Chapter 97 Jared and Harrison’s Confrontation
Sloane's POV
Without him, I don't know what would have happened to me.
This gratitude weighed heavily on my heart.
He didn't respond to my thanks. His gaze just swept over me inch by inch. Soon, his eyes stopped on the scrape on the back of my hand where that man had grabbed me. "Your hand is injured. Wait here for me, I'll go buy medicine."
With that, he stood up and walked straight out of the police station.
I watched his retreating figure, my heart filled with complicated feelings.
This man always appeared at the most critical moments, and then inserted himself into my life in a way that left no room for refusal.
As soon as he left, the four bodyguards Jared had sent suddenly dropped to their knees in front of me with a thud.
These big, burly men now looked like children who had done something wrong, heads bowed, bodies trembling slightly with fear.
"Mrs. Montclair, please, you must not tell Mr. Montclair." The lead bodyguard's voice was hoarse, almost crying. "If he finds out we were negligent and let you go through such a scare, he... he'll definitely kill us!"
Looking at them, though I was angry, I mostly felt understanding.
They had been set up too. Everyone getting stomach problems at the same time - it clearly looked like someone had tampered with something.
These bodyguards, who usually looked fierce and intimidating, were now kneeling before me like tigers without claws.
"I understand," I said softly, not blaming them.
They looked up at me gratefully, their eyes full of relief at having survived a disaster.
Just then, the phone in the lead bodyguard's pocket suddenly rang.
He pulled out his phone, and when he saw the name on the screen, his face instantly turned deathly pale.
He jerked his head up, his eyes filled with despair as he looked at me, almost pleading: "Mrs. Montclair, it's Mr. Montclair calling... please... please help explain for us."
My heart sank.
Why would he call at this exact moment?
I took the phone, trying to make my voice sound calm.
"Hello?"
"Sloane, what's going on there? I've called you countless times, why aren't you answering?" Jared's deep voice came through the phone, tinged with anger. There was some noise in the background - it sounded like he was in a car. In his tone, besides anger, there was obvious worry and anxiety.
"I... my phone died," I lied, my voice sounding somewhat weak and tired. "I was busy just now and didn't notice."
"Busy with what?" he pressed, his tone full of suspicion. "What's wrong with your voice? Did something happen?"
"No, I'm fine." I tried to make my voice sound normal. "Just... too tired. I just finished dealing with a critical patient."
"Really nothing wrong?" He still didn't seem convinced, his voice full of vigilance. "I'm coming to find you now."
"No need, I'm fine." I quickly refused, not wanting him to see me in this disheveled state, and even more not wanting him to know what had just happened. "I just finished work and I'm about to head back. Don't come, it's too late, the roads aren't safe."
He was silent for a few seconds, as if judging whether I was telling the truth.
"Sloane, tell me, are you hiding something from me?" His voice dropped even lower, carrying an undeniable command.
"No, really nothing." I emphasized again, my tone carrying a barely noticeable sense of grievance and exhaustion. "Jared, I'm really fine, just too tired. I want to go home and rest."
He finally relented, his tone carrying a hint of compromise and helplessness: "Alright, then be careful."
"Mm." I responded softly and hung up, letting out a long breath.
Before long, Harrison came back carrying a bag of medicine.
He crouched in front of me, gently treating the scrape on my hand.
The stinging sensation of the iodine made me frown slightly, but his warm fingertips gently rubbed my skin, as if comforting me.
He meticulously disinfected, applied medicine, and then wrapped it with gauze. The entire process was focused and careful, as if completing a sacred ritual.
"Done." He looked up, and in those deep eyes, the coldness from the police station was gone, replaced only by a soft light.
"Thank you," I thanked him again.
"No need." He shook his head, stood up, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll take you back."
I didn't refuse.
The night was deep, and I really didn't have the energy to face things alone anymore.
When we got back to my place, the car stopped at the door.
I pushed open the car door, about to get out, when Harrison suddenly spoke: "Dr. Sloane, there are some things you perhaps really have the right to know."
I turned my head to look at him. The emotions in his eyes were complex and hard to read, like a fog I couldn't see through.
"What things?" I asked.
He seemed to hesitate for a moment, but finally shook his head: "Now is not the time. Go back and rest first."
My questions deepened, but seeing he wouldn't say more, I had to let it go.
I got out of the car and watched his car slowly drive away before turning toward my place.
I didn't rush inside. Standing outside, I could see many people at a glance.
More precisely, I saw Jared.
He was in a suit, tall and straight, but standing in the center of the living room with his back to me, his whole body radiating a suffocating low pressure.
And in front of him stood Harrison.
He was still wearing that well-tailored gray suit, but the gentle and refined mask on his face had now been replaced by a deep, almost cold killing intent.
He saw me, and a barely noticeable worry flashed in those deep eyes. Then he instinctively took a step forward, his tall figure silently blocking in front of me like a solid wall, cutting off Jared's tangible anger.
"What are you doing back here?" Jared's voice was cold as ice, every word carrying unquestionable interrogation.
He turned around, those bottomless eyes shooting straight at me. The exhaustion and tenderness in his eyes had completely vanished, replaced by a terrifying gloom.
His gaze swept back and forth between me and Harrison, finally settling on Harrison, his tone full of naked mockery and disdain: "Mr. Rex, still here so late - it seems Miss Sloane really does enjoy secret meetings with you."
What was he saying? My heart instantly plunged into an ice cellar, all the blood in my body seeming to freeze.
Harrison's expression also darkened, a flash of coldness passing through his eyes behind his glasses.
"Mr. Montclair, please watch your words." His voice was cool and clear, carrying an inviolable authority.
But Jared acted as if he hadn't heard his warning. He suddenly stepped forward, brushing past Harrison and walking straight up to me.