“Madam,” Kieran said respectfully. Having stayed by Nelson’s side for so long, he was completely loyal.
Callie was worried about causing a scene. “You should leave. Iyana probably brought the media. It wouldn’t be good to be exposed.” Although she was disgusted by Iyana, she didn’t want things to be resolved this way.
Kieran didn’t move. “They may have orders to film, but they won’t live to publish it.”
Iyana lay on the ground trembling. Callie couldn’t bear to watch. “Listen to me, let her go. I won’t hold a grudge, let’s just end this today.”
Kieran looked hesitantly at the man beside him. Callie followed his gaze and quickly looked away.
This was obviously Nelson’s decision.
Kieran nudged Iyana on the ground. “Fine, apologize to her. Admit that you spoke without thinking and that you’re a foul-mouthed wretch, and this will be over.”
Tears instantly welled up in Iyana’s eyes. “You… you…”
Seeing the situation, Callie walked over to Nelson, her heart sinking. She was anxious. “Tell Kieran to stop!”
Her tone had been murderous towards Iyana earlier, but now she was defending her. Nelson felt inexplicably irritated and lifted Callie’s chin with his hand. “She insulted you, and you’re pleading for her? Callie, playing the saint won’t work with me.”
Callie’s anger hadn’t subsided much, and hearing his barbed words again, she didn’t want to argue further. As she turned to leave, Nelson grabbed her wrist.
The man gave Kieran a cold look. Kieran understood and stood up, repeating himself to Iyana. “Apologize!”
Iyana’s eyes darted around as she quickly weighed her options and swallowed her pride. “Mrs. Oconnor… I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn. I’m sorry.”
Callie wanted an apology from Iyana but didn’t want Nelson to force it out of her. She wasn’t pretending to be innocent; seeing Iyana like this was satisfying enough. She nodded, considering the matter settled.
Kieran glared at Iyana. “Get lost!”
Her staff immediately helped her up and hurriedly escorted her out. She left crying, looking utterly pathetic.
Once the noisy crowd left, Kieran and the others dispersed on their own, leaving just the two of them.
Callie glanced at Nelson and shook off his hand. “You’ve made too much noise.”
Nelson pulled her back, wrapping an arm around her waist and holding her gently. “You’re so soft-tempered outside, but so tough with me.”
“You’re not the same as them…”
“So you let them bully you.”
“Now that you’ve intervened, who would dare bully me? Even if the media doesn’t report it, people will talk.”
“Let them talk.”
After saying this, Nelson’s expression softened for the first time. “Are you still angry…”
His cautious demeanor couldn’t be faked. Callie couldn’t quite describe how she felt. She withdrew her hand. “Let’s get discharged first.”
On the way back to Paucaster Villa, no one spoke. The silence was suffocating.
When they arrived, Ben was already waiting.
Nelson sat in the main seat while Callie made tea for him. It was top-quality tea, but she wasn’t skilled at brewing it and couldn’t bring out its fragrance. Still, Nelson drank it.
The tea passed his lips, adding a layer of color to them, making him look much better.
After finishing the cup, Nelson finally looked up at Ben standing in front of him with his head lowered.
Today, Ben was here to receive his punishment.