Chapter 218

Thalia went to the police station to give her statement. Lucia regained consciousness around eleven in the morning. Thalia had already completed her statement and returned to the hospital room.

Lucia opened her eyes, feeling dizzy. Her face was pale, still showing traces of exhaustion. After adjusting to the light, her gaze fell on the figure moving around the room. “Thalia Winters?” Lucia’s voice was hoarse. “You’re awake?” Thalia turned around. Lucia frowned. “This is… a hospital?”

“Yes.” Thalia handed her a glass of water. “Drink some water.” Lucia propped herself up, took the glass, and drank a few sips. “Thank you.” Thalia sat by the bed, her gaze concerned. “How are you feeling now? Any better?”

Lucia’s lips parted slightly. “My head’s spinning, and I feel weak. Why? How did I end up in a hospital?”

Thalia explained, “Last night I saw some men with bad intentions surrounding you outside a bar. I went to check, and realized you’d been drugged. I called the police, and Alana took down those men and rescued you.”

Lucia’s eyes widened in shock. “I was drugged? With what?”

Thalia pressed her lips together. “A drug that stimulates physical desire, commonly called a date rape drug…” Lucia’s eyebrows knitted together as she fell silent.

After a few minutes, once Lucia had processed this information, Thalia continued, “Schulz, the men who drugged you are being detained at the police station. You can go see them if you want.”

Lucia looked up at Thalia, her gaze complex. “Thalia, why did you save me? Aren’t we rivals for the same man? Shouldn’t you be happy to see me drugged and taken advantage of?”

Thalia frowned at these words. “Ms. Schulz, do you have some kind of prejudice against me?” Anger flashed in Thalia’s eyes. “We have no grudge between us. How could I possibly stand by and watch you being victimized? Besides, as women, we should support each other.”

Thalia looked at Lucia with disbelief. “You actually thought I’d be happy to see you sexually assaulted because we’re ‘love rivals’? That’s absurd, Ms. Schulz. I’m not that twisted…”

Lucia looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Ms. Winters. I judged you unfairly. Thank you for saving me yesterday.”

“It’s nothing. Just a small gesture.” Lucia finished the water in her cup.

Thalia asked, “Are you hungry? I can order food. What would you like?”

“Well, if you insist,” Lucia said. “I’d like the duck confit and the truffle risotto from Le Jardin.”

Chapter 218

Le Jardin was an upscale French restaurant where even a simple salad cost three figures. Duck confit and truffle risotto were their signature dishes, each costing over a thousand dollars. Only members could enjoy their delivery service.

When Lucia said she wouldn’t stand on ceremony, she really meant it. Thalia smiled. “Alright.” With Lucia ordering food, the small friction between them dissipated into thin air. Thalia called and placed the order.

While waiting for the food, Lucia made conversation with Thalia. “Ms. Winters, you said Alana took down all those men by herself last night?”

Thalia nodded. “Yes, Alana appears to be my assistant, but she’s actually a personal bodyguard hired by my father. She’s extremely skilled.”

Alana stood nearby, expressionless. Lucia’s gaze fell on Alana, her eyes flashing with amazement and disbelief. “Wow! Alana is incredible! Where do you find such an amazing female bodyguard? I want to hire one too.”

Thalia smiled. “My father recruited her from abroad.”

Lucia said, “Our family only has male bodyguards, which can be inconvenient sometimes.”

Speaking of this, Thalia grew serious. “By the way, why were you alone at that bar last night? Where were your bodyguards?”

Lucia’s expression became somewhat awkward. She hesitated, “If I tell you, will you hit me?”

Thalia: “?” “Why would I hit you?” Thalia looked at her, amused.

“Well…” Lucia lowered her eyelashes, a bit embarrassed. “Yesterday a friend called and said she saw Asher at that bar… I’ve been trying to see him for weeks without success. As for bodyguards, I usually don’t bring them when I go out.”

After speaking, Lucia sneaked a glance at Thalia’s reaction. “I mean… although I’m grateful you saved me, I’m serious about Asher. For years, he’s been the only man I’ve ever loved, and I won’t give up easily!”

Thalia laughed. “Your relationship with him really isn’t something you need to explain to me.”

Lucia pressed her lips together, saying quietly, “Maybe because you saved me, I feel strange inside, like loving Asher is somehow wronging you…”

Thalia’s voice remained completely even. “There’s nothing to feel guilty about.”

“Actually, Asher wasn’t even at that bar last night,” Lucia said. “I went and didn’t see him. Then my friend asked me to sit down for drinks. I had a few with her, and somehow got drugged. I don’t remember much after that.”

Thalia frowned. “Who is this friend? Could she be working with the men who drugged you?”

“That seems unlikely…” Lucia’s expression changed. “She was my best friend in college. I’ve been good to her. She wouldn’t hurt me like that.”

Thalia shook her head, her expression serious. “Ms. Schulz, it’s better to be cautious. This afternoon, come with me to the police station. Tell them about your friend—she’s a potential person of interest. Whether she’s involved in your drugging is for the police to investigate. The case has already been filed as attempted rape. Though they didn’t succeed, based on current evidence, they’ll almost certainly be charged with attempted rape.”

Hearing Thalia’s words, Lucia’s expression also grew serious. She nodded. “Okay.”

Chapter 218

After eating, Lucia felt much better. She freshened up, changed clothes, and went to the police station with Thalia. The police took Lucia’s statement and showed her the men who had drugged her the night before. Lucia didn’t recognize any of them.

An officer said, “When we asked about their motive, they all consistently claimed it was opportunistic; they saw an attractive woman and acted.” Lucia explained the circumstances to the police. The officers documented everything.

Just then, the phone of one of the detained men rang. All their phones had been confiscated but not turned off. The caller ID showed “Simon Vance.” The officer answered, but before he could speak, the man on the other end urgently asked, “Where’s the video? It’s been hours—why haven’t you sent it to me yet?” (22)