Chapter 492
Chapter 492:
Fiona pivoted toward the window, her movement swift and careless.
Her shoulder collided with the fish tank that Brenden had positioned near the balcony.
The glass container plummeted, exploding into crystalline fragments across the floor.
The brilliant fighting fish landed with a wet slap against the tiles, its body writhing as it fixed Fiona with a murderous glare.
These creatures possessed legendary aggression yet displayed breathtaking beauty β their fins cascaded like silk petals or billowing evening gowns when they moved through water.
π©ππͺπ» tππ°πΆsΠ°ππ±π π°π§ fπ’π»π΄ ΠΎπ―
Brenden had acquired this specimen for its visual splendor, though after more than a year of captivity, he had never once allowed it to engage in combat. The fish had grown nearly mad with boredom and pent-up fury.
Finding itself suddenly stranded on dry floor, waterless and desperate, it still searched frantically for something to attack.
Fiona recalled how deeply Brenden treasured this particular fish. Without concern for her clothing, she dropped to her knees, water soaking through the fabric as she lunged for the thrashing creature, determined to return it to what remained of the tank.
The commotion drew Brenden from the other room. He appeared in the doorway and witnessed Fionaβs rescue attempt. His eyes contracted to dangerous slits as he bellowed, βStay away from that fish p>
But Fiona had already seized the fighting fish in her cupped palms. The creature responded instantly, driving its razor-sharp spines deep into her flesh.
Blood welled and spilled between her fingers.
Fionaβs scream pierced the air as the fish tumbled back to the floor.
Brenden abandoned all thoughts of the fallen creature. He rushed forward, pressing tissues against her wounds before retrieving antiseptic from his medical supplies.
His words tumbled out in urgent streams. βThank God I keep first aid supplies here because of my own injuries. What possessed you to grab it when it fell p>
Fiona whispered, βI feared it would die p>
She had possessed no knowledge that fighting fish could inflict such damage β she understood only that fish perished quickly when removed from water. βBrenden, forgive me p>
Ever since Brenden had grown closer to her, misfortune seemed to trail in his wake like a persistent shadow β now even his prized fish tank lay in ruins.
βDonβt worry. These fish adapt easily to new environments. Iβll transfer it to a water basin temporarily and arrange for someone to deliver a replacement tank later p>
He spoke while carefully wrapping her injured hand with practiced movements.
Fiona studied Brendenβs face as he worked.
He possessed genuine handsomeness β luminous eyes that sparkled like captured starlight, and lips that curved naturally upward, lending him an effortlessly seductive charm.
For the first time, she recognized how gentle and attentive Brenden could become when circumstances demanded it.
Brenden completed the bandaging with swift efficiency. Noticing her water-dampened clothing, he offered, βWould you prefer to change into something dry p>
βAbsolutely not!β Fionaβs awareness snapped back to the present moment as she regarded him with suspicious eyes. βDo you maintain a wardrobe of womenβs clothing here? I refuse to wear garments that have touched another womanβs skin p>
βNo womenβs clothes exist in my place!β Brenden penetrated her thoughts immediately and responded with matching intensity. βIβve transformed my life completely. I severed all connections with those women long ago, and not a single trace of their presence remains here p>