Chapter 4 Luring the Lord into the Urn

Alice felt uneasy under his gaze and tried to pull her hand back, but he held on tighter, as if afraid she would run away.

"Henry, can you stay with me a little longer? I'm scared to be alone..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

Henry snapped out of his thoughts, released her hand, and stood up. "I got stuff to do. I need to go."

He turned and walked to the door, then stopped and looked back at her, his tone cold. "Don't do anything stupid. Take care of yourself."

Alice's eyes flickered as she looked at him. "Henry, you got hurt saving me, and today you defended me again. I need to repay you somehow, or I won't be at peace."

Henry didn't refuse. He sat back down on the hospital bed and closed his eyes to rest.

The room was filled with the smell of antiseptic.

"I'll do it myself," Alice said, reaching for the tray the nurse was holding, shooing away the young nurse who seemed eager to help Henry.

The nurse hesitated. "Ms. Savoy, this..."

"It's fine. You can go. I'll take care of it," Alice said gently but firmly.

The nurse glanced at Alice, then at Henry, who was resting with his eyes closed. She nodded and left reluctantly, closing the door softly behind her.

Alice carried the tray to the bedside and carefully removed the bandages from Henry's back.

His muscular skin and broad back were marred with gruesome scars.

Alice's fingers trembled as she dipped a cotton swab in antiseptic and gently applied it to the wounds.

Henry's body tensed slightly at the touch, but he kept his eyes closed.

Alice's movements became even gentler, as if afraid to disturb him.

"Henry, I'm sorry," she said, Her voice choked with emotion as tears fell onto Henry's back, quickly spreading out.

Henry slowly opened his eyes and turned to look at her.

"Why are you apologizing?" he asked, his voice hoarse and puzzled.

"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be hurt like this," Alice said, biting her lip as she continued to treat his wounds.

After finishing, Alice cleaned up and prepared to leave.

"Wait," Henry called out.

Alice stopped and turned to look at him.

Henry picked up a brand-new phone from the bedside table and handed it to her. "Take it."

Alice hesitated for a moment before accepting it. "This is..."

"Your phone was destroyed in the fire," Henry said flatly.

Alice looked at the phone, hesitated, then finally took it. "Thank you."

Henry didn't respond, closing his eyes as if to sleep again.

Alice left the room with the phone.

In the hallway, Ethan was waiting for her.

"Ms. Savoy, Mr. Howard asked me to give you this," Ethan said, handing her a piece of paper with a series of numbers on it.

"This is..." Alice asked, puzzled.

"Mr. Howard's private number," Ethan said in a low voice. "He instructed that you only call in an emergency."

Alice nodded and put the paper away.

She returned to her own room, took out the new phone, and entered the number, sending a friend request.

After Henry left, Alice lay in bed, and her best friend Esme Spencer came to visit.

"Alice? How are you? Are you okay?" Esme's voice was full of concern.

"I'm fine," Alice replied softly. "But it seems like Henry really has amnesia."

"Amnesia? Are you sure? You gave him your virginity two years ago!" Esme's voice rose.

"He had a head injury and surgery. When he woke up, he had forgotten everything that happened between us," Alice said bitterly.

"He only forgot you?" Esme asked.

"Yes, only me," Alice said with a hint of self-mockery.

"That's so strange," Esme said in confusion. "What are you going to do?"

Alice was silent for a moment. "It's okay. I'll make him remember me."

Meanwhile, in Henry's office, Ethan stood in front of the desk, head down.

"Mr. Howard, I gave Ms. Savoy the number."

Henry looked up at him. "Who told you to give it to her?"

Ethan trembled. "Didn't you..."

"I told you to give her a number, not my private number," Henry said coldly.

Ethan broke out in a cold sweat. "I'm sorry, Mr. Howard. I thought..."

"Get out," Henry said icily.

Ethan, feeling relieved, quickly left.

Henry picked up his phone and opened an encrypted folder containing a photo.

The photo showed a bank account transfer record.

The transfer was made the day before the kidnapping.

The amount was substantial.

Henry's eyes sharpened.

He dialed a number. "Check this account. I want to know the source of all large deposits in the past month."

After hanging up, Henry gazed out the window, deep in thought.

At the Howard Manor, the atmosphere was tense.

Oliver knelt in the center of the living room, head down, not daring to speak.

Dash sat in a chair, his face grim.

The three elders of the Howard family sat on either side, their expressions stern.

"Explain yourself," Dash said, his voice low and commanding.

Oliver trembled and stammered, "Grandpa, I didn't mean to. It's just that Alice is so plain, so I..."

"How dare you say that!" Dash slammed the table. "Your affair with Clara is known to everyone in the circle! You've ruined our reputation!"

"Grandpa, I'm sorry," Oliver said, kowtowing.

"What are you sorry for?" Dash demanded.

"I shouldn't have betrayed Alice," Oliver said, his voice barely audible.

"It's not just about betraying Alice. You should never have gotten involved with Clara!" Dash roared. "Do you realize how much trouble you've caused the Howard family?"

Oliver didn't dare speak, continuing to kowtow.

"Bring the family discipline!" Dash ordered, and a servant brought a whip.

"Grandpa, please, no!" Oliver's face turned pale with fear.

"Do it! Hard!" Dash commanded.

The whip cracked against Oliver's back, and he screamed in pain but didn't dare move.

The living room echoed with the sound of the whip and Oliver's cries.

Clara stood outside the door, trembling as she listened.

This time, Oliver was truly finished, and she could forget about getting anything from the Howard family.

She turned and stumbled away from the Howard Manor.

As night fell, Henry stood by the window.