Chapter 67
Lisbeth squeezed her eyes shut, resigned to her fate.
"Stop right there!"
At the sound of that voice, Lisbeth's eyes flew open in disbelief. Sebastian burst from the cornfield and knocked the driver down with a single punch. Police officers swarmed in immediately, tackling the driver to the ground.
Sebastian shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around Lisbeth, his eyes quickly assessing her injuries before hoisting her onto his back. "Let's go home."
Lisbeth didn't speak, just clung tightly to his neck. She was exhausted. She'd run so far thinking there was no hope left. Then came the unexpected reprieve. By the time Sebastian got her to the car, she had fallen asleep.
"Take that bastard back to the station," he told the officers. "I need to get her home and treat these wounds." Since they had their suspect in custody, there was no rush for questioning.
Anna and Layla waited anxiously at home. When Sebastian carried Lisbeth through the door, Anna rushed forward. "How is she? Is she okay?"
Sebastian shook his head. Seeing Lisbeth was asleep, Anna fell silent.
Sebastian carried her to the bedroom and called the family doctor to come over. The doctor examined and bandaged Lisbeth's wounds. "Don't worry, they're just superficial injuries."
Though Sebastian maintained his composure, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With Lisbeth still sleeping, he pulled the doctor aside to speak privately. "Prepare some tonics and draw up a medicinal food plan."
After the doctor left, Layla asked, "Why not take Ms. Whitaker to the hospital?"
"Going to the hospital now would just stir up speculation." Sebastian didn't care about gossip for his own sake, but he didn't want Lisbeth to face any more trauma. Things had finally calmed down. Besides, this incident was better kept quiet. That driver hadn't targeted her randomly—there had to be something behind it. If the story blew up, it would only complicate matters.
Layla nodded, not entirely understanding. "I'll go check on Ms. Whitaker."
Sebastian stepped onto the balcony and called Noah. "Look into that driver."
"Yes, sir."
---
When Lisbeth woke, evening had fallen. She sat up in bed, taking in the familiar surroundings, still shaken by flashes of the terrifying ordeal. She got out of bed.
Downstairs, Layla and Anna were busy in the kitchen. Seeing her, Layla exclaimed, "What are you doing up? The doctor said you need rest."
"I've been sleeping all day," Lisbeth replied, stretching her stiff limbs. "What are you making?"
"Food for you. All nutritious stuff."
Nutritious? Lisbeth's heart clenched. They couldn't have discovered her pregnancy, could they?
Anna emerged from the kitchen. "The doctor said even though you didn't suffer serious internal injuries, you have many cuts and lost quite a bit of blood. You need proper nourishment."
So they hadn't discovered her pregnancy after all. Lisbeth relaxed. "I understand."
After dinner, Layla remembered something. "Oh, the police station called while you were sleeping. They want you to come in and give a statement."
Lisbeth was actually curious to know why the driver had kidnapped her. The next day, she went to the police station.
She managed to see the driver. When questioned by police, his answer was simple: "She looked rich, and she's a celebrity. Figured she'd have money I could take."
"That's all?"
"What else would it be? You think I was after your looks or something?" The driver's face twisted with contempt.
Lisbeth didn't believe him, but no matter how much they pressed, the driver wouldn't tell the truth.
After leaving the station, Lisbeth hailed a taxi. She now had a psychological aversion to taxis, but she had no choice. Fortunately, this driver was legitimate, and she arrived home safely.
Sebastian was sitting on the couch. "You're back."
"Yes." Lisbeth poured herself a glass of water and sat across from him. It was obvious Sebastian had something to say.
He placed a set of car keys on the coffee table.
"What's this?" she asked, eyeing the sleek key fob.
"A gift for you."
Lisbeth pressed her lips together. "I can't accept it. A car is too expensive."
"This is for your safety," Sebastian leaned forward, his eyes serious. "Look at how terrifying yesterday was. We were lucky to find you in time. If we hadn't..." He didn't finish the sentence, but the implication hung heavy in the air.
"But a car is such an extravagant gift." The thought of accepting it weighed heavily on her. What right did she have to take his car?
"I'm not giving it to you—I'm lending it to you," Sebastian said, having anticipated her reluctance. "Use it when you go out. When you don't need it, just leave it in the garage. You don't have to worry about gas or maintenance."
This made Lisbeth even more uncomfortable. "I can't accept it. I believe yesterday was just a freak incident that won't happen again."
"Do you really believe it was random?" Sebastian's gaze was penetrating.
Lisbeth fell silent. Of course she didn't.
"If not for my sake, then for Dennis and your mother—you should protect yourself," Sebastian said softly. "If you won't take the car, then I'll personally drive you whenever you need to go out."
"That won't work. You have your own responsibilities..."
Seeing her stubborn expression, Sebastian considered for a moment. "Will you accompany me somewhere tomorrow?"
"Where?"
"I'm attending a gala, and I need a plus-one." Sebastian rubbed his brow wearily. "I really don't want to bring someone I barely know."
'What did you do before?' Lisbeth wasn't foolish enough to ask that out loud. After how he'd rescued her from danger, she couldn't refuse. "I'll go with you."
---
Night fell, and the gala buzzed with conversation and clinking glasses. Lisbeth entered on Sebastian's arm, her midnight blue dress flowing elegantly around her.
He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Don't be nervous. Just be yourself."
She realized Sebastian had a remarkable ability to effortlessly calm people's nerves. Someone like him would be perfect for a late-night radio show, soothing listeners' emotions. He'd be a hit. Her thoughts had wandered so far that she failed to notice the couple standing in the corner.
Elora spotted Lisbeth and narrowed her eyes. "Leopold, look, isn't that Ms. Whitaker?"
Leopold glanced over, then coldly looked away. "Why bother with her? She's nothing to us."
"Don't be like that. We're acquaintances—we should at least say hello."
Leopold rarely refused Elora's requests. Arm in arm, they approached Lisbeth and Sebastian.
"Ms. Whitaker, what a coincidence!" Elora's smile didn't reach her eyes. "I never expected you to be the famous actor's date. I thought he'd bring Ms. Ramirez."
Lisbeth offered a faint smile. "I didn't expect to see you here either." Had she known they would be attending, she wouldn't have come.
Sebastian spoke softly. "They have your favorite mousse cake over there. Would you like to try some?"
"I'll head over." Knowing Sebastian was creating an escape route, Lisbeth was grateful. She truly didn't want to see these two anymore.
She walked to the dessert table, actually planning to eat some cake, when Elora appeared beside her.
"Does he know you're pregnant?" Elora's voice was honey-sweet poison.
Lisbeth froze, her hand halfway to a strawberry mousse. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Come on, we know each other too well for this act. Why hide it from me?" Elora smiled resignedly, glancing around before leaning in to whisper, "Lisbeth, whose baby is it, really?"
"Leopold's." Lisbeth stared at her, anger rising inexplicably in her chest.