Chapter 254 The Warmth Between Husband and Wife
As James made his way back to Lindwood City, Uriah stood on the golf course, his swing a study in effortless grace. He watched with satisfaction as the ball sailed through the air, landing directly in the hole. "Well? Did you send them?" he asked, turning to his subordinate, who stood rigidly at attention.
"Yes, Mr. Perry. The photos have been sent. Jennifer likely has them by now."
"Good." Uriah removed his sunglasses, a slow smile spreading across his handsome face. His tall, athletic build and undeniable charisma drew admiring glances from the cluster of socialites gathered nearby.
He bore a passing resemblance to Jared, but their personalities were worlds apart. Where Jared was impulsive and hot-headed, Uriah exuded an aura of calculated ruthlessness.
"Jared is a fool to have resorted to such crude tactics," Uriah mused, his tone laced with disdain. "There are far more effective ways to deal with someone like James. Brute force is so... pedestrian."
His smile widened, but it held no warmth, only a chilling amusement. "James is an enigma. Exceptional medical skills, undeniable power, and yet he chooses to remain tethered to the Johnson family. Curious, isn't it? And let's not forget his rejection of Ms. Jackson's offer. Such a wasted opportunity."
He spoke softly, his words directed as much to his subordinate as to himself. Despite the smile playing on his lips, an unsettling intensity radiated from him, making those around him subtly shift uncomfortably as a sense of unease settled in.
"No one crosses the Perry family and walks away unscathed," Uriah murmured, his gaze hardening as he gestured for the visibly nervous Endymion to lie down.
Endymion didn't need to be told twice. He prostrated himself on the manicured grass, his body trembling.
Uriah placed a golf ball on Endymion's trembling lips. "Please, Mr. Perry," Endymion whimpered through his pursed lips, his voice tight with terror. "I was wrong. I'll have your money within three days, I swear!"
Uriah pressed a firm foot on Endymion's chest, pinning him down. "Shhh," he whispered, his voice deceptively calm. "Don't move."
The air crackled with a strange energy, an unmistakable shift that sent chills down the spines of those watching. Uriah's demeanor was reminiscent of a cinematic villain, exuding a chilling blend of charm and menace.
Endymion lay paralyzed with fear, his eyes squeezed shut, teeth clenched. He knew better than to resist. Uriah's reputation preceded him, and defiance only led to a more brutal punishment.
Uriah stepped back, raising his club high above his head. With a swift, powerful swing, he struck the golf ball, sending it soaring through the air. A sickening crunch echoed across the green as the ball collided with Endymion's teeth, shattering them and erupting his mouth in a spray of blood.
Uriah didn't move, his gaze fixed on the ball as it landed a good fifteen feet from the hole. He shook his head, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face before he finally stepped off Endymion.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he wiped the bloodstained club on Endymion's shirt. "Three days," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Find a way, or the consequences will be far less pleasant. Now, disappear."
Endymion scrambled to his feet, clamping a hand over his mangled mouth. He mumbled a hasty thanks and scurried away, desperate to escape Uriah's chilling presence.
The socialites, far from being repulsed, seemed even more enamored with Uriah, their gazes filled with a mixture of fear and fascination.
Uriah's smile returned, a touch predatory. "James," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else, "I may have lost that little game at the banquet, but this time, I expect a challenge. Don't disappoint me."
Meanwhile, James parked the car and made his way towards the clinic. He paused at the entrance, taking a deep breath and rubbing his face to erase any lingering traces of last night's revelry before stepping inside.
A young resident, spotting him, froze, his eyes widening in awe. "Dr. Smith!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration. "You're back!"
The resident had been glued to the live stream of the medical conference, closely watching James's every move. He had been utterly captivated, especially by James's closing speech on the future of traditional medicine. James had become his idol overnight.
James offered a polite nod and a smile before continuing towards Jennifer's office.
Jennifer had just finished seeing her last patient and was reviewing some charts when she bumped into a solid figure. "Hey!" she exclaimed, frowning in annoyance. "Who let you barge in here without knocking?"
She looked up, ready to unleash her irritation, but the words died on her lips. Her eyes widened as she recognized the familiar face, a wave of surprise washing over her. "James?" she stammered. "When did you get back?"
Standing before her, with a warm smile lighting up his face, was James.
He had actually arrived a few minutes earlier, slipping into the office quietly so as not to disturb her. Standing there in silence, he watched her work with a sense of contentment, feeling a peaceful calm settle over him.
"Just now," he replied, his smile fading as he noticed the dark circles under her eyes and the faint lines of fatigue etched on her face. "You look exhausted. Didn't you sleep well last night?"
Jennifer averted her gaze, flustered by his concern. "Oh, it was a bit warm last night," she mumbled, offering a flimsy excuse. "Couldn't sleep a wink."
Her unconvincing act did little to fool James. He knew the office was air-conditioned, and besides, autumn had arrived, bringing with it cool, comfortable nights.
"Really?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. "The weather has been quite pleasant lately, don't you think?"
He studied her, noticing a faint blush creeping up her neck. It wasn't anger he saw in her eyes, but something else entirely... shyness?
Jennifer had indeed barely slept the night before. She had only managed to catch a few winks between five and six in the morning, and the exhaustion was catching up to her. She had already stifled several yawns throughout the morning.
"You were amazing yesterday," she blurted out, changing the subject. She snuck a quick glance at him before quickly looking away again. "I watched the whole thing on TV."
Her flustered demeanor brought a playful grin to James's lips. He stepped closer, his voice laced with amusement. "So, where's my reward?"
The proximity and the warmth of his gaze sent her pulse racing. She feigned annoyance, hoping to mask her excitement and her racing heart. "Must you always expect a reward?" she retorted, trying to sound stern.
Her attempt at acting only made him chuckle. "Hey, I brought honor to the world of traditional medicine," he teased. "As a fellow practitioner, don't I deserve a little something for my efforts?"
Jennifer's cheeks burned. It wasn't that she was opposed to the idea, but they were at the clinic, in broad daylight, and she had a mountain of paperwork awaiting her attention..
"I need to get back to work," she said shyly.
"Wait a minute," James quickly said.
"What is it?" Jennifer asked, puzzled.
James gently pushed Jennifer into a chair and said with a smile, "Now that I'm back, you should rest well. Leave the clinic's work to me."
Jennifer stared at him, speechless. His smile held a hint of playful authority, and she found herself strangely compelled to obey. A wave of warmth spread through her, chasing away the fatigue. She nodded, unable to suppress a small smile.
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