Ch. 1271..1280
Chapter 1271 His Bet Is Too Absurd
Johanna was so angry that she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her stomach. She clutched her belly, almost collapsing from the pain.
Zephyr's face changed immediately, and he quickly carried her back to the bedroom.
The doctor, who was always on standby, received the order and hurried to the bedroom.
The doctor instructed Johanna to follow her own breathing rhythm, and once her emotions had stabilized, he gave her some oral medication to take.
But Johanna pursed her lips, refusing to take the medicine.
The doctor looked over at Zephyr, who took the medicine from the doctor's hand and told them to go ahead.
Zephyr sat down by the bed, his tone unusually serious. "If I wanted to take away your child, I could have done it while you were unconscious. There's no need to wait until now. If you don't want this child, you don't have to take the medicine."
"Then forget it," Johanna said indifferently.
In his hands, Johanna knew that her chances of returning were slim. She might experience emotional ups and downs every day, and for a pregnant woman, emotional instability is a big taboo.
Her bad mood can also increase the risk of illness for the baby in her belly.
This child was destined to be unable to come to the world.
Zephyr's brow furrowed as he put the pill in his mouth and took a sip of water. Then, he gently held Johanna's chin and kissed her, skillfully transferring the medicine into her mouth.
Her lips were soft, like the deadly poppy, making Zephyr lose control as he kissed her.
Taking advantage of an opportunity, Johanna fiercely bit Zephyr's lip, causing it to bleed. As soon as he voluntarily let go, she immediately pushed him away with all her strength.
The pungent smell of blood made Johanna's stomach churn, causing her to dry heave twice.
Seeing her pale face and the pain she was experiencing, Zephyr felt a twinge of pain in his heart as well. He raised his hand to wipe the fresh blood from his lips, and quickly came up with a plan in his mind.
Zephyr said, "I don't like to force others, but I'm really interested in you and I don't want to let go... Jojo, let's make a bet. If you win, I'll let you go back."
After hearing this, Johanna couldn't help but laugh and mockingly said, "You're a mafia, with no principles and no bottom line. To think that I could win a bet against you, now that's a joke!"
Zephyr wasn't annoyed, and with a slight smile, he said, "You know about the alliance between the three major mafias in Lostaria. If I weren't a man who keeps his promises, the other two major mafias would have been wiped out by me long ago. You dislike being by my side so much, why not try the other path I offered?"
Johanna remained silent.
Zephyr's cunning was something she had experienced firsthand. Compared to spending a lifetime in a daze by his side, even if the bait he threw out was fake, it was still tempting enough.
She wanted to protect her child and return home.
After a while, Johanna asked, "What's the bet?"
"I'll bet on how deep your feelings are for Timothy," Zephyr said. "In this year that you stay by my side, I will take care of you and the child, and I will find a doctor to cure your eyes. If a year from now you still haven't fallen for me, I'll personally take you back and never bother you again."
He approached Johanna, staring into her dark eyes. "Jojo, I'm wealthier than you think. Anything you want, I can bring it right before your eyes."
"Is it just a bet?" Johanna scoffed, thinking his wager was absurd.
"I'm not the kind of person who needs to buy a lot of luxury items and have a lot of money to be satisfied..." She raised her hand and forcefully pushed Zephyr away.
"I won't be attracted to you either. From the past to the present, seeing you just makes me feel disgusted!"
Zephyr firmly yet gently grasped her hand, enveloping it in his own palm. "I've never failed in pursuing a woman, and you won't be an exception. That's why I dare to bet."
He asked with a smile, "Jojo, do you dare?"
Chapter 1272 She Is The Only Exception
Johanna forcefully pulled back her hand, leaning her body away to create distance between them. "If I win the bet, will you really keep your word?"
"Of course," Zephyr paused and chuckled lightly, "But I've never lost a bet with anyone before."
Johanna sneered, "Well, you're going to lose this time!"
Seeing her hand resting on her swollen belly, her desire for survival seemed to gradually return, and Zephyr's tense heart slowly eased as well.
The oatmeal on the bedside table had already gone cold, so Zephyr asked the housekeeper to bring up another serving.
Since it was food for a pregnant woman, the housekeeper didn't dare to be negligent.
The oatmeal was cooked to a thick consistency, with some raspberries added in. As they cooked and blended with the oats, a faint, pleasant aroma filled the air.
Zephyr tasted a bit to make sure it wasn't too hot, then brought it to Johanna's mouth. "You've slept for a full ten hours. You must be hungry, and so must the baby."
Johanna didn't insist any further and lowered her head to eat the oatmeal.
As they took turns eating the oatmeal, the bowl gradually emptied. Zephyr gently wiped the corner of her lips with a napkin.
As Johanna was about to raise her hand to push him away, he had already lowered his hand first.
Johanna leaned back on the soft pillow and after a while, her tone softened as she said, "You mentioned that you would have a doctor treat my eyes. Please let the doctor come and take a look now."
Even if she was unwilling, since Zephyr had thrown out a bait, she couldn't afford to confront him for the sake of her child.
As long as she regained her sight, her chances of escaping would be much greater when the time came.
The bedroom was a bit chilly, so Zephyr pulled the blanket over her, "I've contacted the best ophthalmologists in the world, but it will take some time for them to arrive."
Johanna knew that Zephyr wasn't lying.
