The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1885

"You call that a few taps? You nearly killed me!" Ethan's complaint was thick with both pain and an attempt to hold back tears.

Lydia looked at him, trying to keep a straight face as he ranted with a silver acupuncture needle sticking out of his head, making him look like a character out of a quirky cartoon. The sight was just too ridiculous.

She couldn't help it and let out a snort of laughter.

"What's so funny? I'm being serious here!" Ethan's feeling of injustice grew.

Every move he made sent jolts of pain through his body; even speaking seemed to stretch and pull at his painful muscles. After a few words, he winced sharply, unsure of where to hold himself as it seemed like every part ached.

"A big guy like you can't even take a throw? And you call yourself a man?" Lydia crossed her arms and smirked at him.

"Whether I'm a man is not for you to decide! With your fierce attitude, you wouldn't recognize a real man if he stood right in front of you!" Ethan's retort was borderline offensive.

Even though Lydia was relatively inexperienced in the ways of the world, she understood the implication of his words. Her expression darkened immediately, and she took a step towards Ethan, "What did you say?"

Ethan instantly regretted his words, shrinking back and quickly trying to backpedal, "I didn't say anything, just forget it."

Seeing him cower so quickly, Lydia didn't advance further but still stood with her arms crossed, eyeing Ethan, "Can you even walk?"

"What do you mean?" Ethan was already afraid of her; one stern look from her, and he worried she might physically reprimand him.

"It's nothing. Don't you have a friend who's really sick? Take me to him," Lydia said.

That's when Ethan remembered the urgent matter at hand. Right, Alaric was still at home, sick as a dog. If he didn't get back soon, who knows how bad it could get.

Trying to muster the strength to get up from the bed, Ethan moved and pain radiated through his body, forcing him to sit back down with a groan.

She didn't quite understand why Dr. Funke chose to practice medicine merely as a hobby, but she remembered the lesson of compassion well and intended to live by it. Since someone came seeking her help, she couldn't turn them away.

"Don't come any closer. I'll walk on my own," Ethan said, panic-stricken at her approach, forcing himself to stand despite the pain.

Lydia saw him get up, smiled slightly, and flicked her head, "Lead the way."

Ethan obediently started walking ahead.

He thought to himself, she's like a bandit queen, not to be messed with. If only he had brought some bodyguards. But then, remembering how she single-handedly dealt with four bodyguards before, he realized it wouldn’t have made any difference.

Walking ahead, Ethan didn't dare to make a sound despite the pain with each step. He was too scared that any word from him might invite another punch from Lydia.