Aria’s POV
I finally focused. The room fell quiet.
“One of them said I made enemies when I was still handling cases for Hemsworth Group,” I said slowly. “Two years ago.”
Nathan frowned. “You think this is delayed retaliation?”
I bit my lip. It sounded unlikely even to . Then a mory clicked into place.
“It could be connected to the Starsource Research Institution lawsuit against Cooke Tech.”
I briefly recounted what happened in the warehouse. “They used my photos to threaten Francis. There was soone behind them, a benefactor. They wanted to humiliate .”
My fingers curled tightly at that word.
Nathan listened without interruption. Though it seed he already knew most of it, his attention never left . My hoarse voice seed to fill the cold room, and for a fleeting mont, the tension eased.
Then I coughed violently.
“That’s enough,” Nathan said firmly, standing. “I’ll handle the rest. You need to rest.”
He turned to get water then paused, noticing the empty nightstand.
“How’s the Starsource case going?” I asked suddenly.
He stopped and turned back.
Concern was written plainly in his eyes.
“You just woke up,” he said slowly, “and that’s what you’re worried about?”
My eyes hardened, cold as frost clinging to autumn leaves. Even my wolf stirred beneath my skin, hackles lifting at the unfriendly edge in his tone. It left montarily puzzled and irritated.
With Francis and Lucious’ lawsuit set to go to court soon, how could I not be worried about Starsource Research Institution? This was Francis’ first project in Asterfell., sothing he had poured blood and soul into.
Nathan t my confused gaze, frustration rolling off him in thick waves. My wolf caught it instantly. “Are you really that worried about Francis?” he asked, his voice low, displeasure lacing every word.
I frowned. His reaction made no sense. Reaching for my phone, I said coolly, “I’m not asking you anymore.”
Before my fingers could close around it, he snatched the phone away with a swift, almost predatory motion. My pulse jumped.
“No need to check,” he scoffed. “The case between Francis and Lucious is already settled. It happened while I was on my way to find you. He lost”
My breath caught. “Francis... lost the case?”
Nathan looked at then, and there was sothing in his eyes that made my wolf bristle...a faint trace of ugly satisfaction.
My eyes widened. “How is that possible?”
The first trial had overwhelmingly favored us. I had personally reviewed the appeal argunts, there were no flaws. None.
Unless...
My lips parted. Had Francis really been dragged down because of ?
“It’s done,” Nathan said coldly. “You’d better focus on your recovery and ask him directly.”
He turned away, my phone still in his hand.
Shock rooted to the bed, my mind racing so loudly I barely noticed him slipping the phone into his pocket.
“Wait.”
He paused and turned back, one brow lifting slightly.
“Do you know why Lana was hospitalized?” I asked. My gaze locked onto him, icy and unyielding.
He frowned. “I’ve already sent soone to investigate.”
“Investigate?” I let out a short, humorless laugh before forcing myself calm. My wolf snarled softly in my chest. “There’s no need.”
I looked straight at him. “It was Sophia.”
The na landed between us like a blade.
“Sophia?” His frown deepened, confusion and hesitation slipping into his voice.
I caught it all. Of course he couldn’t believe it. In his eyes, Sophia was gentle, harmless...a woman incapable of malice. My wolf sneered bitterly.
Clutching the bedsheet, I felt my claws itch beneath my nails. “I told you more than once, that without my permission, Sophia was not allowed in Hemsworth Villa. I said it again just the other day. And that day, she appeared.”
My gaze never left his.
“Was she waiting for to leave?”
The mory flashed vivid and brutal. “When I ca back, Lana was on the floor, vomiting nonstop. Her face was pale, she was almost in shock.” My voice stayed steady, but my chest burned. Words couldn’t capture the terror of that mont, the way my wolf had nearly broken free.
Nathan inhaled sharply under my stare and started shaking his head as if to say it wasn’t Sophia.
“If it wasn’t Sophia, then who?” I demanded. “Why did she co right after you left? Why was she alone with Lana?”
My questions cut deep, heavy with rage and grief.
Nathan watched closely, his frown deepening. “Sophia is just an ordinary woman,” he said slowly. “This could be related to your past enemies. I’ve already sent people to look into it.”
Ordinary.
I nodded once, a mocking smile curling my lips. The truth was right in front of him, and he chose to look away. Was he really this blind where Sophia was concerned?
Sothing in Nathan’s expression tightened, like an invisible hand squeezing his heart. He swallowed.
“Without evidence, I can’t draw conclusions,” he said. “But I promise...I’ll investigate thoroughly.”
He leaned forward, reaching out as if to comfort . The mont his hand ca close, my wolf snapped.
SMACK!
The sound rang out sharp and violent, my palm striking his face as a glass shattered sowhere beside us.
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