CHAPTER 170: CHAPTER 170: FULFILLING A WIFE’S DUTY

"Can Ah Feng shorten the alarm to just one beep?"

"I’ll tell him about it when we go out later."

Lucy Eaton smiled lightly, "Okay."

After rinsing off the foam, Lucy Eaton wrapped herself in a towel and left the bathroom with him.

Once Jacob Green briefed Ah Feng, she turned on her phone, entered the password to unlock the hidden app, and opened the recording backup.

The first voice to play was Grace Hughes’.

"Stellan, have you arrived in Northriver?"

"Yes, I’m lying on the bed now." Stellan Quinn sounded congested and muffled, "His Highness took Flora Palmer to attend the banquet. They probably won’t be back tonight."

"They’re just putting on a show, don’t take it too seriously. I’ll hurry over to see you tomorrow morning."

"Come quickly."

"Alright, get some sleep early."

After Grace Hughes hung up, the sound of the television continued.

Lucy Eaton exited the app, placed her phone on the bedside cabinet, and nestled into Jacob Green’s embrace, falling asleep peacefully.

——

Today was Arthur Bennett’s uncle’s birthday, so he brought Flora Palmer mainly to attend the birthday banquet.

Flora Palmer wore a sapphire blue gown, her hair styled in a debutante braid, with peach blossom makeup on her face. Her elegance and grace were apparent in every move.

Arm in arm with Arthur Bennett, they entered the venue with smiles on their faces, appearing like a loving couple.

But only they knew the emotional distance between them.

To Flora Palmer, there would still be many occasions like this in the future, so she told herself to get used to it.

Arthur Bennett seemed to be in good spirits or something and drank too much.

While she only had a bit of champagne.

On the way back, they remained silent towards each other.

As they were nearing the Presidential Mansion, Arthur Bennett suddenly said to her, "I’ll sleep in your room tonight."

Flora Palmer’s face remained calm, "Suit yourself."

Arthur Bennett reached out and pinched her neck, "Your response makes me want to snap your neck."

"Your Highness has such noble hands, better not waste them on trivial matters."

He withdrew his hand, offering a cold smile.

Lewis glanced at the rearview mirror, seeing Flora Palmer’s forlorn gaze looking out the window.

Upon entering the bedroom, she put down her purse, poured a cup of tea for Arthur Bennett, and added a pinch of crushed sleeping pills.

After removing her makeup, Flora Palmer slowly came out of the washroom.

"Come over and fulfill your duty as a wife."

Flora Palmer looked at the cup of tea on the bedside cabinet; he had already drunk more than half.

She walked over, and as soon as she sat down, he pinned her to the bed.

Without any gentleness, he tore her gown apart, and his alcohol-laden breath assaulted her senses, causing Flora Palmer to turn her head aside.

Arthur Bennett, buried in her neck, murmured sleepily, "You smell nice."

Flora Palmer didn’t respond. Once he fell asleep, she pushed him off her, gasping for breath as she sat up and changed out of the torn gown.

Instead of switching to sleepwear, she opted for an external floral dress.

Arthur Bennett’s phone in his pocket kept ringing, and Flora Palmer took a look—it was Stellan Quinn calling.

She didn’t answer and returned the phone to Arthur Bennett’s clothes.

Ever since witnessing his true nature, Flora Palmer couldn’t bring herself to look at him directly, finding any room he occupied nauseating.

She opened the bedroom door, ready to leave, but Lewis stood in her way, "Miss, it’s so late, are you going out?"

"Just going for a walk nearby."

"Your Highness..."

"He’s asleep."

Flora Palmer stepped around his outstretched arm and walked out to the main hall.

Lewis followed her.

The Presidential Mansion was much quieter at night. Flora Palmer looked up at the moon, brilliant as stars, "Tomorrow will certainly be a beautiful day."

Lewis followed in silence.

Walking along to the lakeside, Flora Palmer sat on a bench gazing at the shimmering lake surface and smiled, "Only now do I feel I’m breathing, though my stomach feels empty—I’m hungry."

No sooner had she said this than a packaged loaf of bread appeared in her view.

She looked at Lewis in surprise, "You carry this around?"

He didn’t answer her question but said, "Blueberry flavored."

Flora Palmer took it, tore open the packaging, pinched a soft piece of bread, and put it in her mouth, finding the taste quite good.

"Delicious."

——

"My dear second sister, what are you daydreaming about?" Jacob Green entered, hands in his pockets, his gaze casual.

Lily Green snapped out of her thoughts and said, "Obviously thinking about work matters."

"The company really does have a lot going on lately; it’s been tough for you, second sister."

Lily Green looked at him suspiciously, "You’re smiling like you need a good beating—just say what’s on your mind."

"Lucy and I arranged to leave for a vacation in Nation R at 6 PM."

Lily Green wore a ’I figured’ expression, "You just like to make your sister work hard, as if only you have a personal life—don’t I have one?"

"When you find a boyfriend and get married, I promise you’ll have plenty of time with your partner."

"You’re just bullying me because I don’t have a man." Lily Green complained, "Every day I’m either stuck in the office or dealing with workaholics. When will I have my springtime?"

"The annual matchmaking party starts in about two months, you should attend."

Lily Green raised her coffee cup, "We’ll see."

"Have you still been going to the Grand Saint Temple often lately?"

Lily Green paused her action and then placed the cup down, "I go when I have time."

"You really are sincere."

"Of course," Lily Green gave a wry smile, "I’ve never been so devoted to anything."

"That’s rare indeed." Jacob Green said no more, waved his hand and turned to leave.

This morning, Jacob Green suddenly suggested going abroad for a few days, and since Lucy Eaton saw his desire, she agreed.

As a result, she informed the hospital when she went to work at two in the afternoon.

They chose to depart at six because the weather is cooler in the evening—they can sleep and reach Nation R without disrupting the day’s activities tomorrow.

There was a surgery in the afternoon by another neurosurgeon where she assisted.

The surgery lasted until around 5:15.

She cleaned up and changed, arriving at the surgical room by 5:30.

Lucy Eaton returned to her office, sat down, took a sip of water, and saw Michael Paxton enter, his brow furrowed, "It’s really awful."

"What happened?"

"An obstetrics and gynecology department patient had an amniotic fluid embolism and couldn’t be saved. I heard from other nurses say the deceased’s family has a background—they brought many people and are causing a commotion at the hospital. I saw the family’s banner with the name Margaret on it, but I’ve never heard of anyone important with that surname here in Ningham."

Upon hearing the name, Lucy Eaton’s mind suddenly flashed to an image from her previous life—she had seen news reports of a pregnant woman having an unexpected amniotic fluid embolism in Ningham City’s obstetrics department, which couldn’t be treated in time. The deceased was named Margaret, and she came from a well-off family with connections in both immediate and extended families, hence the commotion was huge and made headlines.