My Seven Wives in One Body and Me, her Manager-Chapter 35: Test of Strength, Husband vs Wife

As late afternoon bled into evening, and after having their fill of the beach, the group gathered next to the villa. They met at a separate pavilion designed for barbecues, featuring a large wooden table for outdoor dining. The staff had already prepared a feast: lobster, king crab, jumbo prawns, oysters, and fish were currently sizzling on the grill. They were also prepping chicken and beef along with rolls for anyone wanting to make sandwiches. Dennis, Daisy, Gary, Olivia, Jason, and Kimberly sat around the table waiting for the meal to be served, still in their swimwear with only bathrobes or beach cover-ups thrown over them.

"It looks like we’re ready for the sparring match later," Olivia remarked.

"Strategically, yes. But honestly, I’m still curious about our individual strengths—especially yours, Dennis," Gary said, glancing over at him.

"Huh? Me?" Dennis asked.

"Yep, you, bro. We need to know what everyone can do. So tomorrow, after the online classes, let’s head back to the beach for some one-on-one matches. We’ll run our own little tournament," Gary suggested.

"Hmm... I’m down. I also want to show you guys that I’m not just a sniper; I’m pretty handy with a knife, too," Jason said.

"I’m in. I’m actually curious myself," Kimberly added.

"Okay, tomorrow we’ll just train together. We need to gauge everyone’s power and abilities so we can actually be useful to the team," Olivia said.

"Alright, I’m game. What about you, babe?" Dennis asked, turning to look at Daisy.

But Dennis’s eyes went wide when he saw Daisy raising her hands to tie her hair back into a tight bun. He knew exactly which Daisy was out right now—Daisy Number Six. He realized it made sense because it was already 7:00 PM, meaning it was time for them to swap. Sensing Dennis watching her, Daisy turned and smiled, but her eyes were clearly ready for combat.

"What is it, baby?" Daisy Number Six asked.

"Nothing... are you okay with us sparring tomorrow?" Dennis asked.

"Of course. I want to test your strength myself, baby," Daisy Number Six replied, cutting straight to the point.

"Whoa, she’s coming straight for you, dude," Jason teased Dennis.

"Good! That means she’s excited and curious about her husband too, haha," Olivia added.

"Exactly. It’s no big deal, Den, it’s normal. When Jason had his awakening, I tested him too, and vice versa," Kimberly said.

"Everyone goes through it, man. Just relax," Gary added.

"Oh, I see. Fair enough, haha," Dennis replied. "If only they knew... the only thing inside this girl’s head next to me is punch, kick, and then punch again even harder," Dennis muttered in his head.

The food was served by the staff. On a single platter in the center, a mountain of seafood sat ready to be devoured. On the next plate was a whole rotisserie chicken, and a tray filled with cuts of beef and pork was laid out alongside bread and mashed potatoes. Seeing the massive spread in front of him, Dennis swallowed hard. He glanced at Daisy, whose eyes were locked onto the plates, her mouth practically watering.

After saying grace, they all dug into the meal together. Dennis grabbed a few lobsters and crabs, some meat, and a couple of pieces of chicken. Then he turned his head, and his eyes went wide seeing Daisy Number Six already eating with a greedy, brutal lack of manners. It caused Gary, Olivia, Jason, and Kimberly—who were also just starting on their own food—to stop and stare, though they seemed entertained seeing Daisy eat like she was absolutely famished.

"Babe, please eat slowly. Don’t act like a starving person who hasn’t eaten in ages," Dennis whispered into Daisy’s ear.

"Oh... mm... mm... sorry, I’m... hungry," Daisy Number Six said, her mouth so full that her voice came out muffled and funny.

"Leave her be, man. Seriously though, you should try feeding your wife once in a while at home," Gary joked.

"Hahaha... true, dude. Poor girl looks like she’s starving," Jason added, joining in on the teasing.

Laughter broke the silence, but Dennis stayed quiet, offering nothing but a faint smile. His face turned deep red. He knew perfectly well his friends were just joking and meant no harm, but their words still hit his chest like a sledgehammer. In his memories of the past year—before his awakening—he had always just moped around the house, grumpy, watching TV after school or locking himself in his room to stare at his phone.

Even though he knew that version of Dennis from a year ago wasn’t actually him from another dimension, the guilt remained. Daisy had worked every single day while he hadn’t cared; he had lost all hope in life and let her take care of everything. In other words, he had been an asshole, a deadbeat, and a useless person depending entirely on his wife.

Daisy Number Six, still eating, noticed Dennis’s flushed face and the way he looked down with that uneasy smile. Sensing exactly what he was feeling, she immediately slammed her food down. She turned to Gary, Olivia, Jason, and Kimberly, who were all chatting and laughing.

"Blam!" She slammed her fist onto the table so hard that the plates jumped into the air before clattering back down. The atmosphere went dead silent as everyone turned to look at Number Six; even the staff didn’t dare make a sound.

