**Chapter 107**
A flicker of understanding danced in Queenie’s eyes, as if a veil had been lifted, and she was finally ready to see the truth.
“Alright, I’ll place my trust in you for the moment. But let me clarify—my agreement isn’t born from fear of Mr. Goodman,” she asserted, her voice steady yet tinged with defiance.
Paul exhaled, a wave of relief washing over him. The absence of Titus’s directive to employ any severe tactics signified one thing: Titus had no intention of putting Queenie through any unnecessary hardship.
After all, Queenie’s agitation stemmed solely from her protective instincts for Chiara.
Even if Titus’s actions were motivated by a desire to safeguard Chiara, he would never intentionally make things difficult for Queenie.
A sudden smile broke across Paul’s face. “If Mrs. Goodman knew she had a guardian angel like you looking out for her, it would surely bring her joy,” he remarked, his tone lightening the atmosphere.
Queenie shot him a pointed look, her expression a mix of seriousness and determination. “Just to be clear, if I find the outcome unsatisfactory, I will tell Chiara. She deserves the truth, no matter what,” she declared firmly.
The memory of the chaotic scene they had stumbled upon lingered in Queenie’s mind, making her stomach churn as if she’d swallowed something unpleasant.
“Paul, you really believe Chiara is a good person, don’t you?” Queenie asked, her voice softer now, as she sought affirmation.
Paul paused, considering her question carefully. After a moment, he nodded earnestly. “Absolutely, Mrs. Goodman is genuinely a good person.”
In his role as Titus’s right-hand man, Paul was perpetually on the move, juggling responsibilities for both Chiara and Elaine.
Yet, despite Chiara’s awareness of his efforts, she had never once voiced a complaint or shown any dissatisfaction towards him.
In contrast, Elaine was far more discerning, often critiquing every little detail.
Chiara, however, was different. She expressed gratitude every single time he helped her.
Elaine, on the other hand, was relentless in her criticisms, especially when she realized it was Paul managing tasks instead of Titus. The way she would cast him disapproving glances made Paul grit his teeth in frustration, accepting it all in silence.
Naturally, this led Paul to lean towards Chiara, who was a breath of fresh air in comparison.
“Don’t worry, I know Mr. Goodman well. This time, he will definitely draw a firm line with Ms. Jensen. To be honest, he had intended to do so already, but now his resolve will be even stronger,” Paul reassured her, his voice filled with conviction.
Queenie snorted, her skepticism evident. “That better be the case. Otherwise, I’ll find myself in the role of your accomplice, and I’ll feel guilty as sin,” she replied, crossing her arms defiantly.
Paul fell silent, a weight settling over him. I really need to navigate this situation with care, he thought, the gravity of the matter sinking in.
Meanwhile, Noreen, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, began to grasp the depth of Chiara’s significance to Titus.
What none of them noticed was a shadow that had stealthily emerged from behind the bushes after they left.
Heather observed the trio as they walked away, her mind racing with thoughts. She had caught every word exchanged between them.
It seemed that Chiara’s troubles today were once again tied to Elaine, she mused, a frown forming on her brow.
With a determined stride, she entered the hospital ward.
Upon entering, she found Titus already seated beside Chiara’s bed, his hand cradling hers with a tenderness that spoke volumes.
At the sound of her entrance, Titus turned, and upon recognizing Heather, he offered her a subtle nod.
“Mr. Goodman,” Heather began, her tone firm as she approached the bedside. “Care to explain why my sister keeps ending up in the hospital?”
As she spoke, her mind raced back to the conversation she had overheard earlier, and her expression hardened.
“If you can’t take proper care of Chiara, I’ll have to step in myself,” she added, her voice laced with a fierce protectiveness.
Titus’s gaze sharpened, his attention shifting to Chiara, his lips pressed into a thin line, and his jaw clenched tightly.
Heather scrutinized his emotions, reading the tension in his body language.
Her words dripped with sarcasm and discontent, clearly challenging him.
“If you can assure her that you won’t expect anything from her, either physically or emotionally, I’ll speak to Chiara and advise her to reconsider the divorce.”
“Just let her fulfill the role of Mrs. Goodman in peace, and you both can coexist as husband and wife, each tending to your own lives,” she concluded, her tone resolute.
Titus’s expression darkened, his frustration evident as the veins in his temples throbbed. He struggled to keep his anger in check, his voice icy as he replied, “I didn’t marry her just to pretend to be husband and wife.”
Heather had anticipated this exact response, a small smile playing on her lips as she faced him.
“So tell me, have you ever truly stepped up and acted like a real husband?” she shot back, her challenge clear.
Titus’s gaze lingered on Chiara’s face, his grip on her hand tightening instinctively.
Heather noticed his silence and realized he was genuinely listening now.
“Mr. Goodman, you and Chiara’s relationship is already fragile. If another crisis arises, even if you try to hold on, you won’t be able to prevent Chiara from leaving. If she’s determined to go…”
Titus’s breath caught in his throat, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Heather, his voice sharp as frost. “What will she do?”
“If she wants out, even if it breaks her, she will find a way to leave you,” she warned, her tone grave.
Seeing the shift in Titus’s expression, Heather began recounting a childhood story about her and Chiara.
“When Chiara was just five years old, she had a little kitten. One fateful day, that kitten was run over, and Chiara was devastated. She refused to eat or drink, insisting she wanted to be with her kitten forever. Despite our attempts to console her, she remained steadfast. Can you guess what happened next?”
Titus’s gaze softened as he looked at Chiara’s innocent face, his expression unreadable.
‘How did I ever think Chiara was merely a fragile flower?’ he pondered, realizing that beneath her delicate exterior lay a fierce spirit.
“In the end, we had to bring in a hypnotist to help her forget that chapter of her childhood. Chiara has always been stubborn. Once she makes up her mind, not even a herd of wild horses can pull her back,” Heather explained, her voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and concern.
“So, Mr. Goodman, you’d better cherish her.”

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