<h4>Chapter 290: The Reason for Being Targeted</h4>


    "Deputy Chief, if you were cast as an actor, I think you’d make a perfect deceitful businessman," Richard said with a lightugh, his eyes filled with disdain.


    The middle-aged man, acting like apdog, nodded eagerly. "You’re too kind, sir, just joking around!"


    Eric gently guided E over to the sofa and sat her down, brushing aside a few strands of hair from her neck. "I heard from the bodyguards that Chloe got into trouble, and you almost got dragged into it. Why are you so careless, Mrs. Nelson? Do I need to stay by your side every day to keep you safe?"


    His eyes were full of tenderness, a stark contrast to the cold demeanor he had shown just moments ago.


    His warm, slender fingers gently wiped the sweat from E’s forehead.


    The middle-aged man, flustered, quickly called out, "Turn up the air conditioning!"


    A policeman hurried over to adjust the air, as Eric’s overwhelming presence silenced the group that had previously been gossiping.


    "I’m fine now, aren’t I?" E replied. "But... you’ve heard about what Sean did, right?"


    E pursed her lips. "I didn’t even touch him. He was hitting himself!"


    Eric smiled, the warmth in his expression making E feelforted. He nodded, "I believe you. So they used you wrongly and tried to detain you?"


    E quickly nodded in agreement.


    "Mr. Nelson, Mr. Nelson, it’s all just a misunderstanding! There were no witnesses, no one saw Mrs. Nelson hit Old Mr. Carter. She’s free to leave with you!" The middle-aged man hurried over, grinning nervously.


    Eric slowly turned his gaze to the man, a cold gleam shing in his eyes. The middle-aged man felt as though he’d been frozen on the spot, his entire body trembling under the weight of Eric’s stare.


    He shivered, lowering his head.


    "Is the Deputy Chief blind? No evidence, yet you dared to detain my wife. Very well, I’ll remember this act of kindness," Eric said coolly, sending another shiver down the man’s spine.


    "Mr. Nelson, I truly didn’t mean to offend..." The deputy chief trailed off, immediately silenced by Eric’s sharp re. He realized then that he had made a grave mistake.


    This young man, who had seized control of the Nelson Group at such a young age, was no ordinary figure. The deputy chief could already feel the weight of losing his position, silently cursing Sean for misleading him by iming E wasn’t really Eric’s woman and that Eric had a new lover.


    "Let’s go," Eric said, turning back to E, his face softening again. He took her hand and began walking calmly toward the exit.


    Richard waved at the deputy chief cheerfully. "See you around, Deputy! When you’re out of a job, let’s talk about that movie role!"


    E nearly burst intoughter.


    Richard truly was like a mischievous old man, always up to some yful trouble.


    The deputy chief stood there, watching them leave, tears practically welling up in his eyes as he pulled out his phone to call Sean. On the other end, he unleashed a tirade, his tone far from the respectful one he had previously used.


    As E settled into the car, she finally allowed herself to rx, feeling a wave of exhaustion.


    During the entire ordeal at the Imperial Crown Club, her nerves had been tightly wound, never letting down her guard while dealing with Sean.


    That old fox, Sean, was unpredictable—no one knew what new schemes he might cook up in the next moment.


    But this time, E felt more at peace, calmer about whaty ahead.


    "Why didn’t you just have Richard bail me out?" E asked, curiously ncing at Eric. "Or do you enjoy making dramatic entrances now?"


    Eric let out a soft snort. "Is it a crime if I want to personallye and get you?"


    E chuckled. "Not at all. I just thought you might be off somewhere being sweet with some campus beauty."


    Eric frowned, puzzled. "What are you talking about? Isn’t that campus beauty supposed to be you?"


    He leaned in, gently cupping her face, clearly intending to kiss her, but E yfully blocked his lips with her hand.


    "Don’t... I smell awful. Let’s go home first so I can shower," E wrinkled her nose. "Sean’s scheme this time wasn’t bad, but... I’ve got a backup n."


    Eric squeezed her nose affectionately. "I know. But this time, what about you and Chloe?"


    E’s expression darkened. "I just hope she understands I meant well. Mason is only using her."


    Eric scoffed. "A lovestruck girl doesn’t see the truth that fast. Let her cool off for a while."


    E fell silent, her mood heavy. Mason was bing a constant source of trouble, a thorn in her side. She still couldn’t figure out why he had it out for her.


    When they finally got home, E immediately went to take a shower. Of course, Eric joined her, and their yful time in the bathroom soon turned into a full-blown fun session, leaving E exhausted and begging for mercy. But Eric wasn’t so quick to let her off the hook, wearing her outpletely.


    Afterward, as Eric dried off and helped blow-dry her hair, he asked, "You’re sure you don’t want me involved with the whole Sean situation?"


    "I told you, I’ve got it covered."


    "Alright, I’ll leave it to you. I’ve had enough of him anyway. If I wasn’t so busy, and if you hadn’t told me to stay out of it... Hmph." Eric’s lips curled in a smirk, the icy gleam in his eyes making his frustration clear.


    E brought up Mason again, her brow furrowing. "Honey, why is Mason always targeting me? If it weren’t for him, Chloe and I wouldn’t be in this mess."


    She had already exined the whole situation to Eric while they were in the shower.


    Eric’s expression turned even darker. "Mason? He’s obviously interested in you. But since you don’t reciprocate, he’s been finding ways to antagonize you. Besides... I’ve uncovered something—Mason’s father and your mother were acquainted long ago. In fact, Mason’s father secretly had feelings for your mother, and it seems that caused some friction in their family."


    E’s eyes widened. "So that’s why Mason’s targeting me?"


    "Possibly."


    "That’s ridiculous! He’s really holding a grudge against me over something so petty?"


    E grumbled in frustration. She couldn’t believe how childish Mason was being. If Mason had gone through the same hardships as Eric, maybe she could understand it, but this?


    "Mrs. Scott hasn’t been in great mental health these past few years, so his bitterness makes sense," Eric said calmly.


    He knew that kind of hatred all too well.


    When Victoria hadmitted suicide, he had felt intense hatred for Grace and Henry. It was a madness that could consume a person, and while Eric didn’t like Henry to this day, he wasn’t about to waste his time like Mason.


    But he knew why Mason was acting this way—it was all about getting E’s attention. He was sure of it.


    As for why Mason wanted her attention, that was obvious—he had feelings for E too.


    E let her hair fall off the side of the bed, and Eric gently gathered it back up, drying the damp strands with careful attention.


    E sprawled out, arms and legs stretched wide, feeling her body rx, her heart filled with sweetness. This wasn’t the first time Eric had dried her hair, and she couldn’t help but feel even more fondness for him each time.