chapter 7 Rub salt into the wound

Theodore Zhao had no time to think further; he pushed off the ground and executed a low roll.
Bang!
A gunshot brutally pierced the air, the bullet spinning out of the barrel, narrowly grazing his arm.
As the assassin fired, Theodore Zhao also acted, picking up a stone and hurling it at him.
The throw was strong and accurate, forcing the killer to dodge and fire a second shot.
This time the bullet veered off, sparking off the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Theodore Zhao rolled in the opposite direction, scooping up Esme Su and diving into the woods beside the road.
The assassin cursed in frustration, losing sight of them as he rounded the car.
He hesitated for a moment, ultimately deciding not to pursue.
It wasn't for a lack of desire, but Theodore Zhao gave him a dangerous vibe. He had dealt with many ex-soldiers, but none as troublesome as this.
The limited bounty wasn't worth risking his life.
He dialed a number on his phone, disguising his voice, "Boss Wei, the target got away. He's been shot, but if you want me to continue the chase, it's going to cost extra."
"No need. Lay low for a while; the money will be transferred to your account soon. You know what to say and what not to, right?"
"Don't worry, we've never met."
Bleeding from the gunshot wound in his arm, Zhao didn't dare to stop, carrying Esme and running wildly for ten minutes.
Only when he was sure that the assassin wasn't following did he find a hidden spot behind a tree to sit down.
He gasped for air heavily.
Esme Su wasn't particularly heavy, lighter than his usual weight training.
But his current physical condition was poor, the previous knife wound not yet tended to, and now with a new injury, his strength was rapidly depleting.
Tearing a strip of cloth from his shirt, he made a simple tourniquet, the awkward position causing a cold sweat from the pain.
Esme quickly grasped the method and hesitated before asking, "Do you want me to help you?"
Zhao countered, "Don't you wish I had died at the hands of that assassin?"
"Enough with the nonsense."
Esme snatched the cloth, tying it spitefully tight.
Theodore Zhao's face paled from the pain, but he gritted his teeth and bore it.
Esme wiped her sweat, "There, done."
It looked ugly, but at least the bleeding stopped.
Theodore Zhao said quietly, "Thank you."
Esme scoffed, "Scared now, are you? Maybe it's not too late to return me to the Wei family. Otherwise, you won't even know how you'll die! I'm not bluffing. Charlie Wei is not someone a mere security guard like you can afford to offend!" Zhao's pride flared, and he stood up with difficulty, "Esme, I know you look down on me from the bottom of your heart, but don't forget, you are my woman now. Sending you back? Not a chance!"
Upon reaching the road, Esme Su's high heels were nowhere to be found.
Theodore Zhao had no choice but to carry her on his back.
Even then, she still looked reluctant, as if she had taken a huge advantage.
Less than five minutes into their walk, a taxi approached from a distance.
Exchanging a glance, they shared a rare moment of tacit understanding and a smile.
After getting in the car, Theodore Zhao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
That was close. Anyone else would have met their maker!
At the same time, he pondered who exactly Charlie Wei was.
The gunman wasn't just any ordinary hitman but a well-trained professional assassin.
Such individuals aren't found merely by throwing around money.
Esme's previous warnings weren't unfounded. If Wei wanted him dead, it would be alarmingly easy!
Lost in thought, he suddenly felt a soft body lean against him.
Turning his head, he saw Esme, looking relieved, now fast asleep.
Her body leaned against his shoulder, her faint fragrance wafting into his nose.
Theodore Zhao was so sleepy yet he didn't dare to sleep.
Chatting with the taxi driver all the way, they finally got to the place after half an hour.
As he turned to leave, he heard Esme's sharp reprimand, "Where are you going?"
Theodore Zhao pointed, "Go back to the dormitory!"
Esme coldly retorted with a scoff, "Just like that?"
Looking down, Zhao realized his sorry state: his security uniform soaked in blood and dirt, now dried and uncomfortably heavy.
Esme silently opened the door and entered without closing it.
When people go in, the door is not closed.
Uncertain of her attitude, Theodore Zhao stood frozen.
