When There Is Nothing Left But Love
Chapter 197

Chapter 197

Ashton reacted swiftly by giving it a kick, which sent it flying onto the ground.

Later, I returned from my shock. As I took a closer look at the attacker, I recognized it was Marcus’sTibetan mastiff. The last time when I saw it, it was tame and docile, lying beside his master. What’swrong with the mastiff?

The mastiff was seen lying on the ground, whimpering in pain; maybe it was seriously injured by thekick.

Just then, the people came out of the villa as a result of the commotion. Upon seeing his injured pet,Marcus frowned slightly and then shifted his gaze to Ashton. “Mr. Fuller, why did you hurt my pet?” Hisanger was clear in his voice.

Holding his gaze, Ashton replied calmly, “Please understand it was not my intention to injure your pet.In fact, I’m trying to protect my wife.”

Hearing that, Marcus shifted his gaze to me. He didn’t utter a word when he saw me hiding behindAshton, shivering in fear. Being at a loss, I lowered my head to avoid his gaze.

Just then, Sally came running out of the villa in her heels. Being as clever as always, she drew a causallink between the injured dog and my abnormality and immediately figured out what had happened.

Before I had even realized it, she had rushed up to me and held both sides of my arms. “Are youalright? Your hands are shaking. Should we go to the hospital?” she asked worriedly, her voice loudand clear.

Walking behind her was Benjamin, whose wrinkled face was clouded over. Fixing his cloudy eyes onMarcus, he scolded angrily while pointing at the mastiff, “Get rid of this savage beast! Fortunately,

Scarlett and the baby are alright. If not, you and your dog must pay for the harm caused with yourlives!”

With his eyes full of hostility, Marcus let out a snicker. “To you, I’m no different from a dog.” His wordsoozed with sarcasm.

However, I could tell he was upset when I caught sight of the emotions hidden at the bottom of hiseyes. “Benjamin, I’m fine. Today is your birthday, and we shouldn’t let this spoil the mood.” I tried tointroduce a note of levity so that Benjamin would go easy on his son.

Sally, too, tried to jolly Benjamin along. “That’s right. After all, Letty is alright. Dinner is almost ready, solet’s get in!”

Benjamin’s expression softened as he cast his eyes at Ashton and me. “You and your wife are sothoughtful.” Then, he invited us in. “Now, come on in! I bet you guys must be hungry already?”

I shook my head, smiling faintly. “No. I’ve been eating all day. Ashton has been feeding me up since Igot pregnant. Hopefully, I won’t become as fat as a pig the next time you see me.”

“Haha!” Benjamin gave a hearty laugh. “You’re such a cheeky young lady!”

“That’s true,” Sally concurred with his husband, “Letty is indeed lovable. That must be why she caughtmy dad’s eye.”

The tension in the atmosphere was reduced in a minute.

As the others entered the house, I turned around to check on Marcus, who was standing beside hisdog. The man held a gloomy expression, and an air of desolation surrounded him.

In the living room, Sally was serving us tea.

Ashton took out the gift we prepared, handing it over to Benjamin. “I heard from Aunt Sally that youlove collecting antique porcelain. I came across this at the Glenderg Auction and decided to bid it,thinking you might like it.”

Benjamin brightened up the moment he saw the porcelain. “That’s very caring of you. I’ve sent my mento look for it at the auction, but I was told that it was bid on by someone else. It turns out it was you.”While carefully holding the porcelain, a smile gradually appeared on his face. “Thank you for the gift. Ilike it a lot.”

Smiling pleasantly, Sally complimented, “Ashton has always like that. Now that he is going to become afather himself, he has learned to be more considerate toward others.”

“Actually, I almost forgot to bring the gift. Luckily, Scarlett reminded me,” Ashton said humbly.

I was slightly bewildered when he suddenly gave me credit. In fact, I had not the slightest idea that hehad prepared a gift.

Benjamin handed the porcelain over to Sally. “Keep it in the display room. Be careful!” Then, he turnedto face me. “I suppose the due date is around the corner. Have you gotten in contact with the hospital?Make sure you make all necessary arrangements before the delivery of the baby.”

I nodded in response. “Yes, we’ve contacted the hospital. Ashton has had everything prepared.”

Sally gave her husband a nudge. “Oh! Ben, put your mind at ease. Ashton and Letty know what theyshould do.”

Soon, dinner was ready, and all of them took their seat in the dining hall. While the servants wereserving the dishes, Sally tried to strike up a conversation with Marcus. “Marc, you’re not younganymore. It is time for you to settle down and build a family. Are you dating anyone?”

However, her effort to engage Marcus in their conversation was in vain. With a cold expression, thelatter replied impassively, “No.” An awkward silence ensued in his curt reply.

As if she was used to his distant attitude, Sally laughed it off as if nothing untoward had happened.Benjamin, on the other hand, was displeased. He scoffed, “I wonder who would have their eyes on him.He is in no way husband material nor a good father.”

“Well, well, now that is the pot calling the kettle black.” Marcus sneered while asking rhetorically, “Youthink you’re really a good father?”

In an instant, Benjamin’s anger spiked. “You… How dare you!”

“That’s it! I believe Marc didn’t mean what he said. Don’t take it to heart.” Sally interrupted her husband.“Don’t ruin this wonderful atmosphere. Come, have a try at this wine from the Merlin Winery.” With that,she raised her wine glass to make a toast.

Observing their exchange from the sidelines, I must admit that Sally played a crucial role in the family.Although she had the potential of stirring up a fight between the father and son, likewise, she had aknack for defusing potentially explosive situations between them.