When she first lost her sight, Timothy also contacted an authoritative ophthalmologist from a foreign hospital, who would take about a week to arrive in Chanaea.
Since no doctor had come, Johanna didn't want to continue conversing with Zephyr.
Just as she was about to make an excuse that she was tired and ask Zephyr to leave, her left calf muscle suddenly tensed up, giving her a sore and numb cramping pain.
Johanna clutched the blanket in pain, and Zephyr immediately asked, "What's wrong?"
"My leg has a cramp."
For the first time, Johanna experienced a leg cramp. She didn't know how to describe the numbness and soreness that spread from her foot to her leg, causing her to shed involuntary tears from the pain.
Zephyr pressed the bell beside the bed, urging the doctor to come up quickly.
After the doctor hurriedly arrived, Johanna's leg was still twitching, her eyes were moist, and the corners of her eyes were red and swollen. Zephyr stood to one side with one hand on his hip, his expression extremely gloomy.
It seemed as if the doctor couldn't alleviate Johanna's pain in the next second, he would take care of the doctor first.
The doctor cautiously extended his hand, gently separating Johanna's closed toes. Soon, the tension in Johanna's leg muscles visibly relaxed.
Zephyr also relaxed and asked the doctor, "What's going on?"
"Leg cramps are quite common in pregnant women. It could be due to fatigue, calcium deficiency, or an unbalanced diet," the doctor carefully explained to Zephyr.
"If she gets a leg cramp again next time, you can just do what I did.”
The doctor paused for a moment, then added, "It would be best to apply a warm towel to her feet now. Do you need my help with that?"
Zephyr waved his hand, dismissing the doctor to leave.
Afterward, Zephyr went to the bathroom, closed the drain in the sink, and pulled the hot water handle.
As the hot water filled up, Zephyr couldn't help but rub his eyebrows and chuckle softly.
He had never imagined that he would live like this, taking care of others like a housekeeper, his emotions constantly fluctuating based on her happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy.
Johanna is the only exception.
Chapter 1273 A Desire Surges Within
Zephyr soaked the dry towel in hot water, then wrung it out and wrapped it around his hand to test the temperature.
After making sure the temperature wouldn't scald Johanna's skin, they went out with the towel.
He sat down by the bed and lifted the blanket, revealing a pair of beautiful, slender legs. Ten delicate and tender toes were exposed.
Johanna had always been on the slender side, even when she was pregnant with little Asel and had fainted, she never really gained much weight.
Now that she was pregnant, most of the food she ate was absorbed by the baby for nutrition.
A few months ago, her belly was still flat, but as the sixth month approached, it finally began to show a slight curve.
Zephyr gently pulled Johanna's left leg onto his own, placing a warm towel on her foot. The comforting heat quickly spread, causing Johanna to relax and feel at ease.
Johanna relaxed for only a few seconds before her eyebrows furrowed again. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
Even though it was her first time being tied up by Zephyr, he seemed gentle with her. However, he did as he pleased, not caring whether she was willing or not. If she felt uncomfortable, it was the housekeeper's responsibility to handle it.
But now, whenever she felt unwell, he would call a doctor and even use a hot towel to help her apply a warm compress to her feet.
For some reason, she felt uneasy.
Zephyr looked up at Johanna, noticing her furrowed brows and the doubt on her face. "Have you forgotten our conversation just now? If I didn't treat you well and ignored you, how could you possibly fall for me?"
That explained why he was doing all this.
After the warmth of the towel had faded, Zephyr went back to the bathroom, turned on the hot water to soak the towel, and then came out to apply it to her right foot.
In the following days, Zephyr was almost inseparable from Johanna, accompanying her every step of the way.
He would have the kitchen prepare various nutritious meals for pregnant women for Johanna to eat. When Johanna didn't want to chat with him, he would play audio dramas for her to listen to. The doctor would check on Johanna twice a day.
Every night before going to bed, Zephyr would carefully take care of her by applying a warm towel to her feet.
One evening after dinner, the doctor handed a bottle of olive oil to Zephyr, "Although Ms. Joule doesn't show any signs of pregnancy yet, it's still a good idea to apply some olive oil to prevent stretch marks from appearing on her belly in the future."
Seeing Zephyr frowning, he seemed to not quite understand.
The doctor explained to him what stretch marks are and how to use olive oil for them.
Zephyr hummed in agreement, waved for the doctor to go rest, and then took the olive oil to the living room. Johanna was lazily leaning on the couch, listening to the latest fashion news.
Zephyr sat down beside her and said, "The doctor mentioned that you should apply olive oil on your belly to prevent stretch marks."
"I'll do it myself." Johanna reached out her hand toward him.
When Johanna was pregnant with little Asel, by the time she woke up, little Asel was almost due. Thanks to Timothy taking care of her every day and applying olive oil on her belly, her stomach was clean and smooth.
There was only a faint scar left from the cesarean section surgery.
Zephyr didn't give in, raising his eyebrows and smiling, he said, "You can't see it, so how can you apply it well by yourself? Besides, is there any part of your body that I haven't seen before?"
The latter half of his sentence made Johanna's face darken abruptly, wishing she could slap him across the face.
Zephyr didn't want her anger to upset the baby in her belly, so she asked the housekeeper to call the doctor again. The doctor took the ointment from Zephyr's hand and sat down next to Johanna.
Johanna thought Zephyr had left, so she coldly lifted her shirt with a pout on her face.
