Chapter 239: Do Not Touch My Wife

“Josephine, I’m here to visit Mr. Sullivan. I heard he’s ill. I even brought a thousand-year-old ginseng root as a gift. It was difficult to obtain from the City of Herbs!”

Frederick reached for Josephine’s hand. She recoiled, shocked. He persisted.

Witnessing this, Jared snapped, “How dare you accost a lady in broad daylight? Do you have any manners?”

Josephine, delighted to see Jared, rushed to him. Frederick’s gaze hardened at her reaction. “Who are you? Do you know who I am?”

“I don’t care who you are. I’ll beat up anyone who touches my wife,” Jared growled, starting forward, but Josephine stopped him.

“Calm down. He didn’t touch me,” she said, holding his arm. Privately, however, she was touched by his protectiveness and found herself falling deeper for him.

Frederick’s eyes widened. “Your wife?”

“Want to see the marriage certificate?” Jared sneered.

Josephine was speechless, initially unaware of Jared’s ploy to provoke Frederick. She quickly realized his intent.

“All right, show me,” Frederick said, extending a hand.

Jared, taken aback, stammered, “I didn’t bring it. And it’s none of your business!” A teasing smile played on his lips. He was clearly playing Frederick.

Josephine stifled a giggle, covering her mouth.

“Bastard! How dare you fool me? I’ll—”

William entered, carrying a teapot, startled to see Jared. “Jared, you’re here! Try my tea. Fred, you too!” William, now aware of Jared’s close relationship with Josephine, used his first name to create a more familiar atmosphere.

“My dad’s tea is amazing!” Josephine linked arms with Jared and walked toward a courtyard pavilion.

Frederick followed, his expression darkening. They sat while William poured tea.

“Fred, this is Jared. He cured my illness,” William chuckled. “Otherwise, I’d be dead!”

Frederick asked directly, “Mr. Sullivan, isn’t he Josephine’s husband? Aren’t they married?”

William echoed, stunned. He knew nothing of a marriage, as Josephine hadn’t told him.

Frederick sneered, his suspicions confirmed. He’d suspected Jared’s claim was a lie. They weren’t married; the certificate was a bluff.

“Dad, Jared was joking!” Josephine quickly explained.

While William seemed fond of Jared, he wouldn’t condone a secret marriage. He was, after all, a traditional man.

William’s expression relaxed. Frederick, however, glared at Jared with renewed contempt.

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