Chapter 155

Paisley checked her cat for scratches, letting out a relieved sigh. Then, a groan. A man lay sprawled before her car, dressed in a black turtleneck and tailored pants – clearly someone who worked out. He clutched his knee, his face contorted in pain. Even in agony, he possessed an effortless handsomeness that Paisley instantly categorized as "ruggedly handsome."

"Are you okay?" she crouched, gently checking his leg. His skin was ice-cold. Their eyes met, hers reflecting his surprise at her touch. His held a depth that hinted at untold stories.

"Could you help me up?" he asked, the veins in his forehead bulging.

"Sure," Paisley replied. His knee and calf seemed fine; she couldn't check his thigh, but judging by the fall, it likely wasn't broken. With a grunt, she helped him to his feet.

Maria, carrying Serena and holding an umbrella, approached. "Paisley, it's getting worse. Let's go inside."

The rain was indeed intensifying. "Thank you," the man said, his voice gentle. "Don't worry about me. My people will be here soon."

Paisley noticed his trembling. "Your leg?"

He smiled faintly. "Just an old injury. You didn't cause it."

Reassured, Maria pulled Paisley toward the villa. But Paisley saw him standing motionless in the downpour, his pain more evident than before. He couldn't walk.

She turned back. "How about you come inside and get out of the rain? I'll take a look at your leg." His calf and knee remained unnervingly cold.

"Alright, thank you," he replied, his voice distant.

Paisley asked Maria to take Serena inside, then slowly helped the man into the villa. She settled him on the sofa. "Sit here. I'll be back."

"Okay," he said politely, his composure barely masking his discomfort.

Paisley asked Maria for hot water, then fetched silver needles. While Serena washed up and Maria, feeling uneasy about the handsome stranger, wandered the living room, Serena spotted him.

"Does it hurt a lot?" she asked, her big eyes shining.

He looked down at her, small in comparison to his size, and replied gently, "Mm, a little."

Chapter 153

"Then it won't hurt for long!" Serena declared.

"Why's that?" the man asked.

"Because my mom is amazing! She'll fix you!" Serena insisted. "My mom is the prettiest, strongest, and kindest mom in the whole world!"

His pain seemed to lessen at her innocent words. He recalled Paisley's beauty, acknowledging her attractiveness, though unconvinced of her healing abilities. His leg couldn't be fixed.

"You're really handsome!" Serena continued.

Paisley entered, hearing her daughter's compliment, her cheeks flushing.

"Maria, keep an eye on Serena," she murmured.

Maria moved Serena slightly away, still wary of the handsome stranger. Paisley, oblivious, focused on the man’s leg. The accident happened on her property; she wouldn't leave a potential problem unresolved.

"Let me see your leg," Paisley said calmly. She knelt, lifting his calf and pulling up his pant leg.

He froze, but her hands were already on his leg, their warmth a stark contrast to his icy skin. A silver needle appeared in her hand; she inserted it into his calf, a tingling numbness spreading through him.

"Do you actually know how to treat people?" he asked, astonished.

"Of course," Paisley replied, inserting a second needle. A gentle warmth replaced the chilling cold.

He looked at her, his earlier assumptions dissolving. He’d misjudged her.