Chapter 98

Chapter 98

"How can this have nothing to do with me!" Emily released her, tears streaming down even harder.

"If I hadn't been wearing earphones watching a movie, if I'd heard the commotion earlier, maybe you wouldn't have been taken! It's all my fault. I was too careless, didn't have any sense of alertness at all!"

"All right, as long as you're safe, don't overthink it." Beatrice reached out and gently wiped the tears from her face, smiling. "Look, I'm standing right here in front of you, aren't I? Nothing happened. Stop blaming yourself."

Emily sniffled and nodded vigorously. "Right, right, as long as you're safe, nothing else matters! Let's get back to your room. I brought ointment, warm water, and food. Apply the medicine first, eat something—you haven't eaten or drunk anything all night. You must be starving."

The three of them entered the room, and Emily bustled about taking care of her.

John spoke carefully: "Bea, what do you think... should we go back this morning or this afternoon?"

"I checked the flights just now. The morning flight back home has no first-class seats left, only economy. You're still injured—economy would be too uncomfortable. How about we book first class for this afternoon?"

Luminous City was too dangerous now. Having just experienced a kidnapping, they had to take Beatrice back home immediately.

Only back home could they truly relax, and she would never be put in such danger again.

But the moment he finished speaking, Beatrice looked up and interrupted him, her tone firm with no room for negotiation: "I'm not going back."

John froze instantly, thinking he'd misheard. He frowned at her. "Bea, what did you say?"

"I said, I'm not going back." Beatrice set down her cup and looked up at him, her eyes unwavering. "I still need to compete in the design competition."

"At a time like this, you're still thinking about the competition?" John's face was full of disapproval. "Bea, do you realize what you went through yesterday? That was a gang kidnapping!"

"You almost lost your life! Luminous City is so dangerous right now—why stay here? You can compete anytime. Nothing is more important than your life!"

He was truly scared. The entire night of anxiety—only when he saw Beatrice return safely did his suspended heart settle. Now she was saying she wanted to stay and continue competing. How could he possibly agree?

"This competition is very important to me. I must participate." Beatrice shook her head, her tone still resolute. "This is the first step of my fresh start. I can't just give up like this."

"Besides, yesterday's incident was just an accident. It's been resolved now. There won't be any more danger." She looked at John. "I'm not leaving. I'm staying to finish the competition."

John looked at her determined eyes and knew she'd already made up her mind. There was no persuading her.

He understood Beatrice.

She seemed gentle in temperament, but deep down she was more stubborn than anyone. Once she decided on something, ten oxen couldn't pull her back.

He could only sigh helplessly in the end and compromise, his voice full of heartache and resignation: "Fine, if you're not leaving, then we're not leaving."

"But the three of us are switching to a presidential suite. That way, no matter what happens, I can protect you immediately. That will give me some peace of mind."

Beatrice saw the worry all over his face. Warmth filled her heart, and she nodded gently. "All right, I'll listen to you."

Seeing her agree, John immediately stood up, took his room card, and left to go to the front desk to arrange the room change.

Only Beatrice and Emily remained in the room.

Emily handed her the ointment. Watching her carefully apply medicine to her wrists, she finally couldn't help but lean in, full of curiosity, and asked in a lowered voice: "Bea, who exactly kidnapped you?"

"And the man who saved you—who is he? I heard John say yesterday that he's some kind of gang boss?"

Beatrice paused in applying the medicine, smiled, and sighed softly. "The ones who took me were a local Luminous City gang called Fiery Cross. They're mortal enemies with the person who saved me."

"The man who saved me is named Damien. He's the head of The Crimson Brotherhood."

"The Crimson Brotherhood?!" Emily gasped, then her eyes lit up as if remembering something. She slapped her thigh. "I knew that man we saw at the police station that day had a different aura!"

"Is he incredibly handsome? Looks noble beyond measure, not at all like someone in a gang?"

Beatrice looked at her starstruck expression and couldn't help but tap her forehead, saying irritably: "What are you thinking? No matter how handsome he is, it's useless. We and he are from completely different worlds."

"We'll probably never see him again. Stop your wild thoughts."

Emily covered her tapped forehead, stuck out her tongue, and giggled twice. "I'm just curious!"

"You just said he stormed into a gang headquarters alone, with a bomb strapped to him, willing to die together with them just to save you—that's straight out of a novel! Too cool!"

"Being cool doesn't put food on the table." Beatrice set down the ointment and looked at her helplessly. "That's a life lived on a knife's edge, completely different from our lives. Now that this incident is over, let's not bring it up again."

Seeing she didn't want to discuss it further, Emily quickly nodded and obediently shut her mouth, though the curiosity and gossip in her eyes didn't diminish in the slightest.

Before long, John returned after completing the room change, holding new room cards. He said to the two of them: "Pack up your things. The room's been changed—presidential suite on the top floor. Better security, much safer."

Beatrice and Emily nodded, quickly gathered their belongings, and followed John up to the top-floor suite.

The suite was spacious—three bedrooms connected together, a bright and airy living room, plus a dedicated security system.

John checked inside and out, confirming all doors and windows were locked and the security system was functioning properly before finally breathing a sigh of relief.

For the rest of the day, John and Emily stayed by Beatrice's side, afraid she might have another accident.

Early the next morning, an email arrived from the competition organizers.

She opened it to find a detailed competition schedule.

At the end of the email, the organizers specifically mentioned they'd learned of her previous ordeal and sent their condolences, hoping she could rest well and get into good condition.

They also stated they would strengthen security during the competition to ensure the safety of all participants.

Beatrice looked at the detailed schedule in the email, her fingertip gently gliding across the screen, a faint smile slowly curving her lips.

Two more days, and this international design competition would officially begin.

Beatrice's heart was full of anticipation.

As long as she achieved good results and made a name for herself, she wouldn't have to worry about her career prospects back home.