| Body |
Chapter 0001
"Where's the patient's husband? Why hasn't he come yet? If he doesn't sign soon, it'll be too late,” a doctor urged.
"The patient's husband refuses to come. He said to let her fend for herself,” a nurse replied.
"Fend for herself..."
When Suzy Frost, battered and barely clinging to life on the operating table, heard those words, something inside her stirred. Summoning the last of her strength, she slowly raised her hand. "Give me my phone..."
Seeing her condition, the nurse quickly handed her the phone.
Enduring excruciating pain, Suzy redialed the number that was almost etched into her brain.
Just as the call was about to disconnect automatically, it finally went through.
"I already told you that her life or death is none of my business!" the man on the other end spoke, his voice full of displeasure and impatience.
"Dylan..."
With every word Suzy spoke, a searing pain shot through her body, "After you took Anne away, the kidnappers detonated the bomb, and I was hurt, badly..."
"Heh..."
Before she could finish, the man on the other end let out a cold, dismissive chuckle. "Suzy, your acting is really improving. That weak little voice almost sounds convincing."
"...I'm not lying to you, I really am hurt."
"Is that so?" His tone grew even more scornful.
"Then I wish you a speedy journey to death!"
"Dylan..."
"Beep beep beep..."
Undeterred, Suzy tried calling again.
"Sorry, the number you have dialed is unavailable.”
The doctor, no longer able to stand by in silence, spoke gently, "Miss Frost, your condition is very serious. If you have any other family members present, they're also authorized to sign on your behalf.”
What other family did she have?
In this world, he was the only one who could sign the consent form.
No matter how much it hurt, Suzy fought back the tears that streamed down her pale cheeks and asked the doctor with a faint smile, "Can I sign for myself?"
"...Yes!"
With her last ounce of strength, Suzy signed the consent form for the surgery.
The operation lasted four hours and was finally over, but her condition worsened two hours post-surgery, and Suzy was moved to the ICU.
For 24 hours, Suzy lay in a coma, unable to open her eyes, but her mind was alert, and she could hear the nurses discussing as they changed her bandages.
"Even if the marriage is struggling, a husband can't just ignore his seriously injured wife! You wouldn't believe it—I called him several more times, but it just kept going to voicemail. Doesn't he care even a little?" lamented the nurse.
"Here's some juicy gossip for you—the CEO of Wright Corporation, Dylan Wright, who's rumored to be disinterested in women and hasn't married even at thirty, actually has a girlfriend, and she's hospitalized right here in our hospital. He’s taking care of her around the clock in the VVIP ward on the top floor."
"It’s strange how different men can be—one boyfriend is incredibly devoted, and another is worse than an animal!"
Little did she know, Dylan was so close, merely an inquiry away from knowing that Suzy hadn't lied to him.
Yet, he refused to waste a moment on her, simply because... she wasn't worth it!
Her eyes, tightly shut, suddenly flew open, startling the nurse who was wiping her face.
"You're awake!"
Once awake, Suzy was immediately given a thorough check-up and, finding no serious injuries, was moved to a regular room.
That night, deep in the silence, despite still being confined to her bed, Suzy removed her oxygen mask and dragged her injured left leg, wounded in the explosion, to the top floor.
Outside the hospital room, through the glass, Suzy watched as Dylan tenderly fed Anne Wheeler fruits by her bedside.
Her fists tightened, but the anguish in her chest, like a swarm of needles pricking at her heart, didn’t ease in the slightest.
Three days ago, Suzy and Anne had been kidnapped together. Knowing how important Anne was to him, and despite their rivalry, Suzy had fiercely protected her.
For two days and nights, Suzy was tortured by the kidnappers, bearing injuries all over her body, while Anne only suffered minor superficial wounds.
Finally, Dylan came...
"I choose to save Anne. As for Suzy, do as you please..."
He was not only unconcerned about Suzy but even suspected that the kidnapping was a drama she had orchestrated herself.
He had never trusted her!
The intimate scene in the hospital room turned Suzy's eyes, once filled with love, utterly cold. "It's time to end this!"
The moment Suzy turned to leave, Dylan felt something stir and whirled around, just as Anne let out a pained cry.
Dylan quickly asked, "What's wrong?"
Anne glanced at the door and then gave Dylan a weak smile. "I accidentally pulled at my wound."
"Do you need a doctor?"
"I'm not that frail," Anne replied teasingly. "But Mr. Dylan, you should head back. You've been with me day and night; Suzy must be upset again..."
She paused, "Mr. Dylan, honestly, Suzy isn't wrong. No matter what our relationship was in the past, you are now her husband. No woman could tolerate her husband being so kind to another woman, so whatever she does is understandable. Don't be angry with her, otherwise, Madam Grace might hear of it..."
Dylan cut her off, "It's getting late, you should sleep."
"Mr. Dylan..."
"Listen to me!"
"Alright then."
As Anne closed her eyes, Dylan glanced once more towards the door.
Was it really...
He remembered the weak voice on the phone that day.
His lips tightened, and he stood up.
Just as he moved, Anne grabbed his hand. "Mr. Dylan, my wound still hurts a bit. Could you blow on it for me?"
A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes before Dylan finally replied in a deep voice, "Alright."
…
Suzy didn't return to her room but left the hospital directly.
A taxi took her back to the villa where she had lived with Dylan for three years. As she walked inside from the front gate, memories of the past three years with Dylan flooded back like a tidal wave.
It had been a blend of sour, bitter, and spicy moments in their life together, but sweetness was conspicuously absent.
Dylan had always believed that Suzy married him as part of a calculated scheme.
In truth, he wasn't entirely wrong; Suzy had indeed manipulated events to marry him, but her motives were never what he assumed—she wasn't after his wealth or status; she was after the man himself.
She had hoped that time would prove her true intentions, but three years had only intensified his disdain for her.
She could never forget his cruel words, "Then I wish you a speedy journey to death!"
"Dylan, you might not realize it, but I've actually been living in desperation all along. These past three years, I tried to climb out, to be normal, to be by your side, but you clearly didn't care. Since that's the case, I'll grant your wish."
Taking what she needed and discarding what she didn't, Suzy left behind only the signed divorce papers and the keys to the villa.
She walked away without a trace of longing, leaving nothing behind.
Chapter 0002
The next morning, after spending yet another night at the hospital because Anne's pain had kept her from letting him leave, Dylan was finally on his way to the office.
