Chapter 38

Scarlett's POV

I stood at the hospital room doorway, my entire body trembling.

But having said what I said, even if I were dying of discomfort, I would never bow my head to Alexander.

I left the hospital room without looking back.

As I was leaving, I heard Luke's voice behind me: "Boss, are you just going to let her walk away like that?"

I couldn't help but slow my steps, wanting to hear Alexander's response.

"Mind your own fucking business unless you want to die," his voice was filled with fury.

I didn't want to hear any more and quickened my pace toward the restroom at the end of the hallway.

The entire way, I was almost unable to walk because of the thing inside my body.

I had originally forced myself to go to the bathroom to wash my face and clear my head, but the thing inside my body was tormenting me to the point of madness.

Taking advantage of the empty bathroom at night, I went into the furthest stall, intending to try to remove it.

But this kind of thing was shameful to begin with, especially since Alexander had tampered with it.

Damn Alexander, how dare he... how dare he put such a thing inside me!

I clenched my teeth, my hands trembling as I reached under my dress.

My heart was already pounding anxiously, and just as I was nearly able to extract the object, someone unexpectedly entered, frightening it to retract further inside.

At that moment, I wanted to die.

I barely endured until the other person left before supporting my weak body and walking out.

Fortunately, I had just washed my face, which cleared my mind somewhat.

But even though I was in a hospital, my strong sense of self-respect wouldn't allow me to find a doctor for help.

Remembering that Cecilia Turner was currently interning at Phoenix Hospital, I grabbed onto this lifeline and immediately called her.

After arranging to meet, I immediately got a taxi to find Cecilia.

Once in the car, I noticed there was another passenger besides me.

A man wearing a black jacket, a baseball cap, and a black mask.

When our eyes met, I immediately wanted to get out.

The driver quickly explained, "He's going the same way. He'll be getting off soon."

Normally I wouldn't have minded, but I was uncomfortable and wary of strangers at that moment.

Before the driver could finish, he was interrupted.

"Hurry up!" the male passenger urged, his voice deep and urgent.

I bit my lip, got into the car, and gave Cecilia's address.

After a while, I felt the car heading in the wrong direction.

I opened my eyes and looked out the window.

We were driving away from downtown, entering an industrial area I wasn't familiar with.

"Hey, this isn't the way to Phoenix Hospital."

I questioned, inwardly cursing myself for being a fool. How had all my usual caution disappeared today?

No one answered me; instead, the car sped up.

Suddenly, the car swerved sharply, entering a dark tunnel. Fear instantly gripped my heart.

"Who are you people?" I demanded.

The driver didn't answer me but spoke to the male passenger: "Boss, it's her! I've been following her for a week. She's Alexander's woman."

Alexander's woman? They thought I was Alexander's woman?

The man didn't respond but handed me a phone, indicating I should call Alexander.

My heart sank, and an unnamed fury raged within me.

People seeking revenge against Alexander had dragged me into it.

"I don't have his number," I said truthfully.

"You're asking for death!" the driver turned back and roared, his face twisted in rage.

"I really don't... aren't you mistaken? I have no relationship with him!"

I tried to explain, my mind racing for a way to escape.

The man in the hat let out a contemptuous, cold laugh. But the light in the car was dim, and I couldn't see his face clearly. "What I'm saying is true..." In my understanding, since returning from the military, Alexander rarely managed the Gray family business—Richard did all that.

So who could someone like Alexander have offended?

The man impatiently interrupted me, pushed the car door open, and got out to smoke.

"Tristan, hurry up!" Through the car window, I could only vaguely see a blurred facial outline.

But when he smoked, his profile somehow seemed strangely familiar...

Before I could get a clear look, I felt a sharp pain as my scalp was yanked, and I was pulled out of the car by the driver named "Tristan."

His movements were rough, and after pulling me out, he threw me hard onto the ground.

The pain made me cry out.

The tunnel was long, illuminated only by the car's headlights. Around us came the constant squeaking of rats, and what sounded like the flapping wings of bats.

My leg had a large scrape, and Tristan gripped my shoulder.

"Call Alexander!" Tristan picked up a phone, dialed a number, and motioned for me to take it.

Only now did I clearly see Tristan's appearance.

Bronze skin, a visible scar around his eyes, with distinctly Latin features.

I trembled as I took the phone, my heart pounding like a drum.

As soon as our eyes met, Tristan raised his hand to hit me but was reprimanded by the man in the distance.

"Tell Alexander to come here. I won't harm you," the man said.

From his voice, he seemed younger.

He appeared to be about 5'8", slender, and heavily disguised, clearly not wanting his identity known.

I stared at him blankly, and his exposed eyes suddenly turned sinister.

Without warning, he swiftly pulled a small knife from his jacket, flicked his wrist, and the blade cut through the air toward me. The knife embedded itself in the ground, just inches from my foot.

I gasped in surprise, stepping back as cold sweat instantly soaked my back.

After the shock, I immediately took the phone from Tristan's hand.

But the call never connected, the long busy tone echoing anxiously in the tunnel.

Just a moment ago, my body had been in torment, but now shock and fear replaced everything.

Several calls were made in succession, but Alexander never answered.

Tristan completely lost patience. He snatched the phone and slapped me hard across the face.

"You filthy whore, are you Alexander's woman or not?" he demanded.

My cheek stung fiercely. "No... I really don't know him well. Haven't you misunderstood something?"

"Stop pretending! I've followed you for a week. How many times have you slept with him? And yet you say..."

"Does sleeping together count? It was just sex, what does that prove? Can any of you men guarantee you remember the names of all the women you've slept with?"

I shouted with all my strength, trying to make them realize I meant nothing to Alexander.

The mysterious man suddenly laughed: "You're right. Since you yourself said that sleeping together doesn't mean anything, then it doesn't matter who sleeps with you, does it?"

My heart sank as I realized my strategy might have backfired.

"That's right, who cares who it is? I have to say, Alexander has good taste. You're quite the looker."

Tristan laughed lecherously, moving closer to me.

"What are you doing!" I panicked when I saw Tristan stand up and start undoing his belt buckle, quickly scrambling to my feet to run.

But Tristan seemed more excited by this and began to chase me.

I stumbled forward a few steps when the mysterious man's voice came from behind:

"No rush, we have plenty of time. If Alexander won't answer the phone, someone else will."