Chapter 81: Will You Stay?
The man’s face was covered in blood. He struggled to get up and begged weakly, "Sir, p...please forgive me. I have a family to feed. My wife and kid cannot live without me."
Ryder’s eyes were as cold as ice. "You abandoned your family for just 500 thousand dollars. Why do you think I should believe you?"
The man was stunned. He had not mentioned one word about the money, so how did this man find out?
"Who asked you to hurt her?"
"I have no idea. Today, someone suddenly called me and asked that I take a few friends to gang bang..." However, before he finished the sentence, Ryder clenched his fists again.
The man screamed and stepped back, but a man next to Ryder kicked him down, growling, "Keep talking!"
Bobby trembled, "She asked me to do that to the lady and promised to give me one million dollars afterwards. 500 thousand dollars was paid as a down payment. But I don’t know who that is. She knows my bank account and my name as well as my criminal records. I just can’t refuse."
Despite his rugged appearance, Bobby began to cry and beg."Is that a woman?"Ryder’s expression remained unyielding. "Yes! She sounded young, probably in her twenties."
Just then, Axton walked in, and the room fell silent. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on him, making him feel a bit uneasy despite his intelligence and capabilities.
Handing Ryder the information he had found, Axton said, "I just discovered that the bank account that transferred the 500 thousand dollars to Bobby is registered in a small town of Linwood, over 20 hours’ drive from here. However, the phone number used to call him is from an old telephone booth."
Bobby felt terrified, realizing he was entangled in a dangerous web of celebrity feuds and crime. His eyes darted around the room, pleading for mercy, but finding none.
Ryder laughed coldly He gazed at Bobby and asked Axton slowly, "So there was no clue?"
Axton felt a bit creeped out. Although he had been used to his temper, it was the first time he had seen him like this. "Well... There is definitely going to be something. However, we haven’t found anything yet." Seeing Ryder slowly walking toward Bobby, Axton spoke lower and lower
Looking down at Bobby, Ryder asked, "Have you ever felt desperate?"
"W... What?"
"Take him to the port.You will sail the boat yourself."
The bodyguard next to Ryder shivered and hesitated. "Mr. Thompson, are you sure you’re going to do this?"
"What do you think?" Ryder asked slowly, looking murderous.
Half an hour later, in mysterious waters, a rope was tied on the waist of Bobby, while its other end was tied on the tail of a yacht.
Ryder threw a piece of fresh meat into the sea, and the fins of sharks soon appeared on the quiet waters. Bobby’s heart sank inch by inch. He was suddenly reminded of what Ryder had just said, "Have you ever felt desperate?"
"No, Someone please help..."
Ryder was half-asleep next to her bed and suddenly heard her weak cry. Desperate and helpless. He caught her swinging hands, and she squeezed his fingers hard as if she had found a savior.
"It’s okay..." Ryder comforted her in a low voice, holding her hand.He used his other hand to wipe away the sweat on her forehead, extremely gentle.
Her face covered in tears, Thea slowly opened her eyes. She immediately saw Ryder’s hand. It was dark, probably 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning. Thea moved his hand away to look at the handsome face behind it. The light was off However, his presence was still overwhelming to her.
"You’re awake?" Ryder saw that she was dazed and asked, "Do you need some water?"
Thea stared at him. Familiar face and familiar expression. ’Who is this? Ryder?’
His handsome face behind it. The light was off However, his presence was still overwhelming to her.
"You’re awake?" Ryder saw that she was dazed and asked, "Do you need some water?"
Thea stared at him. Familiar face and familiar expression.
Not getting a response from her, Ryder poured her a glass of lukewarm water and placed it on the table. Then, he slowly helped her up, as if he was afraid to hurt her, whispering, "Are you feeling okay?"
Thea stared at him like a lifeless doll.Ryder frowned and wondered whether she had become dumb, when the woman suddenly reached for his face. His skin felt smooth and cold. His features right in front of her eyes. He was real, and so close to her...
It was not a dream. It was really Ryder ! Who saved her..
"Drink some water!" Ryder sat next to her, not taking any argument.
She drank some of the lukewarm water but felt even more shocked. Her heart was incredibly sore. Tears fell like rain.
