Chapter 202 Huge Physical Expenditure
Scarlett took a small amount of aphrodisiac. The drug was weak, but its effects were still significant.
She swallowed the pill Paxton gave her. After taking the medicine, she lay quietly alone in the hospital room, fighting against the waves of heat in her body.
Outside in the corridor, Ambrose and Vaughn stood side by side, both with their hands resting on the railing, looking into the distance.
The two men were similar in height and presence.
"Never thought we'd meet again under these circumstances," Vaughn said, carrying a strong military air about him.
Ambrose's expression was calm. "It has been quite a while. Who would've thought you'd be transferred back to Silverlight City? Congratulations on the promotion."
Vaughn was unfazed, saying lightly, "Can't really compare to you. Now all of Silverlight City is full of your legends - not only doing well in your career, but constantly surrounded by beautiful women too."
Ambrose turned his head and let out a light scoff. "Is that a hint of jealousy I detect?"
"I don't want that kind of trouble."
Ambrose narrowed his eyes. "She's not trouble."
This "she", Vaughn guessed it referred to Scarlett. Seeing the doctor Ambrose had called earlier, it wasn't hard to figure out the relationship between them.
Vaughn turned to meet his gaze, questioning him, "If Scarlett is so important, why do you have the Mitchell family's daughter by your side? Want to have two women at the same time?"
Ambrose's brows furrowed slightly. "Some things aren't what they appear to be on the surface."
Between men, some things were better left unsaid.
Vaughn didn't plan to press for reasons, only saying, "You have your reasons, but Scarlett has no obligation to understand you. I see her as my sister. If there's something she doesn't want to do, I'll try my best to help her. She came to you about resigning, and you didn't agree. Now that we've run into each other, I'm asking you directly, let her leave the Boleyn Group."
Ambrose's eyes narrowed, sharpness suddenly emerging. "She can't leave the Boleyn Group right now."
Vaughn was angered. "Ambrose, I don't want to tear our relationship apart, but you should know, if I want to get her out of the Boleyn Group, I have plenty of ways to do it."
For a moment, the two men faced off.
Vaughn carried the fierce momentum of a soldier, while Ambrose exuded a sharp, deadly air. The two were evenly matched.
Neither would back down.
Just then, Paxton walked over. Their conversation was interrupted, and Ambrose turned to ask Paxton about Scarlett's condition.
"Ambrose, Ms. Mellon's drug effects have been suppressed. Luckily she spit out the pill and only ingested a small amount. Otherwise, this drug is extremely powerful - my medicine wouldn't have worked."
Hearing this, Ambrose's tense nerves relaxed. Paxton didn't stay long before leaving.
Seeing that Scarlett was alright, Vaughn prepared to return to the ward. Before leaving, he added one more thing.
"Think it over. I'll come find you again in three days."
Ambrose watched Vaughn's retreating figure, his eyes darkening slightly. Then he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"How's the situation with Ulysses being handled?"
"Someone called asking about Ulysses, probably sent by Indigo. But someone from the military district demanded a thorough investigation, so Ulysses is still being held at the detention center." It was Ruben's voice.
The person from the military district was undoubtedly Vaughn. Vaughn's position wasn't low either. Though his authority couldn't compare to Indigo's, no one dared ignore him. And since Indigo hadn't stepped forward himself, and the person who did had a lower position than Vaughn, naturally no one dared take this matter lightly.
This actually played right into Ambrose's hands. Having Vaughn watching Ulysses was a good thing for Ambrose.
Ambrose thought for a few seconds, then said, "Let's give it a push, force Indigo to step forward and help Ulysses. Once he does, immediately make an issue of it and pressure the Mitchell family to back off."
"Perfect timing, we can put those old exposés about Ulysses to use." Ruben chimed in with understanding.
"How's the fundraising situation with Ulysses going?" Ambrose asked.
Ambrose had run out of patience, especially with Ulysses repeatedly going after Scarlett. He had to make the Mitchell family pay the price.
Once Ulysses got into trouble, Indigo would definitely be implicated, and the truth he was after would soon come to light.
Ruben said, "It's taking shape now. Some products are ready, preparing to sell them off."
"Let him taste a bit of success first!"
Though Ruben didn't have business experience, he understood the purpose of letting Ulysses have a small win. He let out a sleazy laugh.
"Ambrose, you're really devious, but I like your style."
After joking around for a bit, Ruben asked about Scarlett's condition. Learning she was fine, they chatted a bit more before ending the call.
After hanging up, Chase came over to inform him that Scarlett was giving her statement.
Ambrose turned and walked toward the ward. At the doorway, he heard Scarlett's voice hoarse but calm.
"He forcibly dragged me into the private room, ordered his bodyguards to get the drug, and forced it into my mouth. But I didn't swallow it then - I held it in my mouth. When he tried to assault me, I spit it out..."
Ambrose stood at the door, listening as Scarlett recounted the whole process. Though he'd learned what happened from Xander, hearing the details made his anger flare up again.
Ulysses would pay the price.
Scarlett's statement was completed half an hour later. After the police left the ward and Vaughn went out to make a phone call, Ambrose stepped into the room.
After her struggle with Ulysses and then fighting the drug's effects, Scarlett had exhausted her energy. She lay on the hospital bed with her eyes closed, resting.
Hearing footsteps, she assumed Vaughn had returned and didn't open her eyes, saying, "Vaughn, I'm fine now. You can go take care of your business."
Getting no response, she opened her eyes. Seeing who it was, she wanted to kick him out, but earlier he had brought Paxton just in time to stop the doctor from giving her a sedative, essentially saving her life. She held back.
"How are you feeling?" Ambrose walked up to her and asked.
"I'm fine. Thanks for earlier."
The thanks referred to him calling Paxton to help her. This particularly polite remark made Ambrose's expression darken.
Was she angry because she saw him appear with Octavia?
But thinking about it, if she was angry, that meant she cared about him. His displeasure vanished instantly, and he said, "This time, Ulysses will become a target for everyone. He'll learn his lesson."
"Don't get involved in this. Don't mess up your plan to deal with them." Scarlett's voice carried distance, but without any emotional fluctuation. It was impossible to tell if she was pushing him away or genuinely thinking of him.
Ambrose looked at her with darkened eyes and reached out to hold her hand. "You don't trust me?"
Scarlett was tired and didn't want to talk about this mess. She pulled her hand away in rejection, saying impatiently, "I'm very tired and want to rest. Whatever it is, we can talk about it later."
Seeing her rejection and impatience, Ambrose guessed that she didn't believe his so-called strategy.
That explained why Vaughn had approached him about Scarlett's resignation.
But now wasn't the time to discuss this. He nodded. "Rest then."
Scarlett didn't care whether he left or not and closed her eyes. Ambrose sat in the ward for a while, then got up and walked toward the door.
After he left the room, Scarlett opened her eyes.