Chapter 23: Bedroom
Qingcheng Residence!
When he got home, Belle was already asleep, resting her head on Chasel Mills's shoulder.
"Shh!" Michelle Allen whispered, pressing her finger to her lips as she spoke to Chasel.
"Let me take Belle. I'll carry her to bed," Michelle said softly.
Chasel nodded in agreement.
However, just as Michelle was about to take Belle, she realized that Belle was tightly clutching Chasel's shirt and had wrapped her arms around his neck.When Michelle attempted to lift Belle, the little girl let out a soft whimper. Although she didn't wake up, she instinctively clung even tighter to Chasel.
Michelle furrowed her brows, a hint of guilt flashing across her face. It was clear how much Belle depended on her dad.
"It's okay, I'll hold her while she sleeps," Chasel said gently.
"But that won't work," Michelle shook her head. "If you keep holding her like that, Belle won't be comfortable, and your arms will get tired."
Chasel smiled at her concern.
Even if Belle's weight increased tenfold, Chasel Mills wouldn't feel the slightest bit tired. However, having her lean against his shoulder like this for too long wasn't good for Belle.
"Let me put her on the bed," Chasel suggested.
Michelle Allen nodded and led him toward the bedroom.
Belle had always slept with her since they were little, so Belle's bedroom was also hers.
But as soon as they opened the bedroom door and took a few steps inside, Michelle suddenly changed her expression and quickly turned around. "Wait, don't come in yet!"
But it was too late!
Chasel had already stepped right behind her.This wasn't Chasel's first time entering a woman's bedroom. He had often played in Nora Mills' room when they were younger, but back then, Nora was just a little girl—barely a teenager, really—not yet a woman.
So, this was technically his first time entering the bedroom of a mature woman.
And what a stunning, graceful woman she was.
The room was warmly decorated, giving off a cozy vibe. The air was filled with a light, pleasant fragrance—not the kind of scent you'd find in a perfume, but something more natural and inviting.
If he had to say something, there was a certain scent about Michelle Allen that was somewhat familiar.
It was pleasant.
It felt comforting.
However, Chasel Mills quickly understood why Michelle wanted him to wait outside.
Because in the bedroom, on the cozy bed, aside from the neatly arranged stuffed bears at the head of the bed, there was a striking black item in the center.
With lace trim.
It was unmistakably Michelle Allen's lingerie, lying on the bed in a seductive pose.
"Are you still looking?" Michelle's beautiful eyes widened as she glared at Chasel, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger.
She had left the lingerie there this morning when she changed clothes.
Normally, she would never leave things like that lying around, but this morning, Belle had been crying for her dad, and in her rush to get dressed, she had hurried off to comfort Belle, completely forgetting to tidy up.
"I'm sorry!"
Chasel quickly averted his gaze, ready to pick up Belle and leave.
"Come back!" Michelle snapped, her embarrassment turning into a deeper shade ofanger. "You've already seen it, so what's the point of leaving now?"
With that, Michelle Allen swiftly grabbed the lingerie from the bed and tossed it into the closet without a second thought.
"Put Belle on the bed!"
Michelle lifted a corner of the blanket.Chasel Mills nodded in agreement.
However, just as he was about to lay Belle down on the bed, she suddenly began to cry.
"Daddy, please don't go! Don't leave Belle, okay?"
Both of them were startled.
Chasel quickly softened his tone, "It's okay, Belle. Daddy isn't going anywhere!"
But Belle didn't respond.
Chasel and Michelle exchanged glances and saw that Belle still had her eyes closed, with traces of tears at the corners of her eyes. Clearly, she had been mumbling in her sleep, sensing that Chasel was about to let her go.Chasel let out a sigh of relief; thankfully, he hadn't woken Belle up.
Yet, at the same time, a wave of guilt washed over him.
He felt a strong pang of regret for Belle. If she wasn't so starved for a father's love, would she have reacted this way?
"Hmm?"
Just then, Michelle Allen let out a soft "Hmm?"
"What's wrong?" Chasel Mills turned to look at Michelle.
At that moment, they were sitting close together after placing Belle on the bed, their bodies nearly touching.Chasel could smell a faint fragrance coming from Michelle. It wasn't the legendary scent of a maiden; rather, it was a natural, delicate aroma that seemed to emanate from her, something fresh and elegant.
Chasel found himself somewhat entranced by it, enjoying the moment.
He thought Michelle might have sensed his somewhat "unsavory" thoughts and was about to confront him, so he prepared to explain himself.
However, Michelle took a couple of steps back.
"Chasel Mills, turn around and let me see!" she said softly.
Chasel, a bit confused, complied witWith her request.
Once he turned around, Michelle's gaze shifted between Chasel and Belle, examining their faces closely.
Michelle furrowed her brows slightly.
"I just realized that Belle's features are quite similar to yours. I didn't notice it at first, but now that I do, the resemblance is striking!"
