Chapter 198 Devout Protection

Chapter 198 Devout Protection

Just as they reached the parking garage entrance, they heard faint cries for help and the noise of a car speeding away.

Charles's heart raced with anxiety as he immediately accelerated and rushed in.

"Olivia!"

Charles spotted her disheveled appearance right away—her hair was a mess, her jacket sleeve was torn, and the bloody scratch on her arm looked especially striking under the dim parking garage lights.

His heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, almost suffocating him.

He stepped forward and pulled Olivia tightly into his arms, holding her so firmly it was as if she would disappear the moment he let go.

His body was even trembling slightly—a clear sign of extreme fear after the fact.

"It's okay now... it's okay... I'm here..."

Charles kept whispering in Olivia's ear, his voice terribly hoarse.

It wasn't until Olivia was pulled into his embrace and felt that familiar presence that her tense nerves suddenly relaxed.

The fear and sense of grievance from surviving the ordeal welled up instantly. Her body began to shake uncontrollably, and tears streamed down her face in large drops, soaking Charles's suit jacket.

"Charles... they... they tried to grab me..."

She sobbed, speaking incoherently.

"I... I scratched him... my arm hurts so much..."

"I know, I know, don't be afraid, I'm here."

Charles gently patted her back, but his eyes were ice-cold as they swept toward the direction those men had fled, filled with terrifying menace.

He looked down and carefully lifted her injured arm.

Seeing the scratch—not too deep but striking enough—his heart ached as if being cut by a knife.

"Let's go to the hospital first."

He made a quick decision and scooped Olivia up in his arms.

"I... I can walk..."

Olivia protested softly, tears still on her face.

"Don't move."

Charles carefully placed her in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.

Then he quickly walked around to the driver's seat, started the car, and pressed the gas pedal. The car shot toward the nearest hospital like an arrow.

On the way to the hospital, Charles drove while calmly making calls through his Bluetooth earpiece.

"Kevin, pull all the surveillance footage from the parking garage below Olivia's studio right now, especially from the exit ten minutes ago—a black van with no license plate. Find it! I want to know whose people they are!"

"Contact the best surgeon and get them to the hospital immediately."

"Double the security detail and have them protect Olivia around the clock!"

"If there's one more slip-up, you're all fired!"

He issued orders one after another, his tone cold and deadly, completely different from the gentleness he'd shown when comforting Olivia.

Olivia leaned back in her seat, listening to him give clear, organized commands.

An indescribable sense of security wrapped around her.

She knew that with him there, the sky wouldn't fall.

But at the same time, a chill rose from the bottom of her heart.

Those men were clearly coming for her.

Was it because of those online rumors, or... Tyrell?

She didn't dare think further.

At the hospital, the doctor cleaned Olivia's wound and bandaged it.

Fortunately, it was just a surface injury—the wound wasn't deep and hadn't damaged any tendons or bones.

But the doctor still recommended a tetanus shot and instructed her to keep the wound dry.

Charles kept a tense expression the whole time, standing nearby with his eyes never leaving Olivia's arm, looking more nervous than if he'd been injured himself.

Under the pressure of his dark mood, even the nurse's movements were extra careful.

After treating the wound and giving the shot, it was already late at night when they left the hospital.

Charles didn't take Olivia back to her own apartment but drove straight to their "home."

After what had happened, there was no way he'd let her stay alone.

Back in familiar surroundings, Olivia's tense nerves finally completely relaxed, followed by deep exhaustion.

She curled up on the living room sofa, hugging a soft cushion, her face still somewhat pale.

Charles went to the kitchen to pour a glass of warm water, grabbed a light blanket to cover her, then sat down beside her and gently held her uninjured hand.

"Did you get a clear look at what those men looked like?"

He asked in a low voice, trying to keep his tone calm.

Olivia shook her head, then nodded, trying hard to remember.

"The light was too dim, I couldn't see clearly... but the leader, he had a long scar on his left cheek, from his eye all the way down to his chin... I was so scared, I scratched his face with my keys, and I think... I think I got him near the eye..."

Remembering Scarface covering his eye and screaming, her body couldn't help but tremble slightly again.

Charles immediately tightened his grip, transmitting strength.

"You did the right thing."

He affirmed, though his eyes grew even darker.

Scarface... that was a distinctive feature.

"Did they... say anything?"

He continued to guide her.

"They said... their boss wanted to invite me for tea and a chat..."

Olivia frowned.

"And they said I... didn't know what was good for me..."

Boss?

Charles sneered inwardly.

Was it Tyrell, or... someone else using Tyrell's name?

Like Katya, whom he'd warned but who might very well be defying him behind his back?

The rumors about Tyrell liking Olivia had just exploded online.

And right after that, Olivia was followed and cornered—the timing was too convenient.

If it were Tyrell, would he use such lowlife tactics right after showing "interest"?

That didn't fit his style at all.

It was more like someone deliberately trying to frame him, or... taking advantage of the situation to test Tyrell's limits.

And the person with the most motive to do this, who could also access some of Tyrell's fringe associates—Katya was the most likely suspect!

"Stop thinking about it," Charles said, seeing her furrowed brow. He reached out to smooth the crease between her eyebrows. "Leave this to me to handle."

"You don't need to be afraid of anything."

He picked up his phone, walked to the balcony, and called Kevin again.

"Check if anyone under Tyrell, or connected to him, has a long scar on their left cheek."

"Also, discreetly check Katya's recent call records and whereabouts, especially whether she's been in contact with anyone from Tyrell's side."

"Find that van and keep eyes on it!"

He wanted to see exactly who dared to bully Olivia!

Meanwhile, at the other end of the city, in a shabby rental apartment.

Fox was grimacing as he treated the wound on his face in the mirror.

The cut from the keys wasn't too deep, but being close to his eye, it had bled quite a bit and looked pretty scary.

The tall, thin guy and another accomplice stood nearby, both looking unhappy.

"Fox, you okay? Should we go to a clinic?"

"No way! You want to bring the cops here?"

Fox snapped irritably, feeling both frustrated and scared.

He'd only wanted to intimidate Olivia, to help Tyrell save face and let Olivia know not to mess with Tyrell.

Who knew that Olivia, who looked so gentle and weak, would strike so viciously!

And they'd almost been caught!