Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim (Angela and Dexter) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17 

“You’re so useless, Dexter. You can’t even help someone up properly! I still don’t know what Angie saw in you. Oh right, I was the one who arranged your marriage, after all. 

“Without my aid, how would you have been lucky enough to marry such a beautiful and outstanding wife like Angie? You should count your blessings…” 

Joseph went on and on, scolding Dexter endlessly. Dexter had no choice but to listen, and it 

was torturous. 

“Grandpa, don’t bother with him. Let’s go. I’ll make you your favorite bouillabaisse and grilled fish.” Angela took Joseph’s arm and led him away, giving Dexter an exaggerated eyeroll over her shoulder as she went. 

Dexter was furious, yet he had nowhere to vent. 

That night, Angela retreated to her bedroom early and locked the door. With Joseph gone, she had temporarily lost her protector and couldn’t afford to provoke Dexter too much. 

“Mrs. Bamford, Mr. Bamford has gone out. You’re free to come out.” Donna’s voice came from the other side of the door. 

Angela felt a rush of relief but remained cautious. She peered through the peephole and saw that there was indeed only Donna outside. Instantly, she relaxed upon learning that Dexter wasn’t around. 

“Where did he go?” she asked as she stepped into the living room. 

Donna shrugged and replied, “I heard someone arranged a last–minute gathering and invited Mr. Bamford over. I don’t know the details.” 

“Who cares,” Angela muttered. 

Suddenly, an idea came to her. “Donna, I’ll write you a list–please buy these items for me as quickly as possible.” 

Sometimes, when inspiration struck, she had to draw immediately, or the moment would pass. Angela had been in an excellent creative state lately. She had just come up with an idea for her latest artwork. 

It would be a portrait of Joseph. Angela intended to give it to him to make him happy. 

Donna returned quickly with everything on the list. 

Angela took a shower and changed into her pajamas. She set up her new streaming equipment on her desk and spread out the paper. 

It was going to be a long night. 

Chapter 17 

+25 BONUS 

At Mystique Bar, Zayn had reserved the largest private room to celebrate his birthday with a dozen close friends. 

At first, Dexter hadn’t been planning on going. But when Zayn had mentioned that Elena would be there, he had shown up. 

“Come on, happy birthday to me!” Zayn raised his glass, toasting everyone present. 

The others stood up with their glasses in unison, except for Dexter, who remained seated. 

Zayn didn’t mind at all–merely having Dexter present was already a great honor. 

“Happy birthday, Zayn. Hopefully, you’ll find your special someone this year.” Elena handed him a pair of limited–edition headphones that was quite expensive. 

Zayn’s face lit up with delight. “Thanks, Elena darling. Love you!” 

Elena’s face stiffened, and she glanced instinctively at Dexter, who happened to look up was steady just then. Their eyes met, and his gaze was steady and cold. 

Somewhat flustered, she responded with a laugh, “Who’s your darling? Don’t speak 

nonsense.‘ 

Zayn laughed it off and sat down to open his other gifts. 

“Hey, what are you guys looking at?” Zayn noticed a few of his friends huddled in the corner and staring at something on their phones. 

“There’s a streamer painting live right now. It’s pretty interesting,” one friend replied casually. 

Zayn snatched the phone and plopped down on the couch. The others crowded around him. 

On the screen was just a tabletop and a pair of delicate, fair hands. The streamer didn’t speak, and only the sound of the brush could be heard in the background. There was the occasional chime of the viewers sending her a live gift. 

“What’s so interesting about this? Sure, her hands look soft and fair. Can you imagine how smooth they must feel?” Zayn commented, handing the phone to Dexter. 

Dexter took the phone and glanced at the screen, where the pair of hands was working intently. His expression suddenly shifted, and he sat up straighter. 

Upon seeing this, the others thought Dexter was interested in the streamer. They all pulled out their phones and flooded the streamer’s live room with gifts. Instantly, gift emojis -filled the screen. 

The streamer was stunned for a second before she chuckled. Her voice then came through 

[} +25 BONUS 

Chapter 17. 

the speakers. “Thank you so much, everyone.” 

Her voice sounded modified, but it was unmistakably a gentle female voice. 

“Oh, she’s got the right vibe–beautiful art, and a sweet voice. I bet she’s gorgeous too,” one of them commented. 

None of them noticed Dexter’s expression growing darker by the second. He toyed with his phone wordlessly and drank another glass of wine. 

Elena noticed his odd behavior and sat beside him. “What’s wrong, Dexter? You seem 

upset. 

She, too, had sensed something unusual. The decor in the streamer’s room looked suspiciously like that of the room in Bamford Estate. So, she suspected that the person streaming was Angela. 

“Nothing,” Dexter replied indifferently. 

Though Elena was a close friend, he wasn’t interested in airing his family’s dirty laundry. 

Taking a sip of her drink, Elena casually suggested, “Why don’t you invite Angela to join us, Dexter? It’s been a long time since she’s been out, and it’s Zayn’s birthday. It would be fun for everyone.” 

Everyone fell silent and didn’t know what to say to her suggestion. They all knew how Dexter disliked Angela and rarely acknowledged her. Only Elena dared to bring it up.