Chapter 91
The young man left with Lisbeth's phone number in hand.
Lisbeth didn't tell anyone about their conversation. If he decided not to testify, any leaked information could cause problems for him. What she kept to herself was that regardless of his final decision, she wouldn't give up easily.
That night, Samara returned from getting dinner. After several sleepless days without proper meals, her body was finally showing signs of strain.
"You need to take care of yourself," Lisbeth told her gently. "That's the only way you'll be able to look after Layla."
"Don't worry, I won't break down," Samara replied. For her daughter's sake, she would never let herself fall apart.
Lisbeth decided to stay overnight, thinking the young man might return to the hospital if he changed his mind. But instead of the young man, a stranger appeared.
The man was lurking suspiciously at the doorway, startling both Samara and Lisbeth.
"Who's there?" Lisbeth called out.
Without a word, the man turned and ran. Lisbeth immediately chased after him. She happened to encounter a nurse making rounds, who, seeing Lisbeth pursuing someone, quickly called security.
They finally cornered the man in a fire exit. Lisbeth got a clear look at his face—he was one of Bentley's friends. She'd seen him drinking with Bentley in a private room before.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
After a moment of panic, the man regained his composure. "There's no rule saying I can't come to a hospital. I'm feeling unwell and came to see a doctor."
"If you're here to see a doctor, why were you at Layla's room?"
Lisbeth pressed him further.
The man's lips twitched into an insincere smile. "I heard Layla was hospitalized and came to check on her out of kindness. And what do you do? Call security on me for no reason. What's wrong with you people?"
"I think you're the one with issues," Lisbeth replied, too tired to argue. She called the police.
The man began to panic. "I didn't steal anything, rob anyone, or hurt anybody. What right do you have to call the cops?"
"You were sneaking around our hospital room. We suspect you were trying to steal something. Having the police investigate isn't unreasonable."
It was late at night, and the man was wearing a hoodie with the hood up and a mask covering his face. If security hadn't stopped him, Lisbeth wouldn't have been able to identify him.
After his initial panic, the man calmed down and adopted a fearless attitude. "Do whatever you want. Call the police. I didn't do anything wrong. Even if they come, they can't arrest me."
"Let's find out," Lisbeth said coolly.
The police might not be able to hold him for long, but they could certainly detain him briefly.
Within half an hour, the police arrived and took the man away.
Exhausted, Lisbeth returned to the hospital room feeling that it was no longer safe. She discussed her concerns with Samara.
"I think we should move Layla to a different room."
Samara naturally agreed but worried about the cost. "Will a new room be more expensive?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll figure something out," Lisbeth assured her before making the arrangements.
Layla was transferred to a VIP room with better facilities and security measures. Anyone visiting would need to register and receive family approval first. This would ensure Layla's safety.
---
Meanwhile, Bentley was pacing anxiously in the living room. The person he'd sent to gather information hadn't returned all night, and now his phone was unreachable.
Bentley had even received word that police had been at the downtown hospital last night.
Had that idiot been caught?
Leopold came downstairs. Elora had caught a cold and wasn't feeling well, so he'd been taking care of her. He knew nothing about the situation with Layla.
Bentley hadn't planned to tell him, but now it seemed unavoidable.
"Leopold, something serious has happened."
"What do you mean?" Leopold couldn't imagine what trouble Bentley had stirred up. Exhausted himself, he just wanted to rest on the sofa for a while.
But Bentley dropped a bombshell. "Layla was in a car accident. Before that happened... I had sex with her."
Leopold immediately sensed something was wrong. "Was it consensual?"
Bentley remained silent.
Leopold felt his temple throb. "Did you force her?"
"We were both drunk that night. There was no forcing involved—she was willing. Afterward, I wanted to find Layla and take responsibility, but she absolutely refused. Then she got into that accident..."
Bentley hadn't thought he'd done anything wrong at the time, but now he was scared. He'd heard that Lisbeth had hired a lawyer.
"Leopold, you have to help me. Lisbeth has hired a top lawyer. They're going to sue me, but I swear I didn't force Layla."
"Say that again." Leopold knew exactly what kind of person Bentley was and didn't believe a word.
He stared intently at Bentley, who grew increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze.
"If you don't tell me the truth, I can't help you."
Bentley gritted his teeth. "That night Layla was drunk, and I put something in her drink..."
"Do you realize that's date rape?" Leopold jumped up from the sofa, his expression darkening.
Bentley pleaded desperately. "I know, it was all my fault. Afterward, I wanted to take responsibility, but Layla refused. She even hit me, though I didn't hit back. I thought the matter was over, but then she got into that accident, and now Lisbeth is like a mad dog, refusing to let it go..."
"I can't help you."
Others might not know, but Leopold understood Lisbeth's relationship with Layla. During his recovery, Lisbeth had been incredibly kind to him. Even when he ignored her, she never got angry.
Except once.
Layla had spoken up when she couldn't stand watching his behavior anymore, and Leopold had cursed at her, telling her to get out. That was the first time Lisbeth had gotten angry with him. She didn't visit him for two whole weeks afterward.
"Leopold, you can't abandon me!" Bentley was willing to humble himself and knelt down before Leopold.
He wailed loudly, "I didn't mean to do it! I was drunk and not thinking straight. As for the drugging—I was doing it for you! Lisbeth has been clinging to you, preventing any progress with Elora. You almost broke up because of her. I was trying to help you both blow off some steam. I originally planned to drug Layla just to embarrass her a little, but my guy messed up..."
His words were lies, but the mix of truth and falsehood made them oddly convincing.
Leopold glared at him through clenched teeth. "Do you think you haven't caused me enough trouble already?"
"I've truly realized my mistake, Leopold!"
"Keep your voice down!" Leopold glanced upstairs and lowered his voice to warn him. "This is the last time. From now on, behave yourself and don't cause any more problems."
"I understand, I understand. Once this is resolved, I promise to behave and focus on work."
Leopold couldn't stand the sight of him. "You can't stay in the country anymore. Tomorrow... no, you're leaving today."
Moving decisively, Leopold immediately arranged an overseas flight for Bentley.
After sending Bentley away, Leopold made a phone call.
"I need you to do something for me."