CHAPTER 018
ALEX’S POV
I stormed out of the private dining room, my chest heaving with anger.
Seeing Ava lying helpless in my arms, looking vulnerable and defenseless, had ignited something deep within me that I didn’t expect.
I assumed it was Laura who would attend the meeting. That was why I sent a representative instead of going myself. I couldn’t stand the sight of her again.
But then, my representative informed me that it was Ava who had shown up. He detailed how the meeting unfolded, and I could sense the unease in his voice.
For Laura to let her subordinate handle such a high–stakes heeting in her place, there had to be an ulterior
motive.
And knowing Marcus’s reputation and his ties to Laura, I immediately knew something was off and rushed over here.
If I had been just a minute late, I didn’t want to think about what might have happened to Ava.
Jason was the one who should have been protecting her, not me. But now, I couldn’t bring myself to leave her side.
“Max,” I said sharply as I exited the building, addressing my assistant, who stood waiting by the entrance.
“Take care of Marcus. Make sure he regrets ever laying a finger on her. And get the restaurant to release the security footage. I want everything
45
Max nodded, his face hard with understanding. He knew what “take care of” meant.
Without waiting for a reply, I carried Ava into the car. Her head rested against my chest, her breaths shallow and
unever
“Take us to the penthouse,” I ordered the driver that Max had arranged for me.
“Okay, sir.”
During the ride, Ava rested her head against my shoulder, her fingers gripping my jacket as though I were her lifeline.
Her warmth pressed against me, and her scent–a soft blend of vanilla and something floral lingered in my nose despite the chaos of the evening
When we reached the penthouse, I gently lifted her from the car and carried her inside. I laid her down on the bed in the guest room.
Her eyes opened briefly, unfocused and hazy. She let out a soft whimper and reached toward me, her hand gripping my arm before I could move away.
“You are handsome…” she murmured, her voice shaky.
A faint smile appeared on her lips as her fingers lightly brushed my wrist. She leaned in closer, her body pressing lightly against mine.
1 froze for a moment, realizing what was happening. The drug in her system was clouding her judgment. She wasn’t thinking clearly.
“Ava,
,” I said quietly, holding her shoulders to keep some distance between us. “You’re not feeling well. You need
CHAPTEROTE
to rest.”
+25 BONUS
But she didn’t stop. Her hand moved up to my chest, and she looked at me in a way that made my heart race.
For a moment, I couldn’t look away. The way she touched me, the way her eyes softened–it stirred something inside me I wasn’t prepared for.
I was drawn to her. The thought hit me hard.
But I couldn’t let this go any further. Not like this.
I lived by a rule—I would never touch a woman without her clear consent, no matter how much I wanted to.
I carefully moved her hand back and tucked it under the blanket. “You are not yourself right now. You’ll regret it later.”
She frowned slightly, as if trying to understand, then leaned back against the pillows, her energy fading again.
I stayed by her bedside, gripping the edge of the chair to steady myself. This wasn’t the time to think about my feelings.
A needed someone to protect her, not someone who would give in.
I didn’t know what to do next, so I pulled out my phone and quickly dialed my doctor.
“Dr. Greene, I need you here right away,” I said, my voice sharp with urgency.
“I’m on my way,” he responded without hesitation.
I watched Ava carefully, and my blood boiled. Her breathing was still shallow, and her forehead was slick with
sweat.
She seemed so fragile, so different from the confident woman I knew, and it stirred something deep inside me–a need to protect her, to make sure she’d never feel unsafe again.
“Ava,” I murmured, kneeling beside her. “You’re safe now.
Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, unfocused, before they shut again. My heart tightened seeing her like this.
“Jason…” she whispered, her voice weak.
I froze. My jaw clenched and my chest tightened as I watched her fight against the effects of the drug
“It’s not Jason,” I said quietly, brushing a damp strand of hair away from her face. “Just rest. You’ll be alright soon.”
Her hand relaxed, and she slipped back into unconsciousness.
Dr. Greene arrived not long after, moving quickly to assess her condition. He checked her vitals and began administering fluids.
“The drug in her system is likely an aphrodisiac,” he said with a serious tone. “Her body is reacting strongly to it. She’ll need time to recover. Keep her hydrated and stay close to her tonight.”
I nodded, my fists tightening at the word aphrodisiac. Marcos had intended to exploit her vulnerability,
As Dr. Greene packed up to leave, my phone buzzed with a message from Max:
“Marcus won’t be a problem anymore. But you need to know something: Laura was the one who told him to drug Ava.”
CHAPTER 018
+25 BONUS
Laura.
Her name felt like venom on my tongue. My blood ran cold as I reread the message. Of course, it was her. She had everything to gain from Ava’s downfall–especially with Jason in the picture.
My thoughts shifted to my brother, lying in his hospital bed, trapped in a vegetative state. Laura had destroyed so much already.
And she would regret everything.
A soft whimper from Ava pulled me back to the present.
Before I could check on her, her phone vibrated on the bedside table. The name on the screen read Mr. Campbell.
It struck me as strange. Who saves their husband’s contact under their surname? Something about it felt… wrong. It confirmed what I already suspected–Ava’s marriage was hanging by a thread.
Thesitated briefly before picking up the call.
“Hello?”
“Who the hell is this?” Jason’s sharp, worried voice came through.
“This is Alex Grey,” I replied evenly, keeping my emotions in check.