Just as he contemplated leaving, her mocking voice came from inside, "Mr. Zhao, if you're too scared to come in, take me back to Yun Ding Manor right now!"
Theodore Zhao, frustrated, thought: Life and death mean nothing to me, why should I fear a woman?
As for sending her back to Charlie Wei?
Unless he gets kicked in the head by a donkey!
Stepping inside and closing the door, he barely saw Esme before hearing her command, "Sit on the chair, don't dirty my sofa!"
Theodore Zhao turned around and saw Esme Su holding a small medicine box in her arms.
A warmth spread in his heart. He reached for the box, "I can handle it."
Esme retorted, "What else?"
Theodore Zhao felt foolish taking the box and began treating himself.
Esme stayed quiet for a while before suddenly asking, "Were you serious about what you said earlier?"
Theodore Zhao asked uncertainly, "What?"
Her voice dripping with sarcasm, "You vowed to take care of me, forgotten already?"
"Of course I remember."
"You've seen what Charlie Wei is capable of. Today was just the beginning. Are you sure you don't regret it?"
Theodore Zhao's eyes blazed, "I have no regrets. What about you?"
Before last night, he never dreamt of having anything to do with a woman like Esme.
But now, reality left no room for backtracking.
Esme Su was his woman, it was an indisputable fact, and giving up his woman to someone else?
He can't do it.
Esme didn't immediately respond, instead turning to leave.
A while later, she returned with a bathrobe and a thin blanket.
"The bathroom on the first floor is yours. I don't have men's clothes, and the robe is new, never worn."
When she reached the corner of the stairs, she paused and said, "Sleep on the sofa tonight. I'll think about it and give you an answer tomorrow morning."
A sleepless night awaited.
Her escape from the wedding caused chaos in the Su family, with Charlie Wei's wrath looming like a guillotine.
Her phone rang incessantly.
Ignoring it, she turned it off, wishing to sleep away the troubles.
The next morning, Esme's routine had her up early.
After freshening up, she walked down the stairs. Halfway there, she smelled something appetizing from the kitchen.
She never cooks, and the kitchen at home is more like a decoration. Many kitchen utensils are not used.
Turning her head, she saw milk and bread on the table.
Footsteps approached, and Theodore Zhao emerged from the kitchen with two fried eggs.
He also saw Esme Su, who was wearing light pink pajamas. As she walked, her two slender calves kept crossing each other.
He quickly looked away and explained, "Sorry, I used the kitchen without asking for your permission."
Esme Su sat down casually and said, "It's fine."
After finishing breakfast, she took out the bank card she had prepared long ago.
Theodore Zhao didn't answer, his face was indescribably calm. It seemed she had made her decision after a night's thought.
Breaking the awkward silence, Esme said, "I had a disagreement with my fiancé yesterday. Sorry for dragging you into this. This money is to compensate you on his behalf."
Theodore Zhao wanted to laugh. Sure enough, she left him on impulse yesterday.
But think about it.
On one side stood the high and mighty heir of the Wei family, worth billions.
On the other, a destitute security guard in the neighborhood, barely making ends meet.
If one had to choose between the two, even a fool would know which way to lean.
Despite having guessed it, hearing these words from Esme's mouth still cut Theodore Zhao to the core!
Zhao fixed his gaze on her beautiful brows and eyes, and scoffed mockingly, "Idiot!"
Esme almost doubted her ears, "What did you say?"
Theodore Zhao didn't mask his sarcasm, "Can't understand? I said you're an idiot!"
Esme Su slammed the table fiercely, "Zhao, get out of here!"
Theodore Zhao leisurely, "You think Charlie Wei will let you go?"
Esme looked up at him, "I know him better than you do!"
Theodore Zhao reminded her, "You know him, sure, but you saw what he was capable of yesterday. Don't tell me you still have illusions about Mr. Wei?"
Esme, as if her last shield had been stripped away, stood up abruptly, "Zhao, we grew up together. If it weren't for you, he would never have treated me this way!"
Theodore Zhao didn't respond, just sneered coldly, what a foolish woman!
