?Chapter 143:


    As he spoke, he rotated his arm in front of her. “See? No muscle or bone damage, just a small bruise. It’s nothing,” he said, his tone light and dismissive.


    “Let me take a look anyway,” she said, her voice soft but firm. She carefully rolled up his sleeve. A dark bruise was already blooming beneath the skin.


    Her face fell. “This doesn’t look like nothing.”


    Ralphy looked down and saw the worry in her eyes. Something stirred in him—warm and unfamiliar. Then came the teasing smile. He leaned closer, his voice yful. “You care about me, don’t you?”


    Davina froze. Their faces were close—too close. His gaze held hers, deep and mischievous. His words echoed in her head. Her cheeks burned. Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird. A faint scent lingered between them—a mix of tobo and something softer, something only his. It was his scent. Like him—impossible to ignore.


    Davina met Ralphy’s gaze head-on, her expression unwavering. “What? I’m not allowed to worry about you now?”


    Her bluntness caught Ralphy off guard. He arched an eyebrow, a crooked grin tugging at his lips. “Of course, you’re allowed. I’m notining.”


    Davina studied his face, concern lingering in her eyes. “Are you sure you’re alright?”


    Ralphy waved off her worry, his voice light. “It’s nothing serious. Just a scratch—I’ll be good as new in a couple of days.”


    “I’m going to check if there’s any ointment nearby. If not, I’ll buy some for your wound,” Davina remarked, gently slipping out of his arms. Ralphy let her go without protest, a faint smile curving his mouth as he watched her walk away.


    The moment her back was turned, his warmth vanished. He pivoted toward the three burly drunkards sprawled on the pavement, his eyes glinting cold as steel. The drunkards immediately stiffened under his chilling stare. He pulled out his phone, dialing swiftly. When the line connected, his voice dropped several degrees as he revealed the current location. “You have ten minutes to take care of this,” he said coldly, hanging up without waiting for a response.


    Ralphy leveled onest icy look at the drunkards before turning to follow Davina. Catching up, he let her steer him toward a weathered public bench.


    Your favorite tales live on g?lnσνe??s


    Davina patted the seat beside her. “Sit down. Let me take care of that for you.”


    A sly grin tugged at Ralphy’s lips as he settled down. “It’s nothing—just a flesh wound. Don’t make such a big deal out of it.” Despite his words, he extended his arm toward her.


    Davina eased up his sleeve, and her face fell when she spotted the ugly bruises mottling his skin. “This must hurt like hell,” she murmured, smoothing ointment over the worst of it, her fingers gentle.


    Ralphy tried to wave it off. “Please, I’ve had worse. This? It barely feels like anything. Just a scratch, like being tickled—ah! Damn! It hurts!”


    As she applied more pressure, he sucked in a sharp breath, his face twisting in pain. “Are you trying to finish me off?” he yelped, meeting her wide eyes.


    He instantly realized she had done it on purpose. She shot him an annoyed look. “Didn’t you just brag about it being ticklish? What happened to all that big talk?”


    Her patience had already worn thin from his stubborn act, so she pressed a little harder, watching to see how long he’dst.


    “It only hurts because you’re practically digging into it! Anyone would yell,” Ralphy protested, pouting.


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