Chapter 244: Encounter in the Shadows

Seeing her dawdling as she left, exuding an unmistakable “I don’t want to go to work” vibe, Maya urged, “Girl, I’m taking you to the company first, then to the law firm. If you don’t hurry, we’ll both be late.”

At once, Ellis sped up.

On the way to the company, she made up her mind about two things. First, she would buy her own car—more convenient than hailing a taxi or riding with someone else, and it wouldn’t trouble anyone with pickups. Second, she would pay to hire a bodyguard for her protection. At this point, relying solely on herself was bound to lead to being beaten up; when it comes to self-protection, you have to spend money!

Although she originally wanted to be frugal and hire only one, she then thought, people aren’t machines that can work twenty-four hours straight, so she had no choice but to hire both a male and a female bodyguard—an expense that hit her wallet hard, almost like a hemorrhage. However, with bodyguards by her side, even her paranoid fear of being harmed eased somewhat; the money was well spent.

In the following days, the two bodyguards took turns protecting her, living in the same community. Soon enough, she finally bought a car; she could even have one of the bodyguards drive her so that she wouldn’t have to drive herself.

Instantly, Ellis’s mood brightened considerably.

Over the weekend, taking advantage of her day off, she decided to relax and visit a suburban scenic spot, staying out until the evening before returning home. Since it was the male bodyguard’s turn on duty that day and he couldn’t accompany her all the way home as the female bodyguard was on rotation, he only dropped her off at the building’s lobby.

In high spirits, she walked lightly, a brilliant smile on her face. But in her elation, she forgot to watch her surroundings. Not far away, a pair of dark, cold eyes were fixed on her, and she noticed the male bodyguard glancing away as he walked.

Just as she was about to enter her building and head for the elevator, a tall, lean shadow suddenly appeared on the ground and rushed toward her. In that instant, she remembered the harrowing incident at the Serenity Estate property office; back then, the two thugs who had beaten her had also approached her so suddenly.

A sharp throbbing pain suddenly flared on her left cheek. Hastily, she turned away from the male bodyguard and shouted, “Ken…”

Barely uttering a word, a familiar face came into view. It wasn’t a thug; it was Easton!

Seeing his face clearly, she rolled her eyes in exasperation. “For heaven’s sake, are you a ghost? So sneaky, are you trying to scare me to death?”

“Seeing me, what are you afraid of?” Easton replied coolly, his thin lips pressed together, and asked, “Who’s the guy?”

Her detestable ex-husband suddenly appeared, his question leaving her utterly confused. Irritated, Ellis snapped, “Who cares about him? Can’t you be sensible and not show up in front of me!”

Before she could finish, her ex-husband glowered and pointed at the back of the male bodyguard. “I’m asking, who is he?” he demanded in a tone as cold as perpetual ice.

Ellis found it utterly ridiculous that she should have to explain who the bodyguard, hired with her hard-earned money, was, as if it were some joke. Ellis thought to herself, Why doesn’t that scumbag ask what Victoria did instead? If it weren’t for him cheating at first, I wouldn’t have to deal with this!

Incensed by her ex-husband’s provocation, she retorted, “Who he is has nothing to do with you! You live by the sea, mind your own business! And watch out, or you might drown one day!”

Chapter 244: Encounter in the Shadows

“If you don’t speak up, I’ll find out myself!” Easton gripped the rope binding the package tightly; the veins on the back of his hand stood out as if he were suppressing his anger.

Yet at that moment, he wasn’t sure why he was doing it, only that he had come to deliver something to her and now saw another man escorting Ellis back, almost taking her upstairs. Her bright, happy expression was something she hadn’t shown him in a long time, and his chest filled with an emotion as if it were about to burst.

“Since you’ll find out, spare me the nonsense, get away from me!” Ellis said.

After berating her ex-husband, Ellis again called out to the male bodyguard, “Kendrick, come back!”

Kendrick, the bodyguard’s name, had noticed what was happening between Ellis and Easton and was about to rush over to protect her. Yet he hadn’t realized that there was no real danger; rather, the man who approached her seemed to harbor a deep hostility toward himself!

If a look could kill, he’d have been done in by that man’s glare. Momentarily stunned, his steps faltered. Kendrick thought to himself, I don’t even recognize the man. I wonder why he’s acting so hostile.

Puzzled, Kendrick returned to Ellis’s side and met the murderous gaze emanating from the man. With the situation now two against one, Ellis felt no advantage; instead, the man opposite her wore an expression so grim it seemed as though he had merged with the night, exuding a palpable low pressure and bursts of cold.