Ch. 1261..1270
The Three Little Guardian Angels Chapter 1261
Anthony lowered his gaze. He was really startled when he heard about Naomi and Jackie’s engagement. After all, the two youngsters had not known each other for a long time, so he was worried about the sudden blitz marriage, not to mention that Francisco had just broken up with her not long ago.
Because he was a little concerned and did not dare to let his guard down, he talked to Nolan. After all, Nolan had some connections with the Cliffords.
He also learned about the truth from Nolan, saying that Jackie was having a fake relationship with his daughter. Jackie had already had a marriage agreement before he got to know Naomi, and the other party was the daughter of the king of casinos in Octavia. It was a marriage that the two families recognized.
Jackie’s fake engagement with Naomi was to test Francisco’s attitude. Although Anthony was a little furious when he learned the truth, the news was indeed better than Jackie approaching his daughter only to cheat on her.
“Dad.” Naomi sat beside him and wrapped her arms around his arm. “Francisco does love me sincerely. Please let US be together.”
Anthony looked at her. “You actually turned to a fait accompli tactic. You don’t even care about what I think now.”
Naomi leaned on his shoulder. “I know it’s not the right thing to do, but I really like him, and he really likes me too.”
Mrs. Irving came over with a plate of fruits, left the plate on the table, and said with a smile, “Master Topaz, the young lady has grown up. You should give her the power to choose the type of happiness that she wants. Besides, I can see that Mr. Boucher is treating his relationship with the young lady seriously.”
Anthony was astonished. “How did you know that?”
Mrs. Irving could not help but chuckle. “He’s been standing at the doorsteps for such a long time. If he’s not sincere and serious about their relationship, who would choose to wait outside in such cold weather?”
“He’s outside?” Naomi stood up and hurried out.
The moment she opened the door, she saw Francisco standing in the yard. The cold wind was gusting against the corners of his windbreaker, and he turned around to look at her with a faint smile on his face.
Naomi ran straight toward him, plunged into his arms, and hugged him. Francisco’s smile intensified upon looking down at the person in his arms.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you’ve come? And why would you stand out here in the cold wind?” Naomi caressed his freezing windbreaker, wondering how long he had been standing there.
Seeing that she was feeling sorry for himself, Francisco rubbed the top of her hair. “I wanted to see you, but I was afraid that your father wouldn’t welcome me into the house, so I could only wait here.”
Her eyes were bloodshot, and she buried herself in his arms again. “But I’d feel really bad if you were to fall sick.”
“Ahem ahem.” The sounds of Anthony clearing his throat made Naomi pull herself away from Francisco’s arms, lower her head, and wipe her tears away.
He walked toward the two of them with a sulky face and glanced at Naomi first. “I finally understand why all my friends claim their daughters are like dead fish. Both are just not keeping wares.”
He then glared at Francisco immediately, and Francisco nodded at him. “Mr. Topaz.”
Anthony snorted. “If it weren’t for my daughter’s stubbornness and determination, I wouldn’t want you two to be together.
However, since it’s inevitable, it’s useless for me to stop you two now.”
Naomi smiled when she heard this. “Dad, does that mean you’ve changed your mind?”
“What else can I do?” Anthony pretended to be exasperated. “Would you do as I say if I were to insist on disagreeing with you? The only thing that’s working in my favor is that the Bouchers live here in Bassburgh, so you guys are nearby and within reach. I’d be devastated if you were to get yourself married somewhere far away.”
After saying so, he glared at Francisco. “ You’re allowed to be with my daughter now, however, Mr. Francisco Boucher, if you treat my daughter badly, I’ll bring her back to the Topazes myself.”
Francisco was astounded for a moment. He then laughed and turned to look at Naomi. “ Don’t worry, Mr. Topaz. I’ll never give you a single chance to do so.”
Anthony snorted. “You better keep this in mind.”
At the Blue Bay villa...
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Maisie stood on the balcony and was talking to someone over the phone, when she ended the call, a jacket was draped over her shoulders.
She looked back at the man who hugged her from behind. “Why have you come home so early?”
Nolan chuckled. “The company has nothing much that requires my attention today, so I’ve come back earlier.”
Maisie turned to look at him. “Francisco and Naomi have gotten together for real this time around. It seems that the fake engagement was quite effective.”
