Chapter 0004
Author: Miss Rich Last Updated: 2024-10-16 15:18:16
“Two hundred million dollars?” Dylan barely hesitated. “Deal!”
Three years ago, after being drugged during an ambush, a girl saved his life despite her own serious injuries. After a night together, she disappeared by morning. It was too dark to see her face clearly, but he vaguely recalled a faint, distinctive scent—an herbal remedy. He traced it to the Wheeler family. Anne, frail and sickly since childhood, had relied on natural remedies for years. She'd been kidnapped that day, she explained, escaping and encountering him along the way. Ignoring her own safety, she'd used her wounded body to save his life. She was only eighteen.
Anne saved his life, and he promised her marriage. Despite his grandmother, Grace's disapproval, he vowed never to marry anyone else. Then Suzy appeared. She orchestrated a heroic act, winning Grace's favor, and systematically manipulated Grace into forcing him to marry her. With her goal achieved, Suzy viewed Anne as an obstacle, constantly provoking conflict. Lately, things had escalated—first a kidnapping, now poisoning. Two hundred million dollars, or more—he'd pay any price to save Anne. He owed her too much.
Meanwhile, Allen informed Suzy: “Boss, they’ve agreed.” He’d agreed. It was impossible to ignore her feelings. After all, she’d loved Dylan for years. She wondered: if she were poisoned, would he do the same? No. He'd wish for her death; it would remove the obstacle between him and Anne. Suzy clenched her fists, suppressing the pain. “Deal!” Two hundred million dollars—he was foolish and rich; why not exploit it? But who poisoned Anne? What was the motive? The previous kidnapping remained unsolved. There must be a connection. A hospital visit tonight was necessary—to identify the poison before pursuing leads.
That night, dressed in a nurse's uniform provided by Allen, Suzy slipped into Anne’s hospital room. The girl in the bed was pale and barely breathing. Dylan would be heartbroken. Anne had saved Dylan; that's why he cherished her. Ironically, Suzy, too, fell in love with Dylan the night he saved her. A self-mocking smile touched her lips. Suzy had schemed to marry him, believing him single. Rumors portrayed him as indifferent to women, devoted only to work—his grandmother even suspected he was gay! Only after the marriage did Suzy learn of Anne. Grace disapproved, so she’d never mentioned Anne. Three years ago, while Suzy thought she was manipulating Grace, hadn't Grace been manipulating her? Remembering the shrewd old woman, Suzy chuckled softly. “Age certainly does sharpen the wit!”
Suzy checked Anne's condition. Her brows furrowed. It was…indeed it was! Her expression changed. Suzy produced a syringe, aimed it at Anne's left arm, and was about to inject it when her hand was seized. Anne clutched her wrist. "Who sent you?" The hospital staff were handpicked; Anne knew them all. She knew something was wrong.
Ignoring Anne’s awakening, Suzy shook her off and continued. As the needle neared Anne's arm, Anne pushed Suzy, sat up, and reached for the call button. Before she could touch it, her arm was pinned to the wall. The mask partially concealed the intruder's face, but the chilling glare in her eyes was murderous. Anne panicked. "I am Dylan's most beloved woman. If you dare hurt me, he will never forgive you…"
“Slap!” Suzy slapped Anne and grabbed her chin. “If you don’t want to die, keep quiet!” Anne's face stung, her jaw ached, but the words suggested Suzy wasn't here to kill her. Anne's fear lessened; she stopped struggling. Suzy released her chin, drew the blood, and left, ignoring the bleeding puncture wound.
Anne, far from resigned, pressed the call button. "Someone is trying to kill…" Her throat was seized. The woman's speed was terrifying. "I didn’t want to kill you…" Suzy's fingers tightened. "But since you seem tired of living, I’ll grant your wish!" It wasn't a threat; Suzy meant to kill her. Anne wasn't a saint; she was skilled at manipulation, framing others repeatedly over the past three years. Suzy's patience stemmed only from Anne being Dylan's favorite. Now… she didn't care. Moreover, Anne owed her. Without Suzy's protection, Anne wouldn't have survived long enough for Dylan to rescue her from the kidnappers.
As Anne's face turned red, veins bulging, Suzy's murderous intent intensified. A little more pressure… Suddenly, she heard footsteps—distant, inaudible to most, but clear to her exceptional hearing. Dylan. A wave of disgust washed over her at her familiarity with his gait. As the footsteps drew closer, Suzy's gaze hardened. With a swift movement, she knocked Anne unconscious. Anne was worth two hundred million dollars; there was no reason to refuse that kind of money. Suzy quickly opened the balcony door and slipped into the bathroom.
The door opened. Dylan entered, noticing the open balcony door. His brow furrowed. He instructed Desmond, who followed him: “Close the door…” His words were cut short by a startled cry.
“Ah…” Anne, thinking she was doomed, opened her eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling, gasping for air.
“Did I wake you? I’ve been too busy these last few days to visit. How are you feeling?” Dylan went to her bedside, noticing her distress. “Did you have a nightmare?”
Turning, Anne threw herself into his arms, showing him the marks on her neck and arm. “Mr. Dylan, just now, a woman disguised as a nurse drew my blood and then tried to strangle me.”