Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Samantha’s words elicited no response.

Timothy pursed his thin lips tightly and his body was extremely cold, causing the temperature around him to drop rapidly.

Samantha’s body shuddered uncontrollably and she felt much colder than when she was standing at the entrance of the villa earlier.

She thought for a while and hurriedly promised, “Mr. Barker, I admit that I haven’t been doing a good enough job when I’ve promised to be your caregiver before, but as long as you agree to let me have a day off tomorrow, I’ll give you my all when I come back. I will do whatever you ask me to— Ahhh—”

Before she could finish speaking, her wrist had been grabbed all of a sudden and the man’s strength was so great that it could probably crush her bones.

Samantha could not help but frown and cry out in pain.

Her first instinct was to shake off Timothy’s hand, but as soon as she looked up, she gazed into Timothy’s almost murderous gaze and immediately stopped moving.

Past experiences had taught her not to anger the man when his tempers were raging.

Nevertheless, she wondered when did Timothy start fussing over minor matters. She had only asked for a couple of hours off and all that he stood to lose was a couple of hours of enslaving her. Did that necessitate the anger?

Corey was waiting for her to save him. Getting into conflict with Timothy was the last thing that should happen and she must not get injured. Dealing with her worthless parents required her to be in the best shape.

Samantha endured the pain and pleaded weakly, “Okay, Mr. Barker, okay. I understand… I won’t request for a couple of hours off, alright? I won’t go out tomorrow. I’ll just stay in the villa to take care of you and serve you until you’re happy, okay?”

She planned to find a way to sneak out as soon as there was no longer any immediate danger.

When she finally rescued Corey and helped him to settle down, she was willing to let Timothy do whatever he wanted to her, even if it meant she would die or be skinned alive!

“You understand?” Timothy’s voice became inexplicably deep, as if he was suppressing certain emotions. He curled up his lips in a sarcastic manner and said, “You don’t understand anything, Samantha!”

Timothy did not know whether that mocking remark was directed at Samantha or himself.

Was Timothy still unsatisfied even though she had humbled herself to such a point? Why was he so hard to please?

At that moment, Samantha was not only puzzled and annoyed, but felt an intense bitterness in her heart as well.

She really had no idea what else she could do. How much lower should she position herself so he would not constantly find fault with her, hurt her, and treat her as an eyesore?

Samantha opened her mouth and wanted to ask Timothy what he wanted her to understand, but before she could make a sound, Timothy had flung her hand away. She was thrown back as a result and her words remained inside her throat.

He had exerted so much strength that she staggered back and bumped into the coffee table behind her.

She gritted her teeth and did not let out a sound despite the pain.

Timothy had already gotten up and walked out. He slammed the door shut, causing the loud bang to echo for some time in the quiet and empty villa.

Samantha remained in the same position for some time after bumping into the coffee table. Her hair had fallen over and obscured her face, preventing anyone from seeing the expression on her face at the time.

About half a minute later, she straightened herself up nonchalantly, wiped her face, then went upstairs as if nothing had happened.

She took a shower and immediately covered herself in the blanket after laying on the bed.

It was important for her to retain her energy for the tough battle that was to commence the day after. She was adamant not to let that scumbag, Timothy, affect her mood.

She held in her inner sadness, tried her best to remove Timothy’s figure from her brain, and forced herself to close her eyes.

…

Timothy drove his convertible and practically circled the entire Capital City. The wind blew against him, covering his entire body with a layer of cold air.

However, not even half the anger in his heart could successfully be eliminated. On the contrary, it continued to burn even more.

Had he been a step slower earlier, he could not guarantee that he would be able to keep his cool and avoid hurting Samantha again.

His anger increased when he thought of how he could not bring himself to do anything to her and even continued to exercise care and restraint around an ingrate like her.

He was angry at Samantha, but the anger he directed to himself was much more than his anger toward her.

Timothy narrowed his eyes slightly when his phone rang all of a sudden. He reached for it and glanced at the screen.

The caller ID was Zachary.

He clenched his hands subconsciously and only answered when the caller tone was about to end. “Yes.”

Zachary could tell that something was wrong as soon as he heard that voice. He made sure to speak cautiously when he asked, “What’s the situation on your side, Timmy?”

Timothy’s voice was colder than the cold wind. “I helped an ingrate.”

Samantha had either feigned ignorance despite guessing that he deliberately gave the money to her, or it never crossed her mind that he would help her.

Whatever the answer was, she was nothing but an ingrate.

What was supposed to be the perfect plot to boost emotional development between the two protagonists ended up with Timothy being oppressive, much to Zachary’s chagrin.

God was always fair.

That was why Timothy—for all his invincibility and near-mythical status in the business world—was far worse than an elementary school kid when it came to love and relationships!

Timothy was still upset and added another vicious statement, “I’m never going to help Samantha again. I don’t care if she’s beaten up, kidnapped, and sold off!”

The call ended with a beep.

Zachary was speechless, but after hearing the cold beeping tone, he could not help but blurt out, “I hope you’ll be able to hold on to your word past tomorrow, Timmy!”

Timothy tossed his phone aside, leaned back in his chair, and looked at the dark sky. A deep sorrow surfaced in his eyes again.

Despite knowing that Samantha was not worth the trouble and that he should not repeat the same mistakes, he still held on to hope…

How ridiculous!

…

The next day.

Samantha carried a black leather suitcase and walked into the Larssons’ residence.

Simon and Cynthia had already been waiting on the sofa in the living room. As soon as they saw her walk in, Simon asked impatiently, “Where’s the money?”

Samantha did not answer him. She walked over, sat on the sofa opposite them, and placed the black leather suitcase on the coffee table. She opened the lid to reveal the one million dollars in cash that she had withdrawn from the bank.

Simon rubbed his hands excitedly. “I knew you had a way to get money, Sammy.”

He stretched out his hand and wanted to touch the money, but before his fingers could reach the cash, Samantha snapped the lid shut.

Simon’s hand was nearly caught in between and he shrank back subconsciously before lashing out at her. “What are you doing, Samantha?”

After closing the suitcase, Samantha placed her hand gently on it and looked up at Simon and Cynthia. She said coldly, “I can give you the money, but….”