Chapter 296

Susan Thompson watched Alexander Grant's retreating back as he carried her toward the apartment complex. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her shirt.

The elevator ride was suffocatingly silent.

"Mr. Grant, really, this isn't necessary." Susan squirmed in his arms. "I can tend to my own injuries."

Alexander's grip didn't waver. "Stop moving. You'll aggravate the wound."

The elevator dinged open.

Susan's hands trembled as she fumbled for her keys. The idea of a man entering her single woman's apartment at this hour unsettled her.

"I'm fine now, truly." She planted her feet stubbornly at the doorway. "It's so late, you should—"

"Open the door." His tone brooked no argument.

With a resigned sigh, Susan turned the key.

As she bent to remove her shoes, her phone clattered to the floor. The screen illuminated a glaring notification: "D-list influencer Susan Thompson accused of threatening Mrs. King to steal her husband."

Susan's fingers froze midair.

"Pathetic." A bitter laugh escaped her. "I don't even have Candy Wilson's number."

Alexander's gaze flickered across the screen. "Ignore the noise."

"You... believe me?" Susan looked up, meeting his fathomless eyes.

"Obviously." Two simple syllables that made her nose sting with unexpected emotion.

Once, those who should have trusted her most were the first to cast doubt. Yet this man...

"Thank you," she whispered.

Alexander frowned. "I told you—no need for formalities."

He strode to the kitchen, returning moments later with a peeled hard-boiled egg.

"For your wrist." He extended it. "To reduce swelling."

Susan blinked. He'd noticed the injury she'd been hiding.

Meanwhile, outside the apartment building...

Leo Miller crouched in the shadows with several bodyguards, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Boss..." His hand shook as he dialed. "Miss Thompson... Mr. Grant took her to his place..."

The sound of shattering glass exploded through the phone.

"Playing hero?" Andrew Lucas's voice could have flash-frozen hell. "Over my dead body."

Leo shrunk into his collar, already envisioning his impending doom.

Inside the apartment, Susan fumbled with the medical supplies. Her injured right wrist made every movement clumsy.

Alexander stood nearby, his frown deepening with each passing second.

"Let me." The words burst out finally.

"No!" Susan recoiled instinctively. "I can manage."

Alexander exhaled sharply before turning to pour her a glass of warm water.

"At least... allow me to do this much."

As Susan stared at the offered glass, something shifted. Perhaps this intimidating man wasn't so terrifying after all.