Chapter 178

Alexander Grant froze when his fingertips brushed against the scar on the inner side of her wrist.

The jagged mark snaked across her delicate skin like an ugly centipede.

He couldn't imagine what depths of despair this stubborn woman had endured.

"Did it hurt?" His voice was rough.

Susan withdrew her hand, tugging her sleeve down. "Not anymore."

Her tone was casual, as if discussing someone else's life.

Alexander's heart twisted as if pierced by needles.

How he wished he'd met her sooner—to be her light during her darkest days.

"Give me your other hand." He grasped her right wrist without waiting for permission.

Susan instinctively tried to pull away, but his grip was firm.

"Stay still." He carefully unwrapped the bandage and reapplied the ointment.

Patrick Pope stood nearby, eyes nearly bulging from their sockets.

Since when did the ruthless head of the Grant family act like this?

"Thank you." Susan's polite gratitude carried unmistakable distance.

Alexander remained silent, his gaze dropping to her exposed ankle.

The swelling was severe.

"You sprained it." His brow furrowed.

"It's fine, I can—"

Before she could finish, he cradled her foot in his hands.

"Don't move." He poured medicinal oil into his palm and pressed it against her skin.

Susan sucked in a sharp breath.

"Bear with it." His fingers worked with precise pressure. "The bruising needs to disperse."

Patrick covered his eyes.

This was it. The boss was completely gone.

The mighty Alexander Grant—massaging a woman's foot!

Susan bit her lip, a sheen of sweat forming at her temples.

"Yell if it hurts." Alexander lightened his touch.

"It doesn't." Her voice was stubborn.

Watching her endure the pain silently, his chest constricted as if squeezed by an invisible hand.

This obstinate woman wouldn't even admit to pain.

"Done." He applied a medicated patch. "No walking for two days."

Susan withdrew her foot, flexing it awkwardly.

The pain had indeed lessened.

"Mr. Grant, about yesterday—"

"Consider it forgotten." He cut her off. "Don't dwell on it."

Susan exhaled in relief.

"Regarding the endorsement—"

"Patrick will contact you this afternoon." He stood. "Rest well."

At the doorway, he suddenly turned back.

"Susan."

"Yes?"

"You'll become the brightest star."

His certainty made it sound like an indisputable fact.

Susan blinked, stunned.

By the time she regained her composure, the man was gone.

Patrick hurried after him. "Boss, the endorsement fee—"

"Highest tier."

"But her current market value—"

"I said highest tier."

Patrick shut his mouth.

Right. Spoiling her rotten, then.

Andrew Lucas's car idled at the curb.

His icy gaze tracked Alexander's departure from the residential complex.

That man had just come from Susan's apartment.

His knuckles whitened around the steering wheel.