Untamed Charming Wife

“Interest?” Jack’s mind flashed with the image of Kayla’s defiant eyes. He shook his head with a smile, “For people like us, the least necessary thing is true emotions.”

Brady chuckled, glanced at the wall separating them from the break room, and murmured, “Indeed, for people like us, the least necessary thing is true emotions…”

—

Kayla left Taihee Group, seething with anger.

Damn Ethaniel! How dare he ignore me! If he has the guts, he should never speak to me again!

And Linda-that woman! Does she think she’s above everyone else? Every time she looks at me, it’s with disdain!

Despite her anger, she still had responsibilities-like bringing lunch to Oliver.

As the school bell rang, Kayla stood by a flower bed near the school building, scanning the crowd for Oliver.

“Kayla?” A boy’s sharp voice startled her. She turned to see a young boy staring at her. “Perez?”

Perez, Sam and Eileen’s youngest son, looked at Kayla with disdain. “What are you doing here?”

Unlike Oliver, who pretended to disdain Kayla but respected her, Perez genuinely looked down on her.

Kayla snapped back, “None of your business.”

“Get out of here! This is a prestigious school. You have no right to be here. If people find out we’re half-siblings, how will I live it down?”

“As if I want to share a father with you!” Kayla retorted coldly. “Get lost, now!”

“I won’t!” Perez raised his chin defiantly. “You dirty cop!”

Kayla’s palms itched with the urge to teach Perez a lesson. Before she could act, a book flew over and hit Perez on the head.

“Ow!” Perez screamed, turning to see Oliver in his blue school uniform.

“What are you doing hitting me?” Perez yelled at Oliver, clutching his head.

“Because you deserve it.” Oliver, as cold as his father, walked over and glanced at Kayla. “Are you okay?”

Kayla felt an unexpected sense of protection from this kid.

Seeing Kayla silent, Oliver turned to Perez and demanded, “Apologize to her.”

“I won’t!” Perez shrieked. “Why should I?”

Despite his arrogance, Perez was somewhat intimidated by Oliver. Oliver was a transfer student who rarely attended class, yet all the girls in their grade adored him.

“Apologize!” Oliver repeated, more forcefully.

Perez hesitated, then stomped his foot. “You just wait!” He ran off clutching his head.

Oliver turned to Kayla, dragging her to their usual lunch spot.

Once they arrived, Oliver scolded her, “Are you silly? Perez is just a kid. If you can’t outtalk him, just hit him! Why let him bully you?”

“I wasn’t being bullied,” Kayla protested. Oliver usually opposed her hitting people.

“I heard everything!” Oliver sat on the grass, frowning. “He’s your brother, and he’s in my class…”

“He’s only a quarter related to me!” Kayla argued. “I didn’t know you were classmates. Be careful, Perez might retaliate.”

“I’m not scared.”

Kayla chuckled, handing him a lunchbox. “Here’s your lunch-bell peppers, parsley, broccoli, all very nutritious.”

Oliver resisted the urge to throw the whole meal away, took a deep breath, and resignedly ate the vegetables.

As Oliver ate, Kayla hesitantly asked, “Oliver, if I argue with your dad, whose side are you on?”

Obviously, Dad’s. Oliver ignored her.

“Even if you don’t say it, I know you’re on my side!” Kayla assumed. “Your dad went too far this time!”

Is it really Dad who went too far? He usually doesn’t argue with you.

“Even I can tell it was Brady’s scheme. Your dad’s so smart, he must have known. So why was he still angry?” Kayla held her face, puzzled.

Who is Brady?

“And Linda-I hate her the most. If Ethaniel gets upset seeing Clifton, I get upset seeing Linda. Why does he get to ignore me?”

Dad has clearly rejected Linda many times… Who is Clifton?

Oliver felt the need to clarify for his dad. “My dad doesn’t like Linda.”

“I don’t like Clifton either! I didn’t get jealous over Linda. Why should he…” Kayla suddenly paused, looking at Oliver. “I didn’t mean it like that! I’m not in that kind of relationship with your dad! I said jealous, but it was just a joke!”

Oliver munched on his bell peppers, silently calling her an idiot.

—

Seatowne North District Police Station.

Kayla stared out the window, hoping to see a familiar sports car pull in. She still had a bit of hope that Ethaniel would come to pick her up. But as quitting time approached, that hope faded.

Kayla wasn’t one to dwell on things. If you’re not coming, fine. I won’t bow down to you either!

Kayla drove home. Upon opening the door, she smelled food. Following the scent to the yard, she saw Ethaniel grilling seafood and Oliver preparing drinks by the gazebo.

What are they doing here?

Isn’t Ethaniel ignoring me?

Ethaniel glanced at her, then resumed cooking without a word.

Furious, Kayla thought, Fine, ignore me! I won’t talk to you either!

She stormed into her room and slammed the door, ignoring Ethaniel completely.

“Dad?” Oliver whispered, “I think she’s really mad.”

“Hmm?” Ethaniel smiled. “Count to three; she’ll come out.”

Really?

Oliver doubted it. Kayla was stubborn. No way she’d cave just for food.

“Count,” Ethaniel insisted, opening the crab shell and placing it on the grill.

“… Three, two, one.” Oliver glanced at the closed door.

Bang-the door flew open. Kayla yelled at Ethaniel, “Who said you could put your clothes in my closet?”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Her room now had a desk, an entire wardrobe of suits, and extra toiletries-a clear sign he planned to stay.

Oliver’s lips twitched. His dad never fails…

Ethaniel remained calm, handling the food. “Some things, I don’t need your permission for.”

“You!” Kayla fumed. “This is my house! I’ll throw your stuff out if I want!”

“You won’t,” Ethaniel replied confidently. “If you damage my belongings, you can’t afford to compensate me.”

Kayla felt a nerve snap. This man was too much.

Ethaniel placed the grilled crab on a plate and finally looked at Kayla. “Ollie said you skipped lunch. Try the crab.”

“No, I don’t want it.” Kayla felt a sudden wave of sadness. What mattered to her, Ethaniel treated as if nothing had happened.

She turned to leave.

This wasn’t her home anymore.

Ethaniel quickly caught her wrist. “Where are you going?”

To work overtime.” She could stay at the police dorm until she calmed down.

“No, you’re not,” Ethaniel wouldn’t let her go. “I have something to tell you.”

“Well, I also have something to tell you,” Kayla turned around and looked into Ethaniel’s eyes. “I met Clifton by chance today, and I had no choice but to send him back to Taihee Group. As for why you were there, it doesn’t matter if it was arranged by Brady or if it was just a coincidence.”

Kayla continued, “Since you’re not happy and don’t want to talk to me, then I’ll tell you too, I’m not happy to see Linda either, and I don’t want to talk to you!”

Seeing her angry gaze, Ethaniel sighed suddenly. “I’m not talking to you because I’m afraid I can’t help but carry you away right now. If he finds out that I have no basic composure for you, then he has caught my weakness.”