Chapter 276: Chuck - I've Got an Iron Stomach! Daily Marriage-Phobia Tips!
Two cars drove out of St. Anselm School for Boys.
Inside the castle.
A man and a woman stood by the window, watching this scene.
"What do we do now?"
Nicole took a deep drag on her cigarette, looking somewhat lost.
"We'll do what we have to do!"
Headmaster Guy stared intently in the direction the cars had gone, his face so dark it could've curdled milk: "Damn it! Why did you mess with him?!"
"I already told you!"
Nicole was also angry: "It wasn't us who went after him, it was him who came after us! I tried my best to stop him, but he forced me to let Mia go with him first with just a few words. You know Mia—she can't keep anything to herself."
"I don't know anymore!"
Headmaster Guy said hatefully: "Bullshit medical science! That doctor told me that if she was frightened, she'd have a heart attack, but how many times have I scared her? It could be a damn horror movie, and she's still fine! Now he says I know her?"
"She's too lucky."
Nicole murmured.
"Now it's your turn to figure something out."
Guy's gaze shifted to Nicole's face, and he suddenly remembered what Chuck had said earlier. He looked at Nicole coldly. "I've done what I was supposed to do. Now I have to deal with the school's accounts. It's your turn to solve this problem. Don't forget, we're in this together."
"Okay."
Nicole took a deep drag of her cigarette, exhaled a smoke ring, and nodded in agreement.
"Hmm?"
Guy was taken aback by her quick agreement. Looking at Nicole, who seemed even more mysterious than usual thanks to the smoke, he narrowed his eyes, then walked over and grabbed her neck, beginning his violent assault.
"You've missed me these past few days, haven't you?"
"Aren't you going to ask me what I can do?"
Nicole didn't resist, because she knew that resistance was futile and would only invite more brutal treatment, leaving her bruised and battered.
"You really have a solution?"
Guy paused.
"I know a friend of Detective Chuck."
Nicole said blankly. "We used to be friends. Through her, maybe we can reconcile with Detective Chuck and both of us can back down."
"What kind of bullshit is that!"
Guy was furious upon hearing this, grabbing Nicole's neck. "Why should I back down? How much more do you want me to back down?"
"Backing down is already the best outcome."
Nicole struggled for a moment, but found her neck being tightly gripped. She reminded him, "You may not know Detective Chuck, but I know him. When you face him, you'll find that backing down is already the best outcome. Trust me!"
"Are you falling for him?"
Guy tightened his grip, shouting angrily, "Just like that bitch! Trying to betray me to gain a way out, or even benefits, isn't that right!"
"Who wouldn't be tempted by a man like him?"
Nicole's face was red and her neck was swelling from being choked, but she still didn't back down, continuing to say things Guy didn't want to hear.
"Bitch! You're all bitches!"
Guy tightened his grip on Nicole, his eyes fixed on her, trying to force her to submit. But she showed no sign of yielding. Finally, seeing the mocking look in her eyes, he snapped out of his daze, released his grip, and punched the nightstand in a fit of rage.
Nicole pulled her hand back from under the mattress, where an ice pick was faintly visible.
Guy walked away, cursing.
Nicole got up, walked to the vanity mirror, examined the bruises on her neck, smiled at her reflection, and then took out her phone and dialed a number: "Long time no see, G…"
Chuck drove Mia away from the school.
In the car behind them was Mrs. Wolowitz with Howard Jr., who had refused to follow her but was forced into the car.
Mia sat in the passenger seat, clutching the crucifix to her chest, staring blankly out the window.
"Can he really go to prison?"
After a long while, Mia turned to look at Chuck, who was driving.
"Yes."
Chuck replied succinctly.
"Can I stay with you during the time before he goes to prison?"
Mia asked again.
"Yes."
Chuck glanced at her. "But I don't recommend it."
"Because it doesn't look good, right?"
Mia asked, somewhat dejected. "Even if I wanted to divorce him now, I wouldn't be able to wait for that day. I'm too afraid of him."
"No."
Chuck shook his head. "It's about your heart. Although it seems your heart is stronger than your husband thinks, it might not be able to handle it if you're with me."
