Chapter 187: Chapter 187

As soon as Maxwell finished speaking, he felt her fingers press forcefully on his wound.

A muffled groan escaped from his mouth, and his complexion instantly changed. Damn it, when he said it didn't hurt, it was without someone pressing on it. Could it not hurt when she pressed down with such force?

"Do you know it hurts? If you do, please use civilized language in the future, especially when dealing with girls." Flora removed her hand from his body, and tore off some tissue to wipe it, completely ignoring how dissatisfied he was. Then, as he got up, she threw his shirt onto him.

Maxwell took the shirt grudgingly, put it on, and wore a dark expression without saying a word.

Flora, seeing him in this state, chuckled and said, "Alright, you can go back to your work now." She knew he was busy managing two companies, and just seeing him was satisfying enough for her.

Maxwell looked at her with confusion. Was she letting him off so easily? This didn't seem like her style. However, he didn't plan to return to the company after coming here. Ignoring her for the past two days was already a kind of punishment, and it was time to return to normal.

What he didn't want to tell her was that he wanted to stay and accompany her. However, imitating her, he plucked a rose and started dropping petals, glancing at her sideways. "If you want me to stay, I'll stay. If you want me to leave, I'll leave. Wouldn't I lose face otherwise?"

Flora paused, realizing she might have been too kind. Humph! When her gaze fell on his hands, she exclaimed, "Hey! What are you doing plucking my rose? You haven't even given me a single blade of chives, and yet you have the nerve to ruin my flowers?"

"It's just a bouquet. What's so precious about flowers?" Maxwell disdainfully threw the rose he held into the trash.

"Kevin sent it," Flora blurted out without thinking. After saying it, she realized she might have said too much. She saw his face turn green, and his blue eyes immediately shot towards her like knives.

Instinctively, Flora shrank her neck and hurriedly explained, "Uh... he just came to see me for a moment and left in less than twenty minutes. Don't believe me? Ask Bella and Lily."

With a 'whoosh,' the sound of a bouquet being thrown into the trash bin echoed. Maxwell glared at her with a dark face and questioned, "What did he come here for? When did he come?"

Flora raised her head and whispered, "I told you, he just came to see me for a moment. He came the same day I was admitted to the hospital."

"He sent you flowers, and you didn't know to refuse them?" Maxwell was furious, full of jealousy and baseless accusations.

Flora muttered quietly, "It's the first time someone has sent me flowers. I got excited and accepted them." She had only accepted a bouquet from Kevin. Did he have to be so angry? If he was capable, he could send her a bouquet himself!

Maxwell grabbed her arm in frustration, glaring at her. "Is that what you want? How many do you want? I'll buy them for you so that you don't casually treat another man's flowers as treasures."

Flora was momentarily stunned, feeling a bit hurt. She shook off his hand, glared back at him, and said, "Maxwell! Just because you have money, does that make you superior? Do you even understand the true meaning behind what I want with it? So what if you have a temper? Does that give you the right to insult me?"

Tears of grievance swirled in her eyes. She didn't like shedding tears, so she always managed to hold them back. Then, pushing him away, she walked quickly towards the door in her patient gown.

Maxwell stood on the crushed bouquet, dazed and stunned. For a moment, he couldn't figure out what had happened. Everything was fine just now, how did they suddenly start quarreling again? And why did he manage to upset her and make her run away?

Was it because he cared too much about her, so he minded Kevin sending her flowers? Kevin had always been ambiguous with Flora, even showing concern for her whereabouts when she went missing. Could this sentiment be understood as that of ordinary friends?

Darren stood by the door and cautiously asked, "Big Young Master, what happened?"

Maxwell shook his head, "Nothing. Where is she?" Turning around, he looked at Darren.

Darren glanced in the direction of the restroom, "I saw her running towards the public restroom; she should be there."

"Call Bella and Lily to check on her," Maxwell instructed, walking out of the ward.

Bella and Lily, who had just gone to find someone, hurried back, anxious, "I didn't see Miss Flora in the public restroom. I don't know where she went."

Maxwell felt a sudden sense of alarm and instinctively hurried toward the direction of the elevator. This woman, at this time, still wandering around! Didn't she know that Yota Gang might capture her again?

Rushing out of the hospital gate, scanning through the crowd, he couldn't find Flora. His anxiety grew, not knowing where she might be. Had she left the hospital?

If she left the hospital, where would she go? She seemed to have few friends outside, and even if she did, they would likely be at work now. She wouldn't go back to the White Family for sure. He was in a state of panic! Just two days ago, he was tormented by this anxious feeling, and now, after a brief respite, it had returned. He wanted to beat himself up for it!

Flora stormed out in anger, standing at the crossroads near the hospital. She gazed aimlessly at the myriad of roads, unsure of where to go.

Should she go back to the hospital and endure more insults from him? No way. But... she glanced down at herself, clad in a hospital gown, not even having two dollars for bus fare. Even if she wanted to leave, where could she go?