“You’re the only person in this world who would think of asking Jackie to help them out.” Nolan gently rubbed the tip of her nose and narrowed his eyes. “But judging from his personality, he wouldn’t help you out without asking for anything in return. So, how did you get him to say yes to your proposal?”
Maisie sneered, stood on tiptoe, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “That’s all thanks to you.”
He frowned. “Thanks to me?”
“You’re his cousin, so how can he not show you some respect? He wouldn’t be able to maintain his business here in Bassburgh in the future if he didn’t agree to help, right?” Maisie laughed.
Nolan smiled helplessly.
‘My wife has been swaggering around the city, doing whatever she wants with my name. But what can I do apart from spoiling her with it?’
At the bridal shop...
Naomi tried on the wedding dress, and the moment she walked out from behind the curtain, Francisco could no longer take his eyes off of her as if she had outshone everything in this world.
Being stared at made Naomi feel a little embarrassed. “Is this wedding dress... Does it look nice?”
“Yeah, it looks great on you.” Francisco walked toward her, raised his hand, and stroked the ends of her hair. “It suits you perfectly.”
Her cheeks flushed in an instant.
Samantha and Kennedy walked up to them. Seeing the intimate interactions between his son and Naomi, Samantha could not bear to disturb them.
Kennedy laughed. “I didn’t expect that Francis is also getting married now.”
“Yes.” Samantha covered her mouth and grinned. “I finally got to the day where I get to witness this brat walk down the aisle with someone else.”
Francisco brought Naomi to Samantha. “ Mother.”
Naomi nodded politely. “Hello, madam.”
Samantha took Naomi’s hand with a wide smile on her face. “I’m so delighted to see that you two are about to get married. I can finally rest assured and worry less about my son.”
Naomi and Francisco glanced at each other lovingly and smiled. Their hands clenched tightly as if they had been glued to each other, causing them to be inseparable.
The engagement banquet that was supposed to be held at the end of the month had been turned into Francisco and Naomi’s wedding ceremony. The venue was set up outdoors, and the decorations looked exceptionally romantic. It was like a sea of pink and white flowers, which felt extremely dreamy.
A Bentley was parked outside the venue, and Maisie took Nolan’s arm as they got out of the car.
Helios walked over with a wine glass. “You guys are finally here.”
Maisie looked at the two of them. “You guys should have some catching up to do. I’ll go and pay the bride a visit first.”
Nolan watched as she disappeared into the crowd, and Helios patted him on the shoulder. “Let’s go. There’s a toast.”
Maisie entered the white tent and saw the bride, Naomi, who was sitting in front of the mirror and putting on her makeup.
Barbara turned her head. “Yo, let US welcome the latecomer.”
Naomi turned to look at her as Maisie walked to her side. “You’re finally the bride of the day. Are you happy?”
Naomi nodded with a smile. “I’m very happy to be able to marry someone I love.”
“We seemed to think so too when we got married.” Barbara recalled the emotions that she felt during her wedding.
‘Being able to get married to someone I love is the most beautiful thing in life.’
The wedding was about to start, and the guests were ushered to their seats one after another. The moment the live music was played, Naomi entered the venue slowly, wrapping her arm around her father’s.
The flower girls on both sides of the red carpet threw rose petals in the air. The bride’s white and flawless wedding dress looked like a blooming flower, and the veil was dragged straight behind her. she also held onto a bouquet as she walked toward Francisco, standing on the stage.
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Francisco reached out to her, and Anthony handed his daughter’s hand over to him. Naomi looked at Francisco and stood with him in front of the master of ceremonies.
The master of ceremonies looked at Naomi. “ Ms. Naomi Topaz, do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
Naomi looked at Francisco and said with a smile, “I do.”
The master of ceremonies then looked over to Francisco. “Mr. Francisco Boucher, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”
Francisco did not hesitate. “I do.”
He then lifted her veil gently, kissed her on the cheek, and the both of them exchanged rings amid the applause from the audience.
The master of ceremonies smiled and announced, “I now pronounce you husband and wife, congratulations!”
Naomi stared at the diamond ring, which had Francisco’s initials engraved on it, sitting on her ring finger and then looked up at him.
‘From today onward, he’s my husband, and I’m his wife.’
Francisco caressed her cheek with his palm. “ Are you happy, Mrs. Boucher?”
Naomi threw herself into his arms with a grin.
Anthony, sitting in his seat, lowered his head and secretly wiped away his tears. He was reluctant to see his daughter leave his side and marry another man.
