Chapter <i>52 </i>A Line Crossed
So this was their leverage–Charles’s downfall was now fair
game.
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Tess had done time–she didn’t flinch, and she sure wasn’t picky about money. Cash was cash, and she wasn’t about to let it go to waste after everything Charles had just been put through.
Without hesitation, she stuffed the entire stack into his coat pocket.
It was the least she could do to make those drinks count for something.
The people who had just been mocking Charles all stared, eyes wide. <i>Wait</i><i>–</i><i>she’s </i><i>really </i><i>helping </i><i>him</i><i>? </i><i>Just </i><i>like </i><i>that</i><i>? </i>
Tess, for the first time, realized how heavy Charles actually was. He might look lean, but six feet of dead weight was nothing she could handle alone.
Thankfully, a few junior attorneys still had some decency. Quietly, they stepped in and helped her get him out of the room.
She never once looked up, didn’t even acknowledge the curious, calcting stares behind her.
“Who the hell is that?” The woman in red narrowed her eyes. “Charles has a girlfriend?”
Peter’s gaze locked on Tess’s retreating figure.
She was dressed inly, just a simple outfit and a face mask hiding her features–but even beneath the loose clothing, her graceful silhouette was impossible to miss. That quiet elegance, mixed with something surprisingly alluring, made his eyes flicker with interest.
“So much for his squeaky–clean reputation,” he muttered. “Turns out he’s been hiding a little something on the side all along.”
“Now I’m really curious what’s under that mask.”
Jealousy burned in his chest, and he clenched his teeth with a bitter snap.
The woman in red’s eyes gradually dimmed, shadows pooling in her gaze as she stared at Tess’s fading silhouette. Then her attention shifted–toward a quieter, dimly lit corner of the room. Her heart sank a little with unease.
Finn said to teach Cameron a lesson. God, she hoped she didn’t screw that up…
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Chapter 52 & Lime Crowed
If anything, me the women for showing up to damn fast
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Across the room, half–wiled in shadow, sat a man who exuded cold, refined power–like an aceberg carved in human form. From her angle, all she could see was his side profile–sharp. sculpted, emotionless,
Finn’s eyes stayed fixed on Ruby, his stare deep as a well and twice as cold, a chill radiating from him that could freeze air<b>. </b>
Behind him. Zane stood silent and still, practically blending into the darkness.
Follow her. Finn said, his voice low andced with a mocking edge.
He let out a quiet scoff–one that dripped with danger.
Zane flinched, then quickly took off after her without a word.
Meanwhile, outside the bar, Tess was facing a problem of her own.
“Sir, could you help me, please?” she asked quietly, struggling under Charles’s weight.
The cab driver, thankfully, was kind. He jumped out right away and helped hoist Charles into the back seat, getting him settled without a hitch.
The weight lifted off her shoulders, literally, and Charles finally let out a breath.
“Boyfriend, huh?” the driver joked. “What’d he do―get into a fight with you and go drink himself stupid?”
Tess gave an awkward smile, about to exin. But then she noticed it–Charles’s brow suddenly tightening in pain.
Her heart dropped. And under the sh of neon from the passing streetlights, she got a clearer look at him. His face was ghost–white.
His lips werepletely drained of color.
“Drive to the nearest hospital–now!”
Tess’s voice shot up, sharp with panic.
The driver nced in the rearview mirror, saw Charles’s condition, and his joking tone vanished instantly. “Got it! Hang in there, miss!”<fnb70e> Find the newest release on F?nd-Novel</fnb70e>
He hit the brakes, yanked the wheel around, and floored it, heading straight for the closest
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Chapter 52 A Line Crossed
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private hospital. The moment they pulled up. Tess caught sight of the giant hospital sign.
Owned by Lock Group.”
She froze for a beat, stunned. But there was no time to deal with the knot in her chest. She rushed straight to the front desk, calling for a nurse.
Within minutes, Charles was wheeled into the emergency OR.
Tess stood frozen, heart pounding.
La was still asleep back at the old house–all alone, And here she was, unable to leave Charles’s side.
She looked up at the doors of the operating room, gaze locked, as if trying to see straight through them.
Eventually, she sank down into a corner, curled her arms around herself, and silently begged -La, please <i>don’t </i><i>wake </i><i>up </i>yet. <i>Not </i><i>yet</i>.
Her chest tightened, and tears welled in her eyes, on the verge of spilling.
Finally, the red light above the OR door switched off, and a nurse stepped out.
Tess rushed over. “Nurse, how is he? What happened?”
The nurse gave her a quick nce. “Stomach perforation,” she said tly.
“He downed way too much alcohol in one sitting–anyone would’ve ended up like this.”
Her brows knit together, and her tone turned sharp,ced with frustration. “Young people arguing is one thing, but why y games with your health?”
“I’m so sorry… We didn’t mean to cause trouble,” Tess said softly.
The apology caught in her throat, but she didn’t try to defend herself. Guilt washed over her in waves, and she lowered her head, quietly taking the scolding.
Seeing how sincere and respectful she was, the nurse’s voice softened. “The surgery went fine. He just needs to stay for a few days for observation.”
Tess nodded quickly, again and again.
A short whileter, Charles was wheeled out of surgery. He still looked pale and worn, but at least there was some color back in his cheeks.
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Chapter 52 A Line Crossed
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Tess headed to the front desk to take care of the hospital fees, using part of the cash from earlier. She counted out what she needed and slipped the rest into her pocket–hoping it would be enough to get them through.
It was alreadyte, deep into the night. The only lights in the hospital were the red glow of the ER sign and the faint green of the emergency exit signs.
Tess walked alone down the dim hallway, the silence so heavy she could hear her own heartbeat echoing.
Suddenly, she felt someone stop right behind her.
“Mrs. Lock.”
Tess jolted in surprise and instinctively turned around. The moment she saw who it was, a wave of cold dread washed over her.
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