NovelBarChapter 686
"Returning the favor."
+25 BONUS
Xander's reply was blunt, and | immediately caught the hifit of that earlier misunderstanding he had about me.
"So, you just happened to show up when | was in danger? Should | be suspicious you staged the whole thing?" |
shot back, using his own accusation against him.
He didn't flinch, his eyes fixed on the road. "I'm sorry. | was wrong about you."
Wait-what? | froze. He'd figured it out that fast?
"Earlier, | overheard that fat guy on the phone. Today's setup was orchestrated by Wayne Johnston of
RiverwaveCorp."
| froze. That guy had clearly mentioned Jace...
"You don't believe me?" He glanced my way briefly. "I recorded it."
Without missing a beat, he handedhis phone. The screen lit up, and | tapped the recording.
[Boss, it's done. Ms. Kay thinks it was Jace Johnston...]
My hand trembled slightly, but it wasn't fear-it was disbelief. Wayne had really gone this far?
It all added up now. Jace refusing to letgo must've pushed Wayne to the edge, desperate enough to pull
something like this.
Then my thoughts veered to Hayden, to that tWayne's schemes had nearly taken him out. Back then, it was
all about eliminating Hayden, Jace, and Steve in one go. | hadn't fully grasped just how far gone Wayne was even
then. Wayne's obsession withhad spiraled into something dark, something unhinged. Even his own brother
was disposable.
If he can't have me, would he killtoo?
A man like him-so extreme-might destroy what he couldn't control.
A chill raced down my spine. Outwardly, Wayne always played the part of the charming, warm guy. But how had
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇthe ended up like this?
Or worse-had he always been this way, just hiding behind a mask?
The weight of it all settled over me, leavingsilent the rest of the drive to the hospital.
When we finally stopped, Xander spoke first.
"Who do you think was trying to hit you back there?"
Wait, what?
| blinked, caught off guard. The memory of the car's blinding headlights crushing back. Honestly, I'd shoved
that moment so far out of my head I'd almost forgotten it.
The scene replayed in my head-the car barreling towardwith clear intent. If it weren't for Xander, | would've
been either dead or seriously injured.
Who would actually try to kill me?
1/2
Chapter 696
| couldn't think of anyone I'd crossed recently, at least not to that extent.
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"Con," Xander said, snappingout of my thoughts. He stepped out of the car, circled around, and opened
my door.
| got out, but the moment | put weight on my still-healing knee, It buckled. Xander grabbed my arm before | hit
the ground.
"Thanks," | mumbled, pulling my arm free once I'd steadied myself. Then | glanced at him. "Where are you hurt?
What department are you going to?"
"Follow me, and you'll find out," he said, already walking ahead.
| sighed and trailed after him.
Xander ledstraight to the emergency department and toldto wait while he handled the receptionist. It
felt... off, like | was the one who needed help. He didn't even seem hurt. So why were we here?
Before | could ask, a nurse calledover. Confused, | followed her into a treatment room. She gestured for me
to sit down and hold out my hand. ""Why?" | asked.
"You've got glass shards in your finger. We need to remove them," the nurse said.
Wait, what?
Before | could process that, Xander walked in.
He handed the nurse a receipt, and
she immediately launched ig an
complaiourdilfiedds scared
aha rot cooperating. Can you help
her?" The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
An innocent mistake, but still-it
caughtcompletely off quatdhh
shouldry have caleth (been in two
rSlatibnships before. This shouldn't
even register. The content is on
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chapter there!
Yet, my face heated as | rushed to deny it. "I'm not-"
Xander cutoff. "Giveyour hand."
| hesitated, but he didn't. His fingers wrapped around mine, turning my hand palm up. "Look here," he said.
| glanced down at my left hand and
froze. The pad of my middle finger
was smeared with dried blood. kh
EEE TRS him
blt hiad $Pought much of it.
"There's a shard of glass in there,"
Xander explained. "If you don't get it
out, it'll hurt like hell and probably get
infected. Then it'll take even longer to
heal." The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Without waiting, he guided my hand toward the nurse, keeping his grip steady on my wrist.
He was close.
Close enough forto catch the clean, fresh scent of his shampoo.
Close enough forto notice his neck-smooth, unmarked. No mole like Hayden's. No scars from laser removal.
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