Maisie leaned on Nolan’s shoulder. “We’ve witnessed the fruition of the love of another couple.”
Nolan wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “As long as you’re happy, we can do this every day.”
Maisie looked around, “why didn’t our ‘cupid ’ attend the ceremony?”
He smiled. “I guess he isn’t here.”
Later that night, Naomi sat in the cozily furnished wedding room, feeling a little nervous. Upon hearing the footsteps that gradually became louder and louder and finally stopped right outside the door, Naomi turned her head and glanced in the direction of the door.
Francisco pushed the door open and came in.
He walked toward Naomi, and with his fingertips, he tucked the strands of hair that were hanging from her forehead to the back of the pinna of her ear. “Are you nervous?”
She lowered her gaze, and her ears looked extremely flushed. “Yes... A little bit.”
He leaned over to kiss her forehead, the tip of her nose, and finally, her lips.
Naomi’s eyelashes twitched, and she fell onto the bed with him. His kisses spread all the way from her lips, down to her neck, and ended on her shoulders. It felt very strange, but she did not dislike the sensation. His gentleness chased the fear in her away, perhaps because that person was him, the man she loved deep down.
She tightly wrapped her arms around his neck subconsciously, Francisco sucked the tear rolling down from the corner of her eye, and sweat droplets gushed down from his temples and dripped onto her chest. He then approached her ear. “Naomi... You’ll always be the only one I love in the future.”
The night was still young.
In a blink of an eye, a month had passed. The weather was getting colder and colder, especially when it rained, the temperature would become very low, and the gusts that slashed through the air felt piercingly cold.
Ryleigh had been staying in the hospital for a few days as she was expected to go into labor at any time, and Louis had stopped all his work to accompany her.
Barbara and Maisie visited her at the hospital from time to time to give her some counseling and encouragement.
“Zee, were you scared when you were giving birth abroad by yourself?” Barbara turned her head and stared at Maisie.
Maisie was stunned for a split second but then laughed out loud almost instantly. “I was scared, but I found courage when the idea of the baby lying by my side soon came to me.”
Ryleigh took a bite off an apple. “That’s why I admire you so much. If I were to be—”
Barbara teased her. “If you were to end up in her situation, you would be thinking about committing suicide by jumping into the river, wouldn’t you?”
“Hey, how can you say that about me?” Ryleigh pouted.
Barbara laughed heartily.
Maisie’s cell phone rang. It was from a foreign number. Thus, she got up, went to the corridor, and answered the call, “Hello?”
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“Ma’am, it’s me.”
A wide smile appeared on Maisie’s face upon hearing the voice that came from the other end of the call. “Saydie?”
Saydie had gone to Morwich for almost half a year, saying she had found her biological parents’ whereabouts. However, Maisie had not been hearing from her for a while now. She had finally gotten a call from Saydie after such a long time, so long that she was starting to think that Saydie had forgotten about her.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am. It took me so long just to give you a simple call.”
“No big deal, as long as you’re safe and sound.” Maisie leaned against the wall. “How are you doing in Morwich now?”
“I’m fine, don’t worry. And I’ll be going back soon.”
Maisie was startled, “where are you going back to?”
Saydie remained silent for a moment and said, “I’ve found my parents, but... But life’s not as good as I thought it’d be. So, I’ve decided to return to you.”
Maisie did not speak, she could hear that Saydie was at a loss.
‘She was looking forward to it when she learned about her biological parents’ whereabouts. After all, it’s only natural for her to want to meet her biological parents.
‘And now, she’s clearly gotten the chance to meet them, but I guess things didn’t go as expected?’
“If you want to come back, then just come back.”
“Ma’am...”
Maisie lowered her gaze and gave off a smile. “ If staying over there makes you feel uncomfortable, you can return at any time. I’ll always leave a door open for you.”
Maisie had just ended the call and was about to turn around to go back to the ward when she saw someone familiar. If she was not mistaken, the figure that passed by the other end of the corridor was Pearl Santiago.
‘Why would Pearl visit the gynecology department? And she’s being followed by two bodyguards who don’t look like they’re protecting her but monitoring her instead...
‘By the way, it seems that I’ve not heard anything about Pearl again ever since her engagement with Tanner was canceled. It’s as if she’s disappeared.’
