35 I suspect Erica.
Ava, terrified, didn’t move.
Dylan’s gaze moved to her lips, his desire to claim them intensifying. He was wrestling with his instincts, reminding himself that his priority was to tend her wounds.
139
“Be good. I’ll take you to the hospital now. He pulled the seat belt across her and secured it, his eyes never leaving hers.
When he noticed she didn’t protest further, he was relieved. He quickly made his way around the car, sliding into the driver’s seat and starting the engine.
They soon arrived at the hospital, and Dylan helped Ava out of the car. He stayed close as she was ushered into an examination room, where a doctor began assessing her injuries.
Dylan stepped back, allowing the medical staff to work, but his mind was racing. He pulled out his phone and dialed Justin. “Find out who attacked Ava and what their intention was, he
instructed. “I need all the information in an hour.”
Nicholas, whose treatment had been going through in the same hospital, learned about the incident, and Alex gave him a detailed account of the attack on Ava.
“Some group of women, who claimed to be Miss Gianna’s fans, attacked her,” Alex informed. “This is the surveillance footage of the parking area.” He handed him a tablet and played the video.
His expression grew darker with every word, his jaw tightening as he watched the surveillance footage of Ava being assaulted. Those women swarmed her like a pack of wolves. The sight filled him with outrage.
“This is insane,” he muttered. “Why did they attack her?”
“Someone spread rumors that Miss Ava had hired some thugs to hurt Miss Gianna, Alex added with a serious tone and unreadable gaze. “Miss Gianna had been missing all day since leaving the restaurant the day before. She was brought to the hospital with multiple bruises. I’ve been trying to get more information, but it seems Mr. Brooks is pulling strings to keep everything
quiet.”
Nicholas’s face contorted into a sneer as he handed the tablet back to Alex. “But he couldn’t
stop spreading the rumors about his wife. Find out what exactly happened to Gianna and who hurt her. I don’t believe for a second that Ava would stoop to something like this. Someone might be blaming Ava deliberately.”
Alex nodded; his face unreadable but resolute. “Understood, boss. I’ll dig deeper. He paused for a moment, then added, “The doctor cleared you for discharge, and the car is ready whenever you
are.”
“Hmm…” Nicholas hummed thoughtfully, “but before that, I’d like to see Ava.
35 suspect Enca
A flicker of hesitation crossed Alex’s indifferent face. “Dylan Brooks is still at the hospital, he cautioned. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go see her now,”
“She saved me twice, Nicholas countered with steely conviction. “I owe her, and I’ll do anything to help her.
His determination left no room for argument, and Alex’s resolve faltered. With a reluctant nod, he replied, “Okay, I’ll go check first if Dylan is around?
He slipped out of the ward.
Ava had been resting when the door creaked open, the soft sound of footsteps interrupting her rest. Assuming it was Dylan, she shifted her weight to face away from the door, muttering, “Get out, Dylan. I don’t want to talk to you right now.”
But the voice that replied wasn’t Dylan’s. “Woh! I didn’t know you were this upset with your
husband.”
Her eyes flew open in surprise. She quickly turned her head to see Nicholas standing there, hist familiar smile lighting up his face.
“You!” Ava was surprised, and she sat up abruptly. “Why did you come out of your room? You should be resting!”
“To see you.” Nicholas stepped closer, his expression softening as his gaze landed on the bruises. marring her face and the bandage wrapped around her hand. Without a second thought, he gently took her hand, his thumb brushing over the gauze with unexpected tenderness. Despite the storm of anger brewing within him, Nicholas kept his tone light, masking his emotions.
“Hmm… those women really went after you, didn’t they?” he mumbled casually as if he was cracking a joke. “It’s not fair – Several women ganging up on one.”
“How do you know about that?” Ava’s brow furrowed in confusion.
Nicholas met her gaze with a calm, knowing smile. “Such news spreads before you know it. But I am wondering who has dared to attack Dylan’s Brooks wife like this. Do you know who those people are?”
He pretended to be unaware of the details, hoping she might reveal something new–something that his assistant hadn’t yet uncovered. He watched her closely, studying her reaction.
Ava felt somewhat uneasy at his touch, and she quickly pulled her hand back from his grasp. “Those were crazy fans of Gianna,” she muttered scornfully. “They think I attacked their precious icon.” She rolled her eyes, exasperation evident in every word. “Yes, I hate her, but I would never stoop so low as to hire goons to rape someone. That’s not my style of getting even.”
Nicholas’s face flickered with shock at her revelation. ‘Rape? Was Gianna raped? For a moment, he was speechless as he tried to process the new information.
“So, you’re saying these women misunderstood you,” he said cautiously, “and believe you’re
35 Prospect Erica.
Ava nodded resolutely. “I don’t even know who those guys are who hurt Gianna. Someone is deliberately targeting me. Those words tumbled out of her mouth in a hurry.
“Do you suspect anyone?” Nicholas asked, curious, anticipation building up inside him.
Ava, only at this point, realized that she might have said too much. Could she trust Nicholas with this? She squinted at him, doubts and confusion warring in her mind.
As she reflected on the past events, she was certain Dylan would never punish Erica even if all the findings point toward her. She didn’t have faith in him. But Nicholas was different. If she
asked him to help her, he might help her to return her favor.
“Yes, she finally said. “I suspect Erica.” @
