Chapter 20
BANG!
The door burst open.
The hand above my thigh froze.
A sharp gasp rippled through the room.
The men—half-naked, sweating, their hungry gazes still lingering—stared at the entrance.
Their faces drained of color.
Then—chaos.
They scrambled, desperate to flee, but before they could move, they were slammed to the floor.
Black-clad security personnel stormed the room, tackling them down like animals.
Men wailed, some trying to drag sheets around their bare bodies as they were dragged out.
The scene was horrifying.
I couldn’t move.
I barely registered it all—the shouting, the violence, the brutal efficiency of the takedown.
A woman approached.
She didn’t look at me.
She didn’t hesitate.
She covered me with a sheet and quickly untied my wrists.
A brief check.
Then, she left to report.
Outside the Room
Evan’s expression was frigid.
“How is she?”
“We arrived just in time. She’s unharmed, but…” The woman hesitated. “She’s in shock.”
Evan exhaled sharply.
Then, he stepped inside.
Inside the Room
Silence.
The air was thick with the stench of cologne, sweat, and something darker.
On the bed, Olivia huddled under his jacket.
Her hair—disheveled.
Her face—pale.
There was blood on her lips.
Her body trembled uncontrollably.
She looked like a rose crushed by a blizzard.
Evan approached, kneeling beside the bed.
He reached out, his fingertips brushing her cheek.
The next moment—
Her face pressed against his palm.
She rubbed against it—seeking warmth, seeking safety.
Evan froze.
His fingers twitched.
He tried to pull away—
But her tightly closed eyes fluttered open.
She looked up at him.
Her gaze shifted—
Dazed.
Then sorrowful.
Then pleading.
Like an injured fawn lost in the woods.
His heart stirred.
Without thinking, he gently stroked her head.
“It’s okay,” he murmured. “No one will hurt you.”
She shattered.
“Whoa—”
She burst into tears.
Each drop landed in his palm.
“Don’t cry…”
Evan wasn’t good at comforting people.
The more he told her not to cry—
The harder she sobbed.
Outside the Room
Gary stood in the hallway, listening to the sound of Olivia’s soft, heartbroken cries.
Even he felt distressed.
The hotel manager hesitated.
Gary turned to her, his tone cold.
“Not a word about this.” His gaze darkened. “If this leaks, the hotel will be held responsible.”
The manager nodded quickly.
She couldn’t afford to offend someone like Evan Jones.
And given the severity of the situation, she wouldn’t dare make it public.
Car Ride to the Hospital
Evan carried Olivia out of the hotel through a side route.
On the way to the hospital, she didn’t stop crying.
Tears overflowed from her eyes, soaking the front of his shirt.
He sighed.
Instead of pushing her away, he let her sit on his lap, holding her as she wept into his chest.
She cried for over half an hour.
By the time she stopped, Evan had gone through an entire pack of tissues.
Then—silence.
She leaned against his shoulder, exhausted.
Within minutes—
She was asleep.
11:45 PM – Hospital
As the car turned a corner—
Her head tilted forward.
Her soft lips brushed against Evan’s Adam’s apple.
Evan’s breath hitched.
His jaw tightened.
Carefully, he pushed her head back against his chest.
Gary glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
“…Mr. Jones?”
Evan’s cheeks were slightly red.
Gary squinted.
“Sir, are you… hot?”
Evan’s gaze snapped to him.
“…You shut up.”
Gary blinked.
Why is he angry?
Private Hospital – 12:30 AM
Olivia woke up.
Her body felt heavy.
Her throat burned.
She turned her head—
Evan sat beside the bed.
His shirt was wrinkled.
His sleeves were rolled up.
His collar—unbuttoned.
He looked… casual. Relaxed.
She swallowed.
“…Mr. Jones.”
His gaze lifted.
“Do you remember what happened?”
She exhaled.
“…Yes.”
She forced a smile.
“Thank you.”
Her voice trembled.
“Thank you so much for saving me.”
If not for him…
She might have died.
Evan’s eyes were deep.
“Good news and bad news.”
She hesitated.
“…Both.”
Evan leaned forward.
“The good news is—you’re fine. The needle didn’t go in. You only got a small dose of anesthetic.”
Olivia exhaled in relief.
“And the bad news?”
Evan’s voice lowered.
“…Your boyfriend was behind this.”
Her heart plummeted.
“…I know.”
She lowered her gaze.
Her hands twisted together.
Evan didn’t comment.
“I’ll take care of it,” he said. “Those men are in custody. You can call the police or handle it privately. It’s up to you.”
Olivia hesitated.
She met his gaze.
“You’ve already helped me so much.”
Her voice was soft.
“I’ll handle the rest myself.”
Evan studied her.
“Are you sure you don’t need help?”
Her lips parted—then closed.
She shook her head.
“I already owe you a lot.”
Her voice was almost a whisper.
“I can’t owe you more.”
A small chuckle escaped him.
Before he could respond—
Her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Dad.
Her chest tightened.
It was almost 1 AM.
She hadn’t gone home.
Her parents must be worried sick.
She cleared her throat.
“Dad.”
“Olivia, where are you?”
She paused.
“I’m… at a club with my friends.”
Her father sighed.
“You’re not coming back? Your mother can’t sleep. She’s worried.”
Guilt coiled inside her.
“…I’ll be right back.”
She hung up.
Silence filled the room.
She turned to Evan.
“Can you take me home?”
Evan raised a brow.
“In this state?”
She forced a weak smile.
“If I don’t go home, my mom won’t sleep.”
Her eyes welled up again.
She wiped them away.
“It’s strange,” she murmured. “Why am I crying again?”
She laughed bitterly.
“This is so embarrassing.”
Evan sighed.
“It’s okay.”
“I’ve seen you cry all the way here.”
2 AM – Home
Evan’s driver dropped her off.
She applied makeup, covering the tear stains on her wrists.
She walked inside.
She pretended to be drunk.
Her parents sighed, relieved.
In her room—
She washed her face.
Then, she picked up her phone.
She called Sherry.
Her voice was steady. Cold.
“Sherry.”
“…Olivia?”
“Julian and I won’t end quietly.”
Her fingers clenched.
“I’m going to ruin him.”
Sherry—half-asleep—instantly woke up.
