Chapter 97
97
Although Alaric was reluctant, he still gave a perfunctory nod in response.
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After Zara finished giving her instructions, she left the hospital room with Scarlett.
At the door, they ran into Dean Elira Blackthorn, who wore a friendly smile.
Zara returned the smile politely, her tone gentle yet courteous. “Dean Elira, what a pleasant surprise.”
Elira responded warmly, “Yes, I just tried to visit Lady Zara in her room but missed her. So I came to check on Master Alaric instead. I didn’t expect to see you both here.”
“Lady Zara looks much better. I’m sure you are on the mend,” Elira added with concern.
Zara expressed her gratitude. “Thanks to your care, the injury to my abdomen isn’t serious.”
Elira’s tone turned slightly serious. “Even if it’s not serious, you must rest well. Your health comes first.”
Scarlett immediately tugged at Zara’s arm, pouting playfully, “Mom, you have to listen to the doctor. Let me take you back to your room.”
Zara nodded, allowing Scarlett to support her as they slowly walked back to the hospital room.
Watching them leave, Elira’s eyes sparkled with barely concealed satisfaction.
Once Zara and Scarlett were out of sight, Elira closed the door behind her and locked it firmly.
Alaric had been waiting anxiously inside. His eyes glinted with urgency.
To avoid being seen, he pulled Elira into the bathroom, swiftly tearing off her black stockings and pressing her against the wall with barely contained passion.
Elira met his enthusiasm without hesitation, her gaze filled with desire and abandon.
Soon, muffled sounds of their fervent encounter filled the bathroom–low, urgent, lasting for a full five minutes before fading completely.
When Elira stepped back into the hospital room, her expression was calm and composed, the earlier satisfaction vanished without a trace.
“This is getting worse by the day,” she muttered under her breath.
For the next three days, Riley remained in Mooncrest Second People’s Hospital, recovering.
Theo, as if by agreement with fate, appeared at her hospital door every day on time, always carrying a large bouquet of flowers.
Riley was reluctant to see him, fearing the Ebonclaw Pack might notice and come searching for her.
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Early on the fourth day, Duke helped her complete the discharge procedures.
–
No more than half an hour after she left, Theo showed up with flowers only to be left empty–handed.
When he learned Riley had already been discharged, his nostrils flared with anger.
“Riley! I visit you every day, and you can’t even bother to tell me you’re leaving?”
What made Theo even more furious was that he had no way to contact her.
His frustration boiled over; he tossed the flowers into a trash bin and stormed out of the hospital.
Riley sat quietly in the backseat as Duke drove through the streets of Mooncrest.
Soon, the car stopped at a red light.
She turned her face slightly toward the window and slowly rolled it down.
A gentle breeze caressed her face, bringing a coolness that seemed to sweep away the heavy shadows weighing on her heart.
Closing her eyes, she let the wind soothe her, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips moment of peace.
The light turned green, and the car slowly moved forward.
Just then, a black Maybach sped past on the opposite lane, brushing alongside Riley’s car.
The driver glanced back by chance and caught sight of Riley raising her window.
Though only her profile was visible, the driver immediately recognized her.
Maddox’s heart leapt violently in his chest, almost bursting out of his throat.
He shouted her name, “Riley-!”
His voice cut sharply through the noise of the street, drawing surprised looks from passersby.
In that moment, Maddox forgot everything else.
a rare
Traffic rules, his safety–all he could think about was catching Riley and never letting her go again.
He slammed the steering wheel hard, reckless of the chaos around him.
The car swerved abruptly, causing surrounding vehicles to brake and honk loudly.
A loud crash followed as Maddox’s car collided violently with a neighboring vehicle, jolting harshly.
But Maddox seemed oblivious to the damage.
He flung open the door and dashed toward the direction Riley had gone, shouting desperately, “Riley, don’t go-!”
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The driver of the other car jumped out, furious.
“Can you even drive? You hit my car and want to run?”
Grabbing Maddox’s shirt, the man shouted angrily.
But Maddox shrugged off the grip without hesitation.
With no regard for consequences, Maddox punched the man to the ground and continued running after Riley.
Inside the car, Riley had just rolled the window back up when a loud crash echoed from behind.
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