Although Zephyr and Johanna had been sharing a bed these past few days, Johanna always seemed to have restless sleep. Zephyr spent half of his time comforting her, leaving him no time to pay attention to her belly.
Her waist was still slim, with only her belly forming a gentle curve.
Inside, a new life was being nurtured.
Zephyr stood by the couch, gazing down as the doctor gently applied olive oil to the woman's snow-white belly.
Suddenly, he felt a strong desire to touch her belly as well.
It was said that babies around five to six months old already had some cognitive abilities. If a father gently touched the mother's belly, the baby could sense it and would excitedly respond to the father.
He wondered if the little one would respond to him.
Chapter 1274 Swift Change
Zephyr knew that they couldn't stay in Jadeborough for long. After having the housekeeper help Johanna upstairs, he pulled the doctor aside and asked, "How is the child? Can she travel on a cruise ship?"
The doctor said, "As long as Ms. Joule maintains a good mood, there won't be any issues with the fetus."
Zephyr nodded, asking the medical team to pack up their things and join him in leaving tomorrow morning.
He didn't like changing doctors frequently, fearing that Johanna and the child might not adapt well.
The doctor was hesitant at first, but when Zephyr offered a salary in Anglanduran currency, the doctor immediately agreed.
After becoming pregnant, Johanna felt quite tired and would sleep deeply. Coupled with her blindness, she didn't even notice when Zephyr took her to the harbor and carried her onto a private cruise ship.
Johanna gradually woke up from her daze only when she felt a faint tremor.
"Zephyr?"
This was a private cruise ship that Zephyr just bought. It had two levels and was extremely luxurious, with all kinds of entertainment and extravagance. It was like a miniature palace.
The cabin was like a presidential suite, complete with a bedroom, living room, and study.
Zephyr was sitting at his desk working when he heard Johanna call his name. He got up and walked over to her.
"Are you hungry? I'll have someone bring some food over."
Johanna had just woken up, her face looking dazed and her hair sticking up from sleep. Due to her pregnancy, her body carried a faint scent of milk.
Seeing her adorable appearance, Zephyr couldn't help but pinch her cheeks.
Johanna hadn't recovered yet and naturally didn't notice what he had done. Clutching the blanket tightly, she asked, "Was there an earthquake? I just felt the bed shaking."
"No." Zephyr pressed the service bell and sat down by the bed. "We are at sea right now."
At sea, does that mean being on a cruise ship?
Johanna was now fully awake, wanting to curse in anger, but she felt as helpless as a disabled person, left at the mercy of Zephyr's manipulation.
The waiter soon wheeled in a cart filled with exquisite lunch dishes.
Johanna wanted to eat by herself, so Zephyr helped her put on a jacket and supported her as she sat down at the dining table. "On your left side, there's a plate with baked meatballs, and on your right, there's a plate with pancakes."
Johanna skillfully picked up a baked meatball from her plate using a fork and slowly savored each bite as she chewed.
She didn't have much of an appetite, but she had to eat something for the sake of her child.
After finishing lunch, Zephyr handed Johanna a warm towel to wipe her hands and noticed her gloomy expression. "I was worried that staying in the mansion for too long would make you feel depressed, so I thought it would be a good idea to take you out for a change of scenery."
Johanna scoffed at his words, "You're just afraid that if we stay in Jadeborough too long, Timothy will find me."
Even though Zephyr was very skilled, after all, Jadeborough was not his territory.
Zephyr didn't argue, but simply spoke in a low voice, "This morning, my subordinate went to the airport to pick up an ophthalmologist from abroad, and together, we boarded the cruise ship. I was thinking of having a doctor check your eyes once you woke up..."
The coldness on Johanna's face disappeared immediately, and she didn't resist Zephyr wiping her hands. "I'm not sleepy now. Let the ophthalmologist come over."
Seeing her change her expression so quickly, even Zephyr couldn't help but chuckle softly.
About ten minutes later, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed male doctor entered the cabin. He first looked at Zephyr, whose eyes narrowed slightly, and Zephyr nodded at him.
Afterward, the doctor walked over to Johanna, put on medical gloves, and examined her eyes.
After the examination, the doctor spoke to Johanna in Ustranasion, "Mr. Juksford told me that you've had a previous head injury caused by a blunt object. It's not surprising that you're experiencing blindness issues."
Johanna pursed her lips. "Will I be able to regain my sight?"
"Definitely," the doctor said with certainty. "I have treated two patients like you before. After taking medication for a while, their eyesight gradually returned to normal."
Johanna, who had been blind for so long, couldn't help but feel overjoyed when she heard the doctor say there was hope for her to regain her sight.
Chapter 1275 Suddenly Feeling That Life Should Be Like This
But when she touched her protruding belly, another layer of worry emerged. "I'm pregnant. Will those medicines have any effect on the fetus?"
"It won't. You don't need to worry."
"That's good." Johanna felt relieved. If the vision-restoring medicine would have an impact on the fetus, she might not take it.
This was her second child with Timothy, and she didn't want anything to happen to the baby.
Even if she couldn't see and had no way of leaving Zephyr's side, she knew it wouldn't be long before Timothy would find her.
Just like last time, she would still return to Timothy's side.
Zephyr followed the doctor out and returned after more than ten minutes, holding a small medicine bottle in his hand.
The medicine bottle was spotless, without even a label on it.
He took a capsule from the medicine bottle and handed it to Johanna along with a cup of warm water.
