bChapter /bb251 /b

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    Yosef knew he would be turned down, but he didn’t mind. With a subtle, knowing smile, he said, “You know, I’ve observed that you have quite a few simrities with my wife.”

    “You must be crazy,” Skr replied immediately. “If you think I’m going to be a substitute for your wife, I’m sorry to disappoint you–so please keep your distance.”

    Yosef remarked, “You’ve got the same fiery temperament as my wife–never backing down when you know you’re right.”

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    Skr found herself momentarily speechless. ‘Is Yosef testing me, or has he already recognized me and is just toying with me? It seems he hasn’t recognized me after all,‘ she thought, pursing her lips slightly.

    “Let me rify this once and for all,” Skr said, her gaze cutting and her tone gravely serious. “Stop treating me as a substitute for your wife, and stop following me.”

    Yosef hadn’t intended to upset Skr. Dropping his yful teasing, he quickly called out to the furiously departing Skr, “Wait!”

    “What do you want now, Mr. Campbell?” Skr snapped, her impatience evident. “If you dare to speak that nonsense again, don’t me me for being rude,” Skr warned.

    Yosef’s lips curled into a faint smile, but it quickly vanished into a cold, straight line. “How are your medical skills?” he asked.

    Skr snapped, “What do you want to know?”

    Yosef Campbell regarded her with a serious expression. “Someone in my household is unwell. If your medical expertise is as remarkable as I believe it to be, I would like to offer you a generous sry to serve as our family physician.”

    ‘Family physician? Isn’t this his cunning way of trying to reel me back in and maintain control over me? It figures–he’s still fixated on this whole stand–in nonsense,‘ Skr thought with a disdainful snort.

    “Not interested,” Skr scoffed.

    Skr’s tone was harsh, leaving Yosefpletely confused. Although Yosef didn’t respond further, he sensed that Skr appeared even more upset than before. Yosef started, “You…”

    “Whatever you say, my answer is no,” Skr replied tly. “So please stop bothering me, got it?”

    Yosef pursed his lips and sighed. “I’m sorry to bother you.”

    Skr scoffed and turned to leave. At that moment, the overhead lights suddenly went out, casting the entire hall into darkness. Some of the more timid guests screamed in fright as the unexpected darkness enveloped the space.

    Skr wasn’t afraid of the dark, but in the pitch–ck surroundings, she found herself unable to move. Left with no choice, she stood still, waiting for the power to be restored. Suddenly, someone shoved her hard from behind. Losing her bnce, she stumbled forward, nearly crashing onto the floor.

    If she were to fall now, even without injury, she could still be trampled by the crowd suddenly rushing over. The anticipated pain never arrived. In the surrounding darkness, her senses heightened.

    At that moment, someone wrapped their arms around her waist. The warmth of the embrace made her acutely aware of his heart racing. “bAre /byou okay?” Yosef’s voice resonated above her. Skr frowned and quickly pulled away from his hold.

    “I apologize; that was not my intention. I believe someone inadvertently kicked me,” Skr exined.

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    “It’s okay,” Yosef whispered, wrapping his hand around Skr’s elbow in the dark, pulling her securely against his chest. “You should stay close–I don’t want you to get bumped again.”

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    ‘Yosef’s behavior tonight is unexpected,‘ Skr mused. ‘He’s never been this talkative with me before. Is he flirting? Does he think I’d agree to be his hidden affair partner or something?‘

    Skr, struggling to contain her anger, said through gritted teeth, “Mr. Campbell, don’t you fear how furious your wife will be when she finds out about this reckless behavior?”

    Yosef chuckled, leaned in so his breath brushed against her ear, and whispered, “Are you curious about the answer? It’s simple–I’ll ask her myself.

    “Skr, are you upset with me?” A soft voice echoed in Skr’s ear.

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