The silence stretched on until they arrived home.
By the time they got there, dinner had already been set out by the butler. The white candles flickered in elegant candelabras, casting a soft, warm light over the meal.
Henrik pulled out a chair, his eyes locking onto Khloe as he motioned for her to sit. She walked over without hesitation, taking her seat, and only then did Henrik settle into his own chair beside her.
The butler approached with the wine, but Henrik waved him off, taking the bottle into his own hands. The butler, understanding the unspoken message, nodded and instructed the rest of the staff to leave the room.
Soon, the house was quiet, with only Henrik and Khloe remaining.
The air thickened with tension as Henrik broke the silence. “You ended up at the police station today and didn’t think to call me?”
Khloe flashed a quick, apologetic smile before replying, “It was just a little trouble, nothing serious. I could handle it on my own, and I didn’t want to bother you.”
Henrik’s gaze was steady as he replied, “You didn’t want to bother me, but you allowed Clinton to get involved?”
So, this was all about Henrik’s possessiveness. Khloe took a sip of her red wine and explained, “Clinton happened to be there; I didn’t ask for his help.”
Though it hadn’t been planned, the moment Khloe saw Free at the police station, she had sensed some intentions. She had allowed Clinton’s involvement on purpose, knowing it would serve her plans to retaliate against the Watson family more effectively.
Henrik leaned in slightly, his commanding presence filling the space around Khloe. His voice was deep and smooth, yet carried a subtle pressure. “Khloe, I’m not here to judge your methods, but I hope you’re being careful. Clinton’s far more cunning and manipulative than Eric.”
He was warning her against using herself as bait.
Khloe tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze, and replied with determination, “I know exactly what I’m doing.”
At her stubbornness, Henrik sighed, a hint of helplessness in his breath. He reached out, gently brushing his fingers through her hair in a soft, reassuring gesture. “I know you have your own plans, but I can’t help worrying about you.”
Khloe paused, surprised by the tenderness in his touch, and the tension in her body eased just a little. “Don’t worry. I won’t put myself in a situation I can’t get out of,” she said, her voice less resolute.
Henrik nodded, his hand gliding from her hair to her cheek, stroking it. “Promise me, when danger strikes, you’ll come to me first. Don’t forget, you’re my fiancee.”
Khloe bit her lip, pausing for a moment before finally nodding. “Okay.”
It was only then that Henrik gave a small smile. Khloe felt the warmth of his palm against her skin, and her heart began to race uncontrollably. She pushed his hand away.
“Alright, stop treating me like I’m your pet. There’s nothing between Clinton and me, and there won’t be. Today’s situation was complicated. Having Clinton’s help sped up the process of tarnishing Sloane’s reputation in elite circles. After today, the battle for the Watson family’s heir will only intensify. I believe you will enjoy it.”
“You’ve always been sharp.” Henrik chuckled. “With you in the mix, this family feud is going to get even more interesting.”
Khloe raised an eyebrow. “Of course, I won’t let you down.”
Henrik gazed at her with an intense look, a barely-there smile tugging at his lips. “Eat before it gets cold. I want to take you somewhere after dinner.”
After they finished their meal, Khloe still had no idea where Henrik was taking her.
They were at Henrik’s home, now mostly unoccupied except for Fiona, who stayed behind to maintain the house.
As they strolled through the backyard garden, they reached a wall with an archway that opened up to an artificial lake beyond. Khloe’s heart skipped a beat, knowing what was on the other side.
Once they passed through, Henrik whistled, and the calm lake suddenly erupted into waves. A group of crocodiles emerged, their dark, heavy forms writhing as they made their way towards them.
Khloe’s legs instinctively went weak. If Henrik weren’t with her, she’d have run off without hesitation. Although she was brave, being this close to such dangerous creatures still unsettled her.
As the crocodiles spotted them, they opened their mouths wide. Just as Khloe’s heart raced, the crocodiles abruptly stopped, halting a few meters away from Henrik, their mouths still agape.
Khloe stared at Henrik in disbelief as he stood tall. The lead crocodile, as if sensing something, took several steps back. Were these crocodiles actually afraid of him?
The crocodiles, even the smallest, stretched three to four meters in length, easily large enough to overpower an adult if they were in the wild.
At that moment, Henrik grabbed a few pieces of pork from a nearby bucket and tossed them in front of him.
Instantly, the crocodiles showed their predatory nature, fiercely fighting for the scraps of meat. Henrik gave Khloe a glance and motioned for her to come closer.
As she stepped forward, a few of the crocodiles turned their heads to eye her, their gazes full of hostility.
Without warning, he grabbed her hand. “Ever wanted to touch a crocodile? Well, here’s your chance!”
Khloe was stunned. Touch a crocodile? Was he out of his mind?
But Henrik was unfazed, pulling her along with no hesitation. He kicked the most aggressive crocodile, the one that looked the most threatening, and it bared its massive jaws, glaring at them with fierce eyes.
Khloe instinctively wanted to flee, but Henrik yanked her back, wrapping an arm tightly around her to hold her in place. “You were fearless just a moment ago. What’s changed?”
Khloe’s usual calm and graceful demeanor cracked, and she shot a furious glare at the man in front of her. So this was why he’d brought her here-to teach her a lesson.
Refusing to back down, Khloe snapped, “I didn’t realize that a big shot like you had a hobby of bringing girls to see crocodiles!”
Henrik’s lips curved into a small smile, and he let out a whistle. The previously aggressive crocodile suddenly lowered its front paws, shut its mouth, and obediently settled down on the ground.
Once again, Khloe was left speechless.
Despite its companions desperately fighting for the meat nearby, the crocodile Henrik had singled out controlled its hunger, lying there like a well-trained pet.
Henrik tapped its nose, and in response, its jaws opened again, as if waiting to be inspected.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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