What? She could’ve just denied it, so why did she have to make it sound so suggestive?

Chapter 28: Not Letting Go This Time

Lia’s expression darkened even more, and my heart skipped a beat. I was afraid she’d end up clashing with Yvette again, just like in my past life. I quickly explained, “Thu has nothing to do with her. The business partner preferred someone else, and I was just caught in the crossfire, but that guy didn’t get away unscathed either. He ended up beaten pretty badly.”

“The business partner did this?” Lila hissed. She glared at Yvette and continued, “You couldn’t even protect Owen? He got hurt this badly because of your incompetence. How do you expect…”

I know Yvette too well. Even challenged, she would still go all out to defend me, refusing to let me suffer. Under Yvette’s watchful eye, Lila was publicly berating her. Yvette probably felt humiliated beyond words.

Sure enough, Yvette tightened her grip on my hand as her face clouded with suppressed rage. However, she merely said, “It’s not your place to teach me a lesson.” Yvette shot back, her voice cold. “Anyone who lays a hand on what’s mine will pay for it. No matter who it is, they won’t get away with it.” Lila’s patented smirk faltered, and the tense atmosphere in the room indicated no immediate end to their standoff. As Yvette was growing angrier, it was her whispering:

Brinkman yanked my hand fiercely, and my frustration boiled over. “Vertte, for the last time, I’m telling you to let go. I have a pounding headache. I just want to finish this checkup and go back to sleep. If you want me to check on Randall, go ahead. I’m not stopping you, are you suppressing me?”

Yvette’s expression turned even darker. Knowing how stubborn I was, she finally released her grip, but not before shoving a hotel key card and her bank card into my hand.

“The PIN is ‘poor me.’ Call me once the heat is out. Then, head to the hotel and wait for me. I need to talk to you.”

I didn’t stand on ceremony and took the bank card and hotel key from Yvette. Given the situation, I considered the bank card my compensation. Only a fool wouldn’t take free money.

Before I could leave, Yvette grabbed my arm again. She tiptoed closer to whisper in my ear, away from her, “When you get back, don’t let her get dragged into this mess because of you.”

It was fine for him to be entangled with Randall, but Loukh’t even get close to Lila.

I retorted with a cold laugh, shrugging off her hand. Without looking back, I headed straight toward Lila. “Accompany me for…”

Lila shared a fierce glare at Yvette, her expression filled with unspoken anger.

The trials. I needed to move—I was mostly just checking if my back hurt.

Lila stayed by my side the entire time, bustling around. When I showed her the results, she couldn’t help but tap me on the head and scold me, “Are you still acting like this? Every time I’m not around, you manage to get yourself into a mess like this. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I put on my best cheeky grin. “Next time, I definitely… there won’t be a next time. I promise.”

“That’s more like it. You really scared me this time.”

A wave of warmth washed over my heart.

“Take better care of yourself, be smarter, and don’t make me worry.” I have noticed Lila had rushed over and pushed herself to the limit even though her leg was still injured. How could I not be moved by her concern?

Speaking, she covered my mouth with her warm hand. Our breaths mingled. I gazed into her eyes, which were clear and intense, while she held my hand.

Her expression was a mixture of exasperation and fondness.

“I’ll be your wife; I’ll be good to you, but do you need to be so solicitous to me for being good to you?”

She tapped my head and tapped away any insult. “I would appreciate it. Please don’t lie to me.”

I couldn’t help but sigh again.

“Lila, you shouldn’t take things so hard. When something’s damaged, you should just replace it. Who knows? Maybe the new phone will be even better when we get back. As the saying goes, out with the old, in with the new.”

I made a mental note. “But… I’ll get a new one when all the other matters are settled. I grabbed my passport and booked a flight home. I just want…”

My eyelids grew heavy, and I could barely keep them open.

I blinked and asked, “Have you listed down all the tools…”

It was you, and there was me. I even dreamed that you chose Yvette over everyone else, not even sparing…

“This one’s different. In the dream, a lot happened. There were many people—there was a thought for Kenny, or for me…”

My consciousness started to blur, and I couldn’t make out the rest of her words. Just before I completely drifted off, I felt a light touch on my neck—it was the same spot where Yvette used to…