Pearl sat on the bed and took off her clothes while the nurse pulled the curtain down to protect her privacy. After a long time, Pearl had already gotten dressed when the curtain was opened.
“Ms. Santiago, I’m sorry if you find this question a little offensive, but the bruises on your wrist—”
Before the nurse could finish speaking, Pearl had already pulled down her sleeves to cover the bruises. “All you need to do is tell me the result of the check-up. Anything other than that is none of your business.”
The nurse subconsciously took a glance at the two bodyguards standing outside the door and pursed her lips. “Judging from your current physical condition, you’re not ready for pregnancy just yet, and you’ll have to nurse your body back to its optimal condition for at least half a year.”
Pearl got up and left.
Maisie walked out from the stairwell and watched as their figures disappeared at the other end of the corridor, she then walked into the infirmary. “Excuse me, but may I ask about the check-up that the young lady underwent just minutes ago?”
The nurse lifted her head and stared at her. “ Are you... a friend of Ms. Santiago?”
Maisie responded with a faint hum.
The nurse replied in embarrassment, “I’m sorry, but this is the patient’s privacy.”
“Is that so...” Maisie took a glance at the case studies on the table when she was turning around and stopped abruptly. “Is she facing any difficulties?”
The nurse was astonished. “Why would you ask about that?”
“It’s just an intuition.” Maisie turned to look at the nurse. “Those two bodyguards seem to be here to keep an eye on her instead of protecting her.”
The nurse pursed her lips tightly. Looking at her expression and sensing something indescribable, Maisie guessed something. “ Does she come here often?”
“Ah, yes.” The nurse frowned. “Ms. Santiago has come here a few times, and I’m actually quite worried about whether she’s being abused...”
“Abused?” Maisie was suspicious.
The nurse did not want to mention it at first, but there were always some new injuries on Pearl’s body every time she came, and those two men were always with her. Thus, her intuition was telling her that something must have happened to Pearl.
“I can’t be sure either because Ms. Santiago never mentioned it, but her wrists are often bruised, and she doesn’t look too good mentally, so I’m a little concerned.”
Maisie frowned. “What does she want to know whenever she’s back for a check-up?”
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“She wants to know if her body is ready to get pregnant.” The nurse felt strange too. “She seems to be very eager to get pregnant, but it’s difficult for her to conceive a child because of severe anemia and inflammation.”
Maisie pursed her lips tightly.
‘The nurse claims that Pearl constantly has bruises on her wrist and suspects that Pearl is being abused, but she couldn’t wait to get pregnant...’
Maisie had a feeling that it was not that simple, but these things had nothing to do with her, and she did not need to bother herself with these issues.
She could not help but fall into reminiscence.
‘Back then, Pearl was an arrogant and domineering lady. She’s the daughter of the La Perla Group and was very pampered and spoiled. She was an extremely lofty person who was fawned upon by everyone around her.
‘In addition to being arrogant and condescending, she was also a little simple- minded. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been easily tricked by Willow into framing me.
‘Speaking of which, what she gets today is what she deserves, she made a choice back then, so she must bear the consequences.’
Standing in the corridor, Maisie looked out the window. She thought carefully about all the details of how things happened back then and arrived at the conclusion that Pearl was just an impulsive pitiful woman.
“Zee.” Barbara came over. “Where did you go after you answered the phone? I’ve been looking for you.”
Maisie smiled. “I ran into an acquaintance just now.”
“Who was that?”
Maisie lowered her gaze. “The daughter of the La Perla Group.”
“Isn’t she the lady who canceled the engagement with the Hannigans’ son?” Barbara was stunned, and she crossed her arms. “Are you that familiar with her?”
Maisie replied with a faint smile, “I’m rather familiar with her, but she probably doesn’t want to get anywhere close to me.”
At the apartment...
Pearl was sitting on the couch, the television was not turned on, and the dim light
enveloped her. The environment was so dark that her expression was not very visible at the moment.
Her hands trembled involuntarily upon hearing the sound of the door knob twisting. Tanner stood at the entryway to change his shoes, and the black coat on his body looked cold and wet. He took off the coat, draped it over his upper arm, and walked toward Pearl. “ Did you go to the hospital?”
Her voice sounded hoarse. “Yes.”
Tanner placed the coat on the back of the chair. “How’s the result?
Pearl did not answer.
“You’re not pregnant, again?” Tanner pinched her chin and leaned closer to her. “It seems that even God doesn’t want to let you off this time around.”