As they approached an intersection, he suddenly instructed the driver, "Take me to Bayview Heights."
He had been wearing the same clothes for two days and needed a change.
Otherwise, he wasn’t too keen on returning to that place.
Upon arriving at the villa, instead of the warm welcome he might have expected, he was met with an eerie silence and a chilling sight on the living room table—a divorce agreement!
Dylan’s gaze lingered on the signed divorce papers and the keys resting on top.
With an unreadable expression, he paused for a moment before turning and heading upstairs.
This was his first time entering Suzy's room.
They usually lived separate lives, like oil and water, never mixing.
The room was as clean and orderly as he expected.
Over the past three years, she had personally taken care of his every need.
It was hard to deny that in some ways, she had been a competent wife...
Realizing his thoughts, Dylan’s brows furrowed, and he stepped forward to open her wardrobe. Clothes and jewelry, everything related to the Wright family were still there.
Just as she had written in the divorce papers, she had left without taking anything, leaving with nothing but the clothes on her back.
So, her cries of impending death that day, were they all just an act?
He sneered. “Suzy, I’m curious to see what game you’re playing this time.”
His phone rang.
Pulling it from his pocket and seeing the caller ID, a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes—a feeling he might not have even noticed himself.
“What is it?”
On the other end, his assistant sounded particularly anxious, “Sir, Miss Wheeler has had an accident!”
His brow tightened immediately. “I’m on my way!”
At the hospital, although bodyguards were posted at the entrance and surveillance revealed no suspicious individuals, Anne had somehow been poisoned and was in critical condition.
Anne's primary doctor speculated, “Mr. Wright, it’s highly likely that Miss Wheeler was poisoned before she even arrived at the hospital…”
Anne cut off the doctor before he could finish, "Mr. Dylan, please don't blame Suzy. She was just trying to protect her marriage! If I had listened to her and left you as she suggested, none of this would have happened. So, this is all my own fault..."
"At a time like this, you should be worried about yourself, not that ruthless woman," Dylan replied sharply.
His eyes hardened as he pulled out his phone to call Suzy.
"I'm sorry, the number you have dialed is unavailable..."
The fury in his eyes could have swallowed someone whole.
He coldly ordered his assistant, who was standing by, "Search the entire city for Suzy!"
Meanwhile, at Hillside Villa.
"Ah-choo..."
As soon as Suzy entered, she sneezed, causing Allen Wheeler, who followed her in, to become instantly anxious. "Boss, did you catch a cold?"
Sniffling slightly, Suzy sneezed again. "It's nothing."
"You've sneezed twice; you definitely have a cold!" Allen set down Suzy's luggage and hurried to the kitchen. "I need to make you some ginger tea right away."
Watching Allen’s worried and hurried back, Suzy thought of Dylan’s cold words, "I already told you that her life or death is none of my business!"
People who cared about her would worry over something as small as a sneeze. Those who didn’t wouldn’t have flinched even if they saw her hanging—they’d think she was just swinging.
Three years ago, she had done everything to marry Dylan, to repay a perceived debt, she had toned down her personality, and humbled herself to the dust, working tirelessly.
Thinking back, she realized she must have been out of her mind.
Even if he had saved her three years ago, it was her first time, and he really wasn’t at a loss.
The notion that she owed him anything was utterly absurd.
Pushing down the pain in her heart, Suzy stopped Allen at the kitchen door.
"Forget the ginger tea. However, the Goodwin family in North Avenue could use your help as a facilitator."
"The Goodwin family?"
Suzy’s eyes narrowed slightly. "The murderer who murdered my parents, and my own attacker three years ago, might both be connected to the Goodwin family."
Upon hearing this, Allen’s eyebrows furrowed deeply.
"The Goodwins are influential in politics, and it seems the player behind the scenes is bigger than we imagined. Martin Goodwin, the head of the Goodwin family, has been ill lately, searching for a renowned doctor. I’ll pass on the news that you are the miracle doctor to them soon."
Ten minutes later, Allen told Suzy, "Boss, the Goodwin family needs you urgently; they want you to come as soon as possible, but your injuries..."
In fact, the moment Allen saw Suzy, he wanted to ask about her injuries and where she had been these past three years.
Since she was alive, why hadn’t she contacted them?
But she never mentioned it, and knowing her temperament, he didn’t dare pry.
Suzy knew Allen was worried about her, but she didn’t want to bring up anything related to Dylan with anyone.
It was all over, and she would never contact him in the future; there was simply no need to let them know.
Yet, saying nothing would certainly not ease his concerns.
After a moment, she explained to Allen, "I took care of a dog for three years, but it never grew tame; it bit me instead."
Allen’s anger flared immediately. "Where is that beast? I'll knock his teeth out."
No one could harm his boss and get away with it!
"He’s dead!"
Dead in her heart.
"Tell the Goodwin family that I’ll be there two days from now, four in the afternoon!"
Two days passed in a blink.
At Wright Corporation, in the CEO's office.
Dylan looked up as his assistant, Desmond Hill, entered.
"Didn’t find her?"
“There isn’t a doctor who knows how to treat the poisoning,” Desmond said hesitantly, then added, “As for Mrs. Wright, she’s an orphan with no family. Everything she’s done over the past three years has been connected to you, and nothing suspicious has come up… so we haven’t been able to locate her either.”
"It had been two days..."
Was she intentionally hiding, or could she have...
Realizing he was actually worried about her, Dylan's brows knitted together. "Intensify the search!"
"Yes!"
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, Dylan gazed into the distance, his eyes flickering with a complexity even he hadn’t noticed. "Suzy, you better pray you can hide forever.”
"Sir..."
Desmond, who had left just a minute earlier, hurried back in without even knocking, breathless with urgency. "Look at this!"
Dylan, thinking there might be news of Suzy, took the phone and saw...
"Red Falcon?"
"A miracle doctor in the alternative medicine world!" Desmond exclaimed, excitedly.
"She’s renowned for curing all kinds of poisons and diseases. People call her 'The Healer of Legends,' known for treating even the most severe injuries. She disappeared three years ago, and everyone thought she was gone for good, but now she’s reappeared.
“I've just received reliable information that today at four in the afternoon, she'll be visiting the Goodwin family in North Avenue to treat Mr. Martin. Sir, perhaps Miss Wheeler could try her treatment?"
"The Goodwin family at North Avenue.."
The fact that the Goodwins had called upon her was proof enough of her skill.
"Go invite her!"
