Chapter 70: Stop Being So Strong

Arthur wrapped his arms around Kat before he even realized what he was doing. His protective instincts had kicked in, and he gently held her close, offering what comfort he could.

"It’s okay. You’ll be fine," he murmured. "Just take a few deep breaths. Take all the time you need. I’m right here."

Kat could only sob, feeling a little pang of irritation at hearing Arthur say exactly what she needed to hear. Why did he have to be so perfect? Why did his hugs have to feel so comfortable?

She had already decided they would just be friends, so why... why was she falling in love with him?

A heroine falling for the main character because he saved her was such a cliché.

"Thank you," she finally whispered against his chest, her sobs gradually subsiding.

After a moment, she tilted her head back to look up at him, her chin still resting against his chest. Her eyes were red and glistening with tears, and her lips trembled ever so slightly.

Despite the mess she was in, she couldn’t help gazing at him for a little longer than necessary.

Oh, she was so doomed.

Kat tilted her head back just enough to meet his eyes, her chin resting against his chest. A few stubborn tears clung to her lashes, and her cheeks were flushed from crying. A tiny, uncertain pout tugged at her lips.

She looked as though she wanted to say something but couldn’t quite find the words, so she settled for gazing at him with an openness that made her heart feel dangerously exposed.

Noticing the tears still clinging to her lashes, Arthur gently brushed one away with his thumb. He then gave her a warm, reassuring smile, the sunlight illuminating his face.

He had absolutely no right to look that handsome. Who gave him permission to smile at her like that, with the sun shining down on him as if the heavens themselves were determined to make her fall in love?

Seriously, Arthur? Couldn’t you be a little less perfect for five minutes? she thought, chewing on her lower lip.

"Do you guys want to come to my house? I could cook us something to eat," Arthur offered, worried about both Alan and Kat after everything that had happened.

"Okay," Kat replied, nodding softly. "Thank you," she added. "And I’m sorry for being such a mess... and for causing all that confusion in the first place..."

"Don’t worry about it. We’re friends, right?" He patted her head, remembering what she had said earlier. "So you can count on me."

Kat bit her lip at his words but said nothing.

"Now, do you guys want to come to my house? I could cook something for us," he offered again, still worried about Kat and Alan.

Kat finally pulled back from Arthur’s chest and wiped her face with the back of her hand. She nodded in agreement with the idea, and Alan gave a thumbs-up.

"However, before we go anywhere, I need to make a call first."

The blonde girl stepped toward the edge of the lot, far enough away that Arthur and Alan wouldn’t overhear her. Kat’s father answered on the second ring.

She told him what had happened, and he immediately began fussing over her, asking if she was okay. Once his initial worry had subsided, he assured her that he would take care of everything and told her to relax.

"I wish I weren’t away on my business trip," he said. "As soon as I get back, I’ll give you a big hug. Take care of yourself, and leave the rest to me. I love you."

"I love you too, Daddy," she replied before ending the call.

She was sure her father would contact the family lawyer, which meant the trio would be in trouble. As for Arthur, he would be fine.

After that, Kat walked back to Arthur and Alan, and they decided to take an Uber to his apartment.

〇〇〇

A few hours later, Ange received a call from her superior’s superior asking about the case. She nearly wet herself, but it soon became clear that the call had nothing to do with any mistakes on her part.

Apparently, the trio had seriously angered an influential politician. Thanks to that, the investigation had moved much faster than she had anticipated.

Unfortunately, Arthur’s innocence had never even needed to be established in court. More precisely, he had never been included in the case in the first place.

Not only that, but all footage showing Kat at the scene had been swiftly removed from the internet. Fortunately, the operation was made easier by the fact that most people had been too busy filming Arthur to pay much attention to her.

Of course, removing the viral videos of him fighting the three thugs would only attract more attention, so those were left untouched.

Finally, eleven days later, the three men responsible received life sentences. The punishment was extraordinary in itself, but what was even more remarkable was how quickly the entire process had unfolded.

〇〇〇

Meanwhile, Arthur, Alan, and Kat had just arrived at the small apartment complex where Arthur lived. Alan was already familiar with the place, but for Kat, it was an entirely new experience.

Not only had she never visited Arthur’s apartment before, but she had also never set foot in a residential complex quite like this one. It was a far cry from the upscale buildings she was used to, and her curiosity grew as she took in her unfamiliar surroundings.

Arthur led them around the side toward the bins and stopped so abruptly that Alan nearly walked into him.

Amanda was at the recycling.

Her back was to them, and she was wrestling a bag into the container with both hands, bent at the waist with her legs braced apart. The thin summer dress she wore pulled tight over her hips and stretched across her ass as she shoved the bag down, tracing every line of it through the fabric.

She straightened, dusted her palms, and turned.

It was impossible not to notice how the fabric clung to her chest and how the shape of her nipples pressed up against it.

The only reason Arthur was able to lift his gaze was that her smile was so kind and warm that it even outshone her boobs.

"Arthur!" She crossed the yard. "You’re back early. Did something...?" She stopped when she got close, her head tilting, her smile folding into an expression of worry. "What happened? You look exhausted."

Alan said nothing. He stepped neatly behind Arthur’s shoulder and stayed there.

"We got into a fight," Kat said before she could think about the jealousy she was feeling at seeing Amanda interact with Arthur.

The blonde girl quickly recalled the whole story, unable to hold back her smile as she told Amanda about how Arthur had saved her and defeated the bad guys.

"Yes, but I’m fine, and I didn’t get hurt," Arthur said once Kat finished telling the story. "I just decided to invite them to my apartment. I will cook something for us."

Amanda looked at the three of them and made a decision.

"Absolutely not," she said.

"I’m sorry?"

"You’re not cooking. Come to my place." She tipped her head toward her apartment. "Just leave it to me. You guys should relax for the rest of the day. And Arthur..." She turned her attention to him, looking worried.

"I know."

"You don’t know." She leaned into him, which almost gave him a view of her bare tits as the fabric slid down her body. "Don’t be stubborn like your mother, and stop being so strong all the time."

He didn’t answer.

Giving up on the argument, Arthur followed the women, and they entered her apartment. The door had barely shut before a cute little thing came to them and meowed.

"Luna," Arthur said with a smile, seeing the cat he had left with Amanda for the weekend, as he would be going on his date with Iris and Vanessa.

Luna crossed the room and butted her head against Arthur’s ankle, then noticed there were strangers and bolted straight under the couch.

"She ran away," Kat said, pointing. "I wanted to hold her. She is so cute and small."

"She’s shy," Amanda said with a smile. Then she kept walking, guiding them to the kitchen.

The problem was that Amanda had just remembered she still needed to go to the supermarket. Her kitchen was practically empty at the moment.

"I’ll go," Arthur said, already reaching for his keys. "There’s a shop on the corner. Tell me what you need, and I’ll be back in ten minutes."

"No."

"Amanda..."

"Yes." She planted herself squarely in the kitchen doorway and folded her arms, lifting her chest until the thin fabric stretched taut and the shape of her nipples pressed up against it. "You’re not running errands for me tonight. You will relax."

Then she pouted cutely, and Arthur ultimately lost the argument. In the end, it was decided that Kat and Alan could go buy a few things.

Kat left the house with a smile and led the way, with Alan falling behind, apparently feeling more comfortable once there was no one unknown around.

But then the blonde girl turned her attention to him and pressed him for an answer.

"Now, please, tell me what you and Arthur were whispering about earlier. I need to know!"

She was almost certain Alan would fold under a little pressure.

Listening to her demand, Alan couldn’t help but let the corners of his lips curl into a slight smile. Kat was acting exactly as he had expected.