Johanna took the medicine and quickly consumed it.
She drank the water a bit hastily, and the water that didn't go down her throat trickled down from the corner of her lips. Her chin was sharp and delicate, making her look very beautiful.
Zephyr wiped the water stain from the corner of her lips, her eyes slightly dimmed. "I spent an eight-figure sum in Anglanduran currency to hire this ophthalmologist, Jojo. Don't you think you should show some appreciation?"
Johanna tightly held the water cup and muttered, "Thank you."
"Is a simple 'thank you' enough?" Zephyr leaned in closer, catching a faint whiff of a milky scent from her.
Johanna's eyelashes hung low, and she remained silent.
Zephyr saw her biting her lip, as if holding back anger. He didn't get any closer, but whispered softly, "How about a kiss as a thank you gift, hmm?"
Afraid that he might force himself on her if she didn't comply, Johanna loosened her teeth and leaned in to give him a kiss.
Afraid that he might force himself on her if she didn't comply, Johanna loosened her teeth and leaned in to give him a kiss.
She wanted to pretend she couldn't see, deliberately avoiding kissing his lips.
Zephyr, however, saw through her little scheme and took the initiative to kiss her on the lips. His fingers intertwined with the soft hair at the back of her head, pulling her into his embrace and prying open her lips with his tongue.
She had just been feeling unwell, but after eating some cranberries, a pleasant aroma of cranberries lingered between her lips and teeth. It was a mix of sour and sweet.
Zephyr could barely control himself, wanting her intensely.
A few seconds later, Zephyr reluctantly let go of Johanna. Seeing her flushed cheeks and her breathlessness, he felt an immense sense of satisfaction.
Johanna's hands were shaking badly. She drank the water from the cup, rinsed her mouth, and then spat it into the trash can.
Seeing her disdain for himself, Zephyr didn't get angry. He gently moved the strand of hair away from her lips and asked, "It's not hot today. Do you want to go for a walk on the deck?"
"No." Johanna stood up and walked toward the bed.
Zephyr didn't insist. He plugged in the headphones to the tablet and placed it beside the pillow. "Don't play the music too loud. It's not good for your ears."
Johanna pulled the blanket over her head.
Zephyr had no idea how many times he had been amused by her in just these few days. He returned to her desk and sat down, seeing seven or eight photos sent by her subordinate.
The photo shows verious types of clothing, with ell kinds of styles eveileble. Some of the dresses ere mede of meteriels thet looked quite expensive. However, ell the clothes heve e reletively loose weist, seemingly suiteble for pregnent women to weer.
Zephyr seid to get everything end instructed his subordinete to purchese the items end deliver them to the cruise ship es soon es possible.
The privete cruise ship set seil from Jedeborough, e lerge port, end in order to meke Johenne more comforteble on boerd, Zephyr esked them to slow down the speed.
So, the cruise ship will errive et Jetroine in ebout two deys.
Johenne wes worried thet sleeping too long might be hermful to her unborn child, so she didn't stey in bed for long before chenging her clothes end leeving the cebin. Zephyr, concerned for her sefety, followed closely behind her.
Upon stepping onto the deck, the cold wind blew, cerrying the selty scent of seeweter. It hed e surprisingly celming effect on one's mood.
Zephyr skillfully removed the seeds from the cherries with e smell knife, quickly prepering e smell bowl of cherry flesh. He elso peeled e kiwi end sliced it for Johenne's convenience.
Johenne lezily lounged in the cheir, her heir blowing wildly in the wind.
As Zephyr looked up, he sew e scene before him: e women with one hend resting on her swollen belly, her profile gentle end tender. On the teble, e phone wes pleying e song, end the femele singer's voice wes quite pleesent to listen to.
This scene wes like e still peinting, etched in Zephyr's heert. He suddenly felt thet this is whet life should be like.
The photo shows various types of clothing, with all kinds of styles available. Some of the dresses are made of materials that looked quite expensive. However, all the clothes have a relatively loose waist, seemingly suitable for pregnant women to wear.
Zephyr said to get everything and instructed his subordinate to purchase the items and deliver them to the cruise ship as soon as possible.
The private cruise ship set sail from Jadeborough, a large port, and in order to make Johanna more comfortable on board, Zephyr asked them to slow down the speed.
So, the cruise ship will arrive at Jetroina in about two days.
Johanna was worried that sleeping too long might be harmful to her unborn child, so she didn't stay in bed for long before changing her clothes and leaving the cabin. Zephyr, concerned for her safety, followed closely behind her.
Upon stepping onto the deck, the cold wind blew, carrying the salty scent of seawater. It had a surprisingly calming effect on one's mood.
Zephyr skillfully removed the seeds from the cherries with a small knife, quickly preparing a small bowl of cherry flesh. He also peeled a kiwi and sliced it for Johanna's convenience.
Johanna lazily lounged in the chair, her hair blowing wildly in the wind.
As Zephyr looked up, he saw a scene before him: a woman with one hand resting on her swollen belly, her profile gentle and tender. On the table, a phone was playing a song, and the female singer's voice was quite pleasant to listen to.
This scene was like a still painting, etched in Zephyr's heart. He suddenly felt that this is what life should be like.
Chapter 1276 Got Her In My Grasp
The sea breeze on the deck was a bit chilly. Zephyr was worried that Johanna might feel uncomfortable if she caught a cold. After she finished a bowl of cherry meat, he got up, picked up the slippers she had kicked off, and helped her put them on.
