A Love Trap

Ashley's face was clouded with worry. Andrew tried to say something to comfort her, but he was in too much pain to be able to speak. He couldn't help but curl up into a ball due to the unbearable pain.

With great difficulty, he pointed to a little box placed next to the car window.

Thankfully they had already reached the villa and he could finally rest.

"Is there medicine inside the box?" Ashley asked as she hurried to open the box. She found a small bottle and quickly scanned the note on it to ensure it was safe. She removed two pills from the bottle, grabbed some water, and went closer to Andrew to help him take the medicine.

Andrew took the pills with a small mouthful of water while holding her hand and slyly taking the chance to lick it, but Ashley was too anxious to feel that.

"How do you feel now? Better?" Ashley asked, her eyes fixed on him.

She panicked because she had never seen Andrew like this. In her mind, he was always a calm and elegant gentleman who behaved in a dignified manner no matter what the circumstances. She could barely believe her eyes when she saw him curl up like a helpless child.

Ashley glanced at medicine bottle labeled "Antacid" and asked Andrew, "You have stomach trouble?"

He could just nod in response.

The pain wouldn't subside despite the medicine he had just taken.

This problem had haunted him for so long. From the time he had taken over the Lu Group, he had had to attend numerous business parties. He had to accept all his clients' toasts to maintain a good relationship. He couldn't refuse for fear of offending them even if it took a toll on his health.

Now it was a different scenario. Few people, if any, could force him to drink as the Lu Group had grown into a vast business empire. But it was too late for his body. The damage that the alcohol had done to his body in those early years was now a lifelong curse. This sacrifice wasn't in vain. Without all this networking, the Lu Group would not have reached the heights it did.

Even today, skipping meals on busy days was common for him and this affected his health, but he never paid much attention to it.

work, which he would have normally left behind at the office if Ashley

sofa. "You can rest here. Let me

could protest, Ashley went straight

meat, was replaced daily to make space for fresh food. Andrew was rich and this was a

the fridge for some time and finally found some eggs, vegetables and

decided to make a bowl of noodles for Andrew. It was late at night, so she didn't want to wake up Claire. She made

the

and garlic before boiling them with noodles. She didn't put

it with some scallions and vegetables. Her special

wrapped the bowl with a piece of cloth to ensure it remained

that you will enjoy this. There's not much in the kitchen, so this is the best I can do for now. Please make do with it for today. Tomorrow morning we will have better food," she

placed the bowl of noodles in front of Andrew and hurried

froze at her words, so Ashley anxiously repeated what

embrace and locked her in his arms. He couldn't help but softly caress her mouth with his lips to make her

as if she were a delicacy that he longed for.

Then she clenched her fists and thumped Andrew's back to stop him.

how they ended up like

her lovely lips from time to time. It was only when Ashley was almost out

him. She touched her lips gingerly and, and as expected, found that they were swollen after that

earth did he do this to me?' she

Andrew was gazing at her affectionately, unwilling to take his eyes off her. He whispered in a barely

astonished. She started to imagine how bad his childhood must have been. He might have been deprived of food, or maybe he was isolated by other children. Ashley couldn't