Late at night, Novaris Pharmaceutical’s building was completely dark, saved for the ground floor where three security were on guard and a lit room on the highest floor. He had ensured that the room upstairs belonged to Jared, who worked overtime as the CEO.
Ryan had descended to the first floor of the TeaTop building, ordering pizza and a coffee on the go. He didn’t eat dinner, but it wasn’t for him either.‘Night Cloak.’[Night Cloak Lvl 1 activated.][Time Left: 59 minutes.]As the fast food restaurant was already empty of customers, most of the employees moved to clean the kitchen while a cleaning staff mopped the dining area.With Night Cloak activated, Ryan slipped behind the counter and grabbed a worn, uniformed polo shirt and a red cap with the restaurant’s logo at the front. He put on the stolen items, grimacing at the body odor.As his preparation was done, Ryan walked to the building next to his. He wasGetting out of Jared's office was easier than getting in.As Ryan past the security guards, he waved politely and thanked them. They didn't suspect a single thing. He just hoped that Jared doesn't look into the trash can in his private office because he dumped the box of pizza and an empty cup there.Back in the TeaTop building, Ryan browsed his phone for the stolen files, photos, and screenshots of Jared's suspicious chat with the mysterious contact named 'Uncle Frey.' It was a tedious work, but he had no one else to get it done.He fell asleep early morning, staring at the locked file with half-lidded eyes. 'I'll read it tomorrow when I can use Unlock again.'With that in mind, Ryan lay on the previous director's couch and let the dream pull him down.He was woken up by a continuous ringing from his phone. Violet's name is displayed on the screen, urging him to pick up the call. "Yeah?"Violet ranted in his ear, asking him where the hell h
It was a one-sided fight, exactly like what happened three nights ago in Exhibit X’s ring.The only difference was that Ryan was the one who gave his opponent punches upon punches until his knuckles hurt. If he peeled the black gloves away, he would find red blisters on his skin. He also suffered a few punches and kicks, but he was fine, considering what he had been through.But, damn.It felt good.It felt really, really good knowing Jared’s face was black and blue, swollen like a puffy fish with blood here and there. He never knew this feeling, rushing through his body like a remedy. His nerves burned with excitement.Ryan cackled darkly.“Ah… who knows I’ll be this happy,” he grinned, showing rows of white teeth to the panting man in front of him. “Now, I know why you like to hit people just because you feel like it. You and Violet, both. Although, I thought Violet only did that if she wanted som
Violet woke to her phone ringing continuously. She groaned and rolled on her side, trying to reach the source of the disturbing sound. "Wha's this…" Jared's assistant. She rubbed her eyes, trying to banish the sleepiness away. "Yeah?" 'I apologize for disturbing you this early morning, Miss Crowne,' the assistant's voice traveled through the speaker, thick with worry, 'I call from the hospital. Mr. Crowne just got admitted here last night.' "What?!" Violet's heart skipped a beat. She got up from her bed, almost stumbling because of the blanket around her legs. "What do you mean he's in hospital? What happened to him? How is my brother?" The assistant reported, 'He called me last night but didn't say anything. Then I tracked his location and found him in a deserted town out of London. I don't know what happened, but he was unconscious with several injuries. It's like he was fighting and lost. He is being treated by the doctors right now.'
Knock! Knock! Knock! A blonde woman stood before the tall locked door, angry red crossed her face. No answer from the person inside. Knock! Knock! Knock! She tapped her foot against the hard marble, grumbling to herself and hoping the door would open soon. The reporters were waiting by the street, abiding by the law of not entering private property. Still, there was no answer given. The door was silent, tall, and unrelentingly locked in place, forbidding her from turning the handle even just for an inch. Bam! Bam! Bam! She was losing her patience, so he better not test it. She could break the door with a kick if she wanted. Really, really wanted it, for sure. This time, though, the door opened from inside, showing her that disgusting face of Ryan Wilder – her very own disgraceful husband. “Violet,” he said calmly, contrasting wildly against her furious one.
When Violet and her parents finally arrived at the hospital, Jared just got settled in the VIP hospital room. His assistant was busy with the administration, so only four of them were there. “Oh, my poor boy,” Marissa was close to tears. She tried to hold it back, knowing it’d ruin her mascara and heavily applied makeup. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine, Mom,” Jared said weakly with a white lie. If he was fine, he wouldn’t be attached to cables and small tubes everywhere, looking as pale as death after the doctors dealt with his internal bleeding. Well, he also sported black and blue on his face, bruises Ryan dared to leave behind. “You almost died,” Violet was exaggerating, but it was the first time she saw her older brother this vulnerable. “Why didn’t you call me first?” “I don’t want to make you worry,” he said a little apologetically. “Sorry, you’re supposed to be in Paris now, having brunch with our little brother and comments on the Parisian’s fashion
Under the spray of water, Ryan looked at his hands.They were full of blisters and callouses. Long, boney fingers that grasped at nothing. Yet, it felt heavy. As if he was dragged along an invisible burden by imaginary chains on his wrists.He couldn’t forget.There was blood everywhere.On his hands, on his skin, and the road in front of him. Red liquid haunted his dream – a nightmare.‘You son of a bitch.’Someone said, and Ryan could only close his eyes in fear.There was blood everywhere, and he couldn’t breathe. He could only look down at his tattered shoes, colored brown from overused mud. But he liked it better than red, which reminded him of blood.It came like a geyser. Sprouting from under his skin. The after-effect of the older man’s hit against him.Ryan whimpered, trying helplessly to stop the cry that threatened to burst. He shouldn’t cry. Boys don’t cry.
It was the first time Ryan went to a hospital.He had no illness, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t injured. When he was injured, some unknown doctors would treat him. If not, he had to bear it and get on with his pitiful life.Furthermore, he had no one to visit. Or, to be precise, no one wanted him to visit.He almost went to a hospital when Violet’s grandfather was in his dying days, but his parents-in-law and Violet didn’t want him there. So, yes, it was the first time he ventured inside hospital walls.From some glimpse of the TV show he watched when he could, Ryan knew that hospital VIP rooms were as comfortable. He just didn’t know it could rival a five-star hotel.“Keep your mouth shut.”Standing on the other corner inside the elevator, Violet eyed him with annoyance. Apart from the scowl that made her look older than she was, Violet got a nasty glare every now and then.Ryan sighed. She
The VIP hospital room felt stifling, as if twenty people were there, along with Ryan and the Crowne family. “I guess I have to remind you again,” Ryan said to Jared. His older brother-in-law looked puzzled, “Remind me?” Ryan didn’t bother to hide the sly smirk from them. “If you think you’re above me that you refuse to apologize, then I just have to bring you down.” Before he could leave, a knock resounded from the door. It opened to a couple of police officers, stern-looking but polite enough, in Ryan’s opinion. “Mr. Jared Crowne?” one of the officers said, introducing themselves and then telling what they were doing there. “If you are well enough, we would like to get your statement.” “Statement?” As usual, Marissa was the one who spoke first. “You don’t think my son did some crime, do you? Because I can guarantee that he’s innocent.” Ryan almost scoffs in disbelief at a mother’s blind love for their child. He didn’t understa