Chapter 4 Half a Month
929 Words
Giovanna wasn't surprised by his question. "You're my husband now. If your legs get better, I won't have to watch over you every day, and it will be easier for you to satisfy me in bed."
"Huh..." Antonio smiled faintly, surprised that she had even thought of that.
"So, please cooperate with me."
Antonio glanced at the glass of medicine on the bedside table, picked it up, and drank it in one go. The taste was indescribable.
Seeing his twisted expression, Giovanna took out a piece of candy and put it into his mouth.
The sweet taste spread through his mouth, easing the bitterness and softening his frown.
"Better?" Giovanna asked.
Antonio glanced at her. "You had this prepared in advance?"
"No, it's just a habit." When her grandmother was sick, she always feared taking medicine. From then on, Giovanna always carried candies in her bag, finding that it helped improve her mood during tough times.
"Hmm, it's sweet."
"Now, let's continue with the treatment." Giovanna was about to begin when the door suddenly burst open, and Edward and Yolanda stormed in.
Once again, Yolanda shoved Giovanna to the ground and said to Edward, "Grandpa, this wicked woman wants to harm Antonio!"
Edward's face turned livid as he took in the scene before him. The medical tools were scattered on the floor, and there was a pungent glass of herbal medicine on the table.
"What are you doing, Giovanna? Out of respect for your grandfather, I give you a chance to explain yourself."
Giovanna stood up, not willing to take the blame, of course.
"Grandfather, I can cure Antonio's legs. Just give me some time."
Yolanda sneered. "Look at you. You probably didn't even go to college, and you dare to pretend to be a doctor?"
She was set on getting Giovanna ousted from the Hooper family today.
Giovanna glanced at her with disdain. "You've never investigated me, so how do you know I didn't go to college? I wouldn't make such a claim unless I was confident. If I mess it up, you won't let me off the hook anyway."
Edward decided to be fair.
"Giovanna, we won't wrong anyone. If you can prove you have the ability to treat Antonio, I'll believe you."
Giovanna lowered her head slightly and remained silent. She was waiting, but also probing. She wanted to know if her husband was worth cooperating with.
In order to investigate her grandmother's matters, gaining Antonio's trust was crucial. She didn't care about anyone else.
But Yolanda was impatient and took her silence to be a sign of guilt.
"Looks like she can't prove it. Grandfather, call the police. She's trying to kill him."
Suddenly, Antonio felt a slight sensation in his legs.
Though it was fleeting, he noticed it.
He instinctively looked at Giovanna, noticing that despite the accusations, she remained composed.
It seemed she was truly intriguing.
Antonio intervened at the opportune moment, "Wait. She's my wife. Of course I believe her"
"Let her stay and continue her treatment. You all stay out of this."
"What? She's clearly up to no good. How can we ignore this potential harm?" Yolanda yelled.
"She's my wife. She won't harm me," Antonio said firmly, his eyes filled with a chilling determination.
Giovanna looked at the man in the bed with satisfaction. He truly didn't disappoint her. She was right about him.
Edward naturally respected Antonio's decision. "Since you say so, she can stay,"
He continued, "Giovanna, come with me."
Giovanna nodded and followed him, but then, she turned to Antonio at the door.
"I'll be back soon. Don't move around, okay?"
Antonio smiled wryly. "I can't move anyway."
Feeling he might be upset, Giovanna decided to offer him some comfort considering his earlier support.
"Um... I'll heal you as quickly as I can."
Antonio noted the sympathy in her eyes and smiled. 'Christ... she's looking at me as if I'll drop dead the very next second.'
As the door closed, Antonio's thoughts grew more complicated. Her calm under pressure was extraordinary!
She wasn't just a simple country girl; she knew what she was doing.
He had wanted to gauge her reaction, only to be caught in her trap instead.
This woman was truly something!
*****
Meanwhile, Giovanna followed Edward into his study.
He asked, "Can you really cure Tony?"
"I can't promise it'll be quick, but I'll do my best. His condition is unusual."
Edward frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Someone has been administering a drug to his legs for a long time. I don't know what it is, but if this continues, he might eventually need amputation."
"What!" Edward was genuinely shocked.
Who in the Hooper family would dare harm the heir so blatantly?
Giovanna had only revealed this because Edward genuinely cared for Antonio.
Besides, gaining his trust would help her deal with Yolanda's accusations.
"I don't know who it is, and it's not my concern. My job is to cure Antonio."
Edward's experience told him there was more to Giovanna than met the eye.
He recalled Antonio's words and finally agreed, "All right. How much time do you need?"
Giovanna frowned. "Half a month at least, but it could take longer. I can't guarantee."
She still needed some time to figure out the drug that made Antonio paralyzed.
However, Edward was unsatisfied with such an uncompromising answer.
"Fine. You have half a month. If you don't cure Tony by then, I'll have to treat you as the culprit."
Giovanna's eyes flickered, and she gave a cold, almost mocking smile.
"Grandfather, is that a threat?"
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