Chapter 288: Willing to Be Her Harbor

Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Willing to Be Her Harbor

At nine o’clock, Preston Chase brought a change of clothes and helped Alaric Blackwood with his discharge from the hospital.

On the way back to Maplewood Estate, Jasmine Blackwood was in the back seat, resting his head on Sophie Shaw’s lap. "Darling, I have no strength. I don’t feel well."

He was weak from all the sweating.

"Serves you right!"

...

"You knew the drink was drugged. Why did you drink it?"

"I needed evidence."

For the police to convict Lydia Wynn, they couldn’t be short on evidence. The substances in his blood would be proof that Lydia had drugged him. Besides, he was a big guy. Could Lydia really "assault" him?

He could pin her down with one hand. He had to appear suitably "weak" to make Lydia Wynn think she was succeeding. Only then would she let her guard down and truly expose herself.

If they relied only on the phone recording, it would be difficult to secure a conviction, especially if Lydia Wynn hired a decent lawyer or if Quentin Blackwood decided to protect her.

He knew Lydia Wynn would try to use a mental illness defense to escape punishment, so he had to ensure the law could convict her. The evidence they had now could prove she wasn’t having a psychotic episode when she committed the crime. The fact that she could drug him in advance and plan to frame him for "rape" afterward proved her mind was clear when she was scheming.

This way, even if she were sent to a mental hospital on account of her history of severe mental illness, she would still have to serve her prison sentence after being discharged.

She could either remain in the mental hospital indefinitely, or be discharged as cured, accept the law’s judgment, and then serve her time in prison. There was no third option.

He was determined to cut off all her escape routes.

After listening to his calm and logical explanation for drinking the drugged beverage, Sophie was struck once again by the realization that her husband had thought things through more than she had, and far more comprehensively.

Recalling how miserable Alaric Blackwood looked in the hospital bed last night, her heart ached for him. She gently ruffled his hair. "You really had to suffer through that."

"It’s fine, as long as the matter is resolved."

’It wasn’t about suffering.’

If they didn’t deal with Lydia Wynn now, he feared something far worse would happen down the line. His greatest fear, in truth, was Lydia Wynn doing something to hurt Sophie.

After returning to Maplewood Estate, they had breakfast to regain their energy. Then, Alaric Blackwood went up to his room and took a long, relaxing shower.

After changing into comfortable loungewear, he came downstairs. He saw Sophie sitting on the sofa, stroking their cat, Princess, who was curled in her lap. In the warm, sun-drenched living room, the incredibly tender scene was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on.

He wanted to walk over and give Sophie a kiss, but just as he took a step forward, he saw her flip Princess onto her back on the sofa, paws in the air, and bury her face in the cat’s soft belly.

She nuzzled her cheek against the fluffy ball of fur, completely absorbed in her cat-huffing session.

He stopped in his tracks. Two little figures popped into his head, one reminding him, ’Didn’t you want to give her a kiss?’

The other shot back, ’It’s all fur...’

’Forget it.’

’I’ll kiss her tonight.’

...

「Three months later.」

Lydia Wynn’s verdict came down. For drugging the victim and attempted rape, she was sentenced to five years in prison. Given her history of mental illness and her extremely unstable mental state after being taken into custody, a forensic evaluation confirmed her psychiatric problems. As the sentence took effect, Lydia Wynn was transferred to a mental hospital for compulsory treatment.

During those three months, Nina Halloway and Ethan Austin had been busy organizing a romantic wedding.

Nina Halloway booked a private resort island for the ceremony. Only friends and family were invited—no media, no outsiders. After the wedding, the couple stayed on the island for their honeymoon.

Anne and Evan Ford, the bridesmaid and groomsman, tactfully decided not to be third wheels after the ceremony. They left the island with Alaric Blackwood and Sophie Shaw to get back to their own busy careers.

Meanwhile, back on the island, Nina Halloway and Ethan Austin were in the passionate throes of newlywed life, spending two-thirds of each day on the large bed in their villa.

After their Nth session of lovemaking, Nina Halloway lay in Ethan Austin’s arms, tracing circles on his chest with her finger.

"Ethan."

"Hm?"

"I’m planning to start a talent agency when we get back. I’ve had enough rest. You’ll support me starting my own business, won’t you?"

"Of course, I’ll support you."

"And what if, in the future, I need you to stay home to take care of the family... to take care of our baby?"

Ethan Austin answered without a hint of complaint. "I can do that. No problem at all."

He had never been a man of grand ambitions, anyway. He had only chosen to major in physical education because his grades weren’t the best, whereas he excelled at sports.

There was nothing he felt he absolutely had to achieve, but he wanted to be with the person he loved forever.

Ever since he and Nina Halloway had gone public with their relationship and posted their marriage certificate on X, he had been slapped with all sorts of labels, like "kept man," "shameless freeloader," and "social climber."

And those were the milder ones. Some of the other comments were too vile to repeat.

But he didn’t really care. People could say whatever they wanted. All he knew was that he loved Nina Halloway and would do anything for her.

There was nothing wrong with being a househusband. It just meant Nina Halloway would handle things outside the home, while he took care of things inside.

Despite his tall and sturdy build, he believed he had a pretty good temperament. He was patient, too. He was certain he’d be a great dad one day.

"Won’t you feel resentful?"

Ethan Austin laughed. "Resentful about what?"

"About staying at home..."

"Not at all. I’ll have more time to work out at home. When you get tired from work, your husband will have all the strength he needs to carry you home. I can also work on my cooking. But with your metabolism, I really can’t seem to fatten you up no matter what I feed you."

At this, Ethan Austin looked a little concerned. "When we get back to Kingsport, maybe you should get a full physical. It’s not normal for someone to eat so much and not gain any weight."

Nina Halloway laughed. "I’ve been this way since I was little. Are you jealous?"

She had been slim even before her career took off, always possessing a tall and slender figure.

"By the way, why are you so determined to fatten me up?"

"You’d be even better to cuddle if you were a little chubbier."

"And if I really did get fat, you wouldn’t think I’m ugly?"

"You’re not ugly. You’re the most beautiful."

Ethan Austin’s words were like honey, sweetening Nina Halloway’s very heart.

"Ethan, do you love me?"

"I do."

"How much?"

"Enough to go another round."

...

The night grew still and quiet.

After their bath, Ethan Austin carried Nina Halloway out of the bathroom and gently placed her on the bed.

He sat on the edge of the bed, gazing intently at her sleeping face.

’He couldn’t believe he had actually married the nation’s goddess.’

He leaned down, pressed a kiss to her forehead, and whispered in her ear, "Go and do whatever you set your mind to. I’ll always be right behind you, your safe harbor."

...

The honeymoon lasted a month. Upon returning to Kingsport, Nina Halloway threw herself into launching her company with great vigor.

Meanwhile, Sophie’s career was also flourishing.

She had recently released a collection of jewelry designs under her own name, making a huge splash in the design world. Even the famous Yuri had liked her work.

The company was doing better and better, and its future was bright. There were hopes of opening Heart of the Ocean boutiques all across the country. As for Anne and Evan Ford, after they returned to Kingsport, his grandmother pressured them into getting engaged.

They didn’t dare rush into marriage, worried that the old woman would immediately start pestering them for great-grandchildren the moment they tied the knot. Evan Ford was certain his grandmother was capable of doing just that; she’d probably want to follow him around with a megaphone, nagging him daily.

For now, he preferred the easy, carefree feeling of his relationship with Anne. She, too, wanted to focus on her career for the time being.