Chapter 465 Does It Hurt? I'll Be Gentle
The Taylor Villa was comfortably warm, like a spring day.
The butler followed Daniel's instructions and brought out the first aid kit.
Daniel asked a servant to tend to Margaret's wounds, but the butler explained that all the servants were off today. He then looked at Margaret and told her that Daniel could handle it.
And he did a pretty good job.
Daniel knew the butler was giving him a chance to be alone with Margaret.
Once the butler left, the atmosphere turned awkward.
Daniel's gaze fell on Margaret.
At some point, she had taken off her down jacket and was now wearing a tight black turtleneck sweater, tucked into wide-leg jeans.
Her slim waist and elegant figure were unmistakable, exuding the grace of a lady of high society.
Her long hair cascaded casually over her shoulders.
Despite the bruise and swelling on her forehead, she didn't look disheveled at all.
Daniel tried to control the flutter in his heart, but just one glance made his cheeks burn, and he struggled to keep his composure.
Afraid she might notice, he shifted his gaze to the coffee table and awkwardly cleared his throat. He knew Margaret always put Raymond's feelings first.
He didn't want to make things difficult for her.
"Let's go to the hospital," Daniel suggested.
Margaret replied, "You can bandage me up."
Surprised, he looked back at her. "What?"
"Is it too forward? I just think it's a minor injury, no need to go to the hospital," Margaret said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
Daniel thought she didn't want to go to the hospital and said, "I can have my family doctor come here."
The room fell silent.
Daniel, worried she might misunderstand, quickly explained, "Aren't you afraid Raymond will get the wrong idea?"
"People who are innocent have nothing to fear. You and I are just friends. Besides, Raymond isn't the same as he used to be. His mind is on another woman now; he wouldn't misunderstand."
Daniel opened the first aid kit, his defined fingers picking up a cotton swab, alcohol, and ointment.
It was the first time Daniel had been so close to her. He leaned in and gently brushed aside the hair on her forehead.
His face felt like it was on fire.
But he had to act like it didn't bother him, like it was no big deal.
He dipped the cotton swab in alcohol and carefully dabbed it on her wound, using the lightest touch.
Margaret still winced in pain.
"Sorry, I'll be gentler," Daniel said, frowning as he meticulously disinfected her wound.
Margaret kept her eyes down, not looking at him.
Her mind was consumed with thoughts of Raymond not believing her, calling her shameless, and throwing her into the police station. She couldn't shake the despair and loneliness.
A few minutes later, she heard Daniel say, "All done."
Her thoughts snapped back to the present.
She looked up to see Daniel sitting at the other end of the couch, screwing the cap back on the ointment.
"Mr. Taylor, thank you for today. I'm sorry for the trouble," Margaret said gratefully.
Daniel paused, then looked up, his gaze landing on the bandage on her forehead. "Who did this to you?"
"What?" Margaret asked.
Sensing she didn't understand, he clarified, "Who hurt you like this?"
It was another painful topic.
Margaret wasn't about to rehash old wounds—some things were better left buried.
She also didn't want Daniel to worry, so she forced a nonchalant smile. "It's in the past."
"Ms. Hughes, as my friend staying in my home, I have a responsibility to ensure your safety. If I don't address this, what will people think of me?" Daniel said, frowning, his eyes dark.
Margaret hadn't expected her injury to be about him.
Noticing she didn't respond, Daniel pressed, "Are you going to tell me, or should I find out myself? It wouldn't be hard."
"If I tell you, will you promise not to make things difficult for Raymond?" Margaret hesitated before speaking.
Daniel laughed angrily. "Raymond did this to you?"
"No, but it has to do with him. Daniel, please, for my sake, don't trouble Raymond."
In the end, Daniel reluctantly agreed.
Only then did Margaret recount the events of the morning in detail.
The more he listened, the angrier Daniel became. "He's blind to this extent, and you're still defending him?"
"You told me to have faith in the person I like, remember?" Margaret retorted.
He was taken aback. He had said that to encourage her, not expecting her to use it against him.
Margaret defended Raymond, "He's gone gray because of me. Now he's in the late stages of leukemia. He's a patient. Daniel, I know you mean well and want to stand up for me. But it's not his fault, is it? It's Sarah's fault. He was just deceived. Ignorance is not a crime."
Daniel stared at her, both angry at her foolishness and pained by her situation.
For the first time, he saw Margaret's sharp tongue, and it was all for Raymond.
A surge of anger rose in his throat. He stayed silent, grabbed his suit jacket, and prepared to leave.
Margaret panicked and blocked his way. "You promised not to make things difficult for him. You won't go back on your word, right?"
"Do you really think I'm that untrustworthy?" Daniel asked with a gentlemanly smile.
She waved her hands. "No, of course not."
"Get some rest. I have a case to discuss," Daniel reassured her.
Margaret eyed him warily. "You're not going to trouble Raymond, are you?"
"If you don't believe me, Margaret, you can come with me."
With that, Margaret stopped doubting and stepped aside. "Be safe."
"Margaret, are you worried about me?"
"What?"
Daniel's eyes softened, a gentle smile playing on his lips. He draped his suit jacket over his arm. "You rarely show such concern for me."
He felt wonderful to be cared for by Margaret.
Just a few words from her could calm his anger.
Descending the spiral staircase, Daniel walked out and got into his Maserati. As the car drove out of the gate, he gripped the steering wheel with one hand and dialed Raymond's number.
The call was answered immediately.
"Where are you?" Daniel asked curtly.
Raymond's voice was slurred with alcohol. "At the apartment."
"I'm coming over. Leave the door open."
About ten minutes later, Daniel arrived at Raymond's apartment.
The place was pitch dark.
No lights were on.
As soon as Daniel walked in, he was hit by the strong smell of red wine.
He turned on the lights, flooding the room with brightness.
Raymond was lounging on the couch in a dark green robe, lazily holding a wine glass. He looked lonely.
Empty wine bottles were scattered across the plain carpet.
Seeing Raymond's relaxed demeanor, Daniel thought of the pain and suffering Margaret had endured. His suppressed anger flared up again. He strode over to Raymond, snatched the wine glass from his hand, and smashed it on the floor.
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