Matthew thought using a vase to hit someone was bad enough, but she'd even used a kettle later. She'd successfully forced those men to back off, but if the kettle had been filled with boiling water, she would have inevitably been hurt too. "If I had been there," he mused, "at least she wouldn't have been in danger alone."

Valerie was so intimidated by his oppressive presence that she could barely speak coherently. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Grant. I forgot at that moment."

Actually, she hadn't forgotten; she'd simply grown accustomed to handling everything herself since childhood. One particularly memorable incident occurred in elementary school. A classmate lost her pocket money and falsely accused Valerie of stealing it. Valerie went home and told her mother, hoping for support. Instead, her mother asked her to reflect on whether she'd behaved poorly and offended the classmate.

Back then, her mother said, "With so many classmates, why would she falsely accuse only you? Nothing happens without a reason. It must be because you behaved poorly!"

She still remembered a child trafficking case that caused a stir in her town when she was in sixth grade. Subsequently, every day after school, the school gate was crowded with parents picking up their children. She was also afraid and wanted her father to pick her up.

She waited until dark, after all her classmates and teachers had left, but her father didn't come. She had no choice but to walk home alone in the rain. When she arrived, she found her parents gathered around the fireplace watching TV. They even mocked her for looking like a drowned rat.

However, despite her parents' lack of affection, Valerie didn't feel sorry for herself. Her older brother was very kind to her. But her brother, several years her senior, had gone to study in another city at a young age, making it difficult for them to see each other. She also knew that even if he were nearby, she couldn't rely on him for everything.

So, she'd long understood that the only person she could truly rely on was herself. When her mother forced her to drop out of school and work, it reinforced this realization. She forced herself to be tough, working part-time and studying diligently. Once she entered the workforce, she worked hard, even enduring workplace harassment without seeking help. She knew she had no safety net; she had to be her own protector.

Gradually, she became accustomed to self-reliance. So, when she saw Katherine being pinned down and bullied, only one thought filled her mind: she had to get Katherine to safety. She didn't have time to think about anything else.

Matthew applied two sterile patches to her wounds and sighed almost imperceptibly.

"If someone got aggressive while drunk and wanted revenge, they could snatch the kettle or grab cleaning supplies to attack you," he said. "Didn't you consider how you'd handle that?"

Valerie answered honestly, "I didn't think of that."

Matthew finally realized that although this woman appeared intelligent and composed, she became impulsive when worried. He was rarely patient.

"Even if you don't think of yourself," he said, "think of Katherine. If something happens to you in your impulsiveness, she'll feel guilty. Your brother and nephew will be heartbroken. And your hamster. Let me be clear: I'll let you keep the hamster, but I absolutely won't help you feed it. If something happens to you, and you can't care for it, I'll throw it out immediately." He added with a sinister expression, "Don't blame me for not reminding you. There seem to be a few stray cats living in the bushes downstairs."

Valerie couldn't help but laugh. "Mr. Grant," she said, "are you threatening me?"

She thought, "He's actually using Peanut as a hostage. How come I didn't notice before? Turns out he can joke around too!"

Matthew didn't deny it. Leaning against the sofa, he casually loosened his tie and said coldly, "Valerie, if something like this happens again, notify me immediately. I will help you."

The last four words were resolute and firm.

Valerie felt a sense of warmth. She nodded. "Sure."