"It's time to go back, the doctor said that blowing wind for too long is not good for the eyes."
These words really hit a nerve with Johanna. She leaned on the back of the chair with one hand and stood up from her seat.
Zephyr bent down, scooped her up with his hands under her knees, and lifted her into his arms.
Johanna, afraid of falling, quickly hooked her hand around his neck. "Let go, I can walk by myself."
"We'll be going down the stairs soon, and I'm worried that you might fall if the cruise ship sways and you don't hold onto the handrail tightly." Although she was pregnant, she wasn't very heavy, and Zephyr carried her effortlessly.
Zephyr paused and said, "If you're not afraid of falling, then I'll let go."
Johanna gritted her teeth, thinking about her pregnancy and how a moment of carelessness could harm the baby. She decided not to be stubborn with him.
Seeing that Zephyr had grasped her, the corner of his mouth curled up slightly.
Upon returning to the cabin, Zephyr gently placed Johanna on the bed. As he did so, he instinctively lowered his head and took a light sniff at her neck. His lips brushed against her shoulder, causing Johanna to immediately push him away.
Zephyr stood up and looked down at her, "Do you need help with your bath? It might be inconvenient for you."
"No," Johanna refused.
Seeing how guarded she was, Zephyr couldn't help but laugh a little. He didn't pressure her further and rang the bell to call in a female attendant to help Johanna take a bath.
Johanna was pregnant and blind, so Zephyr was worried about her being alone in the bathroom.
The next day, when Johanna woke up, she opened her eyes as usual, only to find that it wasn't pitch black in front of her.
She could see things now.
However, she had been blind for several months, and now that she could suddenly see again, she was still somewhat unaccustomed to it.
Johanna closed her eyes and slowly opened them again. After repeating this process a few times, her eyes no longer felt sore and gradually adapted to the light. She raised her hand to take a closer look, but realized that she seemed to be embraced by someone.
She turned her head and saw the man sleeping soundly beside her on the pillow.
The jet-black short hair hung over her forehead, and even when asleep, her mixed-race features gave off a strong sense of impact, captivating the soul.
His chest was bare, and his strong arms gently embraced her.
Such close contact made Johanna feel as if she was covered in his scent, which filled her with disgust. With a cold expression on her face, she pulled his hand away from her waist.
Zephyr suddenly opened his eyes, and the aura around him became sharp and terrifying.
After seeing the person in front of him clearly, he retracted all his sharpness, brushed aside the strands of hair on Johanna's face, and leaned in to give her a kiss.
"Good morning."
Johanna quickly turned her head, and Zephyr's kiss landed on her cheek.
Zephyr just smiled, got out of bed, and rang the bell, asking for breakfast to be brought in half an hour later. He picked up the slippers by the bed to help Johanna put them on, but she had already slipped them on herself.
He withdrew his hand, stood up, and looked at Johanna. Her pupils were very dark, with a hint of shattered light inside.
"Can you see now?"
Johanna simply responded with a hum and went to the bathroom to wash up.
After being blind for several months, Johanna now stood in front of the bathroom sink, looking at herself in the half-length mirror. She couldn't help but feel that the person in the mirror didn't resemble her at all; it felt so unfamiliar.
She stared at her own eyes in the mirror, feeling puzzled in her heart.
Renowned ophthalmologists from abroad were also invited by Timothy, but those doctors were at a loss when it came to her blindness.
Why did the eye doctor Zephyr found only prescribe her oral medication twice, and then she regained her vision?
Johanna was reminiscing about when she lost her sight, when Zephyr walked into the bathroom and leaned against the door, gazing at her.
"Since my eyes recovered so quickly, it seems that the doctor's medical skills are indeed worth eight digits of Anglanduran currency."
Zephyr is a mafia boss with businesses spanning across the globe. He has an extensive network of connections, so it doesn't seem strange that he would know a doctor like Johanna.
Suspecting that he had interrupted her, Johanna didn't give it any more thought and picked up the toothbrush from the countertop.
Chapter 1277 The Person Who Eats the Apple Will Be Healthy And Safe
The clothes that Zephyr had ordered were delivered by helicopter yesterday afternoon. Johanna chose a light blue long-sleeved dress and tied her hair up.
She was not tall, but her well-proportioned figure and delicate bone structure made her look youthful.
If it weren't for the bulging belly indicating pregnancy, just looking at that palm-sized, fair and delicate little face, she would appear to be in her early twenties.
Pure and passionate, innocent and captivating.
Seeing the waiter pushing a cart in, Johanna said, "I'd like to go to the restaurant to eat."
Zephyr waved his hand, signaling the waiter to leave.
After changing his clothes, he took Johanna to the restaurant and sat by the window. Outside the window was the shimmering sea and blue sky, creating a stunning view.
To cater to Johanna's taste, Zephyr specially invited two senior chefs who are skilled in various cuisines.
The meatballs are made of pure pork filling with a thin skin. After being cooked, they look crystal clear and translucent. Paired with the de-oiled mushroom soup base, the dish tastes incredibly delicious.
After eating a few meatballs, Johanna felt a warm sensation in her stomach, which greatly improved her mood.
She glanced out the window and, turning back, rested her chin on her hand. She asked Zephyr, who was sitting across from her, "When will we arrive in Jetroina?"
"It's probably a little past ten."
