Aveline finally snapped out of her shock and hurried to help him up.

However, having been so terrified earlier, her legs nearly gave out now that she had calmed down.

Lucas caught her just in time. "Are you alright? Can you walk?"

Aveline shook her head. "I'm fine, really. But your hand... it's covered in blood."

Lucas replied, "It's nothing. Don't worry."

But Aveline couldn't help worrying.

It was a mastiff; what if Lucas suffered from broken bones?

Reynold rushed over, his face dark with anger. "Get rid of that beast immediately!"

"Yes, sir," the butler responded, quickly ordering the mastiff to be taken away.

Reynold turned to Lucas. "Lucas, I'll take you to the hospital. Your wound needs to be treated."

Lucas said nothing, his eyes fixed on Aveline.

Aveline, having regained her composure, helped him out of the villa and into the car. Given that the incident happened at the Johnson. family home, Reynold naturally followed them to the hospital. Only after seeing the doctor treat Lucas' wound and administer at vaccine did Aveline finally relax.

Lucas sat shirtless, and despite the gruesome bite wound on his arm, his expression remained unchanged. His gaze fell on Aveline's worried, pale face, and suddenly, the tension that had been building up inside. him dissipated.

"Don't let the wound get wet, and change the dressing according to the

instructions," the doctor advised before leaving.

Aveline asked, "Does it hurt?"

Lucas' eyes locked onto hers. Moving his lips slightly, he said, "Yes, it hurts."

Aveline's heart tightened. Recalling the earlier scene, she broke into a cold sweat. "Are you crazy? Why would you charge in and confront a mastiff? What if you couldn't handle it?" Aveline sniffled, unable to hold back her words.

Lucas' deep voice, tinged with a bit of hoarseness, responded, "It was instinct."

Aveline was stunned into silence.

"What kind of instinct?" Aveline wondered. "The instinct to rush in. without thinking when you see me in danger?"

Suddenly, Aveline couldn't hold back her tears. They streamed down her cheeks, unchecked. She turned away, not wanting him to see her crying.

Seeing her like this, Lucas panicked. He hurriedly grabbed her hand and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Aveline sniffled, trying to suppress her emotions. "It's nothing. Let's just go back."

Lucas gazed at her, trying to discern any other emotions on her face, but there was nothing. A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes.

"We can't leave yet," he said in a deep voice.

Aveline, puzzled, asked, "What else do you need to do?"

on."

Lucas handed her his shirt. "Help me put this on.

Aveline obediently helped him dress, then they stepped outside where Reynold was waiting.

20

Seeing them, Reynold said, "I'm just glad you're alright. This whole incident was Rebecca's fault. I've spoiled her too much, and she went too far. Lucas, rest assured, I'll punish her severely, so she won't dare to do anything like this again!"

Lucas looked at him coldly. "I'll go back with you. She hasn't apologized yet."

Reynold's expression faltered, his gaze growing deeper as he looked at Lucas. "Lucas, are you really going to pursue this matter to the end? Have you forgotten what happened back then?"Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.