Together Apart: Her White Moonlight Has Returned Too-Chapter 20: Let’s See Who He Can Protect

Replace her? Vera Yves was shocked.

Melinda Shelby gave her another look of disgust and turned to leave.

Vera couldn’t understand Melinda’s intentions. Replace her? Or replace someone to have Winston Valentine’s child?

In the afternoon, Vera went to Hillside Villa to give Tristan the preliminary treatment plan.

Cleo Sutton warmly invited her to dinner, which Vera initially intended to decline.

Tristan said, "It’s been a long time since she’s had a proper meal, treat it as keeping me company."

Vera couldn’t refuse anymore.

Cleo wanted to cook herself, but Tristan disagreed. They argued in the kitchen for a while, and in the end, Cleo directed while Tristan did the cooking.

The busy figures in the kitchen were like an ordinary couple, except they weren’t married.

In the end, they made three dishes and a soup, all home-cooked meals.

"I didn’t know what you like to eat, so I made some of my specialties. Try them and see if they suit your taste," Cleo looked at her expectantly.

Vera took a piece of eggplant, chewing it slowly, "It’s delicious."

Cleo smiled, "If you like it, come by often, I’ll cook for you."

Vera nodded politely.

For some reason, Cleo’s gaze was too intense, making Vera a bit uncomfortable. Halfway through the meal, Cleo felt unwell, and Tristan carried her upstairs.

"Cleo and I once had a daughter," Tristan explained, "but she was lost shortly after birth. Cleo blames herself. She’s been holding on all this time, hoping to see the child once more in her life. Sadly, despite all the people I’ve sent over the years, there are still no leads."

Vera was a bit surprised.

Tristan continued, "That child would be about your age, so when Cleo sees you, she can’t help but think of that child and wants to be good to you."

Vera didn’t know what to say. If that child were around her age, she would be Winston Valentine’s half-sister, also an illegitimate child.

After dinner, Vera received a call from Linda Young, asking her out for drinks.

Vera didn’t want to go back to the old house and face Melinda, so she drove to the bar. Seeing the colorful signs, Vera frowned.

Linda came over and put her arm around her shoulder, "This bar has a new resident singer, really handsome! Let me take you to see!"

Before Vera could say anything, Linda had already led her into the bar.

As soon as they entered, the deafening music gave Vera a headache.

Seeing her frown, Linda leaned close to her ear, "What? Been a good housewife for too long and can’t adapt to this place?"

Vera smiled helplessly, pushed her away, and they found a booth to sit.

They ordered drinks, and Linda took out a camera, starting to wipe the lens, when suddenly a deafening cheer erupted around them.

A young man holding a guitar was singing and playing on stage.

"Handsome, right?"

Vera glanced over at the man. He had a sunny, handsome smile, but seemed to lack some charm.

Vera swirled the wine glass, images of Winston flashed in her mind. Married for three years, she seemed to have never seen him truly smile.

In front of her, he was always calm and restrained. His black eyes held nothing but indifference or derision towards her.

Sometimes, when he held her tightly, she would be under the illusion of being deeply loved by him.

Thinking of Melinda’s words, Vera tilted her head back and downed the drink. The spiciness in her mouth finally suppressed the murky feeling in her heart. Winston had promised her he wouldn’t cheat.

Linda took some pictures of the stage, "Vera, isn’t that Cecilia Vaughn?"

Following Linda’s direction, Vera saw a woman dressed provocatively, heavily made-up, dancing seductively in the middle of the dance floor. A group of men stared at her like wolves.

The melody on stage ended, and the laser lights swept over the crowd, with explosive music starting again, returning the dance floor to a hedonistic scene.

Someone wrapped their arm around Cecilia, dancing closely with her.

Cecilia seemed drunk, her eyes hazy, hands on the man’s shoulders. The man, encouraged, grew bolder, his hand sliding down her waistline.

"Ah!" A scream followed as the man’s hand was pulled away from Cecilia.

Winston, with a stern face, kicked the man hard in the groin.

The crowd exclaimed and quickly scattered.

Cecilia, seeing the man being hit, pulled another man over, "You dance with me!"

But the man, scared out of his wits, hurriedly pushed her away and ran off.

The man on the ground clutched his groin, struggling to stand, pointing at Winston, "Damn it, you dare to hit me! Don’t go if you have the guts!"

Winston looked at him dismissively, "If you don’t want to die, scram."

Cecilia still wanted to find someone to dance with. Winston took off his jacket and draped it over her. Cecilia struggled, but he firmly held her shoulders, "I don’t need you to take care of me anymore!"

Vera’s eyes dimmed somewhat. Only someone in love would feel possessive, right? He still couldn’t let Cecilia go from his heart.

Winston’s face was grim as he led her towards the exit, but before they reached the door, the man who was hit returned with a group of thugs, each holding something in their hands.

The crowd quickly made way for them.

"Damn it, beat them to death for me!"

Vera picked up her phone, calling the police while moving towards Winston. Linda also hastily took her camera and followed.

Winston shielded Cecilia behind him, and soon they were surrounded by more than a dozen people.

He didn’t even bring any bodyguards.

"Weren’t you just acting all high and mighty? Let’s see who ends up dead today!"

Winston sneered, "Just with you lot?"

The man gritted his teeth in anger, "Get him! Beat him to death!"

The group pounced on Winston like wolves preying on their food.

Winston agilely dodged their attacks. Behind him, Cecilia swayed and, with the alcohol running high, pushed him hard, "Who are you to me, Winston? Why do you care about me?"

Winston grabbed her hand, but that gave his opponents a chance. "Bang!" A metal rod hit his arm hard, making Winston frown in pain.

"Winston!" Cecilia screamed in fear, now too afraid to move.

Seeing Winston get hurt, Vera told Linda, "Wait for me here," and quickly ran over.

She rushed in front of Winston, looked at the menacing crowd, and calmly said, "I’ve called the police, they’ll be here soon. If you don’t want to be caught, get out now!"

Winston’s black eyes darkened when he saw Vera suddenly appear, "Who told you to come over!"

However, the man seemed unfazed by Vera’s police call, sneering, "Didn’t your mother teach you not to meddle when you’re outside! Beat that bitch too!"

The crowd immediately surrounded them again, now targeting Vera. Winston shielded her, protecting both, clearly struggling.

Seeing Winston protecting both women, the man sneered, "Attack those two women! I want to see who he can protect!"

The incoming assailants were aggressive, one aiming a beer bottle at Vera.

Cecilia noticed this, her eyes deepening. As she saw someone lifting a chair, she quietly stepped aside. The man with the chair took the opportunity and flung it in Cecilia’s direction.

"Winston!" Cecilia shouted.

As Winston’s attention was drawn, the man with the bottle aimed at Vera and struck.