Chapter 68: Chapter 68

Arthur’s lips thinned.

He was quite displeased because his Madam refused his offer, even though he just wanted to protect her from an obvious threat looming over her.

He wondered if his Madam had slowly fallen into that bastard’s hand or if Sebastian had done something to hurt Winter and threatened her. That’s why she refused his offer of protection.

"I can also take up any space outside the penthouse, Madam. If I remember correctly, there’s a separate storage room, right? I can make that my room, don’t worry about food or anything. I’ll be self sufficient."

"Arthur... is your salary insufficient to rent an apartment in New York? Are you perhaps in a tight situation due to debt?" Winter asked. Even before Aiden’s death, she was responsible for managing the household, including all the bills, such as paying for Arthur and many other workers’ salaries. She remembered paying him monthly—roughly around eight thousand dollars per month after tax.

That should be enough for Arthur to live comfortably in New York.

"Do you need a raise?" she asked.

"No, Madam," Arthur denied immediately. He had to make his intentions clear. "I just want to stay close to you to protect you. Mr. Saenz doesn’t seem stable, and I’m worried something might happen to you when I’m not around."

Winter sighed.

She understood Arthur’s position. After all, if she didn’t know any better, she’d also think that Sebastian was an abusive bastard who hit his wife whenever he got annoyed.

But that wasn’t the case, and Winter was fair with her assessment.

She might have hated him to the bone, but she wouldn’t slander Sebastian for being physically abusive. All of her hatred stemmed from real experiences that she had before she died of heartbreak caused by him.

"You don’t need to worry. I’m doing just fine in the penthouse," Winter assured.

Arthur clenched the steering wheel.

He still couldn’t believe his Madam because Winter was the type who usually hid what she felt. She wasn’t chatty or open.

In fact, Arthur guessed that his Madam wore all black and barely showed any skin because she was hiding her bruises.

She probably got hit the night after the wedding reception, so she ran away at night and returned to the penthouse alone.

Arthur had a lot of worries for his Madam, but if she didn’t want to cooperate, what could he do?

’No, I can do something...’ Arthur told himself. ’I can slowly influence her to leave him. I don’t want her to suffer for staying with a man who doesn’t deserve her.’

"He looks like someone who would cheat, Madam," Arthur said while checking the car that still followed them. "Obsessive, but also a cheater. Those are the two worst combinations a man could have."

Winter scoffed.

It was true.

Sebastian was a cheater and also had an obsession with control. He might not say it out loud, but he would wear the anger and displeasure on his face whenever Winter did something he disliked, such as going out with her friends or talking with Arthur.

Winter doubted that Sebastian was jealous of her. He didn’t love her, so even if she cheated, he wouldn’t get hurt because of it.

What Sebastian cared about the most was his image. He wanted complete control over her because she might’ve done something that could damage his reputation.

’Ah, if only I can be bolder. I should’ve cheated on him too when I saw that picture of him with another woman,’ Winter thought.

Unfortunately, she didn’t want to stoop so low. She also took her marriage vow seriously, so cheating was out of the question.

’But if I had the chance and could discard my vow, then...’ Winter looked at Arthur’s strong back. This man had been in the military before becoming her bodyguard. Arthur was very attractive, especially to those who love rugged men. He was also a gentleman. There was nothing she could criticize about him.

’It’s unfortunate that I don’t want to cross that line. Maybe once I get a divorce from Sebastian,’ Winter thought.

She told herself that she wasn’t open to love anymore after she divorced Sebastian. But nobody knew what would happen in the future.

Maybe there would be a future where she ended up in a happy marriage with someone else; it could be Arthur or another man she hadn’t met yet.

’Or maybe there’ll be a future where Sebastian and I will be together as a happy married couple with a child or two. We might overcome our differences and grow old together. Though I’m sure I’ll die first, at least I’ll die with my loved ones by my side...’ Winter imagined this for a second before chuckling. ’Okay, that’s just stupidly impossible. That bastard has no heart, so it’s more realistic that I end up alone, living as a single lady until my death, and giving all of my money to charity in the end.’

Arthur saw his Madam was laughing at something and asked, "Have you given it a thought, Madam?"

"About what?"

"About me staying in your penthouse..."

"Arthur, you should stop insisting on that. It will never happen," Winter smiled. "But I appreciate your care, so I’ll raise your salary."

"I don’t need that, Madam," Arthur insisted. "I just want to be by your side, I—"

"Arthur."

Arthur fell silent when his Madam called his name in a firm tone. It was a sign that she was displeased by his constant nagging.

"Yes, Madam."

"Drop this topic. I’m not in the mood to repeat myself."

"But what about Mr. Saenz, who followed us, Madam?"

"I’ll confront him once we’re home. I want to know what he’s thinking too."

"If... something happens, please call me immediately, Madam. I’ll save you no matter what."

Winter smiled at how serious Arthur looked when he said that. It almost sounded like a vow from him.

"You have been my bodyguard for years, Arthur. Of course, I’ll call you first if I am ever in danger."

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