After His Sweetheart Moved In, He Came Home Every Night-Chapter 35: Held in Wyatt Sterling’s Arms in Public

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Held in Wyatt Sterling’s Arms in Public

Alice York really didn’t believe a word Kyle Churchill said.

Although she didn’t know what kind of person he was, he looked like a good-for-nothing slacker. To get her to go out with him, he must have said that deliberately to make her believe him.

"Is that so?" Alice York’s smile didn’t waver. "Then I’ll just have to go ask my Third Uncle if he agreed."

Kyle Churchill’s smile was a bit roguish. "You still don’t believe me?"

Alice York said nonchalantly, "I don’t know you that well."

’You don’t look trustworthy at all!’ was what she really wanted to say.

"Alright then. I’ll wait for you to go ask and come back before we head out."

Kyle Churchill was even kind enough to point her in the right direction. "Oh, right. Your Third Uncle and your stepfather are over by the pond. Don’t go the wrong way and waste time. I’ll be waiting for you here."

Alice York’s face tightened.

Last night, Wyatt Sterling had told her she wasn’t a commodity and that he wouldn’t sell her to the Churchill Family, which had put her mind at ease. But now, Kyle Churchill’s words and attitude made her faintly uneasy again.

She said no more and started walking in the direction Kyle Churchill had pointed.

In the villa’s backyard was a man-made pond. Alice York had passed by it yesterday and glanced at it. The water wasn’t very clear, probably because there were fish in it, but she hadn’t seen any.

At that moment, William Churchill, Wyatt Sterling, and their group were standing outside the pond’s railing, smiling and chatting about something.

Alice York’s gaze fell on Wyatt Sterling. He was tall, with a relaxed yet upright posture. Among the group, his aura was particularly outstanding.

’How strange. There are so many people here, but whenever Wyatt Sterling is among them, my mind subconsciously singles him out. Everyone else becomes a blur, and only he shines the brightest.’

"Alice, over here." Owen Sterling saw Alice York and waved to her.

Hearing the voice, Wyatt Sterling glanced back. Alice York was walking toward Owen Sterling. Her eyes suddenly met Wyatt’s, but she calmly looked away and stopped beside Owen.

"Why didn’t you sleep in a little?" Owen Sterling raised his hand to look at his watch. "It’s still early."

Alice York was thin-skinned. "I’d feel bad sleeping too late at someone else’s house."

Owen Sterling knew her well. "I knew it."

Alice York smiled, pursing her lips. Her gaze shifted toward the pond railing in Wyatt Sterling’s direction. "What are Third Uncle and Uncle Churchill looking at?"

Owen Sterling told her, "Uncle Churchill is raising two arapaimas."

"Arapaimas?"

"Have you seen one before?" Owen Sterling asked her.

The name "arapaima" sounded a little familiar, but Alice York couldn’t recall what the fish looked like at the moment.

She wanted to go take a look, but Owen Sterling quickly grabbed her wrist. "Don’t go over there."

Alice York didn’t understand. "Why?"

Owen Sterling explained, "Those arapaimas are huge, and they make a lot of commotion. I’m afraid you’ll get scared."

"I doubt it." Alice York was bold and also curious. "I’ll just take a quick look. Besides, I have something to ask Third Uncle."

"Then I’ll go with you." Owen Sterling followed her.

Alice York didn’t refuse.

Reaching the pond’s railing, Alice York leaned over slightly to peek into the pond. There were no ripples on the water’s surface; it looked calm, as if there were no fish.

Wyatt Sterling glanced sideways. Alice York was now close to him, and a strand of her hair drifted onto his shoulder. He could smell the faint fragrance of her hair.

This subtle, barely-there scent was different from the one he smelled in bed. It was tantalizing.

"Want to see the fish?"

Alice York whipped her head around. It was Wyatt Sterling. She hadn’t even realized she was standing right next to him, and so close.