After a pause, Dylan stopped Desmond at the door. "I'll go myself."
Chapter 0003
North Avenue was an hour and a half drive from South Avenue.
Suzy arrived at the Goodwin family’s estate as promised in disguise.
Using the pretense of treating an illness, she took the opportunity to hypnotize Martin. Unfortunately, she didn’t manage to extract any useful information.
As she left, deep in thought, a sudden pain shot through her forehead as she bumped into someone...
“Sorry…”
The apology got stuck in her throat the moment she recognized the face.
Dylan?
What was he doing here?
It was truly a case of enemies crossing paths in the most unexpected of places!
In less than two seconds, Suzy tore her gaze away and walked off, her expression completely indifferent.
Dylan stood there, confused.
She was about to apologize to him, so why did her attitude change the moment she saw him?
Especially how she suddenly looked at him—it was as if they were mortal enemies.
Dylan turned, watching the direction she went, his eyes narrowing.
That figure looked just like Suzy…
“Mr. Wright, we’re so honored by your presence. I’m sorry for not greeting you properly…”
The voice of the Goodwin family’s butler snapped Dylan out of his thoughts.
By the time he glanced back, the woman had disappeared.
Following the butler to see Martin, Dylan found the old man looking healthy, his complexion rosy, as if fully recovered from his illness.
Dylan wasted no time and stated his reason for coming.
But the reply was unexpected: the miracle doctor had just left, barely moments ago.
Dylan was speechless.
The woman he had run into earlier, the one with freckles all over her face—was she the miracle doctor?
Knowing it was already too late to chase after her, Dylan quickly bid farewell to Martin.
To his surprise, the woman hadn’t left yet.
Seeing her car just start to pull away, Dylan hurried over, “Wait a sec—"
But his words were drowned out by the roar of the engine.
Now he was almost certain—this woman had something against him.
He quickly got into his car and chased after her.
As soon as Suzy saw the black luxurious car speeding after her in the rearview mirror, her brow furrowed.
Did he recognize her?
She wasn’t bragging, but her disguise was so flawless that not even her parents, if they were alive, would be able to recognize her.
And Dylan?
After three years of marriage, he had barely ever looked at her properly.
So why was he chasing her so relentlessly?
Just because she hadn’t apologized earlier?
With a cold smirk tugging at her lips, Suzy floored the gas pedal. "You owe me a lot more than I owe you!"
The red car shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
"Interesting."
Dylan’s eyes narrowed as he accelerated.
The red car and the black one sped through the winding mountain roads, like two fierce predators locked in a relentless chase.
At first, Dylan was confident in his driving skills—he was a man, after all.
How could he not catch up to a woman?
But in the final stretch, the woman suddenly did a sharp U-turn and drove straight toward him.
He quickly jerked the steering wheel to the right, barely avoiding a collision.
However, the speed was too fast, and his car skidded into the mountainside.
Though he wasn’t hurt, his car stalled out.
Through the windshield, his eyes met hers.
She flashed him a playful smile, then gave him a thumbs-down, taunting him with a level of arrogance that sent his blood boiling.
Moments later, she reversed her car with impressive speed, leaving him in the dust.
"Red Falcon…"
She wasn’t just a miracle doctor; she was also an ace racer.
Although she wasn’t good-looking, her talents were undeniable.
But why did she harbor such animosity toward him?
Back at the office, the first thing Dylan did was instruct Desmond, "Dig into everything you can find on Red Falcon—leave no detail out."
He had to find out what he’d done to make her so mad at him.
Half an hour later, Desmond returned with a defeated expression.
"Sir, all the information on Red Falcon is locked behind a heavily encrypted firewall. We’ve switched through several tech experts, but none of them have been able to break in."
"...Send me the link."
…
"Boss, someone’s digging into your files!"
Allen handed his laptop to Suzy, who was lounging on the couch watching a show.
"It started about half an hour ago. They’ve cycled through a few people, and the latest one is pretty skilled. I’m having a hard time keeping them at bay."
"Is that so?" Suzy's eyes narrowed, and she sat up. "Let me handle this."
Her fingers flew across the keyboard, lines of code flashing rapidly on the screen.
Within minutes, she closed the laptop and tossed it back onto the couch, stretching lazily. "Let’s go grab something to eat."
Meanwhile, back at his desk, Dylan stared at the screen in disbelief as the code on his computer spelled out one word— LOSER!
He nearly smashed the computer in frustration.
Watching the taunting word flash on the screen and feeling the stormy tension building around Dylan, Desmond didn’t dare breathe too loudly.
Their boss’ hacking skills were top-tier, not just in South Avenue but globally, so how could this happen?
Noticing Dylan’s darkening expression, Desmond hesitated for a moment before offering a timid suggestion. "Sir, they probably don’t know it’s you, so I’m sure they didn’t mean it personally..."
"Get out!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Wait." Dylan stopped Desmond as he was about to leave. "Use the contact information the Goodwins provided. Offer her ten million for the treatment."
The main goal was to get her to cure Anne’s poisoning—everything else was secondary.
A shadow flickered in Dylan’s eyes as he quickly formulated his next move.
…
Just as the food was being placed on the table, Allen’s phone rang.
It was from an unfamiliar number.
He glanced across the table at Suzy, who nodded, signaling him to answer.
He pressed the speakerphone button as he picked up.
"Is this the miracle doctor, Red Falcon?"
It was Desmond!
Suzy’s hand froze mid-motion as she was about to pick up her fork.
Was Dylan really that determined to get an apology from her?
Naturally, Dylan, who had never tasted defeat, couldn’t swallow his pride after being repeatedly taunted by her. Not wanting to get further entangled with him, Suzy motioned for Allen to hang up.
"I’m sorry, you’ve got the wrong person."
Just as Allen was about to end the call, Desmond quickly interjected, "Wait, please! I have a patient who desperately needs the miracle doctor’s help. We’re willing to offer ten million as payment for the treatment!"
Suzy paused, her expression unreadable.
So that was the real reason behind Dylan’s relentless pursuit?
Their encounter at the Goodwin family estate hadn’t been a coincidence after all?
For Dylan to personally reach out and offer such a high fee...
Concerned that it might involve Grace Lawson, Dylan’s grandmother, who had always been kind to her, Suzy used lip movements to instruct Allen to ask for more details.
Allen asked, "Can you provide some basic information about the patient? You can send it to my phone."
Hearing some progress, Desmond eagerly replied, "Of course, I’ll send it right away."
