoved a mouthful of food into his mouth, and he did not forget to give a thumbs-up to Violet. "Honey, you are so good at cooking. It's my blessing to be able to marry you."
As soon as he finished his words, Baldwin wolfed down his food.
Baldwin was not trying to butter Violet up when he said her food tasted good. It was true that Violet had great cooking skills. Even though Baldwin had not been to many restaurants, he rarely found these restaurants delicious.
Violet, beside him, felt no happiness listening to Baldwin's praise for her. She picked up her cutlery and took some vegetables for Alyssa, saying gently, "Eat up, Alyssa."
Violet never ate anything during the birthday party today, but she did not dig into the rice before her too.
Meanwhile, Zara and Matthew kept their attention on eating their food, feeling repulsed by the son-in-law who had suddenly appeared in their home.
Just then, Violet's phone rang.
The caller ID told her it was Uncle Max on the other side of the phone. She furrowed her brows instantly but still accepted the call.
"Uncle Max, is there anything I can help you with?"
Even though she was not on friendly terms with Max, Violet's voice still sounded gentle.
Quickly, Max's voice sounded from the other end as Violet's expression grew increasingly uncomfortable.
Baldwin furrowed his brows, too, when he took in the gloomy expression on Violet's face.
Zara asked, "Violet, what does Max want from you?"
After Violet ended the call, she stated worriedly, "He asked me to go to the location of the Fenghao Project to negotiate and sign the contract tomorrow."
Zara and Matthew's faces became sullen when they heard this. Zara cursed angrily, "Damn you, Max Qin. Damn you, George Qin. They are forcing you to your wits' end!"
"Everyone knows that the head of the Fenghao Project in the suburban area is Chris Jin. Not only is he domineering, but also a lustful lunatic. Many women were raped and bullied by him. George is obviously trying to push you to the brink of despair. You can't go there."
Matthew looked upset, too. He gazed at Violet. "Your mom is right. You can't go."
Violet replied bitterly, "Grandpa will fire me from the Qin Group if I don't go. How do I take care of you guys and Alyssa without a job?"
Embarrassment filled Zara and Matthew's faces. They had both been unemployed for the past few years, and the family's entire source of income came from Violet. Therefore, if Violet really lost her job, they would have nothing to eat.
And even though Violet was capable, no company would dare to hire her once she was fired from the Qin Group.
Violet comforted her parents, "Don't worry. It's just a negotiation. I might not have to bump into Chris."
At this time, Baldwin, who had been silent all this while, suddenly spoke. "Don't go; I will handle the money issue."
Hearing this, both Zara and Matthew threw disdain gazes at Baldwin, as if they were asking him where he could get his money from as a rapist who was just released from prison and was he going to rob others?
Even Violet shook her head.
After the family finished their first dinner in a sullen atmosphere, Baldwin washed the dishes and cutleries before Violet did.
George's birthday party left everyone in the family except Baldwin exhausted physically and mentally, so Matthew and Zara went to bed early.
Violet also walked into the small bathroom, holding her clothes. Soon, the sound of water running came from the closed bathroom door.
Baldwin looked at the bathroom door and gritted his teeth. "How did she adapt to using such a small bathroom? I really want to go in and take a look."
Bang!
Baldwin, alone, sat on the couch, puffing away on his cigarette. Although he was strongly addicted to smoking, he would never smoke while on a mission.
Twenty minutes later, the bathroom door opened, and Violet strode out with her long, damp hair. Although her loose pajamas hid her slender waist, they could not cover her curvy figure.
Any women who just came out of the shower were seductive, even more so in Violet's case.
At first, Baldwin regarded taking care of Violet and Alyssa as a responsibility and a way to ease his guilt. However, after he laid eyes on Violet, he realized that those feelings weren't important anymore.
Because it seemed like he was a victim of the cliché trope called love at first sight.