She wasn’t coy, admitting it openly, "I heard Owen say they were arapaimas. I got a little curious and wanted to see them."

Wyatt Sterling’s lips curled. "With that courage of yours."

"You think I scare that easily?" Alice York retorted. "It’s just a fish."

Beside them, Owen Sterling’s tone was doting. "Alice, if you want to see it that badly, don’t cry when you get scared."

"I’m not a child."

As she said this, Alice York had no idea just how badly she was about to be frightened.

Wyatt Sterling signaled to Owen Sterling. "Go get a fish."

"Okay." Owen Sterling turned to leave.

On the ground behind them were two styrofoam boxes filled with live fish—food for the arapaimas.

One of William Churchill’s men had just brought over two fish. Alice York stared at them; they looked to be at least the size of her two palms put together. ’If they eat fish this big, how large must the arapaimas in the water be?’

Just as she was wondering, she saw Wyatt Sterling raise his hand toward the attendant. The man understood and handed the fish, which was tied with a rope knot, to Wyatt.

He took the knotted rope and, with a clean, swift motion, tossed it into the pond—

With a tremendous SPLASH, the once-calm surface of the water erupted as if struck by lightning, sending sprays of water flying onto the railing.

Terrified, Alice York scrambled to hide behind Wyatt Sterling, who naturally pulled her into his arms.

He didn’t shy away, and she, too stunned to react, was completely petrified.

The water’s surface didn’t calm until only the arapaima’s floating tail fin was visible, cutting a long ripple through the water...

"Scared?" Wyatt Sterling murmured, looking down.

Her nose filled with the faint, cool, pleasant scent of cedarwood. Alice York was so petrified by what had just happened that she didn’t realize she was now in Wyatt Sterling’s arms—and in front of everyone.

"So much for your courage," Wyatt Sterling scoffed.

Alice York slowly raised her head and met Wyatt Sterling’s teasing yet cool gaze. She froze for a moment, then heard Owen Sterling call her from behind: "Alice."

Alice York turned her head stiffly and saw Owen Sterling’s complicated and worried expression.

He seemed to want to say something but stopped. "You..."

After coming to her senses, Alice York immediately pulled away from Wyatt Sterling’s embrace.

She looked panicked. Before she could think of an explanation, she heard Wyatt Sterling’s cold, heavy tone: "I should just throw you in to feed that arapaima."

Alice York’s face paled. Owen Sterling quickly spoke up for her, "Third Uncle, please don’t be angry. Alice was just startled by the commotion. It was a natural instinct to seek shelter."

Wyatt Sterling’s expression was frosty. "You’re quite protective of her."

William Churchill, who had been watching the drama unfold from the side, finally stepped in to smooth things over now that he’d had his fill of entertainment. "My fish have certainly scared a lot of people. It’s Miss York’s first time seeing such a scene, so it’s understandable that she’d be frightened."

Silas Sterling also hurried to mediate. "It looks like Alice was genuinely frightened. She didn’t mean to lose her composure. Wyatt, don’t be angry."

Wyatt Sterling gave no response, his cold, dark gaze sweeping over the retreating Alice York. Beside her, Owen Sterling discreetly pulled Alice behind him and gently soothed her, "Don’t be afraid. I’m here."

Wyatt Sterling’s expression grew even darker.

Owen Sterling, afraid that Wyatt’s anger would be misdirected at Alice, shielded her with his large frame. "Go on back. I’ll handle things here."

Alice York was a little dazed.

Everyone thought Wyatt Sterling was furious because she had thrown herself into his arms when she was scared, overstepping her bounds with him.

’But I knew the real reason,’ Alice thought. ’He was putting on a show for the others. He had held my waist quite forcefully just now.’

Her thoughts were a tangled mess, and for a moment, she forgot the important question she had come to ask. As she dazedly turned to leave, she saw Kyle Churchill standing in the distance, watching her with a smirk.