As soon as the call ended, Desmond sent over all the relevant details. The moment Suzy saw that the patient was Anne, she casually tossed the phone back to Allen.
"Tell them I don’t treat for money. I believe in destiny, and this patient is not fated to meet me.”
Allen blinked in confusion and thought, "Since when do you have such rules?"
Though Allen sensed something off about Suzy’s expression, he didn’t ask any questions.
Instead, he simply relayed her message to Desmond.
Upon receiving the response, Desmond immediately reported Suzy’s message to Dylan.
Dylan’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Add another ten million!"
He couldn't believe she'd turn down that much money.
Suzy sneered. "Twenty million?"
A twisted urge suddenly gripped her—she wanted to test just how much Dylan truly valued Anne.
Her eyes narrowed slyly. "Tell them I’ll make a house call for two hundred million. Not a penny less."
Chapter 0004
"Two hundred million?"
Dylan barely hesitated. "Deal!"
Three years ago, after being drugged during an ambush, a girl saved his life despite being seriously injured herself.
After a night together, the girl disappeared by morning.
It had been too dark that night to see her face clearly, but he vaguely remembered a faint, distinctive scent on her, like some kind of herbal remedy.
After investigating, he traced it back to the Wheeler family.
Anne had been frail and sickly since childhood and had relied on natural remedies for years.
According to her, on the day he was attacked, she was kidnapped and managed to escape. Along the way, she encountered him.
Ignoring her own safety, she dragged her wounded body and gave herself to him to save his life.
At the time, she was only eighteen.
Anne saved his life, and he promised her marriage. Even though his grandmother, Grace, disapproved, he vowed never to marry anyone else.
Yet out of nowhere, Suzy showed up.
She orchestrated a heroic act, earning Grace’s favor, and step by step, manipulated Grace into forcing him to marry her.
With her goal achieved, Suzy saw Anne as a thorn in her side, constantly picking fights.
Lately, things had escalated — first, a kidnapping, and now poisoning...
Two hundred million, or even more — as long as someone was willing to help save Anne, he’d pay any price.
He owed Anne too much.
…
Meanwhile, Allen immediately informed Suzy after receiving a response. "Boss, they've agreed."
He agreed…
It was impossible not to feel something.
After all, she had loved Dylan for so many years.
She couldn’t help but wonder, if it were her who was poisoned, would he do the same?
No, he wouldn’t!
He’d wish for her death as soon as possible. That way, no one would stand in the way of him and Anne ever again.
Suzy clenched her fists, suppressing the aching pain in her heart. "Deal!"
It was two hundred million — since he was foolish and rich, why shouldn’t she take advantage of it?
But...
Who exactly poisoned Anne?
What was the motive?
And as for the previous kidnapping, after investigating all this while, there was still no answer.
There must be a connection somewhere.
It seemed a visit to the hospital tonight was necessary, to first determine the exact poison in Anne's system before following the clues.
That night, when all was quiet, Suzy, dressed in a nurse uniform prepared by Allen, sneaked into Anne’s hospital room.
The girl on the bed had a ghostly pale face and weak breathing.
Dylan would probably be heartbroken seeing her like this.
It was said that Anne had once saved Dylan, which was why he held her dear.
In fact, they were quite similar; Suzy also fell in love with Dylan on the night he saved her.
A self-mocking smile curled her lips.
Suzy had schemed to marry him, thinking he was single.
After all, rumors had it that he was indifferent to women and devoted only to his work, to the extent that his grandmother who raised him suspected he was gay!
It was only after marriage that Suzy found out he had a girl he liked; it was just that Grace did not approve of Anne, so she never mentioned Anne in front of Suzy.
Three years ago, while Suzy thought she was using Grace, wasn’t Grace actually using her too?
Remembering that shrewd old lady, Suzy chuckled softly. "Age certainly does sharpen the wit!"
Not wanting to waste more time, Suzy reached out to check Anne’s condition.
Her brows furrowed instantly; her condition appeared to be…
Indeed it was!
Her expression suddenly changed.
Suzy pulled out a syringe from her pocket, aimed the needle at a vein in Anne's left arm, and was about to insert it when her hand was suddenly grabbed.
Using all her strength, Anne clutched the intruder's wrist. "Who sent you?"
The medical staff in and out of this hospital room were carefully selected, and Anne knew each one well. The moment she saw the person in front of her, she knew something was off.
Unimpressed by Anne’s awakening, Suzy shook off her hand and continued her previous action.
As the sharp needle tip was about to pierce into her arm, Anne suddenly pushed Suzy and quickly sat up from the bed, reaching for the call button by the bedside.
However, before she could touch it, her arm was pinned against the wall.
Though most of the intruder's face was hidden by a mask, the chilling glare from her eyes was like a sword laced with murderous intent.
Anne became even more panicked. “I am Dylan’s most beloved woman. If you dare hurt me, he will never forgive you…”
“Slap!”
After slapping Anne, Suzy grabbed her chin. "If you don’t want to die, keep quiet!"
Her face stung from the slap, and her jaw felt like it was about to be crushed.
However, from the intruder's words, it seemed she wasn’t here to murder her.
Anne’s fear slightly subsided, and she stopped struggling.
Seeing her finally quiet down, Suzy released her chin.
After drawing the blood with the needle and finishing her task, Suzy removed the needle and left, not caring about the still bleeding puncture site.
Having suffered such a grievance, Anne was not about to let it go.
She quickly pressed the call button, “Someone is trying to murder…”
Before she could finish, her throat was grabbed.
The woman's speed was alarmingly fast, shocking Anne.
“I didn’t want to murder you…” Suzy’s fingers tightened inch by inch around her neck. “But since you seem tired of living, I’ll grant your wish!”
This wasn’t just a threat; Suzy genuinely intended to murder Anne.
Indeed, Anne was no saint; she was quite skilled in manipulating situations.
Over the past three years, she had framed others multiple times.
Suzy had been patient only because Anne was Dylan’s favorite.
Now...
She didn’t care about who he loved.
Furthermore, Anne owed Suzy that much.
If it hadn’t been for her protection, Anne wouldn’t have survived long enough for Dylan to rescue her from the kidnappers.
Seeing Anne's face turn red with difficulty breathing and veins popping on her forehead, the murderous intent in Suzy's eyes deepened.
Just a bit more pressure and Anne’s life would be over!
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached.
They were distant, inaudible to most, but Suzy, with her exceptional hearing, could hear them clearly.
