Chapter 4 Merely A Strategic Move

Silence enveloped the spacious room.

On the bed, Helena stopped her movements, kneeling quietly.

As she raised her eyes to meet Charlie's, her lips were slightly open in a silent expression of mock confusion.

Charlie looked down, his eyes locking with hers.

He saw in her face a faint resemblance to someone from his distant past, hidden deep in his memories.

But...

"No," he thought dismissively, "that person must be long dead."

With a flick of his hand, he pushed Helena's head away.

She fell backward, her long curls fanning out across the white sheets, highlighting the paleness of her face.

Returning his attention to the report now in his hand, Charlie flipped through it. Confirming Helena was not pregnant, he said coldly, "Guess it could be entertaining to keep a fool around."

Helena's eyes widened in confusion, struggling to grasp his intentions.

What kind of wealthy man would keep a woman who had cognitive difficulties? Was he some kind of pervert that was into such things?

However, she was careful not to let her suspicions become apparent. Pretending to be helpless, she remained motionless, acting as though she needed help to even rise.

Her act was flawless, even more convincing than someone genuinely suffering.

As Jace stepped back into the room a moment later, he looked at his boss and paused briefly. "Mr. Wallace, your grandmother has responded. She mentioned..."

Charlie raised his head, his gaze cold and filled with irritation. "What did she say?"

Jace flinched, replying respectfully, "She said that you're deliberately provoking her, and she doesn't want you visiting this month-or any month at all, until probably she passed away."

Jace always found it challenging to deal with Charlie's grandmother, Jodi Wallace, known for her eccentric and stubborn nature.

"In that case, I'll stay away. Every time the topic of marriage comes up, she throws a fit. I'll just let her be."

Helena's gaze was fixed on the ceiling, thoughts swirling in her head.

It dawned on her that Charlie was using her to stop his grandmother's constant talk about marriage. To him, she was just a strategic move.

With this realization, Helena felt a sense of security; at least she knew Charlie had reasons to keep her alive.

Still, Helena knew she had to think of an escape plan before Charlie's grandmother decided to investigate.

Should the Wallace family uncover that Charlie had picked her up from a nightclub, presenting herself as somewhat simple-minded, they wouldn't hesitate to remove her to safeguard his image.

......

Several days had passed since Helena woke up in this villa.

While secretly listening to the maids' gossip, she discovered she was in Charlie's private retreat, though he hadn't shown himself since the day he brought her here.

One sunny morning, Helena crouched on the grass, feigning interest in the ants crawling below while she actually eavesdropped on the nearby maids.

"Do you think Mr. Wallace brought that girl here just to irritate his grandmother?"

A maid trimming the bushes replied, "With all those elite ladies and princesses eager to marry Mr. Wallace, it's clear what they're truly after. I find this girl refreshing. She may be a simpleton, but at least she's not as manipulative. Now that Miss Wallace is ill, perhaps she can keep Mr. Wallace company."

"That's true. It's heartbreaking that Miss Wallace suffers from such a unique heart ailment. Despite years of searching, Mr. Wallace hasn't found a cure. If anything were to happen to her, I dread thinking about his reaction."

Engrossed in her surveillance, Helena noticed a looming figure approaching from the corner of her eye.

She grabbed a thin stick and started poking at the ground, muttering, "One, two..."

The maids parted ways, showing respect as they murmured, "Mr. Wallace."

Helena faced away from the staircase, but the sound of footsteps on the grass drew nearer until they halted directly behind her.

His shadow enveloped her completely, making her feel trapped, like being in a cage.

"What are you looking at?" Charlie's deep, resonant voice broke the silence just above her head.

Lifting her head, Helena met his eyes as he leaned over her.

A moment later, his expression turned into a scowl as he pulled her to her feet.

Dirt smeared Helena's hands and stained her once white dress.

He expressed his irritation, saying, "Look at you, all covered in mud."