"Stop making fun of Dennis. He always gives me whatever I want. Don’t you dare say he doesn’t feed me. I just like this food, that’s why I’m eating like this. Got it?" Daisy Number Six snapped, her eyes sharp enough to kill.

The silence grew thick and uncomfortable. Gary, Olivia, Jason, and Kimberly stared at Daisy, who looked so furious it was as if they were just meeting her for the first time—which, in a way, they were. Then they looked over at Dennis, who was also stunned as he turned to face Daisy.

"Sorry, Den. I didn’t mean to pick on you. I was just joking; I’m sorry if I crossed a line," Gary said.

"Yeah, Den, I’m sorry for laughing too. I didn’t mean anything by it," Olivia added.

"He... hey, it’s really okay. I get it... Daisy, can we talk for a second?" Dennis said, standing up while taking Daisy by the arm.

Dennis immediately pulled Daisy along as he walked back toward the beach, leaving the dining table behind. Naturally, Daisy followed him, her face full of questions and a touch of excitement. When they reached the shore, Dennis let go of her and turned to face her.

"Hey, I know you’re Number Six. Please, don’t do that again. Our friends were just joking and didn’t mean anything by it, you understand?" Dennis asked.

"Huh... they were hurting you, weren’t they? I could see it on your face that you were hurt. Please don’t defend people who hurt you, no matter who they are," Daisy Number Six answered stubbornly.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about our life a year ago. What they said was true, but that doesn’t mean I’m offended. I want to change and be a better husband for you, understand?" Dennis asked, raising his voice slightly. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Huh... I never asked you to change, did I? Back then, the reason I and the others worked was simply because we didn’t want to be stuck at home all the time and be with you. It wasn’t because we were working to take care of you. They are clearly wrong," Daisy Number Six said angrily, folding her arms across her chest and glaring at Dennis.

Dennis flinched, shocked by Number Six’s blunt honesty. His heart stung because her words felt devastatingly truthful—like they were exactly what she really felt. His face flushed deep red, and without even realizing it, his hands clenched into fists.

"So... you considered me a useless man and a burden, didn’t you? Then why did you even marry me? You already knew back then—I was ugly, fat, cross-eyed, and probably smelled. I’ve been an outcast from the very beginning," Dennis muttered, his voice heavy and thick with anger.

Hearing Dennis’s words, Daisy Number Six’s face went pale. She stared at him, her mouth hanging open, but no words came out. Dennis took a step forward, standing right in front of her.

"Or... are you just like Bella? Did you think of me as just a placeholder until something better came along? Or was it just for the status, so nobody would hit on you because you were popular? Is that it?" Dennis asked firmly, his voice brimming with emotion.

"No... no, baby, I didn’t mean it like that... back then... back then... I can’t explain it... I’m sorry, I didn’t want to hurt you... I love you," Daisy Number Six said, panicking.

"I see. Well, I’m sorry. I really was useless this past year. I was ugly and absolutely nothing to be proud of. Even now, I still feel like I’m good for nothing," Dennis said bitterly.

"It’s not like that... you are useful... I love you... please stop talking like that. I’m so sorry, I misspoke... I didn’t mean it that way... really," Daisy Number Six pleaded.

"Forget it. No point in talking about it anymore. You were right. I’m going to the room to grab my things; I’m sleeping on the couch tonight," Dennis said, turning his back.

"Don’t... please don’t, I don’t want that!" Number Six cried out.

But Dennis ignored her. He started walking toward the villa to get his stuff from the room. After a few steps, he felt an attack coming his way. He spun around and saw a fist right in front of his face. He dodged instantly, watching Daisy Number Six fly past him, still in her punching form. She landed and immediately spun into a kick aimed straight for Dennis’s head, but Dennis threw up his arm to block her leg.

"Boom!" The collision between the kick and Dennis’s arm released a thunderous roar, sending a shock wave of wind slicing through the air. Dennis gasped, staring at Daisy Number Six’s face; she looked furious, but tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"What the hell are you doing?" Dennis asked, incensed.

"Please... don’t hate me... forgive me. I’ll keep attacking you until you forgive me," Daisy Number Six said.

Without waiting for Dennis to answer, Daisy attacked again, throwing punches and kicks at him through her flowing tears. Dennis struggled to dodge her onslaught, and every time he parried, explosions and shockwaves rippled outward, flipping over lounge chairs and umbrellas by the poolside.

"Hey... stop it!" Dennis shouted.

"No... forgive me... I truly love you. I don’t have the words, everything I just said was wrong... all I can do is fight to convince you... forgive me," Daisy Number Six screamed, sobbing.

"Hah... what kind of logic is that?" Dennis shot back, barely managing to block.

Hearing the explosions and the impact, Gary, Olivia, Jason, and Kimberly rushed over. Their eyes went wide and their jaws dropped. They watched the incredible battle shaking the surroundings, a clash between Dennis and Daisy so intense they didn’t dare intervene or do a single thing.