Esme Su asked angrily, "What are you laughing at?"
She couldn't understand it. Didn't this guy know anything about being a gentleman?
Why was he always at odds with her!
Theodore Zhao shrugged, "Laughing at how naive and foolish you are!"
Esme Su wasn't angry, "Worried about me? Zhao, you haven't fallen for me, have you?"
Seeing Zhao's non-committal response, she became more convinced of her assumption, "Haha, let me tell you, there's no chance for us!"
Theodore Zhao felt depressed and turned around to leave.
Esme Su reminded from behind, "Not taking the money?"
Theodore Zhao asked indifferently, "You think everything I did was for money?"
Esme Su sharply retorted, "If not for money, why would you help me? Don't tell me it was love at first sight. Even if I don't marry Charlie Wei, I certainly wouldn't marry you, Theodore Zhao!"
Theodore Zhao froze, her words stinging even though they were the truth.
It felt like someone had sprinkled salt on his wound, an unpleasant sensation.
Every man likes a beautiful woman, but reality is reality.
A well-educated lady from a wealthy family would never fall for a lowly neighborhood security guard.
That was the harsh reality he had to face!
Esme Su continued, "I grew up abroad; my thinking isn't so traditional. You don't need to feel guilty, nor do I need you to take responsibility for me. Do you understand what I mean?"
Theodore Zhao understood, but didn't know how to answer.
Esme Su slowly took control of the conversation, "I'm grateful for everything you did for me yesterday, but aside from money, I have nothing else to give!"
After saying this, even she felt a sigh of relief.
Was it truly impossible?
Yesterday, Theodore Zhao had appeared like a deity, filling her entire being in an overbearing and irrational manner.
Such feelings had to be cut off in time!
The Su family was now in a precarious situation, fighting off threats from both fronts.
Esme Su repeatedly reminded herself: she indeed needed a man by her side, but that man could never be Theodore Zhao.
He was just a security guard, incapable of holding up the world on his shoulders, let alone supporting the crumbling Su family!
After a long silence, Theodore Zhao spoke, his voice slightly hoarse, "Five hundred and sixty-eight thousand, four hundred and twenty-five!"
Esme was taken aback, "What did you say?"
Theodore Zhao sighed, "Isn't that the money you wanted to give? Not a penny more!"
Esme Su didn't understand why the amount was so precise to the last digit, but she was relieved to hear Theodore was willing to take the money.
She didn't like to owe others, especially Theodore Zhao.
When she turned on her phone, the barrage of missed calls almost blew it up.
Ignoring them, she opened the banking app and transferred the specified amount to Theodore Zhao's account.
Theodore Zhao chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Alright, from today onward, I have no more ties with Miss Su!"
With those words, he walked away.
Esme Su watched his retreating figure, suddenly feeling an emptiness inside.
Before she could say anything, her phone suddenly rang.
Seeing the caller ID, her eyebrows knitted in annoyance.
The voice on the phone questioned in a female tone, "Where were you last night?"
Esme calmly replied, "At home, nowhere else."
"Why didn't you answer the phone?"
"I was tired and went to sleep."
The woman's voice held a mix of laughter and anger, "Sleep? Do you know the chaos you've caused in the Su family?"
Esme Su reminded her, "Don't talk to me in that tone. I've told you, I don't like Charlie Wei. The engagement party was your insistence, not mine."
The woman was angry, "So you just spent the night fooling around with that little security guard?"
Esme Su sneered, "Word travels fast, doesn't it?"
The woman's voice trembled, "Are you admitting it?"
Esme Su bluntly said, "Yes, that's right, I was with him that night!"
The woman almost roared, "Esme, you're the eldest lady of the Su family, you have no shame, but I do!"
"Is that shameful? He stayed here last night too, want me to pass the phone to him?"
The voice on the other end warned, "Esme, you better not test my patience!"
Esme Su paid no heed, stepping forward to stop Zhao and handing him the phone, "Answer it!"
Theodore Zhao stood there stunned, "Who is it?"
Esme Su smiled brightly, "My stepmother!"
Saying so, she forcefully handed him the phone.