Zephyr was peeling an apple when he suddenly remembered the time he went to the hospital to get Johanna's prenatal checkup report. He had overheard people talking in the elevator.
The person said that if the apple peel remains unbroken while peeling, the person who eats the apple will enjoy good health and safety.
Zephyr has always had others prepare his food for him. Last night was the first time he picked cherry seeds, and today is the first time he's peeling an apple.
Because of that person's absurd words, he peeled the apple skin with extra care.
Johanna thought that if she could get to Jetroina, which was not Zephyr's territory, she could find an opportunity to escape and immediately hide in the embassy.
This man definitely wouldn't dare to have a conflict with the embassy.
As she was planning her escape, Zephyr's small knife twirled around the apple in her hand, the apple peel hanging down to the ground without breaking.
Zephyr's furrowed brow finally relaxed as he sliced the apple and handed the pieces to Johanna.
Johanna said, "I'm full from eating meatballs."
"Eating some fruit aids digestion," Zephyr gently coaxed, "and besides, eating more fruit is also good for the baby."
Johanna pursed her lips, but still ate the piece of apple from his hand.
Zephyr cut another piece and handed it over, "Eat a few more pieces. Once we get to Tayhaven, you can go wherever you want, and I won't stop you."
Johanna, holding back her temper, ate a few more pieces of apple.
Around twenty to ten in the morning, the cruise ship slowly sailed into the bustling Tayhaven port. Zephyr, with a lady's coat draped over his arm, disembarked the cruise ship together with Johanna.
After leaving the port and getting into the black sedan that had been waiting for them, Zephyr asked Johanna, "Where do you want to go and have fun?"
Johanna's eyes sparkled as she said, "Sanctity Oracle Psychic."
The Sanctity Oracle Psychic is well-known for its accurate fortune-telling, making it one of the most popular attractions in Tayhaven. There are usually many visitors, and with the peak tourist season approaching, the number of people is expected to increase even more.
Zephyr instructed the driver to head to Sanctity Oracle Psychic, and the driver acknowledged the request.
Tayhaven Port was still some distance away from Sanctity Oracle Psychic. Zephyr raised the car's sunshade, allowing Johanna to take a nap.
Johanna, however, wasn't sleepy. She turned her head and gazed out the window.
This month, combined with today's weekend, there are indeed many people at Sanctity Oracle Psychic, making it quite lively. Cars can only be parked in the parking lot and cannot go any further.
After getting off the car, Zephyr put a sun hat on Johanna, and the two of them followed the tourists into the Sanctity Oracle Psychic.
There were quite a few foreign tourists, but few had the impeccable demeanor of Zephyr. Wearing black sunglasses, a simple short-sleeved shirt and dress pants, he exuded the elegance of a royal noble.
Some girls passing by even thought he was a celebrity and boldly came up to ask for his autograph.
Zephyr slid his sunglasses down, giving the girls a smile. His icy, cold purple eyes, devoid of any warmth, sent shivers down their spines, prompting them to quickly leave.
Johanna couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
How she wished these two girls would mistake Zephyr for some big celebrity, and in doing so, attract other star-chasing girls over, creating an opportunity for her to escape.
Chapter 1278 So Enchanting
Johanna, feeling a bit bored, adjusted her sun hat and followed a group of tourists into the psychic shop where fortune telling was offered.
After the previous visitor left with their tarot card, Johanna stepped forward, closed her eyes, and shook the card deck. A long tarot card fell out from within.
Zephyr glanced at the tarot card on the table and couldn't help but laugh, "Do you still believe in this?"
In Zephyr's view, anything divine or religious is nothing more than a mental crutch that people have imagined in order to seek peace of mind.
The world is like this, full of cunning, bloodshed, and disgust.
Johanna ignored him and walked to the side with her tarot card. She searched for the symbol on the card among rows of small drawers marked with capital symbols.
Soon, Johanna found the symbol, but the drawer was quite high, and she couldn't reach it even on tiptoes.
Just as she was about to call for help from the staff, Zephyr had already walked over, pulled open the drawer, and took out a folded piece of paper from inside, handing it to Johanna.
Johanna distanced herself from him and walked to the corner to unfold the paper.
At the bottom of the paper was Jetroinian text, but at the top, there was a line of Jetroinian that contained the words "bad luck." Upon seeing this, Johanna's eyebrows twitched, and an uneasy feeling welled up inside her.
Could it be that she won't be able to return this time?
Inside the fortune teller's tent, there sat a fortune teller who specialized in interpreting fortunes. However, there was a fee for this service. Johanna and Zephyr gathered some money and went to the fortune teller to have their fortunes read.
Zephyr noticed Johanna paying close attention to the drawn lots, his eyes narrowing slightly.
He turned his gaze back to the card deck on the table, hesitated for a few seconds, then walked over and picked it up, giving it a shake. He then grabbed the fallen tarot card and, from the corresponding symbol drawer, pulled out a piece of paper.
The paper unfolded, revealing the words "good luck" at the very top.
Even though Zephyr had never been to a psychic shop before, he knew that "good luck" meant something very auspicious.
He could also vaguely make out the words "as you wish" from a few lines of Jetroinian.
Is everything you asked for granted?
Zephyr's mood suddenly improved, and with a smile, he turned his head to look outside the courtyard.
Johanna stood under the shade of a tree, her skirt gently lifted by the breeze, revealing a glimpse of her delicate, jade-like foot - utterly enchanting.
