Suzy desperately gasped for air as she struggled to free herself from the water. Her fear was palpable as she cried out for help.
Without hesitation, Chris swiftly kicked off his slippers and leaped into the pool. He reached for Suzy and held her securely, her legs still flailing in the water.
"Shh, Suzy, you're safe," Chris reassured her gently, his firm grip keeping her steady. With one hand supporting her and the other tenderly cupping her face, he guided her to take slow, deep breaths.
"The pool's not deep at all, Suzy. You can touch the bottom with your feet," Chris whispered, his fingers tracing her cheek soothingly.
"It's just a little frightening," Suzy admitted in a hushed tone, finding solace in Chris's reassuring presence.
"Are you scared of water?" Chris asked.
Suzy nodded her head slightly and urged him to take her out of the pool. He complied with her request as she looked quite scared. As he took her out of the pool, he lifted Suzy in his arms.
"I can walk," Suzy protested, her eyelids fluttering as she started to regain her composure.
"I don't want Lionel to see what's beneath your dress," Chris replied, making Suzy self-conscious. She locked her hands tightly behind his nape and waited to reach the bedroom.
As they crossed through the living room, Lionel did see them, but not from close.
Chris ascended the stairs hastily and finally, they reached the bedroom. However, Chris didn't stop there. Surprisingly, he didn't stop there; instead, he guided Suzy into the bathroom, stopping inside the shower area.
Gently settling Suzy onto her feet, Chris advised her to take a hot shower to prevent any possibility of catching a cold. He ran a hand through his own hair and then exited the washroom, leaving Suzy to tend to herself.
Chris quickly changed into fresh clothes and then made his way to the bed. His attention was drawn to the tickets resting on the bedside table, and he couldn't help but muse aloud, "I wonder what this trip will bring for us."
Just as he settled on the bed, he heard Suzy's voice calling him from the washroom. Tilting his head, he saw her peeking out of the washroom's doorway.
"What happened?" Chris inquired, concerned by her call.
Suzy realized her predicament and admitted, "I forgot to bring clothes in with me, and there are no bathrobes in here either."
Chris couldn't resist a mischievous smirk and replied, "I'm tired."
"Chris, please don't do this," Suzy implored.
Chuckling softly, Chris teased, "What are you afraid of? I won't help unless you offer something in return." His grin widened, leaving Suzy in a bit of a dilemma.
Suzy clenched her fists, fully aware of the demand Chris was making. She swung the bathroom door open and emerged, wrapped only in a towel.
Chris's gaze naturally fell to her bare legs, but when Suzy shot him a glare, he quickly redirected his attention and muttered, "Don't stare at me."
"Eyes can wander anywhere in the room," Chris retorted playfully as he watched Suzy make her way to the closet.
After a few minutes, Suzy reappeared in the bedroom, her glare focused on Chris. She settled into a velvety chair in front of the dresser, applying lotion to her arms and then night cream on her face before standing up.
"What are you staring at?" Suzy snapped at Chris.
Chris raised an eyebrow and got off the bed, approaching her with a sly grin. "Can't I even stare at my wife?" he quipped, adding a hint of mischief to his tone.
He got down from the bed and approached her. "I am sleepy. I have work tomorrow," Suzy said.
"I'm going out," Chris said.
"At this hour? Are you serious?" Suzy inquired, her eyes looking at the wall clock.
Chris affirmed with a simple "Yes" and moved to walk past her. Concerned about his late-night outing and its potential impact on their plans, Suzy decided she couldn't let him go alone and stopped him.
"I'll follow you," Suzy declared firmly. "But we're not going to the club. So, steer clear of that place, or I'll have Grandpa keep your cards frozen," she warned, reaffirming her decision.
Chris, however, had other plans. "I'm going on a long drive. You should get some rest since I'll be back late," he suggested.
Suzy remained resolute. "No, I'm coming with you," she insisted.
Chris couldn't help but express his irritation, remarking, "You're seriously acting like a guardian." Nevertheless, he retrieved the car keys from the drawer and headed out with Suzy by his side.
As they got into the car, Suzy said, "You didn't take out your sports car."
"Because I sent it for the maintenance check," Chris replied and drove the car off the driveway.
"I have a question for you," Suzy said. "Do you know that the Onetti Groups won't fall in your hands after you graduate?" she inquired.
Chris narrowly glanced at her, returning his gaze to the road. "What do you even know about my family business?" he questioned her.
"When you are in the business, you know things better than those who aren't into this," Suzy replied. "You have half-siblings too along with your cousins. When the board meeting is announced, you may get a vote out instead of being selected as the Chairman," she explained to him.
Chris negated her explanation. "That won't happen," he said.
"Give me a valid reason behind your statement," Suzy said.
"Grandpa won't let the business fall into the wrong hands," Chris stated.
"Chris, the decision won't stay in Grandpa's hands. The board of directors will play their roles as well," Suzy argued. "That's why, start showing your strengths and even work alongside in some of the projects, instead of partying and wasting time," she affirmed.
Chris furrowed his brows together. "I have enough time to do that," he stated.
"Time is never enough. You never know what can happen in an instant," Suzy replied. "I have heard from Uncle Benjamin how your half-siblings already working on the company's minor projects. Do you think they'll give you a chance to stand against them?" Her question made Chris angry, but he remained quiet.