Chapter 98

His voice was cold and distant, like a frost-covered morning.

Alice gritted her teeth and snapped, "So what if it was me? I was just teaching that bitch a lesson. She keeps hanging around you."

"Is that so?" William sneered, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "She wasn't hanging around me. I was the one hanging around her."

Alice was stunned for a moment, then burst into a sharp laugh. "William, are you serious? Do you like her? What about me? Didn't you promise to marry me?"

She looked at him with hopeful eyes, her tears threatening to fall.

Seeing her like this, William's heart softened, and his tone became gentler. "Alice, I will keep my promise to you, but please, stop causing trouble for Victoria."

"You're actually pleading for her?" Alice shouted, her eyes misting over.

She shook her head in disbelief. "Are you crazy? Her father killed your parents, and you still defend her?"

Her voice grew more agitated, and she pointed a trembling finger at him, screaming hysterically, "I'll leave her alone if you cut ties with her completely!"

William narrowed his eyes, staring at her menacingly.

"Alice, I'm warning you. Do not harm her. Or else, don't blame me for what happens next."

His sudden anger startled Alice. She looked at him in disbelief. "You're threatening me for that bitch? I love you so much, I've given up everything for you, and this is how you treat me?"

William extinguished his cigarette in the trash can, his gaze icy. "I'm not negotiating with you."

Alice was momentarily stunned, then she laughed maniacally, her smile twisted and cruel.

"Let her go? Sure! Just kill me! Kill me, and everything will be solved!"

William's eyes darkened, and a terrifying aura emanated from him.

Alice met his gaze fearlessly, the tension between them palpable.

After a long silence, William finally reined in his anger, his voice calm but seething with fury. "Alice, stop this nonsense!"

Alice sneered. "William, you know me. Since I was a child, I never let anyone take what's mine without a fight!"

With that, she pushed past William and walked away, her back resolute.

William stood there for a long time, his deep eyes lowered, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

After a while, he took out his phone. "Dr. Simmons, about Alice's condition..."

When Victoria woke up, it was already early morning. The room was silent.

Her whole body ached, and she barely had the strength to sit up.

She opened her bleary eyes, seeing the white sheets and smelling the strong scent of disinfectant.

A needle was inserted into the back of her hand, with fluid slowly dripping into her veins.

Where was she?

She blinked hard, her mind gradually clearing as she remembered everything that had happened that night.

Struggling to sit up, she saw William asleep on the small sofa in the hospital room, his tall frame looking cramped.

Victoria's heart softened.

She hadn't expected William to leave Alice to save her in such a situation.

After being betrayed by those closest to her and humiliated by everyone, only William had stood up to protect her.

Tears welled up in Victoria's eyes. She sniffled, carefully walking over to him and lying down beside him, nestling against his broad chest.

This was her only safe haven, the only place she could escape the storm.

Even though she knew he would never be hers.

But just for today, she allowed herself to be greedy, just this once.

Victoria hugged William's lean waist tightly, feeling a sense of security she had never known.

William seemed to sense something, opening his eyes and looking down at her. "You're awake."

"Yeah," Victoria replied, gazing up at his chiseled features, her heart warming. "Thanks for saving me."

William held her tighter, unable to resist planting a light kiss on her lips. "How are you feeling now?"

"I'm okay," she said lightly, her gaze drifting.

William rubbed her head gently, murmuring, "Silly girl, you're so hurt, yet you still pretend to be strong."

"I'm fine," Victoria forced a smile. "It's just some minor injuries."

William looked at her for a few seconds, his lips pressed into a thin line.

After a while, he spoke in a low voice, "Are you hungry? I had some soup prepared. Get up and have some."

Victoria nodded. "Okay."

William helped her sit up, placing a pillow behind her.

Victoria drank the soup, feeling a bit more comfortable.

William looked at her bruised face and took out some ointment to apply.

Victoria sat quietly, letting him carefully apply the ointment, her voice hoarse. "I must look awful now, right?"

William glanced at her and smirked. "Not too bad."

Though she looked battered, there was a certain beauty in her vulnerability that was oddly captivating.

He continued to apply the ointment, and Victoria pouted, mumbling, "You're just humoring me. You're not honest at all."

"You don't believe me?" William asked, his eyes deep.

Victoria shook her head.

"Then feel this," he said with a mischievous smile, grabbing her hand and placing it on his lower abdomen. "See if it's honest."

Victoria gasped, pulling her hand back in a panic, her face flushing. "William, you're such a rogue! You can get aroused anytime, anywhere!"

He chuckled, raising an eyebrow with a hint of roguishness. "Not always."

Victoria was speechless, shocked by his shamelessness.

William was too much for her to handle.

William's eyes darkened with desire as he saw her blushing face. He spoke hoarsely, "Victoria."

Hearing him call her name, Victoria shivered, instinctively trying to put some distance between them.

William held her in place, his thumb caressing her skin, leaning down to gently lick her.

The tingling sensation made her body tense up, and Victoria stared at him in a panic. "Stop it!"