Finally, Michelle's gaze landed on Chasel Mills.
Aurelian Mills, who usually remained unflappable even in the face of a mountain collapsing before him, suddenly felt an intense wave of anxiety wash over him.Could it be that Michelle had figured it out?
If she discovered that he was the same person from five years ago, Chasel could almost picture the moment when Michelle would turn against him without hesitation.
"What are you so nervous about?" Michelle shot a glance at Chasel. "The fact that Belle resembles you a bit just means that this job is meant to be. Overall, Belle looks more like me."
Chasel finally managed a smile, feeling a wave of relief wash over him.
Belle did indeed share a striking resemblance with Michelle, as if they were carved from the same mold. It was easy to foresee that Belle would grow up to be a stunning beauty.
After that, the two of them quietly left Michelle's bedroom.
Sitting in the living room, they found themselves momentarily speechless, caught in an awkward silence.
Chasel Mills wasn't particularly skilled at social interactions.
He was more focused on practical matters. This was also one of the reasons why, after he was framed by Charlotte Walker, she was able to take control of a significant portion of the North Qing Group so quickly. Almost all external events were handled by Charlotte, while many internal decisions were made by him, with her coordinating everything.
As a result, whether inside or outside the company, many people gradually came to recognize Charlotte Walker, while forgetting who Chasel Mills really was. Eventually, Chasel realized this was a problem and was preparing for a change when that incident happened, leading to his imprisonment. From that moment on, his fate was rewritten.
After a moment of silence, Michelle Allen felt a bit uncomfortable and decided to change the subject. "Chasel Mills, I'm actually curious. Why do you seem different from other soldiers?"
Chasel Mills looked at Michelle with interest. "Are you asking why I look a bit sickly and don't fit the image of a soldier who trains hard under the sun, resulting in dark, rough skin?"
Michelle nodded. "Yes, I'm quite curious about that."
"Can't help it, I was just born with good skin," Chasel chuckled lightly.
The reason his skin looked good despite countless injuries was that the Aurelian Army was no ordinary force, and as its leader, he was far from ordinary himself.
"Have you been to the battlefield? Is there still war in this society?" Michelle blinked her beautiful eyes, looking at Chasel with curiosity.
At her question, Chasel's expression darkened.In the end, he just smiled and shook his head, "No!"
"This beautiful land, thriving with prosperity and where people live in peace, has no wars! Life is just getting better, and a few pests have emerged."
This, however, broke the awkward silence that had hung between them.Before long, Belle woke up.
Chasel Mills and Michelle Allen took turns playing games and telling stories with Belle, trying their best to chase away the shadows from the KTV incident that afternoon.
Time always flies when you're having fun.
Chasel Mills felt like he hadn't played enough with Belle, yet it was already nearing midnight.
Michelle Allen picked Belle up and took her for a bath.
"Daddy, you're not leaving tonight, right?" Belle clung to Chasel's leg, her sparkling eyes filled with hope and longing.
"Daddy..."Michelle began to speak.
But as soon as she did, Belle interrupted, "But Daddy said yesterday that we couldn't sleep apart last night, and that from now on, we would live together! Today is 'from now on!'"
Michelle and Chasel were left speechless.
Sometimes, Belle was just a bit too clever for her own good.
She didn't seem to have the wisdom typical for her age at all.
Michelle Allen shot a sharp glare at Chasel Mills. The message was clear: it was all your fault for what you said last night.
Chasel Mills felt helpless. When he talked toBelle that way, it was just a way to buy time. Who knew Belle would take it as a promise for the future?
"Belle, Daddy has a mission tonight. Can I come back to spend time with you tomorrow instead?" Chasel quickly said under Michelle's watchful gaze.
Every day he could stall was a win!
If Chasel dared to suggest sleeping with Michelle and Belle, he was sure Michelle would turn on him in an instant.
"Don't! Daddy, you're not keeping your word!" Belle pouted, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
"Daddy really does have a mission. He's a hero protecting our homeand going after the bad guys!" Michelle pulled Belle close and kissed her adorable cheek, comforting her. "Let's say goodnight to Daddy, and then he'll go catch the bad guys. He'll come back to see us tomorrow, okay?"
"No!" Belle replied, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Why not? Daddy is a hero!" Michelle coaxed gently.
"I'm scared!" Belle suddenly burst into tears. "Dad is a hero, going after bad guys to protect others. Why doesn't he want to protect me?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.Her statement sent a shiver through both Chasel Mills and Michelle Allen.
Chasel's fists clenched tightly in response.
Michelle, with her stunning beauty, finally showed a flicker of emotion. As Belle spoke, her eyes began to glisten with unshed tears.
After a moment of shock, she quickly reassured Belle, "Don't cry, Belle! Daddy isn't going anywhere tonight. Your dad and I will sleep with you. Mommy and Daddy will protect you together!"