Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband Chapter 1668: Hold Me Tight

What?

Ethan Barnes?

Celeste Linden lifted her head and looked in the direction Ethan Barnes had left. She could no longer see his figure; even the car was out of sight.

"Danielle, what else did he say to you?"

"Nothing else," little Danielle piped in her milky voice, "oh right, Mommy, there were some scary-looking uncles in black clothes looking for that uncle."

Celeste Linden knit her delicate brows, roughly guessing that Ethan Barnes had gotten himself into trouble with some enemy again.

"Danielle, that’s grown-up business. Let’s get going." Celeste Linden picked up little Danielle.

Little Danielle wrapped her arms around Celeste Linden’s neck. "Okay, Mommy."

...

Two hours later, Celeste Linden brought little Danielle to a picturesque small town. She needed to work here for two days.

The assistant had rented a private house here. That evening, Celeste Linden took little Danielle out to eat some local snacks. In the end, Danielle pointed at a skewer of candied hawthorn made with tomatoes and pickled plums. "Mommy, can I have this candied hawthorn?"

"Of course you can." Celeste Linden paid the vendor, then headed back toward the house with little Danielle.

"Mommy, I’ll eat one, you eat one, hurry and eat." Little Danielle held the candied hawthorn up to Celeste Linden’s mouth.

Celeste Linden opened her mouth and bit one. It was sweet and sour, very tasty.

"Mommy, is it good?"

"Mm, it’s good."

Little Danielle also took a small bite. "It’s really so, so good."

Looking at her daughter’s tender, adorable little face, Celeste Linden felt completely satisfied. Every day now was passing in such happiness.

When they reached the house, Celeste Linden opened the door. Just then, hurried footsteps sounded behind her. "Hurry up and chase him, he’s over there!"

Celeste Linden’s heart gave a jolt, and she saw a figure appear, walking in her direction.

Little Danielle asked in her milky voice, "Mommy, what’s happening?"

"It’s nothing, Danielle. You go in first, and don’t make any noise inside." Celeste Linden immediately reached out and pushed little Danielle inside, and made a shushing gesture at her.

Though little Danielle was only three, she was unusually calm. Inside, she covered her own little mouth to show she wouldn’t make a sound, so Mommy could rest assured.

Celeste Linden quickly locked the door. By then that figure had already reached her back. Celeste Linden turned around and saw a familiar face.

The light in the alley was broken tonight, flickering on and off. In that unsteady light, Celeste Linden saw Ethan Barnes’s familiar handsome face. He had actually appeared here.

The footsteps behind were still closing in. "Go check over there. Damn it, don’t you dare let him get away. Otherwise Master Zhang will have you all shot."

"Yes, sir."

Celeste Linden looked at the man in front of her. "They’re looking for you?"

Ethan Barnes suddenly closed in on her, pinning Celeste Linden against the wall. He lowered his voice. "Put your arms around my waist."

Celeste Linden’s lashes trembled. She immediately reached out, wanting to push him away. "Ethan Barnes, let go of me!"

But as soon as her hand touched his chest, she heard him let out a muffled groan of pain. Celeste Linden felt something sticky and hot on her fingers—her hand was covered in his blood.

He’d been shot in the chest, and blood was streaming out.

Only then did she notice the sheen of cold sweat on his forehead. His eyes were half-lidded, his pupils somewhat unfocused.

Just then, several men in black had already run over. "Where is he, did you see anyone?"

"Not yet."

Celeste Linden couldn’t afford to think too much. She could only do as he said and put her arms around his strong, toned waist.

At that moment, those men in black happened to see them. In the dim, sparse light, the two of them were wrapped in each other’s arms, like a couple in the heat of passion.