The Sanctity Oracle Psychic attracts many foreign tourists, so the fortune teller also offers translations.
After receiving the note from Johanna, he furrowed his brows upon reading its contents, and his previously amiable expression faded. "My friend, this fortune you've drawn isn't very good..."
Johanna saw the words "bad luck" and knew that was the reason she came to have her fortune told. "Will it get better?" she asked.
The fortune teller had been working in the psychic shop for over a decade, and this was the first time he had encountered a tourist drawing such a sign. This kind of sign was extremely ominous, and he didn't dare to explain it explicitly, fearing that it would cause the tourist to have wild thoughts.
After all, the fortune slip doesn't represent one's life; it's merely an entertainment tool for tourists to have some fun.
The fortune teller replied, "If a perfectly good situation suddenly encounters an obstacle, don't just blame others; instead, try to remove the obstacle. In the face of this issue, don't focus on blaming, but on finding a solution. As long as you use your brain, there will be a way to resolve it."
The fortune teller's words suggest that, as for what Johanna needs to do, as long as she finds the opportunity, it is still possible for her to escape from Zephyr's side.
Her gloomy mood vanished instantly, as she took back the piece of paper and said, "Thank you."
Zephyr walked into the fortune teller's tent and saw that Johanna's mood had improved. Even the corners of her eyebrows were smiling. "You look so happy, did you get a good fortune?"
"No, it's just bad luck." Johanna's smile faded at the corners of her eyes as she turned and walked out of the fortune teller's tent.
After leaving the fortune teller's tent, Johanna saw the restroom sign hanging in the corridor and handed her hat and bag to Zephyr.
"I'm going to the restroom."
Zephyr accompanied her to the vicinity of the restroom. Just over a hundred meters ahead was the women's restroom.
Johanna walked in and found a line forming in the restroom due to the large number of tourists.
Johanna carefully picked someone with a similar silhouette to her own from the crowd. She used Ustranasion to communicate with the person and then pulled out a roll of Anglanduran currency from her sleeve.
Soon, Johanna exchanged clothes with the girl. She also tied up her hair and put on a black baseball cap.
Johanna walked up to the restroom entrance and saw Zephyr standing in the distance under the corridor, his back facing her direction. She took advantage of a female tourist with a backpack as cover and followed her into the restroom.
Chapter 1279 His People Have Been Watching From The Shadows
After going down the stairs, Johanna immediately distanced herself from the female tourist and turned to walk in the other direction.
The interior of the psychic shop was somewhat intricate, but there were signs along the roadside at regular intervals. Following these signs, Johanna quickly made her way out of the Sanctity Oracle Psychic.
Today is the weekend, and there are many tourists out having fun.
Some tourists took a tour around the Sanctity Oracle Psychic and planned to leave. At a junction about two hundred meters away from the main entrance of the Sanctity Oracle Psychic, there were quite a few taxis parked and waiting.
Johanna's footsteps quickened, her breathing becoming more rapid.
Walk a little faster.
As long as she gets on the taxi, she can go to the Jetroina Embassy, and she'll be safe once she arrives.
Johanna's eyes were fixed on a taxi a hundred meters away, not paying attention to her surroundings. Suddenly, a male tourist wearing a hat walked up quickly behind her and reached out to grab Johanna's
ear.
In the next moment, Johanna felt a tearing pain in her left ear, causing her body to lurch forward two steps, almost tripping her.
The man who ripped off her earring bolted away at full speed.
Johanna gasped for cold air, her body involuntarily curling up, wanting to squat down to alleviate the pain. However, she was pregnant and couldn't squat.
A figure swiftly approached and supported Johanna's trembling body.
The pearl earrings were forcefully torn off, causing a cut on Johanna's earlobe. Blood gushed out from the wound, staining half of her neck red.
Zephyr had seen many bloody scenes, and his eyes were usually indifferent.
Today, when he saw Johanna's beautiful ear torn open and bleeding so much, his breath almost stopped.
A black sedan drove by, and Zephyr swiftly picked up Johanna in his arms.
Johanna pushed the man away with her hand, trying to resist, but the pain in her left ear was still spreading throughout her body. She couldn't speak or push him away.
The high-class MPV is spacious, with a relatively high ceiling.
So Zephyr didn't put Johanna down, letting her lean against his chest.
The man covered her still-bleeding wound with a towel, his tone neither frivolous nor casual, but with a hint of gentle coaxing: "Hang in there a little longer, we'll be at the hospital soon."
After speaking, Zephyr looked up at the subordinate who was driving.
The subordinate didn't even need to look in the rearview mirror; the mere presence of Zephyr's malicious aura was enough to make his scalp tingle and his hands tremble as he gripped the steering wheel.
He wanted to drive faster too, but his wife was pregnant, and there were too many vehicles on this stretch of road, so there was no way to do it!
Fortunately, the nearest private hospital is just two kilometers away from here.
In the emergency area of the hospital, a nurse quickly pushed a cart over and skillfully used a disinfectant to clean Johanna's left ear on her hand.
The medicine was cold and a bit spicy, causing Johanna to wince in pain. Unable to help herself, she grabbed onto Zephyr's clothes.
Zephyr felt her body trembling, a mix of pain and urgency in an instant. She squinted at the nurse, who was frightened by her terrifying gaze. The nurse's hand stiffened for a moment, and then gently dabbed the cotton swab on Johanna's wound.
