The CEO's Mischievous Little Bride

Vera turned her head to see Vera's palm resting on her shoulder. Instead of refusing, she asked him, "Darling, do you know you have a habit when holding hands with me?"

"What?"

Vera grabbed his hand with her left hand on his right arm, intertwining their fingers. When she suddenly pulled her hand back, Patrick's hand quickly tightened and then loosened. Looking at him, Vera said, "Darling, every time we hold hands, you subconsciously tighten your grip when letting go. Why is that?"

Patrick opened his hand and remembered a long time ago when not holding someone's hand tightly led to losing her.

It turned out that now, when holding hands, he subconsciously tightened his grip.

Patrick cleared his throat, saying, "Anything else?"

Vera gathered courage and asked him, "Darling, why do you have this habit?"

Patrick placed both hands on her shoulders, laid her down, and continued to embrace her. Letting her be like a little cat, nestled in his arms. "I just discovered this habit too, do you have more to say?" "Yes, there's more..."

As Vera continued, Patrick's phone rang.

They both glanced at the bedside table.

"Darling, your phone is ringing."

Patrick's phone had the most old-fashioned ringtone, the default one.

Vera's phone, on the other hand, had frequently changed, melodious tunes.

Upon hearing the dull ringtone, she immediately knew it was Patrick's phone.

Patrick reached out with his long arm, picked up the phone, and saw the caller ID. "It's Cindy."

Answering the call, he placed the phone to his ear. "Hello, Cindy."

Cindy tentatively asked, "Patrick, how are you and Vera?"

Patrick glanced at Vera, who was eavesdropping beside him. With a smile on his face, he deliberately brought the phone closer to his ear, preventing Vera from hearing and drawing her closer to him.

Sure enough, in her attempt to eavesdrop, Vera unknowingly ended up leaning against Patrick's chest with her ear close to his mouth to listen.

Patrick was amused, holding Vera's hand on her back, gently patting her.

"We're getting ready to sleep. Is there something you need?"

Cindy began to advise, "Patrick, Vincent and I just found out that Dad's gastroenteritis was simply from eating too much ice cream. He sneaked in and ate four more pieces after bringing Vera back to the bedroom. When you get home, don't be mad at Vera and don't bully her."

Patrick responded casually.

Concerned that Patrick wasn't taking her advice seriously, Cindy continued, "Patrick, finding a wife isn't easy. Vera is just a bit younger, still naive and childish. Communicate with her slowly, never resort to violence. She's the wife you brought home."

Patrick acknowledged again.

Cindy added, "I know you have your own thoughts, even though we don't live together often. However, I genuinely want you both to have a good life. You may discipline Randall as you wish, but if you lay a hand on Vera, the Linister family won't let it slide."

Vera lay on Patrick's chest, listening to Cindy's words on her behalf.

"I just want you and Vera to have a good life."

Vera was a good girl, that was Cindy's heartfelt sentiment.

Patrick chuckled, looking down at Vera who was listening intently. He placed the phone near Vera's ear. "Tell Cindy, did I hit you?"

Taking the phone, Vera sat up in bed and said, "Hello, Cindy, this is Vera."

"Oh, Vera, how are you?" Cindy asked with concern.

Vera replied, "He didn't dare lay a hand on me. When we got home, he took Tom to the study to ask Dad how many ice creams he had secretly eaten today. After finding out, he comforted me and didn't let me blame myself." "That's good," Cindy said, "A man who doesn't hit his wife is a good man. Take care of yourselves. Since you're fine, I'll hang up and let Vincent know not to worry."

Vera chuckled, realizing that in the eyes of Patrick's family, he was someone who would hit his wife.

"Alright, Cindy, you go ahead. Tomorrow, Patrick and I will go take care of Shawn for you."

After ending the call, Vera lay back on him, placing the phone on the bedside table.

She settled back under the covers, embraced by Patrick.

"Darling, why do Vincent, Cindy, and Randell all think you would hit me?" Vera was puzzled, finding her husband quite gentle.

Patrick replied, "I didn't grow up with them at the Olteran Manor, and most of the time I came back was to deal with Randall. They probably suspect me of having violent tendencies because of how I handle him."

Vera shook her head in Patrick's arms. "Violence is for Randall; be gentle with me. Cindy is right; if you lay a hand on me, I'll run away, and once I am gone, you will never find me."

Patrick playfully tapped Vera's bottom. "Where do you think you're running off to?"

Covering her bottom with her hands, Vera blushed shyly. "I'm going to my parents' house."

Patrick ruffled Vera's hair, asking, "Are you going to complain to your parents?"

"Yes."

"What are you going to complain about?"

"You hit me."

"Where did I hit you?" Patrick asked.

Vera, nestled in his arms, fell silent. Being spanked made her feel embarrassed, unable to voice it.

Patrick burst into laughter once again.

Vera, now annoyed, turned around, ignoring him.

Behind her, Patrick flipped her sulking figure back over, embracing her once more. This time, he didn't tease her but gently patted her back, whispering, "Let's sleep." Vera closed her eyes, drifting off obediently.

The next day, she brought the prepared meal from the servant to the hospital to visit Shawn.

On the way, Vera enjoyed her ice cream.

Patrick couldn't understand how delicious the ice cream was, especially since she had already eaten breakfast and was having another one so early in the morning. Hearing Patrick's questioning, she held the ice cream up to his mouth.  "Darling, try it, you'll love it."

Patrick turned his face away, finding the sticky sweetness of the ice cream unappealing.

Seeing his refusal, Vera reached back for the ice cream and continued eating.

By the time they reached the hospital, she had finished her ice cream.

Carrying the meal box, she entered the hospital room.

Randall had been sitting in the hallway outside, assisting.

Inside, Cindy and Vincent were dozing off.

The previous night, Shawn had suffered from a sudden stomach ache, tossing and turning until early morning. Randall had stayed up all night, showing fatigue on his face.

As Vera entered the room, she trod softly.