Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim by Dream Fish

Chapter 17

"You're so useless, Dexter. You can't even help someone up properly! I still don't know what Angie saw in you. Oh right, I was the one who arranged your marriage, after all.

"Without my aid, how would you have been lucky enough to marry such a beautiful and outstanding wife like Angie? You should count your blessings..."

Joseph went on and on, scolding Dexter endlessly. Dexter had no choice but to listen, and it

was torturous.

"Grandpa, don't bother with him. Let's go. I'll make you your favorite bouillabaisse and grilled fish." Angela took Joseph's arm and led him away, giving Dexter an exaggerated eyeroll over her shoulder as she went.

Dexter was furious, yet he had nowhere to vent.

That night, Angela retreated to her bedroom early and locked the door. With Joseph gone, she had temporarily lost her protector and couldn't afford to provoke Dexter too much.

"Mrs. Bamford, Mr. Bamford has gone out. You're free to come out." Donna's voice came from the other side of the door.

Angela felt a rush of relief but remained cautious. She peered through the peephole and saw that there was indeed only Donna outside. Instantly, she relaxed upon learning that Dexter wasn't around.

"Where did he go?" she asked as she stepped into the living room.

Donna shrugged and replied, "I heard someone arranged a last-minute gathering and invited Mr. Bamford over. I don't know the details."

"Who cares,” Angela muttered.

Suddenly, an idea came to her. "Donna, I'll write you a list-please buy these items for me as quickly as possible."

Sometimes, when inspiration struck, she had to draw immediately, or the moment would pass. Angela had been in an excellent creative state lately. She had just come up with an idea for her latest artwork.

It would be a portrait of Joseph. Angela intended to give it to him to make him happy.

Donna returned quickly with everything on the list.

Angela took a shower and changed into her pajamas. She set up her new streaming equipment on her desk and spread out the paper.

It was going to be a long night.

Chapter 17

reserved the largest private room

first, Dexter hadn't been planning on going. But when Zayn had mentioned that Elena would be there, he had shown

me!" Zayn raised his glass, toasting

stood up with their glasses in unison, except for

mind at all-merely having Dexter

someone this year.” Elena handed

with delight. “Thanks,

to look up was steady just then.

responded with a

nonsense.'

laughed it off and sat down to open his other

guys looking at?" Zayn noticed a few of his friends huddled in the

painting live right now. It's pretty

and plopped down on the couch. The

was just a tabletop and a pair of delicate, fair hands. The streamer didn't speak, and only the sound of the brush could be heard in the background. There was the occasional chime of the viewers sending her a live

look soft and fair. Can you imagine how smooth they must feel?” Zayn commented, handing the

phone and glanced at the screen, where the pair of hands was working intently. His

in the streamer. They all pulled out their phones and flooded the streamer's live room with gifts. Instantly, gift emojis

streamer was stunned for a second before she chuckled. Her voice then

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Chapter 17.

you so

sounded modified, but it was unmistakably a gentle

she's got the right vibe-beautiful art, and a sweet voice. I bet she's gorgeous too,"

growing darker by the second. He toyed with his phone wordlessly and

behavior and sat beside him.

upset.

The decor in the streamer's room looked suspiciously like that of the room in Bamford Estate. So, she suspected

"Nothing,” Dexter replied indifferently.

he wasn't interested in airing his

a sip of her drink, Elena casually suggested, "Why don't you

out, and it's Zayn's birthday.