Chapter 173
pter 173 A Sudden Mishap
adn’t expected a trip to the seaside to be so liberating. Now, she didn’t care about anyone else’s gaze.
in freely along the shoreline, splashing through the gentle waves.
rd watched Arabella, joyful as a child, with a face full of doting affection.
ella, slow down a little!”
s Arabella was running back toward him, something sharp scraped the sole of her foot.
!” She stopp
ing
diately, lifting her foot to inspect it.
Award called out, “Arabella, what happened?”
elling from the cut, Arabella st ed my foot on something. Don
him to worry.
words, Edward immediately fro
ame moment, Lucas also saw tha happened?” he asked with conce
sure what I stepped on,” Arabe
as glanced at the cut and fr
to the benches.”
hout waiting for he
area.
ing it was Arab
ce at the
ged a smile in Edward’s direction. “It’s
r”
t clenching as he began hurrying toward her
hurt. He moved swiftly, quickly reaching her side.
at her bleeding foot,
eeding quite a bit. Don’t try to walk on it; I’ll carry you
ooped her up into his arms and carried her toward the nearby
ward followed closely behind.
Arabella down on a bench. “Sit here. I’ll go find a first aid kit.”
al supplies.
hed with worry as he looked at her injured foot. “Arabella, is it deep? It
a scratch, really. Don’t worry. Lucas went to get something for it,” Arabella
ve stayed closer. You wouldn’t have gotten hurt otherwise,” Edward said, looking with clear self–reproach.
I just wasn’t looking where I was going for second. Besides, it’s not serious at all. ella insisted, trying hard to al
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Chapter 173 A Sudden Mishap
“There’s no need to comfort me. Just sit still.”
+5 Free Coins
“This ‘acquaintance‘ of yours is very kind–carrying you over and going for supplies. When he comes back, we should thank him properly,” Edward reminded her.
“Okay. And please, stop looking so worried. It’ll be fine once it’s cleaned up.
“We used to get little scrapes like this all the time when we were kids, remember?” Arabella said, forcing a relaxed expression.
Soon, Lucas returned with a small first aid kit.
“Got some antiseptic and bandages. It’s awkward for you to do it yourself. Let me help clean it,” Lucas offered, looking at Arabella.
“No, it’s alright. I can manage,” Arabella said, reaching for the antiseptic wipes.
“Don’t be stubborn. You can’t get a good angle. Let me handle it,” Lucas said, not handing them over.
Edward, observing Lucas‘ clear concern, spoke up with sincere gratitude. “Thank you for carrying Arabella over and getting the supplies. But cleaning the wound really shouldn’t trouble you further. I can take care of that.”
Just as Lucas was about to begin, he heard Edward’s words. He looked at him. “You’re welcome. She and I are friends. It’s no trouble at all.”
Lucas felt it was perfectly reasonable for him, as her friend, to help. Having this stranger do it seemed more like an imposition.
He opened an antiseptic wipe, preparing to clean the wound.
“Lucas, it’s probably better if my brother does it. But thank you,” Arabella said quickly, seeing he was about to start. She could no longer keep up the pretense.
Hearing Arabella’s words, Lucas finally processed the information. He glanced over at Edward with a scrutinizing look, then back at Arabella, puzzled. “He’s your brother? But you said you were here to talk business with him?”
“Yes. Talking business with my brother.”
“But you just said you weren’t…” Lucas looked at Edward, thoroughly confused.
“Can we maybe table this discussion for now? My foot is still bleeding.” Arabella couldn’t help but remind them, a hint of exasperation in her voice.
“Oh! Right, sorry. Here, you should do it then,” Lucas said hurriedly, handing the antiseptic to Edward.
Edward gave Lucas a slight, polite nod, took the supplies, and began gently cleaning Arabella’s wound.
“This might sting a little; try to bear with it,” Edward said softly.
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Chapter 173 A Sudden Mishap
“It’s fine. Just make sure you clean it properly,” Arabella replied, not wanting him to feel nervous.
Soon, Edward finished cleaning the cut and applied a simple adhesive bandage.
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“There, that’s done for now. But this is just a basic field dressing. We really should go to a clinic or the hospital to have it properly looked at,” Edward said, his concern evident.
“It’s okay. Such a small cut doesn’t need a hospital visit. But I can’t drive like this. How am I going to get you back to the hospital?” Arabella asked, frowning slightly.
Hearing her refusal to seek further medical care, Lucas spoke up again. “How can you not go? This is just a temporary patch. You need a proper cleaning and a sterile dressing to prevent infection.
“How about this–since you can’t drive, I’ll take both of you to the hospital,” Lucas suggested, looking between them.
Arabella and Edward both turned their gaze to Lucas.
After a moment’s thought, Arabella conceded. “Alright then. We’ll have to trouble you for the ride.”
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