"You mean the thrills and dangers you encounter while investigating cases."
Mia suddenly realized.
"You could say that."
Chuck said expressionlessly.
"I want to try."
Mia covered her chest with her hand and glanced at Chuck. "I think I can handle the thrills and dangers."
Chuck didn't say anything more and continued driving.
"And then what?"
After a moment of silence, Mia couldn't help but speak again. Before Chuck could reply, she added, "Even if he goes to prison, it won't be for long. What if he comes back and tries to take the school from me? You can't just stay at the school with me forever... Do you like living in castles?"
"I've got an iron stomach!"
Chuck replied bluntly.
"Uh, that's great."
Mia was taken aback by this seemingly unrelated answer, her face turning slightly embarrassed. She didn't know whether she should continue asking.
"There was once a man named Adam."
Chuck said, seeing her awkward expression. "He had many, many female friends, and all of them, especially his close female friends, owned at least one estate, most of which they already had."
"And then?"
Mia was still confused.
"Then he unconsciously developed a habit of buying estates for those who didn't have them."
Chuck calmly said. "And he's not exactly a person with OCD."
"You mean..."
Mia stared, unsure if she understood correctly, but she was already deeply shocked: "You don't mean that if you agree to live in the castle and fall in love with it, you'll buy a castle for every one of your close female friends, right?"
Chuck didn't answer.
"Impossible!"
Mia laughed and cried at the same time, immediately rejecting the idea: "I've seen your gossip in the tabloids, I know you're close to many outstanding women, and I know you have severe OCD, but my castle is worth over 30 million dollars... I get it."
She now understood—this was a veiled rejection.
"No, you don't understand."
Chuck said. "I love castles—quiet, spacious, picturesque—but your castle has become a school."
"Okay..."
Mia was completely bewildered, too lazy to even try to understand Chuck's words.
Chuck raised an eyebrow, not explaining further.
He and Anna both loved castles. He had his own castle, and Anna was currently hiding there.
Originally, this wouldn't have been a problem.
But once he accepted Mia's invitation, and considering the inevitable intimate relationship that would follow, he would have another close female friend—Mia, who owned a castle.
For Chuck, with his severe OCD, this formed a pattern.
Currently, his funds were invested in acquiring valuable assets, making it inconvenient to set aside hundreds of millions specifically to buy castles.
As for waiting?
After rigorous training and the healing effects of the Water of Life, Chuck's self-control was quite good.
However, he didn't want to specifically suppress his intense urge to buy immediately.
"Hmm. It's just money. No need."
So his current choice was either to accept and buy it immediately, or to refuse, not create a pattern, and let Anna retain this uniqueness.
As for making Mia give up the ancestral castle?
Mia would rather face extreme fear than give it up, and Chuck didn't think he could make her give it up for his OCD.
"What will happen in the future?"
Mia murmured.
"Don't worry."
Chuck glanced at her: "As long as you get him locked up, this time will be enough for you to take control of the school and no longer be afraid of him."
"How can I stop being afraid of him?"
Mia looked at Chuck expectantly.
"Touch it."
Chuck gestured for Mia to touch it.
"..."
Mia's face flushed instantly, looking at Chuck in disbelief, but under Chuck's calm gaze, she looked down at the cross on her chest.
"You'd better put the cross away."
Chuck kindly reminded her.
Mia trembled, thought for a moment, buried the cross beneath her shirt, and then, blushing, reached out her hand with trembling fingers.
"Oh, God!"
"Neither God nor the devil can save you."
Chuck pulled out the large pistol he always carried from his waistband and said calmly, "But this piece can. It makes all beings equal!
During his time in prison, you can practice at the shooting range, enough to close the physical gap between you.
You don't need God to save you. You can save yourself and no longer fear him.
How do you feel now?"
"Empowered..."
Mia said unconsciously, lost in thought.
Chuck was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Looks like you understand."
New Jersey.
Princeton.
The Wolowitz's new home.
When Chuck and the others arrived one after the other, Monica and the others were already waiting at the door. Even Leonard and Sheldon Jr. were there.
"Welcome back."