It was Dylan!
She felt a bit disgusted by how familiar she was with his steps.
As the footsteps grew closer, Suzy’s gaze hardened, and with a swift motion, she knocked Anne unconscious with a sharp blow to the neck.
After all, Anne was worth two hundred million—there was no reason to turn down that kind of money.
Shifting her gaze slightly, Suzy quickly opened the door to the balcony and then slipped into the bathroom.
The next second, the door was pushed open.
Dylan entered, his eyes falling on the open sliding door to the balcony.
His brows furrowed as he instructed Desmond, who followed behind him.
"Close the door..."
His words were cut off by a startled cry.
"Ah..."
Anne, who had thought she was doomed, suddenly opened her eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling, gasping for air in terror.
"Did I wake you? I've been too busy these last few days to visit. How are you feeling?" Dylan walked to the bedside, noticing her distressed expression. "Did you have a nightmare?"
Turning and seeing Dylan, Anne immediately threw herself into his arms, showing him the marks on her neck and the needle mark on her arm, "Mr. Dylan, just now, a woman disguised as a nurse drew my blood and then tried to strangle me."
Chapter 0005
Dylan’s eyes shifted back to the balcony, giving Desmond a subtle look.
Desmond searched the area and reported, “Sir, there’s no one here.”
“Call the doctor.” Dylan’s gaze turned cold. "And tell the hospital to lock down all exits. Not a soul steps foot inside or out without my explicit authorization."
“Yes, sir!”
After the doctor’s examination confirmed that only blood had been drawn and nothing else had been done to her, Anne finally let out a sigh of relief.
The attacker’s identity was still a mystery, and with her current vulnerable condition, it was hard not to feel afraid. But what puzzled her was why someone would go through so much effort just to draw her blood.
However...
With a shift in her gaze, Anne’s eyes welled up with tears. "Mr. Dylan, there’s something I’ve hesitated to say, but she’s really gone too far this time."
It was a perfect opportunity to throw dirt on Suzy’s name, and Anne couldn’t let it slip by.
Gripping his hand, her tears flowed even harder. "I’m already half-dead from the poison—why won’t she leave me alone? Does she think I’m not dying fast enough, so she sends someone in the middle of the night to drain my blood?"
Dylan's expression darkened, but he didn’t respond directly. He simply said, "We’ve already found someone who can cure you with an antidote.”
Anne’s eyes flashed briefly with surprise, though she quickly masked it. "But... I was told that this poison has no cure.”
“There’s always someone better who can treat you. We’ve arranged everything with a miracle doctor named Red Falcon, who will help detoxify you. You’ll be cured soon.”
“Red Falcon?” Anne questioned, trying to hide her unease. “Is she really that skilled?”
“Yes, Mr. Martin from the North Avenue had a terminal illness, and thanks to her treatment, he made a full recovery.”
Dylan’s voice softened. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything.”
For Anne, it was always “I’ll handle everything…”
For Suzy, it was always “This doesn’t concern me…”
Listening from her hiding spot in the bathroom, Suzy had convinced herself she'd be numb to Dylan's tenderness toward Anne. Yet, as his gentle tone drifted through the door, she felt an unexpected pang.
Despite everything, it still stung.
Tired of eavesdropping, Suzy silently opened the window and leaped out.
Like a bat in the night, she vanished without a trace—so swiftly, no one would ever know.
At the hospital entrance.
Growing anxious from waiting, Allen was just about to go in and help when he finally spotted Suzy emerging.
He hurried out of the car and rushed over, giving her a quick once-over. “Boss, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Suzy kept walking without stopping. “Stop worrying about nothing.”
However, Allen sensed something was off.
Logically, with the kind of influence Suzy had, Allen knew he shouldn’t be worried. But the ambush three years ago had left him deeply scarred.
He could never forget the moment he saw her fall off that cliff with his own eyes.
For three years, Allen had hated himself for not protecting Suzy, failing in his duty as her subordinate.
So, when Suzy called to inform him she was still alive, Allen swore that, this time, he would give up his life if necessary to keep her from getting hurt again.
He wanted to handle this mission for her, but she wouldn’t allow it.
From the rearview mirror, Allen glanced at Suzy, who had been silent since getting into the car. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something complicated between her and Anne.
Allen realized he needed to find someone to discreetly investigate the matter.
His gaze hadn’t fully returned to the road when Suzy caught him staring.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Boss, did you find out what kind of poison it was?”
Suzy paused briefly. “It’s Scarlet Veil.”
“Screech…”
The brakes squealed as Allen slammed on them in shock. “Scarlet Veil? But that was your masterpiece! Didn’t you destroy it along with the formula three years ago?”
“There’s one last dose… with the Harlow family.”
“Claude Harlow?” Allen’s eyes widened. “What kind of grudge could he possibly have against a young girl to go this far? Everyone knows that poison starts off mild, but once it hits again… she’ll be no better than a dog in heat…”
Suzy had created the sinister poison to deal with a monster in the past.
Even she was confused.
The Harlows and Wrights had no bad blood between them.
In fact, the Harlows even had business dealings with the Wheeler family.
If Claude was behind the poisoning, she’d rule him out as a suspect in the earlier kidnapping.
That much was certain.
There was no way Claude would have, or could have, let Suzy come so close to dying in that explosion.
No matter who it was, she was determined to find them.
It wasn’t about proving her innocence to Dylan.
She simply wouldn’t swallow that humiliation!
Whether it was the kidnapping, the ambush from three years ago, or the one responsible for murdering her family—she wasn’t going to let any of them off the hook.
Her eyes burned with hatred when Allen suddenly handed her the phone. "Boss, Dylan sent a message. He wants to arrange the treatment as soon as possible."
Thinking of that deceitful man and his tenderness, she said, "Tell him the deal’s off."
Earning two hundred million was tempting, but what intrigued her more was seeing what would happen to Anne after the second wave of poisoning hit her.
…
In the corridor outside Anne's hospital room.
Though Dylan’s face remained expressionless, his eyes were as cold as ice. "What did you just say? Repeat it."
Desmond, bracing himself, repeated, "Red Falcon said the deal is off."
He regretted it now.
He never should have mentioned Red Falcon to Dylan that day.
This Red Falcon—first she demanded an outrageous sum, and now she was backing out.
Didn’t she know just how bad Dylan’s temper was?
Suppressing his rage, Dylan growled. "Give me the phone."
