Chapter 52
Ava stuffed her mouth full, not wanting to argue with him in the hospital.
William thought she was still hung up on what happened during the day.
"I already warned Sarah, and she apologized. How long are you going to hold onto this?"
About this morning's incident, he thought he'd already smoothed things over, but she was being ungrateful.
He'd even given her a private island - what more did she want? What other woman could get this kind of treatment from him?
The food in Ava's mouth tasted like cardboard, and his words caught her completely off guard.
"So her way of apologizing is having someone follow me and crash into my car? I'm lying here in one piece right now - you two must be pretty disappointed, huh?"
William was so angry that he threw the food container right onto the hospital bed.
"Ava, why do you think everyone in the world is out to get you? That I want you dead?"
When the police called him at the office, he'd been worried sick. He canceled a business meeting and floored the gas on the way to the hospital to see her. So he threw away a hundred-million-dollar deal to come here and listen to her crazy talk.
What a waste of time.
"At least she wants me dead."
Ava was certain Sarah had done this on purpose. In William's eyes, Ava right now was completely unreasonable.
"Don't think so highly of yourself."
The dumplings Ava had swallowed felt stuck in her chest, making her extremely uncomfortable.
"Just leave. Keep your people in line. I won't let anyone who tries to kill me get away with it again."
William actually slammed the door on his way out.
Ava threw up all the food she'd just eaten.
She glanced at her phone, then after a moment, changed into her own clothes and snuck out.
The city was completely covered in darkness.
Crimson Blossom Lounge.
Sarah was drinking and toasting with a group of people, and of course, Emily was among them.
"I'm happy today, drinks are on me tonight."
Sarah generously asked for the drink menu for everyone to order. She'd had quite a bit to drink today and was in high spirits. After several shots of hard liquor, her mind was still fairly clear.
"Sarah, what's the good news today? Share it with us."
Sarah laughed freely, "I dealt with someone who was making me unhappy."
Everyone made sounds of interest. "You're this happy - I thought you'd slept with the CEO of the Morgan Group."
Emily rolled her eyes. "What are you talking about? You are talking about my brother."
Sarah smiled with red lips. "You guys chat, I'm going to the restroom."
Only then did she feel the alcohol starting to hit her. She walked to the restroom with unsteady steps. A strong, lean arm easily pulled her into an embrace.
She screamed in fright, and her mouth was immediately covered from behind.
"Who are you?"
Sarah was scared out of her wits, her voice trembling.
"Miss Brown, you don't recognize me already? Back then, you had me assault that beautiful Mrs. Ava Morgan, paid me that little bit of money, and sent me on my way. I got thrown into the ocean by that bastard William and swam for a day and a night to save my life. Now I can't have kids anymore."
The man viciously grabbed Sarah's hair from behind.
Sarah screamed in pain, but her mouth was tightly covered again.
"What do you want?"
"What do I want? We agreed on the phone that I'd help you deal with that woman today, and you'd give me two hundred thousand, but I only got one hundred thousand. Do you think I can't count?"
Sarah panicked and spoke without thinking. "I told you to kill her in the crash, but she didn't die. Why should I pay you the full amount? Are you crazy for money?"
The man wasn't about to be gentle - his large hand slapped Sarah on the head, the rough motion tearing out a strand of her hair.
"The police are onto me now. What are you going to do about it?"
"Just hide for now. I already had someone smooth things over with the police. Before long, someone will help cover for you."
The man loosened his grip slightly. "Transfer me two hundred thousand now, or I'll strip you naked, tie you up, and throw you in the street."
Sarah was drunk now, feeling a bit bolder.
"You dare touch me? Believe it or not, William will kill you!"
The man was already furious and couldn't take any more provocation. He ripped Sarah's top open, and the sexy lace bra showing made her heart jump.
"Are you fucking crazy?"
The man slapped her again. "If I'm going down, you're coming with me. I'm asking you - money or dignity today?"
Sarah wanted to talk back, but the man's gaze fell on her chest, that greedy look making her feel sick. She pulled together her torn clothing.
"Let me go, I'll transfer the money right away."
Only after venting enough did the man release her. "Transfer it now!"
Outside the bar, Ava sat quietly in a rideshare car waiting for news.
Her phone rang and she answered almost instantly.
"How did it go?"
"Ava, this is amazing. Guess what I recorded?"
"Cut the crap. Get out here with the evidence."
A moment later, a young man in black came out of the bar and got in the car.
"Ava, you told me to find a chance to get her talking, but before I could make my move, that woman's enemy showed up at the door."
Ava was confused. "Jack, don't keep me in suspense. What enemy?"
Jack Harris showed Ava the video he'd just taken, describing the scene vividly.
"Ava, you don't know how exciting it was. I was hiding right behind the bathroom door. This was a gift handed to us on a silver platter. I was worried that woman would be hard to trick - I'd prepared a whole bunch of lines that I never got to use."
Ava watched the video. The thug's face on the screen reminded her of that dangerous night.
She'd almost been destroyed.
Sarah's conversation with that thug, every word, sent chills down her spine.
She wondered what William's reaction would be when he got this video. Would he still casually blame her for making trouble?
She didn't want to cause trouble. That woman wanted her dead.
"Jack, did you find the driver from my mother's car accident back then?"
Jack shook his head. "Ava, that person was probably deliberately hidden away. After your mother's accident, he left Emerald City. We haven't found any trace of him anywhere in the country since."
Ava was silent for a long time, then picked up her phone to transfer money to him.
"Thanks for your hard work today, calling you out so late."
Jack chuckled. "Don't worry, Ava. I'll keep looking into it for you. As soon as there's news, I'll let you know right away."
Ava nodded. "Find a way to send this video to William."