Through teary eyes, she observed the hurried pedestrians. Summoning courage, she reached out and grabbed a seemingly kind-hearted man. Tearfully, she pleaded, "Sir, could you spare a dollar for a phone call?"

The man, taken aback, looked at her injured hand and hospital attire. Touched by pity, he fished out two coins from his pocket, handed them to her, and hurriedly retreated, as if she were a crazy person who might harm him.

Grateful, Flora watched his retreating figure and then walked to the newsstand. With that dollar, she called Chloe. Then, she crouched in an inconspicuous corner, waiting. At this moment, Chloe was the only person she could think of.

Fifteen minutes later, a familiar fiery red sports car 'swooshed' to a stop in front of Flora.

Chloe got out, surveyed the disheveled Flora, and exclaimed, "Flora, what happened? Why are you dressed like this, and what's wrong with your hand?" Questions poured out of her mouth like rapid-fire.

"Can we please leave this place?" Flora stood up from the ground and walked into Chloe's car.

Chloe got back into the car, started the engine, and drove away. While driving, she kept glancing at Flora's tearful face in the rearview mirror. She asked again, "What happened? Did Mr. Maxwell bully you?"

Normally, women in such a state have been bullied by a man. They looked lost, distressed, and pitiful. But didn't she often hear her laughing and joking on the phone recently? Why did she call crying today?

Flora nodded, confirming. It was indeed Maxwell who had bullied her, not just once!

Seeing her nod, Chloe erupted into a furious tirade, "Those bastards! Not a single decent person among them. Flora, just stay at my place and ignore him. Let's see how arrogant he can be. Show him some backbone!"

Seeing Chloe pounding the steering wheel in agitation, Flora comforted her, "Chloe, calm down, and be careful driving." Seeing Chloe's adorable appearance, her mood suddenly brightened a bit.

The car slowly entered the yard that Flora was familiar with and came to a stop. Auntie Grace came out, planning to ask Chloe why she had suddenly returned. However, upon seeing Flora in the passenger seat, she exclaimed, "Flora? Is it really you?"

It had been several months since she last saw Flora. She had only heard about her from Chloe and knew that she had been restricted and couldn't move freely. Today, seeing her again, Auntie Grace was naturally shocked.

"Auntie Grace, hello." Flora greeted with a tone full of apologies. She had left without even saying hello to Auntie Grace before, leaving dramatically. Today, she returned just as dramatically, again without a greeting. She felt incredibly selfish!

"Hey, get out of the car quickly." Auntie Grace pulled her out of the car, looking at her in astonishment. "Why are you dressed like this? Just out of the hospital? Oh, your belly is so big. Oh, what happened to your hand..."

Flora was dumbfounded by the series of questions, while Chloe rolled her eyes in exasperation, saying, "Mom, she had a breakup. Take care of her; I need to get back to work." The car drove off, leaving her words to dissipate in the wind.

Auntie Grace, still holding Flora, led her into the house and bombarded her with concerned inquiries. Flora answered listlessly. Feeling tired, she went back to her old room and fell asleep.

Flora had never thought of escaping from Maxwell's grasp because she knew she couldn't escape. When a person escapes, the heart cannot. Despite knowing that Maxwell was likely to find this place, she didn't hide any further.

So, when it got dark, she heard the unmistakable sound of a car engine. Chloe, who was having dinner, eagerly ran out. At a glance, she saw the Porsche parked at the gate and exclaimed, "Wow! Whose car mistakenly entered our gate? Come in quickly." She didn't forget to swing the gate wide open to match her genuine invitation.

The driver's door of the Porsche was pushed open by Darren. He circled the front to the passenger seat, opened the door, and carried out a bouquet of 999 fragrant champagne roses. He walked straight to Chloe and stood before her.

Chloe widened her eyes, pointed at herself in disbelief, and said, "For me? Handsome... I might faint."

Darren smiled faintly, amusingly saying, "Miss, please don't faint. Could you please take me to find Miss Flora? Thank you."

What! He was looking for Flora! Chloe was genuinely about to faint this time. She sized him up and asked, "Are you Mr. Maxwell?" Well, he looked pretty good, with a hint of elegance. How did he turn Flora into this?

"Miss, you've misunderstood. I'm just Mr. Maxwell's driver; Mr. Maxwell is in the car." Darren answered with a good temper, thinking that if she saw Mr. Maxwell, she would be scared to death.

"Oh... too ashamed to show his face, huh? Follow me." Chloe glanced in the direction of the car, sarcastically saying as she turned, leading Darren into the house.

Inside the car, a pair of deep eyes observed everything outside the window, feeling somewhat anxious and nervous. Would Flora forgive him for this unintentional mistake? Would she come back with him?

Hearing the car, Flora knew it was Maxwell who had arrived. However, she, sitting at the dining table and having her meal, didn't go outside. She continued to eat, her heart pounding like a rabbit, both anticipating and dreading seeing him again.

These conflicting emotions entwined in her heart. Then, catching a whiff of the scent of roses, she heard Darren's voice, "Miss Flora, hello." Darren forced himself to greet her. He had never tried to please a woman so much in his life, but now, he had to help his master chase after a girl. It felt so wrong and unfair!