Afterwards, the nurse applied a layer of milky-white ointment to Johanna's wound.
Zephyr requested a private room from the doctor. After entering the room, he placed Johanna on the hospital bed and went to the bathroom to get a hot towel. He then gently wiped the bloodstains from her neck.
Johanna had lost a lot of blood, which made her face somewhat pale. Coupled with the recent physiological tears, her eyes were red and swollen, making her look extremely fragile.
Yet, a pair of eyes stared coldly at Zephyr, even with a hint of gritting teeth.
She thought Zephyr had really brought her to Jetroina for a leisurely visit, but she didn't expect that after they entered the Sanctity Oracle Psychic, his people had been secretly watching them.
So as soon as she left, those people immediately informed him about her departure.
Zephyr wrung out another hot towel and offered it to Johanna for her swollen eyes, but she irritably waved it away.
Zephyr didn't get angry; he just asked, "Are you hungry?"
It seemed as if Johanna hadn't heard anything. She reached for the thin blanket, pulled it up, and covered herself, as if she didn't want to see Zephyr's face at all.
Zephyr gently pulled down the blanket, "Breathing like this isn't good for you, and it's not good for the baby either."
Chapter 1280 He Wants To Be A Good Father
Johanna pulled the blanket hard, but Zephyr held on tight, refusing to let go.
Zephyr lowered his gaze to look at her. After a few seconds, he let go of her hand, stood up, and walked out of the hospital room. Outside the room, there were two bodyguards dressed in suits.
Upon seeing Zephyr emerge, their bodies immediately straightened up.
"Mr. Juksford."
Zephyr instructed, "Go to the Chanaean Cuisine restaurant and get some food, then buy a set of silk bed sheets and pillowcases."
Although it was a private room, the bed sheets and covers were provided by the hospital, carrying the smell of disinfectant and not of great quality. He was worried that Johanna might not sleep comfortably.
"All right," one of them responded.
Additionally, the other bodyguard handed a pair of clean pearl earrings back to Zephyr and asked, "Mr. Juksford, how should we deal with that person?"
They knew about Zephyr's ruthless methods and also knew how to deal with people they caught.
However, as usual, I still have to ask.
Zephyr thought of the scar on Johanna's left ear and his eyes turned cold with fury. He wished he could personally throw the scoundrel who had stolen her earring to the dogs.
In the past, he would kill without hesitation and fear no one, but now he has grown somewhat weary of the bloodshed.
Zephyr lowered his gaze to his right hand. Last night, after Johanna had fallen asleep, he had secretly lifted her nightgown and placed this hand on her swollen belly.
He just wanted to touch her belly and feel it for a moment.
Unexpectedly, a few seconds later, something gently bumped into his palm, as if scratching him. It turned out that the little one hadn't fallen asleep yet. She knew her dad had arrived and excitedly greeted him.
The little one's response completely melted Zephyr's heart, and he began to eagerly anticipate her arrival.
The subordinate noticed that Zephyr was taking a long time to respond, which made him a bit puzzled. In the past, whenever they reported something, Zephyr would immediately give a response. What was going on now?
"Mr. Juksford?" the subordinate couldn't help but ask, "Do we just kill the person and throw them into the sea?"
After a moment of silence, Zephyr slowly said, "Get a medical examination report from the hospital and hand it over to the police along with the person involved. Let them properly handle this robbery case."
He didn't want his hands stained with blood again; he wanted to be a good father.
The two bodyguards exchanged glances, seemingly puzzled by their boss's sudden gentleness. However, they didn't ask any questions and left the hospital to attend to their respective tasks.
An hour later, a bodyguard returned carrying a variety of large and small bags.
Zephyr gently placed Johanna on the couch and opened the various takeout containers. There was spaghetti bolognese, burgers, apple pie, and more. All of these dishes were bought by the bodyguards from the nearby famous Chanaean cuisine restaurant.
After walking around the shop for so long and spending so much time at the hospital, Johanna was indeed quite hungry. She started eating without any hesitation.
She couldn't rush; there would always be another chance to escape.
Zephyr walked over to the hospital bed and removed the standard-issue bedsheet and pillowcase provided by the hospital. He then replaced them with the silk bedding set that he had asked his bodyguard to purchase.
Johanna glanced back at the man making the bed and sneered inwardly.
After Zephyr had made the bed and washed his hands, Johanna was almost full from eating. She stood up from the couch.
"I need to go for a walk."
Zephyr gently coaxed, "Your ears are injured, you should rest more."
"My ears have been treated with medicine, and they don't hurt anymore," Johanna said gently, without arguing with him. "I ate a lot and want to go for a walk to help digest the food. Is that okay?"
Even if she was just pretending, the moment her moist eyes met Zephyr's gaze, his heart softened.
After leaving the hospital room, the two of them walked side by side at a leisurely pace.
Zephyr was tall, and when he lowered his head, he could see the side profile of the woman beside him. A few strands of hair hung by her ears, and due to the weight of her pregnant belly, she would occasionally feel aches in her waist and support it with her hand.
Zephyr moved closer to Johanna and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Lean on my arm, it will make walking more comfortable for you."
"No need." Johanna pushed his arm away.
Zephyr's hand remained on her waist, holding half of her body close to him. "The tiles in the hallway are quite slippery. Weren't you very worried about the child? Are you not afraid now?