Chapter 41
BANG–1
The door flew open with explosive force
The needle poised to plunge into Adeline’s thigh froze mud–air
The room full of predators turned toward the door in terror. They tried to run but only made it a few steps before black–suited security personnel tackled them to the ground, dragging them out like dead dogs. The scene was chaos–screaming, howling, some with towels fallen off, crawling naked across the floor in a truly disturbing spectacle.[]
The security team worked with ruthless efficiency.[]
No one dared look toward the bed.[]
The female manager who had accompanied the security team immediately covered Adeline with clothing, untied her bound hands, and checked her condition before stepping outside to report []
Outside the door, Zarek’s expression was glacial, though he fought to maintain his composure. “How is she?“]
The manager replied: “We arrived just in time. She’s physically unharmed, but she seems disoriented–likely from shock.
Zarek entered the room, his rage barely contained beneath his controlled exterior.[]
Inside was quiet.
The woman on the bed was hudelled beneath his coat, her waterfall of hair a tangled mess. Her face was pale, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, her body trembling uncontrollably. She looked like a rose crushed in a blizzard- beauty in utter devastation.]]
The murderous fury that had driven him here suddenly softened. All he wanted now was to comfort her, to make her smile again instead of looking so broken[]
Bending down, he lightly touched her cheek with his fingertips.[]
To his surprise, she leaned into his touch, her face seeking the warmth of his palm.]
0
Zarek froze, his heart accelerating unexpectedly.[]
As he moved to withdraw his hand, her beautiful eyes slowly opened. She gazed up at him, her expression shifting from bewildered to heartbreakingly vulnerable–like a wounded fawn taking its last breaths in the forest.[]
Something stirred in his chest. He reached out with his other hand and gently stroked her hair. “You’re safe now. No one will hurt you anymore.
“Mmm
Adeline suddenly began to cry, tears rolling one after another into his palm like falling pearls.[]
“Don’t cry…” Zarek spoke softly, surprised by his own tenderness. He had little experience comforting others, but seeing her this way awakened something protective in him. His attempts to stop her tears only made her cry harder.
Her sobs carried into the hallway, affecting eveh Liam who stood outside.]
The hotel manager hadn’t left yet. Liam turned to her and said firmly, “Not a word of tonight’s events leaves this hotel If any rumors surface, well assume they
The manager hastily promised absolute confidentiality.]
came from your
establishment.
D
She couldn’t afford to offend someone of Mr. Weasley’s standing and influence. That he wasn’t holding the hotel responsible for the incident was already a blessing–the last
Zarek carried Adeline out through a private exit, acutely aware of her weight in his arms, her vulnerability, and his own unexpected reactions.
thing she
was speak
of
བ、
On the way to the hospital, Adeline continued crying]
¡fer tears seemed to have no end, wave after wave soaking the front of his shirt completely.[]
He was at a loss, unused to such raw emotion]
Yet he couldn’t simply abandon her in her disoriented state, so he let her sit on his lap, holding her the entire time, allowing her to nestle against him. His heart raced at their proximity, another unfamiliar sensation]
Thas continued for ever half an hour.
He went through an entire pack of tissues wiping her tears and nose, his movements gentle and careful.
Finally, she had cried herself out
Afterward, she rested quietly against his shoulder, eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Despite the circumstances, Zarek found himself noticing the delicate curve of her cheekbone, the length of her eyelashes []
As they rounded a curve, moment un pushed her face forward, pressing against his neck, her soft lips inadvertently brushing his Adam’s apple
Zare held his breath, lus pulse jumping[]
With an outwardly calm demeanor, he gently repositioned her head, though part of him didn’t want to []
When they reathed the hopal Lam was surprised “Sir, why is your face so red? Are you feeling hot?
You talk 100 much
Zareh gave him a cool look uncomfortable with being so transparent]
Liam was confused)
Why was he suddenly irritated?
They had come to a private hospital and called ahead Nurses were waiting at the entrance As soon as Zarek car pulled up, they oak Adeline and wheeled her
away for
A 12 30 AM
Adeline emerged from her haze ]]
His shirt was wrinkled sleeves rolled up, the top three buttons undane–casual, as if he’d just run a marathon in his formal wear.
“Mr. Weasley,” she said, her voice hoarse and nasal, but filled with sincere gratitude
Do you remember what happened?” Zarek asked his voice deliberately controlled and calm.[]
Adeline gave him a bitter smile.]]
“Thank you! Truly! I cant thank you enough!” Her eyes shone with genuine emotion Ill find a way to repay you someday, I promise. If you hadn’t intervened…” She couldn’t finish the thought
The good news is you weren’t violated, and that drug needle never went in. The injection in the hallway was just a sedative–it won’t cause lasting harm. As for the bad news…” he paused, tempering his anger, “your boyfriend orchestrated this whole thing1
Adeline lowered her eyes, her hands twisting the bedsheet tightly.[]
You’ve already helped me so much, Adeline looked up with determination. Tl handle the rest myself, but I won’t forget what you’ve done. Somehow, I’ll repay this debt.
It was Adeline’s.
He handed it to her.[]
Adeline saw it was her father calling.
It was nearly 1 AM. Her parents were concerned that she hadn’t returned yet. Though she was an adult, they still worried.[]
Adeline cleared her throat before answering, forcing cheerfulness into her voice. “Dad
*Adeline, where are you?”
Tm out with friends at a club.” She kept her tone light, determined not to worry them.]
“You’re not coming home? Your mother won’t go to sleep–she’s worried. Come home soon.
1 will. I’m on my way.” She fought to keep her voice steady
Hanging up, she felt a pang in her heart!]
She couldn’t bear to think about how devastated her parents would have been if what nearly happened tonight had actually occurred.]
She turned to Zarek. “Could you take me home?
Zarek was silent for a few seconds. “Looking like this? Won’t your parents notice something’s wrong?__
Adeline attempted a joke. “My mom won’t sleep until I’m home, so I have to…” Her eyes welled up again []
She took a deep breath, forcing back the Lightness in her throat. To hide her embarrassment, she added, “Strange, I feel like crying again. How humiliating.
“Cry if you need to. I’ve been watching you cry all evening–what’s one more time?” His voice held an unexpected gentleness.[]
1
By nearly 2 AM, Zarek had arranged for Adelle to be driven to her parents‘ home.]
સાચી નીક
She had applied makeup to cover the marks on her wrists When she arrived, she pretended to be slightly drunk, chatted briefly with her parents, then claimed exhaustion and went to bed []
Her parents were relieved to see her home safely (
In her room, Adeline washed her face and called Summer, clarity and determination replacing her earlier vulnerability. “Sumuner, there’s no chance of a ending with Tristan anymore. I’m going to destroy him “[]
Her voice was re-cold resolute Anveye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. They would pay for what they’d done all of them]
Sunner who had been half asleep, tratardly became wide awake!
MA
(2)

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