Flora looked up, unable to see Darren's face because it was blocked by a large bunch of champagne-colored roses. Such a large bouquet of roses?! Flora and Auntie Grace were both astonished.

Auntie Grace hurriedly stood up from the dining table, walked to Darren's side, and kindly suggested, "Oh, Sir, you look almost unable to carry them. Just put them on the floor for now."

"Thank you." Darren put down the still excessively large bouquet, feeling relieved. It was exhausting!

Flora was surprised, most of all by how Maxwell knew she liked the elegant champagne roses. He bought her a bunch of roses, thinking she just wanted them? Ridiculous! Purely an act of extravagance!

"Miss Flora, Big Young Master has come to apologize to you. He can't show himself right now and is waiting for you in the car." Darren respectfully informed Flora, sighing inwardly as he knew he had to start persuading again, despite having no experience and not knowing how to do it.

Flora glanced disapprovingly at Darren and coldly said, "Please return this garbage to him; I don't want it! Also, tell him to get lost. I, this casually flirtatious and despicable woman, am afraid of sullying him. I won't go back with him."

Indeed, at the moment, these things were considered garbage in her eyes—trash he used to insult her. If it was a heartfelt gesture, even a small leaf would be beautiful and exciting.

After speaking, she raised her leg as if to crush the roses scattered on the ground. However, Chloe, quick to react, grabbed her, urgently saying, "Hey... if you don't want them, just give them to me. I can sell them for a few thousand."

Money worshipper! Flora rolled her eyes without hiding her disdain. He hadn't changed a bit, still so fond of money after all this time!

Darren scratched his head, awkwardly explaining, "Miss Flora, Big Young Master said those things because he was too nervous about you. Please forgive him this time. He personally came to apologize to you."

"Is this all he's using?" Flora pointed at the roses, sneering. Then, she pushed Darren towards the door with all her strength, annoyed as she said, "Get out immediately, tell him to leave. He's not welcome here!"

"Hey... Miss Flora," Darren exclaimed, turning around, only to find that the front door had slammed shut. He had no choice but to walk out of the yard and look apologetically at Maxwell in the back seat, "Sorry, Big Young Master, I couldn't handle it."

Maxwell stared at the tightly closed door, took a deep breath, and calmly said, "Arrange a few people to protect her nearby; let's go back."

This little girl had learned to defy him, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to placate her. In the past, a hug and a few comforting words would quickly resolve any issue. Unexpectedly, this time, she had forcefully driven Darren away. Did he have to show up in person to bring her back?

However, since she liked staying here, let her stay for a few nights. She often complained about wanting to come over and play; now, let her enjoy herself, because the upcoming dull days would be tough for her.

Inside the house, Flora heard the sound of the car departing and suddenly felt a sense of loss. Wasn't it she who had driven him away? Now that he was gone, she felt even sadder.

A woman's mind was always like this—thinking about him but pretending to be indifferent.

Chloe, squatting in the flower bed and arranging the roses, saw her in a daze and nonchalantly shouted, "Hey, Flora, don't be sad. Dealing with men should be like this, give them a taste, or they'll never learn. Follow my lead from now on, make him anxious, make him go crazy, and see if he dares next time!"

Flora smiled bitterly. He would be anxious, he would go crazy! But not because of her, but because of the baby in her belly. In his heart and eyes, wasn't it all about this child? Originally, she had no right to be angry or do anything, but ever since she had this child, she had taken advantage of everything, including confronting him and enjoying his indulgence.

Within the Smith Family mansion, Chiyoko noticed that Maxwell had been coming home every day recently. While she felt joy in her heart, she couldn't help but have some doubts. What happened between him and Flora? Did something happen?

She heard from Philip that these days they couldn't find Flora's whereabouts, and she wasn't staying in the apartment either. Strange!

Amid of her confusion, she heard Mrs. Smith downstairs expressing the doubts in her heart, "Maxwell, you've been acting unusual these days, and you haven't been staying outside. Did something happen? Did you quarrel with Flora?"

Maxwell took a sip of the coffee and smiled, shaking his head, "No, she's been visiting a friend's house lately, so she doesn't need me to accompany her." Living in the village where Chloe resided was relatively safe, and he felt more at ease.

Coincidentally, the company was busy with several cases these days, and he was scheduled to go to Japan tomorrow. He couldn't find the time to figure out how to coax her back immediately. He planned to wait until the cases were somewhat settled in a few days and then go fetch her. Of course, he couldn't let her stay in the apartment anymore!

Chiyoko held her breath, waiting for Mrs. Smith to ask Maxwell which friend's house Flora was visiting. Unfortunately, Mrs. Smith didn't continue the inquiry. She sighed, nodded slightly, and fell silent.

There was no choice but to ask Philip to speed up the search for her whereabouts; otherwise, once Maxwell brought Flora back to the Smith Family mansion, there might not be another chance. They would have to rely on her to take action personally, and it wasn't certain that they could touch her then.