Desmond quickly handed it over.
Dylan dialed the number. It rang but went unanswered.
Once, twice, and again, until his patience wore thin.
Finally, a soft voice came through, "Sorry, I was busy."
Desmond quickly wiped the sweat that had started to drip down his forehead.
Thank goodness the call got answered—otherwise, his phone would’ve met a tragic end.
The phone itself wasn’t worth much, but the data stored inside was priceless to him.
“I’m looking for Red Falcon,” Dylan said bluntly.
“She’s not available. If there’s something you need, you can tell me, and I’ll pass it along.”
Dylan’s eyes narrowed. “The price was already agreed upon. Why cancel now?”
“Please, Mr. Wright, stay calm. It’s true that canceling the arrangement on our side is a bit abrupt, and we apologize. But we have our reasons. Do you think we’d walk away from two hundred million so easily if we didn’t have a reason to?”
“What’s the reason?”
“That’s not something we can share with you, Mr. Wright. I suggest you find someone else quickly before Miss Anne misses the best window for treatment.”
Without waiting for a response, Allen hung up the phone.
The next second…
Smash!
Desmond watched in despair as yet another phone met its fate.
His heart shattered even more than the phone.
“Find her!” Dylan ordered, his voice cold.
He was determined to see what kind of game she was playing now.
Desmond wanted to say, “Easier said than done.”
Not just Red Falcon, but also Suzy, who had been missing without a trace for so long.
Why did it seem like every woman around him enjoyed playing hide and seek?
Inside the hospital room, Anne had been listening to the commotion outside. Once she heard Dylan and Desmond leave, she quickly locked the door and pulled out another phone hidden under her pillow.
“Dylan found someone to help me get an antidote, but I overheard that they backed out.”
Anne sneered. “He keeps saying how great this Red Falcon is, but it seems she’s all talk. She must’ve realized she couldn’t actually cure me, so she ran at the last minute.”
“If she created the poison, she definitely knows how to cure it.”
“So, you know her? If she made the poison, why would she suddenly refuse to help? I overheard Dylan offering two hundred million for her treatment!”
Since Dylan was willing to spend that much money on her, Anne could tell just how important she was to Dylan.
The truth didn’t matter.
Once she solidified her place as Dylan’s wife, even if he discovered she wasn't his true savior, his feelings for her would shield her from consequences.
There was a long pause on the other end of the line before the person finally responded, “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted? You’ll soon face the second wave of the poison. I hope all your wishes come true.”
“Thanks for the good wishes. Once I’ve secured Dylan, there’ll be plenty of rewards for you.”
…
The quickest way to find out if Claude was behind the poisoning was to ask him directly.
Even though it seemed unlikely, Suzy decided she needed to meet with him.
After all, they hadn’t seen each other in three years.
So, the first thing she did upon returning to Hillside Villa was to ask Allen to look into Claude’s whereabouts.
Before she could finish eating an apple, Allen had the information ready.
“Claude’s on a business trip to Montara.”
“Book a flight.”
The next morning, Suzy boarded a plane bound for Montara.
Allen wanted to accompany Suzy, but she refused, assigning him other tasks to handle.
It had been three years since she’d been on a plane, and as she gazed at the clouds outside the window, Suzy felt a sense of freedom, like a bird returning to the sky.
For those three years, her life had revolved entirely around Dylan.
In her attempt to be the perfect wife, she barely left the house and spent her days thinking about how to take better care of him.
Every morning at five, she got up to make him breakfast.
She hand-washed all his clothes, even his socks and underwear.
While he was at work, she counted the minutes, waiting like a lovesick fool for his return.
Looking back now, she couldn’t believe she had lived like that for three years.
What on earth had she been thinking?
After landing, she went straight to Claude’s hotel, only to be told, “Mr. Claude checked out early this morning.”
Suzy was speechless.
She had planned on surprising him.
Oh well, since she was already here, she might as well treat it like a vacation.
Suzy spent the day shopping, buying plenty of things before catching her flight back home.
She had to admit that being single has its perks!
The farther away men were, the better.
At the airport, Suzy spotted Allen waiting from a distance.
“Over here…”
Her smile froze instantly.
Dylan?
Surrounded by a crowd, Dylan was heading straight in her direction.
Suzy quickly turned her back and thought, “Another unlucky day.”
It wasn’t that she feared him; she just didn’t want to see him.
And she was pretty sure he didn’t want to see her either.
To avoid mutual disdain, Suzy slipped into the restroom.
Dylan scanned the area, but there was no sign of Suzy. “Are you sure she was on this flight?”
Desmond, sweating profusely, stammered, “I’ve double-checked several times. Mrs. Wright was definitely on this flight from Montara.”
Desmond could hardly contain his excitement when he first got the news.
Suzy’s disappearance, Red Falcon’s cancellation, and the woman who had infiltrated Anne’s hospital room only to escape under full lockdown—those three women had pushed Dylan to the brink of an explosion.
Thank goodness there was finally news about Suzy.
Otherwise, if Dylan exploded, Desmond would be the first casualty.
Wiping sweat from his forehead, Desmond said, "I’ve got people stationed at every exit. We should be able to find her soon."
Half an hour later...
Dylan’s voice turned icy. “Where is she?”
Desmond wished he could cut out his own tongue.
Sometimes, it was best not to speak too soon!
He couldn’t understand how Suzy, an ordinary person, was so good at slipping away.
“Desmond, your performance is really slipping. If this keeps up, I think it might be time to send you to South Allica for some additional training,” Dylan said coldly before walking off.
It had been half an hour, and Suzy had probably already made her escape.
The fact that she could disappear under these circumstances made it clear that he had seriously underestimated her abilities.
Outside the airport, a line of sleek black cars was parked, with the leading one looking particularly impressive.
Desmond jogged ahead, opening the door for Dylan, who was just about to step into the car when, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted something…
In an instant, Dylan turned, took several swift strides, and grabbed the shoulder of a woman standing nearby.
hapter 0006
When Dylan spun the woman around to face him, his expression darkened instantly, like a shadow passing over his features.
From behind, she had looked strikingly similar to Suzy, but her front was a different story. Her appearance was plain, a far cry from Suzy’s striking beauty.
The fact that he’d even momentarily considered Suzy attractive only made Dylan's scowl deepen.
"Hey, handsome, your approach is pretty unique. I like it," the woman said with a playful smile, leaning toward him. "I live close by. How about we..."
