Chapter 3 Saving An Old Woman

Eyes flicking nervously toward the road, the driver explained apologetically, "Ms. Wilson, there's an elderly woman collapsed on the road. But honestly, it looks fake-probably one of those scammers hoping for a quick payout. I'll take another route."

He immediately started steering the car in the opposite direction.

Through the window, Nicole noticed the elderly woman trembling on the road, her hand stretched weakly toward something beyond her reach, face pale as a ghost.

The woman wore elegant clothes, clearly expensive; she hardly fit the description of someone desperate enough to fake an accident. She appeared genuinely unwell, perhaps dangerously so.

Frowning slightly, Nicole ordered sharply, "Pull over now."

Without argument, the driver quickly stopped the car.

A small crowd had already formed around the woman. Phones were out, recording every second, yet not a single person moved to help.

Without hesitation, Nicole strode purposefully through the crowd and knelt gently beside the woman.

Soft murmurs began to ripple through the crowd. "She's asking for trouble. These scammers prey on sympathy, and she'll be stuck paying compensation."

"You'd think people would learn after all those stories on the news."

Ignoring the whispers entirely, Nicole reached for a small medicine bottle that had rolled away, checking it quickly yet thoroughly. Once satisfied, she shook out a pill. Carefully lifting the elderly woman's head onto her arm, Nicole whispered reassuringly, "Ma'am, here's your medicine."

As if hearing Nicole's gentle encouragement, the elderly woman weakly opened her lips, accepting the pill. Moments passed, and gradually the violent trembling lessened.

The ambulance arrived swiftly afterward, and Nicole carefully transferred the woman into their capable care.

As paramedics placed the woman onto the stretcher, her eyes opened slightly, focusing briefly on Nicole's departing back. Weakly, her hand twitched, longing to reach out, but lacking the strength, her eyes soon fluttered shut once again.

After that, Nicole stepped back into the waiting car, which carried her safely to Riverside Haven-Moore family's estate.

No family in Ariosa held more power than the Moore family, and this estate was solid proof of that. Just one rare plant here could cost a small fortune.

Sunlight spilled gracefully across polished gray marble flooring in the luxurious living room, giving the entire space a refined yet solemn atmosphere.

Leading Nicole down a lengthy corridor, the butler politely guided her into an elegant guest room. "Ms. Wilson, please wait here for a moment. If you need anything, just call."

"Thank you," Nicole replied evenly.

When the door closed behind the butler, Nicole sank into the plush leather sofa. Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest, her mind consumed by thoughts and memories.

Suddenly, the faint, hurried sound of footsteps broke her concentration, raising an immediate warning in her senses.

Whirling sharply, Nicole saw a massive arctic wolf barreling straight toward her, its movements swift and deadly. With its eyes fixed on her like a predator closing in, the wolf lunged, claws stretched toward her throat, ready to rip her apart in an instant.

Nicole's eyes hardened immediately. With lightning reflexes, she rolled sideways to evade the wolf's lethal strike. Springing gracefully to her feet, she faced the beast, her expression colder and sharper than steel.

Angered by its failure, the wolf bared its teeth viciously, releasing a menacing growl filled with rage and hunger. Instantly, it lunged again, its anger making it twice as fast.

Nicole held her ground this time, meeting the attack without hesitation. Right as the wolf launched itself, she caught its head in a firm grip. In one fluid move, she turned and slammed it to the floor, her knee locking down on its neck while her hands held its thrashing head still. Her eyes blazed fiercer than the wolf's own wild rage.

In one fluid motion, she drew a silver needle, expertly driving it into a nerve point just behind the beast's ear.

The wolf howled sharply in agony before collapsing helplessly, strength rapidly fleeing from its body.

Without pausing, Nicole drew another needle, ready to neutralize the threat permanently.

"Enough."

A smooth, commanding male voice sliced through the tension, carrying authority that demanded obedience. His words lingered, smooth and deep.

At the sound of his voice, Nicole froze, slowly lifting her eyes to meet his penetrating gaze. She wasn't certain if his appearance was deliberate or merely a coincidence.

There was something unreadable in his eyes. They were deep, unmoving mirrors that gave nothing away, yet hinted at shadows lurking beneath the surface.

He studied her silently, his presence overwhelming, looking just like a judge about to decide her fate.