Ryder took the glass in her hand away and held her in his arms. As she leaned against him.She couldn’t help bursting into tears, her shoulders shivering,"I was so scared..."
Ryder slowly patted her on the back, his heart a mess. "Don’t cry."
She could not stop her tears but stopped sobbing. She looked up at his flawless face.
Ryder looked down at her, his voice deep. "If you cry, you would not look pretty. Look at your eyes."
"You said I’m pretty?" Thea was dazed and muttered.Seeing that she had stopped crying, Ryder was relieved and nodded. "That’s right."
"The men who tried to harm you are captured." Ryder continued, his voice reassuring as he patted her back.
Her eyes welled up with tears again, but this time, they were tears of gratitude. "Grandma.... Ryder, can I have my phone? I need to call her, she would be worrying about me."
Ryder’s expression softened, and he replied, "I’ve already told her you’re with me. Tomorrow, I’ll inform her about the incident."
"Ryder, thank you for saving me."
Ryder’s eyes locked onto hers, and he smiled slightly, "You’re safe now."
Thea pinched herself hard, trying to shake off the feeling of disbelief. It wasn’t a dream, was it? She was really here, with Ryder, safe and sound. Her heart trembled, and her breath became more rapid as she struggled to process her emotions.
"Get some rest.." Ryder whispered, carefully tucking the blankets around Thea.
"Will you stay?" Thea asked, her voice laced with a hint of vulnerability.
Ryder’s expression softened. "I’ll stay right here with you..Just close your eyes and sleep."
Thea’s eyelids fluttered shut, and she felt herself drifting off, the medication taking effect.
When Thea finally awakened, she opened her eyes to find Ryder still sitting beside her, his eyes watching over her.
Overwhelmed, she moved her hand up and hugged Ryder back, holding him tightly. Ryder let her be, his arms still wrapped around her.
Just then, a sudden noise made her freeze and push Ryder away. She turned her head to see Elizabeth standing at the door with a smile.
"Ahem!" Elizabeth said, her voice teasing.
Her face flushed with embarrassment as she blamed Ryder with her eyes. "Thea is still quite weak!" Elizabeth chided, though Thea knew she was just joking.
She couldn’t help but blush and look at Ryder, who was as calm as always. But then, he suddenly stood up, revealing a dried blood stain on his shirt. Thea’s eyes widened in surprise.
"I’m off to work.." Ryder said, his expression serious. "Mother, take care of her."Elizabeth smiled and nodded. "Go, I will take care of her."
Elizabeth came to sit beside her, her eyes filled with warmth. "Ryder told me everything... I’m happy that you’re safe, my child."
She took out the soup she had brought and glanced at Thea, a hint of teasing in her voice. "Isn’t my son good enough?"
Thea smiled happily and replied, "Hmm..he is .."
She turned her head and looked at the soup in Elizabeth’s hands, exclaiming, "Smells so good!" Her nose twitched as she recognized the aroma.
She could immediately tell that Elizabeth had made it herself. She had had the opportunity to taste it before and was able to recognize it right away.
Elizabeth was overjoyed to hear her comment and said, "I specially made it for you. Try it." She ladled out a spoonful and offered it to Thea, her eyes shining with love and care.
"Thank you, Aunty.." she said before quickly taking a sip of it.
She savored the warm, comforting liquid, and then gave a thumbs-up. "It’s so good!" she exclaimed, her face filled with delight.
Elizabeth smiled, pleased that she was enjoying her soup. "Quickly finish it," she suggested, her voice filled with maternal concern. "You’re weak and need to replenish your body."
Thea nodded, taking another sip of the nourishing soup. She felt grateful for Elizabeth’s care and Ryder’s protection, and her heart swelled with affection for the mother-son duo.
"Your grandma called me earlier. I’ve informed her... She will shortly come to visit you." Elizabeth said with a warm smile.
"Aunty, can I go home today?" Thea asked, her eyes sparkling with hope.
"Don’t you want to stay in the hospital?"
Thea shook her head, and Elizabeth chuckled, understanding the kid’s desire to go home.
"You have to stay for a week here, dear." Elizabeth said, her tone firm but gentle.
"A week?" Thea’s eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes..." Elizabeth started to say, but then burst into laughter. "Did you believe it?" she asked.
