Chapter 28 Being Attacked
“Looking to climb into a wealthy family, you’d stoop to anything, even sleeping your way there! How dare you show your face anywhere?”
“I loathe shallow women like you the most! You deserve to die!”
“Since the law won’t touch you, we will! Today, we’ll administer our own justice and punish you!”
A hostile crowd closed in around Lailah, jostling and hurling insults, one of them violently shoving her to the ground.
Just then, hospital security spotted the commotion and hurried over.
“What’s going on here? Get out of the hospital premises immediately!”
At the sight of authority approaching, the attackers didn’t hesitate, scattering quickly.
As Lailah struggled to rise, her attention was caught by a pair of polished black leather shoes.
Instinctively looking up through blurred vision, she saw a handsome but chillingly cold face.
His gaze descended on her, his deep, dark eyes reflecting her disheveled and humiliated state.
He spoke calmly, “I’ve spoken with Mara. She won’t press charges for the accident, but you need to publicly apolo- gize to her.”
Lailah closed her eyes, drawing several deep, steadying breaths to regain her composure.
Gathering her remaining strength, she tried to push herself upright from the ground.
But her efforts were feeble; her strength failed her, and she couldn’t rise.
How utterly weak and pathetic she felt.
It seemed, no matter what, she always appeared so pitiful in front of Zayden.
In that moment, Lailah felt an absurd urge to laugh.
She tried to curve her lips into a smile, but inexplicably, her eyes stung and reddened first.
Zayden looked down at her pale, frail form, the intensity in his dark eyes deepening.
He pressed his thin lips into a line and took a few steps forward, ready to help her up.
But before he could reach her, a man’s hand beat him to it, extending towards Lailah instead.
“Lili, are you alright?”
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Lailah looked up, meeting a handsome, relaxed face.
Her throat tightened, a bitter-sour lump forming.
“Mr. Davidson.”
Maxwell helped her to her feet. “Sorry, things got hectic, and I completely forgot about your discharge.”
Lailah’s voice was raspy. “I didn’t want to trouble you, so I didn’t reach out.”
Maxwell glanced down at the injury on her foot. “You’ve hurt your head. We should head back to the hospital for a check-up.”
“It’s nothing, just a small scratch. A bandage will do.”
“No,” Maxwell said, his expression unusually stern. “You need to go back to the hospital for a thorough examina- tion.”
Seeing Maxwell’s unwavering insistence, Lailah eventually relented.
“Alright.”
Maxwell offered his support, ready to guide her back into the hospital.
Just then, a hand snaked out, gripping Lailah’s wrist.
Zayden’s face was impassive, his voice cold and distinct.
“Mr. Davidson, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself taking Lailah to the hospital.”
Maxwell didn’t immediately let go, feigning surprise instead.
“Mr. Walter, so you intend to take Lili to the hospital? But I noticed, when Lili fell earlier, you seemed reluctant to offer her a hand.”
The expression on Zayden’s face instantly soured.
Before he could respond, a cheerful shout shattered the moment.
“Zayden, you’re here!”
A slender figure hurried forward, plunging into Zayden’s arms without a second thought.
“Zayden! You knew I was being discharged today? You came to fetch me?” Tamara’s voice brimmed with delight, her eyes sparkling with affection.
Her face glowed with happiness. “Zayden, I told you, if you were too busy, you didn’t need to come pick me up.”
Zayden and Tamara stood embraced, a picture of perfect compatibility.
Lailah watched them, her face unreadable, yet a tightness clamped around her throat, leaving her inexplicably breath- less.
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Chapter 28 Being Attacked
So, Zayden had come to the hospital specifically to pick up Tamara.
He conveniently witnessed her being attacked.
Zayden’s brow furrowed slightly as he gently pushed Tamara away.
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“Mara…” He started to say something, but he paused as he saw Maxwell already supporting Lailah, guiding her away from the hospital.
A coldness entered Zayden’s eyes. He was about to give chase when Tamara tightened her grip on his arm.
“Zayden, this morning, more eyewitnesses contacted me. They’re willing to testify on my behalf.”
A slight flicker of interest crossed Zayden’s face. “Testify?”
“Yes. Ms. Griffith refuses to admit she hit my car, doesn’t she? With these new witnesses, I don’t think she can deny it anymore.”
Her voice dropped to a soft, soothing murmur. “Zayden, don’t worry. Ms. Griffith is your wife; I won’t cause her any real trouble. Besides, my injuries weren’t severe. I can let go of holding her accountable. All I ask for is a simple apol- ogy from her.
“The online rumors are doing significant damage to Ms. Griffith’s reputation. A public clarification could help restore her image.
“Furthermore, I will fully cooperate with Ms. Griffith. I will state publicly that this was simply an unfortunate acci- dent, that Ms. Griffith had no intention of causing harm. It was a tragic mistake, and surely that would put the matter to rest.”
Tamara’s face held a gentle smile, her words painted as pure consideration for Lailah.
She made no mention of her own injuries or grievances, projecting an air of profound understanding.
A flicker of softening appeared in Zayden’s eyes. He murmured, “If Lailah were only half as reasonable as you, things would be easier.”
Tamara merely smiled. “Oh, I’m sure she’ll come around. Perhaps she’s just overwhelmed right now. She’ll understand in time.”
***
That evening, several individuals claiming to be eyewitnesses surfaced online, posting videos detailing their accounts.
“I had just finished work and was driving down that road when I saw Ms. Griffith’s car suddenly accelerate out of nowhere and smash directly into Ms. Mosley’s vehicle.
“And it didn’t even slow down! I was terrified! At first, I thought the driver must have confused the gas pedal with the brake, but then I realized she didn’t even try to steer. It looked incredibly intentional.
“Many pedestrians nearby saw it too. It wasn’t just me.”
Spurred by the first, more supposed eyewitnesses quickly came forward, flooding the platforms with testimonies.
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Chapter 28 Being Attacked
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Their narratives were consistent: Lailah’s actions were reckless and deliberate, and they all urged her to offer an apol- ogy promptly.
Just as the online frenzy began to wane, lulled by Lailah’s silence, she suddenly issued a statement.
She was holding a press conference.
Everyone immediately assumed Lailah had finally buckled under the pressure and was ready to issue her apology.
The internet erupted, buzzing with anticipation, almost like a crowd preparing for a festive celebration.
Those who had vilified Lailah felt vindicated, convinced their collective condemnation had finally brought about jus- tice.
On the day of the press conference, the venue buzzed with an overwhelming crowd.
Lailah hadn’t curated a guest list of specific media outlets; the event was open to anyone who wished to attend, lead- ing to a chaotic, packed house.
Maxwell looked down at the crowded people from where they stood.
“Lili, if you go through with this, there’s no going back for you and Zayden.”
