Don't Be a Tease, Mr. Blackwood

Chapter 113: Chapter 113: I Will Punish You Severely for Your Mistakes

"Didn’t you tell me to take a break and rest at home? Why arrange for so many bodyguards? One is enough."

Nina Halloway shrank back on the sofa, curling up into the same position as before and burying her face in her knees.

She was in a bad way, completely emo.

Alaric Blackwood squatted down to face her. "Why didn’t Lawson come?"

"She found another job, so she’s not coming."

"But we already agreed..."

"What’s the use of an agreement? The moment she heard I often fly to other cities and am not home much, she decided the job wasn’t a good fit for her, so she turned it down."

"I’ll find you another housekeeper who can cook."

Before Nina could respond, Anne jumped in, "Why not hire me?"

"I’m a great cook. I can make anything."

If Nina was on leave at home, it meant Anne would also be on leave—and it probably wouldn’t be paid. She’d have nothing to do. Rather than being idle, she might as well take care of Nina’s daily life. Otherwise, she’d have to find another part-time job.

"Let me give it a try?"

She gave Alaric a sly grin, rubbing her hands together excitedly like a fly.

Nina grunted in agreement. She had tasted Anne’s cooking before, and it was quite good.

"The housekeeper needs to be live-in, prepare three meals a day, and also handle the cleaning," Alaric said.

Anne puffed out her chest. "No problem. I’ll go home and pack my things in a bit. I can move in tonight."

’This money-grubber is insane...’

Alaric was so speechless he couldn’t find the words to describe Anne. But on second thought, she had been by Nina’s side for a long time. Compared to hiring a new, unfamiliar housekeeper, having someone familiar around would be more beneficial for Nina’s physical and emotional recovery.

Since Nina didn’t object, Alaric couldn’t say any more.

"In that case, you and your brother can both move in tonight."

After speaking, he looked at Nina, who still had her head buried. "Hey, superstar, are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

"Mhm." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Hearing Nina’s listless voice, as wilted as a frost-bitten eggplant, he grabbed her arm and pulled her up. "Don’t just curl up here. If you want to rest, go back to your room."

"My legs are asleep."

Hauled up by him, Nina found herself standing on the sofa, her legs trembling so much she couldn’t stand straight.

She leaned over, clung to Alaric’s sturdy back, and settled herself in for a piggyback ride. Once she was in position, she patted his lower back. "Giddy-up."

Alaric didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Nina Halloway, I’m not your dad."

When she was little, Nina loved to ride on Quentin Blackwood’s shoulders and have him carry her.

Now that she was older, she was tormenting her "little brother."

He hoisted Nina onto his back, slapped her leg, and said, both angry and helpless, "Just forget that bastard Jaden, find a proper relationship, and let your boyfriend carry you in the future."

He was a married man now; he was afraid of making his wife jealous.

In response, Sophie Shaw just looked unconcerned. She even used both hands to make a "go ahead" gesture at him.

He carried Nina back to her room, settled her on the bed, and slipped out quietly. After closing the door, he took his phone out of his pocket to contact his lawyer and have them draft employment contracts and send them over.

Anne and Ethan Austin looked over their respective contracts and signed them immediately.

Ethan Austin was stunned by the salary. It was more than five times what he earned working at the boxing gym. A personal bodyguard’s monthly salary, not including the year-end bonus and other incentives, was actually twenty-five thousand.

After signing his name, he glanced at his sister’s contract. The salary section clearly stated a monthly salary of ten thousand for the live-in housekeeper.

Less than his.

Heh heh!

’I’m actually making more than my sister!’

Anne saw him grinning like an idiot and rolled her eyes at him. "What are you grinning about?"

"I’m earning more than you."

"My makeup artist and housekeeper salaries combined are more than yours."

"..."

After the contracts were signed, Anne handed both her and her brother’s employment agreements to Alaric. Nina Halloway was supposed to be the one signing them, but Alaric picked up the pen and signed his own name instead.

"Shouldn’t my boss be the one to sign?" Anne asked, surprised.

"I’ve thought about it. It’s better if I hire you two personally. That way, if your performance is subpar, I can fire you at any time."

Anne: ...

Ethan Austin: ...

"You can go back and pack your things now."

Once the siblings and the lawyer had left, Sophie Shaw sat down next to Alaric, looking at him with a hint of envy.

"You and Nina have such a great relationship."

Alaric raised an eyebrow. "What, are you jealous?"

"No."

Sophie gave an awkward smile. "I just envy how close you two are."

’She and Joel Kane had never been able to get along like real siblings. She didn’t know why. Maybe it’s because Joel is a Kane.’

When she was being bullied by the Kanes, Joseph Shaw and Joel Kane had always just stood by and watched in silence.

But Alaric would stand up for his "sister."

"What’s there to be envious of? I’m your husband. Other people should be envious of you."

As he spoke, the man wrapped an arm around her back, scooped up her legs with his other hand, and lifted her horizontally onto his lap.

He squeezed her soft waist, his thin lips curling into a slight smile. "We’ll stay here for dinner tonight and taste your best friend’s cooking."

"Okay."

"Your best friend really is a money-grubber, but she certainly knows how to seize an opportunity."

Sophie gave a wry smile. "She was forced into it."

’Who doesn’t want to just lie flat at home!’

It was just that reality didn’t allow for it, so she was forced to work like a beast of burden.

Sometimes she really felt for Anne. After their parents passed away, Anne had to shoulder the entire burden by herself, becoming a little adult. She had to support her younger brother and take care of the family. It was very difficult.

"Don’t joke about her like that in front of her. She’s had a really tough past."

Alaric nodded, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "Honey, when should we consider having a baby?"

Sophie froze, her mind buzzing.

’A baby?’

She had never even thought about it.

Besides, she and Alaric had originally gotten married based on a contract. It was just that they had both breached it on their wedding night...

She had only just accepted that she and Alaric were truly married; she couldn’t accept having a baby with him yet.

"Why aren’t you saying anything?"

The man lifted his head and looked at her profile.

"I don’t want a baby."

Heart of the Ocean had just started to stabilize; she wanted to focus on her career first.

Having a child wasn’t in her plans at the moment.

"Use protection. If you dare to try anything funny, then you can go get a vasectomy. Otherwise, don’t even think about touching me again."

Sophie said very seriously.

Seeing that she wasn’t joking, Alaric had no choice but to concede.

He stroked the woman’s slender back, rested his chin on her shoulder, and whispered in her ear, "Don’t worry, honey. If you don’t want to, I won’t force you."

He would give her his absolute respect. He would never force her to do anything she didn’t want to do.

"I’ll respect your wishes, but if you do something wrong, I’ll punish you severely."

The man’s voice was light and gentle, yet it carried an unquestionable dominance.

Sophie’s cheeks grew slightly warm. "What do you mean by ’do something wrong’?"

"When you do something wrong, I’ll let you know."

"Oh?"

’He has landmines and won’t give me a heads-up?’

’What if I end up dancing on his landmines in the future... ’

Sophie turned her head to meet the man’s gaze. "Then what is this ’punishment’ you’re talking about?"