He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives (Ford and Sylvia) novel Chapter 16

Chase’s punches hadn’t broken him, but Sylvia’s slap shattered Ford’s spirit completely.

With bloodshot eyes, he stared at her in disbelief. “He started it! Why didn’t you even ask before you…”

sylvia looked at him like it was obvious. “What do I care if you get hit? You hurt my friend, and I won’t stand for it.”

If you’re angry and want to vent, go ahead and hit me.”

It’s not like you haven’t done it before.”

Ford froze, the memory of that night flooding back.

He remembered kicking her in the stomach.

He remembered her tumbling helplessly down those concrete stairs.

His lips trembled. “I’m sorry…”

Sylvia stared at him blankly. “Get out.”

Shaking all over, Ford didn’t say another word. He turned and walked away.

As he passed a shop window, he caught a reflection.

Sylvia had turned to check the wounds on Chase’s face, her expression full of genuine concern and heartache.

Ford felt an invisible hand crush his heart. It hurt.

t hurt a thousand times more than the bruises Chase gave him.

hase had quite a few black and blue marks on his face.

le refused to go to the hospital, so Sylvia bought some ointment to patch him up herself.

itting in the car after applying the medicine, the atmosphere grew heavy.

Sylvia sighed. “Why were you so impulsive? Why did you fight him?”

hase shrugged casually. “Didn’t like his face.”

Sylvia frowned. “What about the partnership between the companies?”

hase chuckled. “Relax. The guy fighting today was just Chase, not the CEO. Ford isn’t stupid enough to breach the contract over a

istfight.”

Sylvia relaxed a little, knowing he did it for her. She whispered, “Thanks.”

Chase turned to look at her, his gaze serious. “You say thanks‘ a lot. But words are cheap. Shouldn’t you show some real action?”

Chapter 16

His eyes were deep, and he leaned in closer.

The scent of the ointment mixed with his intense pheromones washed over her.

It was overwhelming.

Sylvia instinctively leaned back, feeling flustered. “How do you want me to thank you? Dinner?”

Chase grinned. “I’ve heard a saying: ‘When a debt is too great to repay, one should offer their body in…“”

Sylvia’s hand was already on the door handle, ready to bail.

Chase laughed and grabbed her arm. “Okay, okay! Just kidding. Just work hard and make me lots of money. Consider that thanks enough.”

The subtle tension in the car evaporated.

Sylvia breathed a sigh of relief.

Chase was smart. Whether he meant it or not, he definitely understood where she stood.

After that incident, Ford disappeared for a long time.

Though his gifts kept arriving from time to time.

Sylvia never accepted a single one.

It wasn’t until construction started on the resort project that she saw him again during a site inspection.

He looked thinner than before, his suit hanging a bit loosely on his frame.

His eyes lit up when he saw her, then dimmed just as quickly.

Still, he walked over and greeted her. “Sylvia.”

As soon as he said her name, he coughed weakly.

sylvia realized he had been sick.

In the past, her heart would have ached for him.

But this time, she just nodded blankly, pretended not to notice, and walked past him. “Let’s go.”

Ford followed behind her, opening his mouth to speak as he watched her back.

A thousand words died on his lips, turning into a bitter smile.

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