Chapter 7 His Foolishness

When Adriana slowly opened her eyes, the sharp smell of disinfectant was the first thing that hit her. She was lying face down on a pillow, her back still aching from the wounds caused by shattered glass. Everything around her confirmed that the attack she had experienced was no illusion.

Thankfully, by the grace of God, she was still alive.

"Ah! Ma'am, you're finally awake! You scared me to death!"

Mona threw herself at Adriana, who was still hooked up to an IV drip. Her tears and snot smeared across Adriana's hospital gown as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"The doctors said if you'd been just an inch closer to the car, you might… you might…" Mona choked up, unable to finish her sentence. "I TOLD YOU I SHOULD'VE DRIVEN YOU HOME!"

Adriana frowned at the sudden pressure on her weak body. Dizzy from the hug, she barely had the strength to think but instinctively tried to console the clearly frightened Mona.

"Mona, calm down! You're getting snot and tears all over my clothes!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!" Mona quickly pulled away, only to suddenly exclaim, "No, wait! THAT'S NOT THE POINT RIGHT NOW! You have no idea how worried I was when the hospital called me!"

Adriana gazed at the young woman before her, whose face was full of concern. A rare warmth filled her heart. It had been so long since anyone had cared for her this way. With some effort, she raised her hand and gently brushed Mona's cheek, her voice soft.

"Alright, alright. It's my fault. I shouldn't have refused your offer to drive me."

Mona, caught off guard by Adriana's sudden apology, froze for a moment. She wasn't family, after all. Had her earlier reprimand been too much?

Sensing Mona's discomfort, Adriana spoke again, her voice steady but gentle. "I'm feeling a bit thirsty. Could you get me some water?"

"Oh, of course!" Mona hurriedly helped Adriana sit up before rushing to pour her a glass of water. Handing it over, she said, "By the way, I've already called the police. They're investigating the cause of the explosion. Don't worry, those responsible will be brought to justice!"

Adriana nodded as she drank, her mind already piecing things together. She had a good idea who orchestrated the attack. She had underestimated those people.

However, she did not intend to spend too much energy and time on this matter. After all, as a lawyer, she had a career and dreams that she had pursued her whole life, and she would not be afraid of those rats hiding in the sewers.

Moreover, after such an accident, the police would definitely focus on monitoring everyone who had a grudge against her. In this way, it meant that she would be relatively safe for a period of time.

After finishing her water, Adriana handed the glass back to Mona. "I'm aware of everything. Let the police handle it. Now, what about the information I asked you to prepare?"

"How can you think about work at a time like this?" Mona protested, holding the glass tightly. "The boss said you should rest first. Work can wait. Your health is more important!"

Adriana was not a pretentious woman. Since she wasn't seriously injured and her mind was still working, she didn't want to waste time.

What's more, Adriana was afraid that if she delayed anything regarding that Satan's case, only God knew what kind of trouble was awaiting her.

"Listen, if I rest now, I might as well dig my own grave and rest forever! Do you think delaying Mr. Calvin Walker's case is an option?"

At the mention of Calvin Walker, Mona stiffened like a soldier standing at attention. "I'll head back to the office right away and bring the files!"

Rumors had it that Calvin Walker was like a devil incarnate. His temper was legendary, and those who crossed him often disappeared without a trace. Even though Mona had never met him in person, his reputation alone was enough to make her uneasy.

Ever since their law firm had taken on his case, the atmosphere in the office had shifted dramatically.

Smiles had vanished, replaced by constant tension, and even their boss seemed perpetually on edge, as if weighed down by insurmountable debt.

Watching Mona scramble out in a panic, Adriana couldn't help but recall her own early days in the workforce. Shaking her head with a hint of amusement, she lay back down to rest.

***

Meanwhile, on the 14th floor, Calvin had already changed clothes and arrived outside the room, faintly hearing voices from within. Though he couldn't make out the words, it was clear that the patient on this floor in critical condition wasn't Adriana.

He chuckled bitterly at his foolishness.

No, he who rushed up to save the woman yesterday was the most foolish of all! He should've let her enemies finish her off.

And yet, when he thought of her lying in his arms, bleeding and unconscious, an inexplicable pain gripped his chest, as if someone was squeezing his heart. It was unbearable.

"Fine," he muttered to himself. "Let's just call it an act of charity."

Hearing Mona's hurried footsteps approaching, Calvin ducked into the stairwell like a mouse avoiding a cat.

"Damn it!" he cursed under his breath, frustrated with his own behavior.

After hearing the elevator descend, Calvin emerged from the stairwell and walked back toward Adriana's hospital room and, without further hesitation, kicked open the door!