Pearl stopped breathing for a short moment. “ I’ll try harder...”
“How?” Tanner grabbed her by her neck and forced her to look directly at him. “How much harder can you try with this body of yours?” He glared at the person in front of him and sneered. “You seem to be very eager to get pregnant. Do you really think I’ll let you go after you’ve given birth to a child?”
Pearl was astounded, and her eyes turned bloodshot. “Then what else do you want? You told me that as long as I can repay you with a child, the child that you and Sandy lost—”
“Don’t you ever mention Sandy again! You have no right to do so! ” Tanner strangled her.
She snorted and gasped as a strong sense of suffocation rushed to her head.
His eyes looked cold. “Pearl Santiago, your atonement demands more than just a child. So, don’t you ever think that I’ll let you go after you’ve given birth to the child. That’s impossible.”
Pearl no longer felt like resisting, so the suffocation that engulfed her mind also blurred her consciousness gradually.
Tanner noticed something and returned to his senses subconsciously. He let go of his hand, and she was able to catch her breath instantly as she lay on the arm of the couch and coughed.
Tanner stretched out his hand to caress her cheek, but she avoided it. “Wouldn’t it be better if you just strangled me to death?”
Tanner was dumbfounded for a split second and realized that he really should not be softhearted.
He grabbed Pearl by her hair, dragged her back to the room, rudely threw her onto the bed, and tied her hands to the head of the bed with ropes, as always.
Since he was going to get all over her again, Pearl’s gaze looked blank, she felt like a doll that could be manipulated and damaged by anyone.
As for Tanner, he liked to torture her body and mind through this process—he wanted to crush her self-esteem and see her beg for mercy.
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It felt as if a long decade had passed before it ended. Tanner hugged Pearl from behind while his fingers twirled around the hair behind her neck. “Don’t even think of leaving me. Even if you hate me, we’ll have to torture each other.”
Pearl didn’t respond, and her eyes were dead.
The next day...
Maisie sat drinking tea in her private room when the woman who had just walked in looked at Maisie curiously.
After the server left, Maisie put down her cup and smiled. “Take a seat.”
That woman carefully sat down across from her. “Why did you ask to meet me?”
“You’re Ms. Santiago’s assistant, right?” Maisie poured her some tea. “I would like to know something about Ms. Santiago.”
The assistant was a little surprised. “Do you know Ms. Santiago?”
She answered, “We’re acquaintances.”
The assistant had to be careful. “I’m not sure what you would like to know about her. Are you trying to investigate her through me?’
Maisie scooped up some soup. “I’m investigating, but I mean no harm.”
Seeing how concerned the assistant was, she raised her brows. “I saw Ms. Santiago at the hospital yesterday.”
“What?” The assistant was shocked, “why was she at the hospital?”
Maisie looked around. “I’m not sure either, but I heard the nurse say that she was in trouble. It seemed to be torture because there were marks on her body.”
The assistant looked down and was silent.
Maisie looked at the woman who was in deep thought. “I figured that you must know something since you’re her assistant.”
The assistant looked worried with both her hands on her thighs and seemingly worried about Pearl.
Maisie said with sincere eyes, “Can you tell me about her situation?’
The assistant sighed and looked tired. “This must be about Mr. Hannigan taking revenge on her.”
Maisie was curious. “Revenge?”
She nodded. “I don’t know what his intentions are. He canceled the wedding but wouldn’t let her go. Especially after Mr. Hannigan’s other woman jumped, he’s been blaming everything on Ms. Santiago.
“Mr. Hannigan believes that Ms. Santiago caused the woman’s miscarriage, but Ms. Santiago was at the office the entire day, and he was there too. He missed her phone calls but blamed Ms. Santiago for it.”
The assistant wanted justice for Pearl and sounded sadder and sadder. “She used to love Mr. Hannigan, but he hurt her first.
“He pretended to be so in love with her but always felt that she wasn’t good enough. He played with her heart and then went back to his lover. Why does he think he has the right to hurt her?”
Maisie listened quietly and didn’t say a word.
Meanwhile, in the apartment...
Pearl was sleeping in bed. She was asleep for a long time, and when she woke up, she realized that she was covered in sweat, and there was a towel on her forehead.
She turned around and saw Tanner resting at the side of the bed. she removed the towel from her forehead and carefully sat up.
