Chapter 5 Unknown Number

In the hospital, after a doctor mentioned it, Nadine noticed the blood on her forehead.

She then purchased alcohol and adhesive bandages along with the contraceptive pills.

After taking two pills, Nadine turned and unexpectedly bumped into someone.

"Sorry, sorry, I..." Quickly apologizing, she froze as she looked up.

It was Warren!

Blaine, holding a fruit basket, remarked, "Mrs. Gordon, are you here for a check-up? Are you feeling unwell?"

He then saw the dried blood on her forehead and regretted his question.

Warren, observing the medicine in Nadine's hand, realized their lack of caution the previous night.

However, the injury on her forehead raised questions. Surely, he couldn't have been the one who did it.

The dried blood suggested it wasn't fresh, meaning it had been there for some time.

He didn't get a clear look at her face that morning, leaving him uncertain whether he was responsible for her injury.

Given his physical strength, he wondered if he could have inadvertently caused it.

Nadine, oblivious to Warren's thoughts, excused herself and hurried away.

Warren watched her leave, and then asked his assistant, "Blaine, did she have that injury this morning?"

Blaine replied, "Sir, weren't you with her? Why are you asking me? You'd know better than me."

Warren remained silent. His intense demeanor softened only when he reached a VIP ward. Before he could knock, the door opened.

"Miss Brooks," Warren greeted with a neutral tone.

Rylee, the room's sole occupant, welcomed him without annoyance, ready for a conversation.

Blaine set the fruit basket on the table, noting, "Miss Brooks, Mr. Harper bought these for you."

Without hesitation, Rylee grabbed an apple and bit into it.

"Warren, even if you're not interested in marrying me, you don't need to resort to tabloid tactics to push me away," she said, her gaze fixed on the apple. "I'm not concerned about your personal affairs. My resolve to marry you is firm. Neither of us loves the other, doesn't that make us an ideal match?"

Blaine, observing silently, couldn't help but feel sympathy for his boss.

Rylee's heart belonged to someone else, but her father, Adrian Brooks, seeking a more prestigious match, had opposed her choice.

Three years ago, she had eloped, only to be thwarted by her father's men. Trapped, she and her lover had plunged into a river.

Warren, by chance, saved Rylee and informed Adrian. Sadly, only her lover's lifeless body was recovered.

This tragedy left Rylee heartbroken. She blamed Warren for saving her, and even propagated rumors that they were romantically involved. Sometimes, she feigned insanity as a form of revenge against him.

Rylee's recent self-harm had led to her hospitalization.

Each scandal involving Warren triggered this behavior.

This was the eighth such incident.

Her family, accustomed to these episodes, had learned to overlook them.

Yet, despite her actions, Rylee still clung to life.

With a slight lift of his jaw, Warren's words were as cold as ice. "I will not marry you."

Rylee, stunned, had never experienced such a blunt rejection from him. Could he have feelings for someone else?

"Is it the woman from the news? How can you care for another?" In a fit of anger, Rylee threw the half-eaten apple at Warren. He, accustomed to her outbursts, easily dodged it.

"You're the reason I lost him! How can you be with someone else? You're supposed to marry me!" Rylee yelled.

Warren, feeling a headache coming on, calmly responded, "Miss Brooks, we can discuss other issues once you've cleared up the engagement rumors with the media."

He then excused himself, leaving Blaine to soothe Rylee and ensure her safety.

"Warren! You can't leave me! You aren't allowed to marry anyone else!" Rylee cried out.

"Miss Brooks, please, this is a hospital. Let's keep our voices down," Blaine intervened, positioning himself as a buffer.

Warren, shaking his head, decided to inform Adrian, but was interrupted by a text from an unknown number.

Upon opening it, he was taken aback.

"Mr. Harper, did you enjoy last night? If so, we can arrange more."

A sinister smiley face concluded the message.

The attached photo showed Warren and Nadine together in bed, capturing their previous night's encounter.

Warren attempted to call the number, but the person didn't pick up.