"I’ve got the wrong person," Dylan cut her off.
As he stepped back, the woman nearly stumbled but wasn’t discouraged. She moved closer again. "Don’t be shy. We’re both adults here. What’s there to hold back?"
With a sharp glare, Dylan signaled to Desmond, who quickly stepped in to handle the situation.
Once the two of them had driven off, Suzy slipped into Allen’s car, slowly peeling off the human-skin mask from her face.
She had thought their encounter was a coincidence, but it turned out Dylan had deliberately come looking for her.
But why? After all the commotion, what was he trying to achieve? She had already stepped aside. What more could he possibly want?
Allen seemed equally puzzled. His curiosity finally got the better of him, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Boss, I just found out... Dylan wasn’t looking for Red Falcon. He’s been trying to find his missing wife…”
"Yeah, that’s me," Suzy said calmly.
There was no point in hiding it anymore.
"...You’re married?" Allen was visibly stunned.
"Was. I got married, then divorced."
"Was it because of Anne?" Allen’s tone was laced with frustration.
The fact that Dylan was willing to spend two hundred million on Anne was a clear sign of their deep connection.
Unable to hold back, Allen muttered a curse under his breath. "Like mother, like daughter. She’s just as rotten as her mom."
Suzy immediately caught the significance of his words. "You and the Wheeler family..."
"I have nothing to do with the Wheelers," Allen said sharply, gripping the steering wheel.
It was a painful chapter of Allen’s life, one he had never shared with Suzy. He had always planned to take his revenge quietly, without burdening her with his past.
After all, Suzy had her own scores to settle.
Anne’s mother, Helena Fox, and his own were cousins.
An unexpected tragedy left her an orphan, and his grandmother, moved by sympathy, took Helena in.
Little did she know, she was nurturing a wolf in sheep’s clothing. On the surface, Helena seemed sweet and caring, but beneath that facade, she was as cold and calculating.
When Allen was eight, he walked in on his father, William Wheeler, having an affair with Helena while his mother was away on a business trip — and in his mother's own bed, no less.
Not long after, they drove his mother to her death and tried to burn him alive.
He suffered severe burns across most of his body.
If it hadn’t been for Suzy saving him while he was trying to escape, he wouldn’t even be alive today.
She nursed him back to health, gave him a new face, and turned him into the person he was now — someone William wouldn’t recognize, even if they stood face to face.
Suzy could tell at a glance that Allen was lying.
Since he didn’t want to delve deeper into the subject, she didn’t push him further.
Everyone has their own secrets.
She shifted the conversation. "Did you take care of what I asked before I left?"
Allen opened the glove compartment and pulled out a blue folder. "The investigation confirms that there’s never been any conflict between the Goodwin family and the Turner family, not now or three years ago. And there's no way the Goodwins could learn about your real identity."
Suzy had once been the heiress of the Frosts, the wealthiest family.
Years ago, a brutal assassination wiped out her entire family in a single night, from relatives to servants—a total of thirty lives, all murdered.
The murderers were beyond cruel.
Everyone believed that no one from the Frost family survived, unaware that someone had risked their life to save Suzy.
For years, she had kept her identity hidden.
Apart from Allen, Raven Murray, and Riley White, no one else knew who she really was.
And none of them would ever betray her.
Suzy opened the folder, flipping through the pages.
She found nothing out of the ordinary; everything seemed in order.
Yet, three years ago, she distinctly remembered the kidnappers mentioning the Goodwin family.
Closing the folder, she tossed it aside casually. "You can dodge the first blow, but not the second."
"Yes, if the Goodwin family is really involved, no matter how powerful they are, they’ll pay the price in full," Allen said before asking, "What about Claude?"
Suzy leaned back in her chair, her eyes half-closed. "He returned early. I didn’t get a chance to see him."
"So, are we heading to the Harlow family next?"
"We’ll see."
After all the running around, Suzy was feeling tired.
She’d head home for some rest first.
Besides, Anne’s second wave of poisoning was set for tonight.
Suzy needed to be well-rested to fully enjoy what was about to unfold.
…
That night, at the hospital.
Anne had been unusually thirsty since dinner. She drank plenty of water, yet the discomfort only worsened.
She knew it was time—the second wave of the poison was hitting.
In a panic, she called Dylan.
"Mr. Dylan, where are you? I feel so awful..." she moaned as soon as the line connected, not waiting for a response.
But it wasn’t Dylan who answered—it was his sister, Diana Wright.
"Feeling awful? Call a doctor. What’s the point of calling my brother?"
Diana had always disliked Anne.
"And this is my final warning. My brother is married. Whether it’s me or my grandmother, we’ve both accepted his wife as family. You’d better stay far away from him."
Anne wasn’t fond of Diana either. "Oh really? You probably don’t know that they’re divorced, do you? And it was Suzy who initiated it."
"You're lying!" Diana snapped, not believing a word. "My sister-in-law loves my brother. There’s no way she would ever ask for a divorce."
"If you don't believe me, go ask your brother. And by the way, your dear sister-in-law has run off with some random guy and hasn’t been seen since!"
"You witch! Say one more bad word about her, and I'll rip your mouth apart..." Diana was in the middle of her furious rant when the phone was snatched away by Dylan.
She looked up. "Brother, that witch Anne just said that your wife wants a divorce!"
Dylan’s face was cold. "Watch your manners."
"My manners? I rather show some manners to a dog than her! Now tell me—is Suzy divorcing you or not?"
"That’s none of your business," he said, his dark eyes narrowing. "What you should be focused on is your exam tomorrow."
With that, he turned to leave.
Diana chased after him. "How can it not concern me? She saved Grandma’s life! If it weren’t for her, we’d both be orphans by now. You can’t be so heartless..."
No matter what she said, Dylan kept walking without a word.
Frustrated, Diana stomped her foot. "I’m calling Grandma!"
Dylan knew Diana would go straight to Grace to complain.
He couldn’t figure out what spell Suzy had cast over both his grandmother and his sister.
They adored her to the point of obsession.
The only reason he hadn’t launched a full search for Suzy was to avoid alarming Grace, who was currently enjoying her vacation overseas. But now it seemed the secret was out.
With that thought, he redialed Anne’s number to find out how she knew about the divorce.
"Mr. Dylan, Mr. Dylan..."
The moment the call connected, Anne’s pained voice came through.
"What’s wrong?" Dylan asked.
"I feel terrible, I really feel like I’m dying. Please come and save me!"
