Chapter 229

Latisha's fingers tightened. For a moment, she was convinced Clifford had planted a listening device on her too.

"Alright, don't be scared," Clifford said. "I'm not going to do anything to you. After all, you're still injured."

He lifted her nightgown to inspect the wound on her knee.

Latisha sat on the cold floor, her body tense as she tried to control her trembling.

Clifford stood up and left the bathroom, returning a moment later with the first-aid kit. He knelt on the floor and began to unwrap the gauze. The wound was mostly healed, but one small piece of gauze was still stuck.

Latisha looked up at him. His eyes were lowered, his full attention on her injury. But a chill spread through her heart. If he didn't know what Santino had done, he wouldn't be this gentle. He would have been like last time, holding her under the water in the bathtub or using some other cruel method. But he did none of that. He was so calm, which meant... he knew everything.

Suddenly, she heard him murmur, "It's almost over."

Latisha was momentarily stunned, not understanding his words. What was almost over? The bandaging, or...

She pushed the complex thoughts from her mind. It hurt her head to think too much.

After he finished dressing her wound, Clifford lifted her from the floor and carried her out of the bathroom. But instead of taking her to their bed, he went to the room next door and placed her on that bed instead.

Downstairs, Santino leaned against the wall, a cigarette between his fingers. He tilted his head back, watching the moon hidden behind dark clouds as he slowly exhaled a plume of smoke. He stood there for a long time before dropping the cigarette to the ground and walking away.

Latisha didn't know how she managed to fall asleep. Last night, Clifford had lain beside her, and she had been too on edge to move a muscle. When she opened her eyes again, it was nine in the morning.

Strangely, Clifford hadn't left yet. She opened her eyes to see him leaning against the headboard, his own eyes closed as if deep in thought.

Latisha lay still for a moment, deciding it was better not to get up.

As if sensing her wakefulness, Clifford opened his eyes and looked down at her. Latisha's heart skipped a beat. She hesitated before signing: *Aren't you going to the office today?*

“No,” he replied, placing a hand on her head. “Are you hungry?"

Latisha shook her head. It was just a casual question anyway; he was already busy typing a message on his phone She bit the inside of her cheek and lay quietly beside him, his one hand on his phone, the other stroking her head as if she were a pet. S

Meanwhile, Yolanda arrived at Lambert Manor early in the morning with a file in her hands. She ignored the greetings from the staff and went straight to Wallace's study. She knocked, and sure enough, he was inside.

Yolanda entered and handed him the file. "Dad, why did you suddenly decide to kick Clifford off the board?"

Wallace took the file from her and sighed thoughtfully. "You wouldn't understand.”

Of course, she didn't, but that didn't stop her from supporting his decision. Wallace had given her the shares in the first place, so she had no grounds to object if he wanted them back. Besides, she had reason to believe what he said was true. Ever since Clifford took over he had systematically purged everyone from her mother's side of the family from the company. Her own company was struggling under his pressure, barely staying afloat on the Lambert Group's name alone.

"Whatever you decide, Dad, I support you. I had my lawyer draw up this contract last night. I've already signed it please look it over. If there are any issues, I can have it

changed. Otherwise, I'll leave the rest to you."