The movement of the mattress woke Tanner up. He opened his eyes and saw that Pearl was getting out of bed, so he grabbed her, “Where are you going?”
She was tired. “The bathroom.”
Tanner pressed his lips together and then suddenly carried her into the bathroom.
He put her down, but she lost her balance and put her hand on the wall. Tanner’s eyes went dark after seeing how weak she was, and he turned around. “Call if you need me.”
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Pearl beamed, then closed the door while deep in thought. After she came out of the bathroom, Tanner placed a glass of warm water on the table and left the bedroom.
She sat on the bed and looked at the glass of water, she couldn't help but sense the irony as she took the glass and lay back down.
When she woke up again, it was already afternoon. She felt better, and the heaviness lifted too.
She walked out of the room and sighed in relief when she didn’t see Tanner around, she made some spaghetti in the kitchen, and since Tanner had taken her phone and there were guards outside, she hadn’t been able to speak to her family in more than a month. Even if she went out, he had to agree to it first, and someone would follow her.
She lived in torture and faced nothing other than pain. The only time she could relax was when he wasn’t around.
However, he returned very soon and saw that she was making food. He walked over. “Is your fever gone?”
Pearl nodded. “Yes.”
He loosened his tie. “Make one more portion.”
She nodded again.
After cooking, she placed it on the table, and Tanner looked at the pasta but didn’t move. Pearl picked up a fork and started eating without caring if he would.
Tanner looked at her. she seemed to be gentler, maybe because she was sick.
It was like when they first met and when she wasn’t prickly.
Pearl finished her food and put down the fork. “Can I go home?”
Tanner frowned. “That would depend on my mood.” He stood up and walked to the bedroom.
Pearl looked down and bit her lip, then got up and went into the room too. She saw Tanner was smoking in front of her window. “I haven’t been in contact with my family in a long time. Can’t I go back and take a look?”
Tanner flicked the ash from the cigarette away and turned his body sideways to look at her. “ Is this the attitude when you’re asking for permission?”
She lowered her voice. “I beg you.”
Tanner crushed the cigarette and walked toward Pearl, who pressed her lips together and was facing him, pretending to be calm.
He grabbed her by her chin. “You want to go home?” She blinked while Tanner leaned in. “ Make my client happy, and I’ll allow it.”
Pearl balled up her fist, but her pale lips parted. “Okay.”
That night at Glitz...
Pearl walked into the private room with Tanner. There were a total of five people in there, and the middle-aged man sitting in the middle smiled and got up to pour him a drink. “Did our Mr. Hannigan bring his girlfriend?”
“She’s not my girlfriend.” He took the wine glass and turned to look at Pearl. “Pour some wine for Mr. Saldana.”
Pearl pressed her lips together, took the wine bottle, and poured the man some wine.
Mr. Saldana looked at her with creepy eyes. If she weren’t Tanner’s girlfriend, he must have brought her to serve and drink with him. He flashed a big smile. “If you’re not his girlfriend, I’m going to ask her to drink with me.”
Tanner didn’t say anything, so Mr. Saldana took that as approval. He grabbed Pearl by her shoulder and brought her to the couch. Pearl didn’t make a sound even when she wasn’t willing.
Mr. Saldana poured a glass of whisky and pushed it to her lips. “Here, drink one glass for me.”
She peeped at Tanner, who didn’t care, and slowly took over the glass. Mr. Saldana happily picked up his glass and clinked it with hers.
She drank the whisky, and the taste of alcohol burned her throat and went straight to her stomach, making her cough.
Tanner looked at her, and his expression looked dark.
“I... I should just drink wine. I can’t handle whisky,” she said quietly.
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Mr. Saldana was in a good mood, so he didn’t mind her request and gave her some wine. “ We have plenty of alcohol. Drink whatever you want.”
Tanner smiled, but his eyes weren’t smiling. “ You seem happy with the woman I brought over.”
“You have great taste. I’m happy with this one.” Mr. Saldana put his arm on the back of the couch and smiled. “I wonder if you’re willing to hand her to me?”
Tanner’s hand that was pouring froze, then he put the bottle down next to his hand. “You like this one?”
“Of course, she’s a pretty lady.” Mr. Saldana looked her up and down and touched his chin. “She’s different from the other girls I see here, she looks pretty decent. If she didn’t show up with you, I would have thought that she was from an affluent family, where did you find her?”