"Don’t panic. I’m on my way."
Chapter 0007
At the hospital.
The moment Dylan stepped through the door, Anne threw herself into his arms. She clung to him like a rag doll, trembling against him. "Dylan, I feel awful... I feel so terrible..."
“Where does it hurt?”
Dylan tried to push her away, but instead of letting go, she only clung tighter.
"Everywhere..." Anne moaned, placing his hand on her front. "Especially here, it feels like bugs crawling under my skin—itching, unbearable. Mr. Dylan, please help me!"
Her behavior was clearly not normal. “I’ll call the doctor.”
“No, I don’t want a doctor. I want you.” Anne clung to him like a vine, her hands restlessly undoing his shirt buttons. “Please, Mr. Dylan, help me, I feel like I’m dying. If you don’t help me, I really will die...”
As her fingers worked to undo the buttons, Dylan grabbed her wrists. “Anne, calm down...”
“I can’t calm down...” She leaned in, trying to kiss him, whispering his name over and over, “Mr. Dylan, Mr. Dylan...”
Just as she was about to succeed, Dylan forcefully pushed her away, sending her sprawling to the floor.
His resistance spoke volumes, even if he hadn’t said a word.
A flicker of coldness flashed in Anne’s eyes, but when she looked up again, only sadness remained.
“Mr. Dylan, do you hate me?”
Dylan didn’t respond, nor did he help her up.
Instead, he turned away. “I’m calling a doctor.”
Anne wasn’t about to let him leave.
She scrambled to her feet and wrapped herself around him from behind. “I told you, I don’t want a doctor. I want you! Please, Mr. Dylan, take me...”
“Anne, something is clearly wrong with you,” Dylan said, his lips pressed into a thin line. “You need to see a doctor.”
“No doctor can help me. Only you can save me.”
As she spoke, Anne began stripping off her own clothes. “Please, save me. I’m begging you.”
Just when Anne thought she had succeeded, a sharp pain shot through the back of her head, and everything went black as she crumpled to the floor.
Watching Anne fall unconscious, Suzy, who had been hiding in the wardrobe, retracted the silver needle that she had prepared to throw.
It wasn’t about helping Dylan—it was simply that she couldn’t bear to watch the scene unfold. It was the kind of thing that could make her eyes bleed.
What she didn’t expect was that Dylan would actually...
Anne was supposed to be the woman he loved most. Suzy couldn’t quite understand why he knocked her out.
Dylan scooped Anne up in his arms and laid her back on the hospital bed before pressing the call button for the doctor.
When the doctor arrived, Dylan briefly explained what had just happened. “Is this related to the poison in her system?”
After a quick examination, the doctor nodded.
“Yes, you’re right. The poison in Miss Anne’s body is highly unusual. The last time the poison flared up, nothing like this happened. Now, it’s suddenly escalated, and who knows what could happen next. We need to detox her as soon as possible.”
Dylan frowned and thought about what the doctor said.
There had been no word from Red Falcon.
Forget about tracking her down—she hadn’t even answered a single phone call. Desmond had been trying for days, but every attempt had gone unanswered.
Detoxing Anne was proving to be no simple task.
For the first time, he found himself played by a woman who had him in the palm of her hand.
With his jaw tight, Dylan commanded, “For now, find a way to alleviate her symptoms.”
“That’s going to be difficult...” the doctor began. “This poison is something I’ve never encountered before, and I know nothing about it. I’m concerned that if we administer the wrong medication, it could worsen her condition instead of easing it. So...”
The doctor pressed his lips together before continuing, “At this point, the safest way to relieve her symptoms might be for you, Mr. Wright, to help Miss Anne personally.”
“Absolutely not!” Dylan didn’t hesitate. “If it comes to that, we’ll use sedatives.”
“But that might not be safe either…”
“At least that way, she’ll maintain her dignity,” Dylan muttered, his voice low as he looked at Anne lying unconscious. “I can’t let her lose her honor.”
So, it wasn’t that he wouldn’t touch her—he just didn’t want her to be ridiculed.
Suzy’s mind flashed back to a day when she had gone to his office to deliver some documents he had left behind at home. His employees had mistaken her for the maid, and from start to finish, he hadn’t said a single word to correct them.
They had been married for three years, and not once had he shown her the respect a wife deserved.
Yet, when it came to Anne, he shielded her at every turn...
Suzy didn’t want to compare, but moments like this always brought it to the surface, no matter how hard she tried.
Why was she even watching this pathetic drama?
She really should find a way to slip out of here.
And as luck would have it, the opportunity presented itself.
The doctor left, and moments later, Dylan’s phone rang.
Probably to avoid waking Anne, he stepped out of the room with his phone.
Seizing her chance, Suzy quietly slipped out of the wardrobe. But just as she thought she’d made her escape, Dylan walked back in.
Their eyes locked.
The air between them went dead silent.
Suzy reacted quickly, darting toward the balcony.
Dylan was just as fast, his long strides closing the distance.
Just as she was about to leap off the balcony, his hand caught her shoulder, yanking her back.
"Speak. Who sent you?"
Suzy let out a cold laugh. "The hospital is a public place. I’m allowed to come and go as I please. Do I need your permission now?"
She wasn’t worried at all about Dylan recognizing her voice.
Before going out, she always used a voice-altering agent—not to hide from him specifically, but out of long-standing habit.
Keeping her true identity hidden was a necessity.
Though she hadn’t gone so far as to disguise herself today, just a simple mask, there was no way Dylan would figure it out.
She wouldn’t give him the chance.
"So, you think you can just come and go as you please, huh..." Dylan's grip on her shoulder tightened, his voice growing colder. "Since you're here, why don't you stay for a while?"
"The wind’s pretty strong tonight—careful you don’t bite your tongue!" Suzy swiftly dodged his grip, twisting out of his hold, and in one fluid motion, threw a sharp punch directly at him.
But Dylan wasn’t easy prey either, effortlessly dodging her attack.
The two were locked in a fierce exchange, trading blow after blow, kick after kick.
After dozens of moves, neither had the upper hand.
Dylan chuckled, "Not bad."
Suzy smirked. "You're not too shabby yourself, Mr. Wright."
But then, his eyes flashed dangerously, and he switched tactics, aiming a series of strikes at her abdomen.
Realizing his intent, Suzy shifted her defenses to protect her midsection, but in an unexpected move, Dylan suddenly diverted his hand, reaching for her mask instead.
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