Everyone looked at Howard Jr. with teasing eyes, making Howard Jr. feel ashamed. Then they saw Mia coming down with Chuck, and their gossipy eyes immediately shifted over.
Monica had already habitually entered her enthusiastic Monica mode, only returning to some semblance of normalcy after Mia shared her story, expressing deep sympathy for Mia's experience.
"It's like a daily dose of marriage-phobia tips."
Rachel complained. "I can't believe I was so bold as to actually get married!"
"That's nothing!"
Chandler habitually quipped. "As long as you keep learning, your marriage-phobia tips will never max out."
"So not getting married is great."
Joey winked, giving Chuck a knowing smile. "Chuck, don't you agree?"
Everyone turned to look at Chuck, curious for his answer.
Chuck didn't answer, only looking at Sheldon.
"Are you asking for my opinion?"
Sheldon looked at him warily, but couldn't help saying, "You know my opinion: marriage and relationships are nothing but a waste of time. I look forward to the day when our consciousnesses are uploaded into a computer, achieving digital immortality..."
"Tch!"
Chandler and the others booed Sheldon dismissively.
"You're like this now because your vision is too narrow."
Sheldon retorted. "In the future, you'll find that I was right! Then you'll worship me and shout, 'All hail Cooper!'"
"Possibly."
Chandler nodded seriously.
"Looks like you have good judgment. No wonder you're on TV and have your own show. Even my mom is asking me if I know you."
Sheldon looked at Chandler with satisfaction.
"Thanks for your mom's approval."
Chandler laughed. "I said 'possibly' because people are getting dumber. When your 'scientific theory' becomes widely accepted and admired by countless people, then I'll probably achieve Chuck's goal for me—becoming the president!"
"Those who believe in my theory are smart, not stupid!"
Sheldon exclaimed indignantly.
"Yeah, yeah, we'll see."
Chandler waved dismissively.
Young Sheldon pouted and thought for a moment before saying, "Okay, compared to me, those people are indeed idiots, but compared to ordinary idiots, they're already smart!"
Everyone spent the evening together and then went home.
Mia went with Chuck to the villa on the hillside.
Meanwhile, Dr. Wilson called: "Mia, how are you? Do you need help? No? Chuck has already found your husband? You're at his house now..."
Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Wilson's face grew increasingly bitter as he spoke on the phone, while Dr. House, who had been secretly eavesdropping, couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Dr. Wilson said a few more words, then hung up the phone, his face grim as he said to his best friend, "What are you laughing at!"
"At this point, a more dramatic response is needed."
Dr. House said after a moment of theatrical pause, uttering the classic line many people like to say: "I told you so."
"What do you mean, 'told you so'?"
Dr. Wilson's eyes flickered. "Mia only went home with Chuck because she was worried about her husband. It made her feel safer..."
"Let's not even talk about how you believe such nonsense."
Dr. House scoffed. "Even if it were true, the hidden meaning is quite clear. Otherwise, why wouldn't she come to you for reassurance? You're a doctor—you should be the one making people feel safest!"
"What are you trying to say?"
Dr. Wilson's face darkened.
"Do I need to spell it out for you?"
Dr. House looked at his best friend: "You got played and robbed by that stone-faced guy. Do you know what you should be doing right now?"
"What should I do?"
Dr. Wilson asked.
"Go beat that stone-faced guy up, teach him a lesson, teach him to stay in his lane!"
Dr. House said fiercely. Seeing his best friend's 'Do I look like an idiot?' expression, he immediately abandoned his intention to continue watching the show and shrugged.
"Looks like you don't like using violence. Isn't that a bit odd? Fine, let's go for a softer approach. Tonight, a bar! I'll take you to have some fun!"
Saying that, he walked over to his best friend with his cane, reached into his friend's pocket and took his friend's credit card: "Let's help you forget all this!"
"Don't even think about it."
Dr. Wilson snatched back his credit card and complained, "I don't want my credit card statement to have those special charges again, and then get looked at strangely."
"You're overthinking it. Those are envious and jealous looks."
Dr. House limped out.
Dr. Wilson stood there for a moment, then quickly caught up, their conversation drifting back.
"You really think Chuck is that kind of person..."
(End of Chapter)
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