Chapter 188 Let’s Handle This Like Adults
+15 BONUS
Calista didn’t reply to Paul’s last message, and he didn’t send another message to her either. He was waiting for her response
Paul rately acted so stubbornly He used to think he would wait until Calista was on board in the CrossTime project’s design and then take things slowly
However, his recent strong intuition was pushing him, telling him that if he let things continue,
he would miss out on her agam
Finally, Calista responded, “We can have dinner another time.”
After sending her reply, Calista stared into the space in front of her for a moment before tidying up her things. On the other hand, Hector drove back home after leaving Justa.
The call had come from Hazel, who informed him that their mother, Patricia Calloway, had
somehow learned about his affection for a married woman.
Patricia was now furious at home and had become emotionally unhinged.
Hector advised Hazel over the phone, “Don’t spread rumors in front of Mom. Wait until I get back,
and we’ll talk.”
Hector’s folks resided in a grand estate.
As Hector walked in the door, he could hear Hazel reassuring Patricia, “Mom, don’t listen to
rumors and gossip. You know Hector’s standards, right? Even if he’s into a woman who’s been
married, she must be drop–dead gorgeous, talented, virtuous, and classy. She’s the kind of woman
everyone would applaud when they look at her.”
Hazel wished she could vehemently deny her brother’s interest in a divorced woman, but he was.
At this point, she could only comfort her mother by praising her brother’s love interest
Just then, Hector strode in briskly.
“Hazel, spare me the compliments. What’s this nonsense?”
Hazel pouted and replied, “What else can I do? Put yourself in my shoes, will you?”
Patricia glared at Hector as he stormed in, her anger evident.
Heteront case how did you are with that woman Call ber
mg & it. I
Hyle sake you don’t do I make that call myself
slater paised with khaki trousers and ankle boots, and bus
of casual confidence
Ben Formagression quickly transformed into a fendly grin
acout in the sue who’s sesponsible so you do not need to start making Agage to get with Dylan instead?
geset Lucy brang Dylan an
www.bestor switly took off his shirt, exposing a lean and muscular upper beson as many of which were mementos from his years of missions
Beacons shally causing Hector’s muscles to tighten involuntarily,
My Alertsen of us chest and abdominal muscles
user ends wese tsembling She hadn’t been this frantic since Hector
Agosto lubbo you can be for a woman
So the Lently bodyguard, initially hesitated to spar with Hector due to his status as
Wow be bud to obey orders, so he reluctantly agreed
ossessed, with Dylan’s first move being a punch Despite his attempt to day, the sinke.coming from a well–trained man, still packed enough power to
es us seeth ughtly and suppressed a groan that almost escaped him
#guing a divorced woman? We haven’t even started dating, and she’s
*
or getting a divorce, you know? Her ex–husband was a total jerk. If
sex anger, dit to me I will take a beating today if that’s what it takes. But if I
kless, Sympletely surprised by her brother’s determination
+15 BONUS
Patricia’s head was pounding with frustration. She hadn’t planned to resort to violence, but Hector had practically asked for it as soon as he walked through the door.
“Why don’t you just shut your mouth? Hasn’t that beating had any impact on you at all? Dylan hit harder. Quit acting like you’re serving a meal.”
Thud… Thud… Thud… Dylan’s fists landing on Hector’s body reverberated throughout the living
room.
Hector was in intense pain, gasping for breath as he muttered, “Mom, who’s the busybody who filled your head with nonsense?”
Hector had intended to broach the topic of his interest in Calista with Patricia at the right time,
but it surfaced earlier than anticipated.
He understood the importance of addressing it promptly, as he wanted to take control of the situation before any potentially harmful rumors could spread.
“Why? Were you intending to hide this from us? Plotting behind our backs and waiting until the child is older before revealing it, thinking you could compel us to accept it?”
Patricia’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“How could I let my child suffer like that?” Hector responded nonchalantly.
The bruises from the beating began to bleed, and his expression twisted in pain.
“Did Lucian’s folks get to you? I had a run–in with that bastard this morning, and he had reported
me by the afternoon. Can you believe the nerve of that guy?”
Hector didn’t intend to keep it a secret, fully aware that Patricia could easily discover his affair
with her connections.
Patricia pointed at Dylan with trembling hands and instructed, “Keep pounding on this guy until
he shuts up!”
On the other hand, Hazel, who had showered Calista with praise earlier, was concerned that if her mother’s emotions spiraled out of control, her lovesick brother might get hurt.
After all, Hector was her brother, and she wanted to ensure his safety. When Hector finally ran out
of energy to argue, Hazel instructed Dylan to cease and move aside.
She said, “You realize you’re in the wrong
Suddenly, Hector revived with full strength despite appearing beaten moments ago. He swiftly picked up his clothes from the ground and dressed himself.
“Mom, recall our agreement. If I survive this, accept Calista as part of our family,” he insisted.
Before Patricia could respond, Hector rushed out like a gust of wind.
He dialed Lucian’s private number and shouted, “Lucian, are you even a man? You’re lousy at wooing women, and you’re quite the schemer. You’re a real pain in the ass!”
There was a brief pause on the other end before Lucian replied, “And you’re a walk in the park, I
suppose?”
“Total bullshit! If you’ve got any guts, let’s handle this like adults. Tonight, 8:00 PM at the
Luminary Lounge. If you chicken out, you’re nothing but a coward. The loser kneels and shines the winner’s shoes, and moving forward, you keep your distance from Calista by a hundred yards
every time you spot her.”
Hector was feeling confident as he proposed a drinking competition to Lucian.
He couldn’t believe that he, a seasoned drinker knocking back hard liquor since he turned legal,
could lose to Lucian, who seemed like a complete newbie when it came to drinking.
If it weren’t for the beating Hector had just taken from Dylan, which had impaired his combat abilities, he would have proposed a physical brawl with Lucian and taken him down.
Lucian replied, “Alright…”
Before Lucian could finish his sentence, Hector abruptly ended the call. He couldn’t bear to listen
to another word from Lucian.
At 8 pm, a group of people arrived at Luminary Lounge.
Calista pursed her lips, staring at the brightly lit sign before her, and muttered angrily, “Is your
boss insane? Why does he have to meddle in other people’s business?”
He could meddle all he wanted, but why drag her into it?
Her bodyguards behind her remained as silent as logs. Just half an hour ago, Calista had been at home applying a face mask when she heard a knock on the door.
Calista initially assumed it was Lucian based on his recent troublemaking behavior, thinking he might be coming to stir up more problems.
After all, that afternoon at the cafe, she left Lucian and went with Hector. So, it was surprising for her to discover Cade standing outside her door through the peephole.
Calista had just opened the door and hadn’t uttered a word when the bodyguard grabbed her and
brought her to this place
During the ride, Cade had briefed her on the situation.
Hector and Lucian had been drinking heavily at the Luminary Lounge, consuming hard liquor like
water, glass after glass
Concerned about a potential disturbance, the manager at the Luminary Lounge contacted Cade.