Pearl grabbed the wine glass tightly.
Tanner looked at her, and his eyes grew dark. “ As long as you’re happy with her.”
He drank all the wine in his glass. At that moment, two girls who worked at the club walked in, and Mr. Saldana asked them to sit next to Tanner. “Serve Mr. Hannigan well tonight.”
“Yes, sir.” The girls agreed.
During their conversation, the two women kept throwing themselves at Tanner and pouring wine for him. Tanner was neutral about it. Other than drinking, he mostly ignored the two women.
Mr. Saldana hugged Pearl and happily chatted as if she were his prized possession.
Pearl kept pouring alcohol for him and just kept quiet the entire time, she only forced a smile whenever Mr. Saldana looked at her.
Tanner slammed the glass down, which made everyone look at him.
Mr. Saldana was surprised.“Mr. Hannigan, what’s this?”
Tanner clenched his jaw and chuckled. “It’s getting late. I have to send her back.”
“Send her back?” Mr. Saldana was obviously upset when he put down his glass. “Mr.
Hannigan, are you telling me that you’re taking her away?”
‘She isn’t a gift for me?’
Tanner sat up straight and fixed his suit. “I want to let her stay, but she has a complicated background. I would be put in a tough spot if you took her away.”
Mr. Saldana was surprised and looked at the silent Pearl. “You mean to say that someone with a complicated background is escorting me?”
Tanner smiled. “If I brought a common woman, you’d probably not going to be happy, so I had to bring her.”
He slowly stood up and poured himself a glass, “I’m really sorry, Mr. Saldana.”
Mr. Saldana frowned. He wasn’t happy that what he thought was his was being taken away. “Mr. Hannigan, are you toying with me?”
Tanner smiled a little less. “I’m not toying with you, sir.” He looked at the light reflected in the drinks. “If Mr. Santiago knew that you have his daughter, it would be hard for US to explain if he questioned US.”
Mr. Saldana’s expression changed a little. He knew who Mr. Santiago was, the owner of La Perla Group. But he didn’t expect that this woman was his daughter!
But wasn’t she his ex-fiancee? How could he bring her over as an escort? That was toying.
No matter how brave he was, he wasn’t brave enough to take advantage of Ms. Santiago.
In the end, Pearl and Tanner left the private room with her walking behind him. She didn’t understand why Tanner was angry—she had followed his instructions and drunk with Mr. Saldana.
The Three Little Guardian Angels Chapter 1269
“Mr. Hannigan, I’ve followed your request—” Before Pearl could finish, he suddenly slapped her.
Her face turned, and she stood there on the spot. The slap wasn’t too hard, but it hit straight into her heart, which was already shattered in pieces.
Tanner grabbed her shoulder, pushed her against the wall, and looked toward a certain spot. He grabbed her face to force her to look at him. “Pearl, you’re just a broken shoe that nobody wants to wear, so don’t even think that you will ever escape me! ”
Pearl’s eyes welled up, but she held the tears back. Tanner looked away from her and pulled her into the elevator.
The man who was hiding in the dark immediately walked back into the private room after they left. He walked to Mr. Saldana. “Sir, it looks like the rumors were true. The marriage between the two didn’t work out because he thinks that Ms. Santiago is unwanted. He’s too reckless to make her an escort and even assaulted her outside. He warned that she won’t be able to escape him.”
Mr. Saldana frowned. “I thought he was just toying around with me, but it was actually Antonio’s daughter.”
He was worried that Tanner was playing games with him, so he had sent someone to follow them. He didn’t expect that he would treat Pearl so cruelly.
The man was curious. “Isn’t he afraid Mr. Santiago will do something to him?”
Mr. Saldan sniggered. “He probably has leverage over him. Tanner is a lot more cunning than his father. I wouldn’ t work with him if not because he was giving me a very good deal.”
In the car...
Pearl sat in the passenger’s seat, looking out the window. She didn’t move since she got in the car.
Tanner put on the turn signals and stopped in front of a convenience store. After a short wait, he came out with a medication box and handed it to her when he got in the car.
She didn’t take it.
Tanner grabbed her hand. “Are you throwing a tantrum?”
Pearl still didn’t reply and wouldn’t even look at him.
Tanner took a deep breath and grabbed her face. “You don’t want to go home anymore?”
