The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1930

"Yasmine, don't be scared. I won't hurt you again. I'll protect you, I swear you won't get hurt again."

Her body tensed, "Let go of me." But Boyd only held her tighter.

Yasmine began to struggle, "Let go. You're hurting me!"

Boyd immediately released her, his gaze scanning her body, his voice gravelly with concern. "Where?"

Yasmine pushed him away, "Stay away from me! I don't need your protection right now. On the contrary, you just hurt me. Don't come near me. Get out!"

Her roar halted Boyd's advance, and after a lingering look, he indeed stepped back a few paces. "Don't get worked up, I'll get you a glass of water," he said, trying to calm the situation.d2

Yasmine's hands trembled slightly, barely able to contain her emotions.

When the door opened again, she flinched, but it wasn't Boyd who entered.

"Madam, are you alright?" The maid asked, concern evident in her voice upon seeing Yasmine's condition.

Yasmine shook her head.

"Mr. Boyd asked me to bring you water."

She took the glass. The warmth seeping into her hands helped her calm down. "Where is he?" she inquired after taking a sip.

"He is in the study."

Boyd spent the entire afternoon alone in the study, even missing dinner. At half-past eight, he reappeared in the room, a glass of milk in hand, as punctual as ever.

The next day, Yasmine visited Greenfield Village.

Three days later, Herschel unexpectedly showed up at the villa, so Yasmine stayed at home.

"Ms. Yasmine." Herschel had always been respectful towards Yasmine, but he was not one to smile or speak much. A simple "Ms. Yasmine" from him sounded devoid of emotion.

Yasmine was puzzled by Herschel's presence. After all, he was in charge of the affairs in Country B – it was unlikely he had time to spare for a visit here.

Despite knowing she shouldn't pry, with Boyd's recent odd behavior, she couldn't help but ask, "What brings you here?"

"I've come to see Father."

Of course.

"What's... what's wrong with him?"

"Ms. Yasmine, you don't know?"

Yasmine wrapped her shawl tighter around her, "What should I know?"

Herschel's brow twitched, "Well, I'll go see him."

Without another word, Herschel made his way straight to the study. Yasmine lingered a moment before following.

As Herschel swung open the door to the study, he noticed Yasmine trailing behind. He let the door stay open, a silent invitation for her to listen.

Boyd, seated inside, furrowed his brow upon seeing Herschel. "Who let you in?"

Yasmine paused at the threshold of the study, the scent of unlit tobacco wafting out. The crystal ashtray on the desk was brimming with cigarette butts – all twisted and broken, yet none showed signs of having been lit.

Herschel's voice was chilly as he scanned the room, "You can't stay here any longer."

"Get out. It's not your place to meddle in my affairs."

"Father," Herschel's voice was firm, "Ms. Yasmine may not be entirely indifferent to you. If you continue like this, you'll not only frighten her but perhaps cause her to worry."

Boyd shook his head, "I won't scare her. She worries about me? I don't want her to worry. But I also want her to worry about me.... She doesn't wish me well, and she hates me. If I'm doing poorly, she won't worry." His speech was disjointed, making little sense.

Yasmine gripped her shawl tighter. What was happening to Boyd? Why would he say things like this?

"She will worry about you."

"She won't. She hates me. Get out. I'm not at the point where you need to lie and console me."

Herschel took a deep breath and said, "She hates you, yes, but she forced you away and now wants to leave you. Do you think it's all for nothing?"

Boyd stared out the window, wondering what it was all for. She hated him, even though she knew he loved her. She chose to marry another man to punish him, to make him lose hope completely. The fact that she didn't want to be with him now was also because of her hatred, nothing else.

Did anyone even need to ask? He knew it all.

Herschel glanced at the still figure standing by the door and said slowly, "She hates you and wants to revenge on you. She wants you to live a life filled with guilt and pain. However, whether it was the time you forced her to leave or now that she's determined to leave you, she doesn't want to see you suffering. You may suffer, but don't let her see it. So father, if you truly love her, it's best not to let her see you like this. She's not like most people. If she gets what she wishes, she won't necessarily be happy."

Yasmine's grip tightened, her eyes flickered, and she stepped back.

After a while, Boyd's voice carried from the study, "Just leave. I'm not going anywhere."

Herschel let out a sigh, "She refuses to compromise. You know this clinging won't elicit any response from her. This vicious cycle leads nowhere but mutual destruction."