Pearl pushed his hand away and looked at him with dead eyes. “Tanner, is torturing me not enough? You want to insult me too?”
He pressed his lips together and didn’t say anything.
Pearl’s eyes turned red. In the dark car, a tear fell somewhere he couldn’t see. “I never understood how I offended you. Do you think I caused Sandy’s death? It’s fine if you want to torture an evil woman like me, but there’s no need to slap me but then give me candy and continue insulting me.”
Tanner’s eyes were dark. “I told you never to mention Sandy.”
“I’m a person, not a rock.” Pearl looked down and held back her emotions. “I’ve done everything you asked, but you’re still unhappy about it. What do you want me to do? Do you want me to die?”
“Pearl Santiago!” he roared while he grabbed her face. “If you mention death again, I won’t let you have a good life, stop pushing me over the edge.”
She looked at him, and after a long time, her eyes slowly dimmed, then she smiled. “ Alright.”
Tanner was stunned.
Pearl took out the medication and applied it to her face.
Tanner’s heart started pounding when he saw that she was suddenly obeying. He wanted to touch her face, but he held back.
The Three Little Guardian Angels Chapter 1270
Tanner looked back, started the car, and drove away.
When they returned to the apartment, Pearl took a shower. When she was done, Tanner, who was smoking on the bed, crushed the cigarette bud in the ashtray. “You can go home tomorrow.”
He got up and walked toward her, then placed his hand on her cheeks and kissed her.
Pearl didn’t fight back but instead fell into his arms and made herself accept his kisses—her eyes were still empty.
He didn’t tie her up that night but instead kissed her when he felt like it. They were in a heated situation, but she just felt cold. She couldn’t see the sympathy in his eyes in the dark, and he couldn't see her hatred.
The next day, at the Santiagos...
Tanner sent Pearl there, and Mrs. Santiago walked quickly over after he got out of the car. “Pearl!”
She pulled her into a tight hug, her heart aching. “I’m sorry.” She let go of Pearl and touched her face. “You’ve lost so much weight. Are you unhappy?”
After she said that, she looked at Tanner, who had just gotten out of the car, with an angry expression.
Pearl looked away and said with a hoarse voice, “Mom, I’m alright, don’t worry about me.”
Mrs. Santiago saw how forced her daughter’s smile was and almost cried, she wasn't happy, and she could tell.
“Since you’re back, let’s not just stand around ...” She wanted to bring Pearl into the villa, but Pearl stood there and turned to look at
Tanner.
Mrs. Santiago saw how her daughter was still listening to Tanner even when she was at her own home and immediately scolded, “Mr. Hannigan, I’m happy that you sent my daughter home unharmed, but I’m guessing you wouldn't want to get involved with our reunion?”
Tanner smiled. “Of course not.” He walked to Pearl, hugged her by her shoulder, and leaned in. “I’ll come to get you in the afternoon.”
Pearl saw a warning in his eyes and didn’t answer, she then walked into the villa holding her mother’s arm.
At that moment, Tanner got a call from Helios and put his phone to his ear. “Hels, what’s up?”
Helios asked, “Are you free? Do you want to meet me at the equestrian club? I haven’t met you ever since I got married.”
Tanner got back into his car. “Alright, I’ll go over now.” After he hung up, he looked toward the villa and drove away.
Tanner parked his car at the equestrian club. There weren’t a lot of people there, only six or seven people riding their horses. There was an open-air cafe, and Helios sat there in his riding gear. He looked like he had just finished warming up.
Tanner walked over and pulled out a chair. “ Why did you suddenly want to meet up? Aren’t you busy?”
Helios asked for the server and watched while Tanner ordered a cup of coffee. “I have some free time today. I wanted to ask Louis, but he had to spend time with Ryleigh before the birth of their baby.”
Tanner was stunned. “Their baby is due?” “Yes, the due date is in these three days.” Helios slowly drank his coffee and then looked at him. “We’re all married now. What about you? I saw the news about Ms. Santiago and you a while ago.”
Tanner looked down with a slight change in his expression. “There’s nothing going on.”
The server brought the coffee over and put it down.
Helios looked at Tanner. “Mr. Santiago came to see me.”
Tanner placed the cup to his lips but paused and looked up. “when?”
“The day before yesterday.” Helios put his cup down while looking calm. “He said your wedding with Pearl has been called off, but there seems to be some misunderstanding between you two. He wanted me to talk to you.”