Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 254

The phone call was from Hayden, who relayed a succinct message. “Davina Field has been found.”

Julie was standing close to Kieran, so she overheard Hayden’s words.

Seeing Kieran’s expression shift, Dylan turned and asked, “Did we get a lead?”

“Davina’s been found.” Keiran said.

About half an hour later, they arrived at the entrance of the ICU at Tranquil Care Hospital.

Hayden stood by the door. He wore a deep blue suit with a black shirt underneath, and his demeanor seemed calm and composed. Two of his men stood beside him, and their mere presence magnified Hayden’s already imposing aura.

Dylan stayed behind to deal with the two thugs and was tasked with escorting Daphne home.

Julien approached Hayden, the two seemingly accustomed to each other’s silent company. Without a word of greeting, Julien kicked open the door to the ICU.

Julien, not dressed in protective gear, walked right in. Mr. Watson turned to Harding and asked, “That door must’ve cost a pretty penny, huh?”

“Julien can pay the bill.” Harding glanced at Julien.

Hayden turned to Kieran and Julie, saying, “She was found on the west coast, still alive.”

“Barely.” Mr. Watson interjected, “If it wasn’t for Harding’s expertise, she’d probably be dead by now.”

Julie, standing outside, peered through the window into the ward. Davina was sprawled on the bed, with tubes sticking out of her everywhere. She was as still as a corpse. Her face was pale and if it weren’t for the rhythmic puff of mist from the ventilator, one would hardly believe she was alive.

Julien emerged from the ward and said to Julie, “You’re better off not going in there.”

Julie frowned, and Harding added, “Her tendons have been severed, and although the bullet from her gunshot wound has been removed, the wound has festered. She’s covered in bruises and cuts, new and old, and there are numerous tiny puncture wounds from injections. Our blood tests during the check-up showed traces of drugs. We suspect she was repeatedly drugged and then forced to go through withdrawal.”

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Harding suddenly stopped mid-sentence, and after a moment, he concluded, “Basically, the perpetrator is a monster.”

“Can’t she be saved?” Kieran asked.

Harding nodded, “Davina’s lung function has completely failed. She can only survive on the ventilator, and at most, she has a week to live. If we remove the ventilator, she wouldn’t last two hours.”

keep her on the ventilator for

this, Julie decided to go into the

message in Hayden’s public mail box, which he received it in the morning. It was short: [Davina, North

was sent from an anonymous account registered in Veridia by a high school student. He

been tracked down, it would have been done when she first went missing. What he was worried about now was how powerful the person must be that even

suddenly turned to

admiring her will

saw Davina trying to open her mouth, as if attempting to say something. She didn’t have the strength to open her

on her before shaking his head resignedly. Davina was kept alive by the thread of the

times. But now, Davina resembled neither a human nor a ghost. It seemed to take all her remaining strength

asked, “Is she trying to

half-open eyes seemed to be staring at Julie.

heartbroken, asked Davina, “Who did this to you?”

tell Julie something. Julie leaned in,

by Davina’s ventilator and listened to her raspy voice. Davina said, “Please, let me

people living at the bottom of society. Even in harsh and unprotected environments, and even when plagued by illness, they still hoped to

of despair that someone using the last of their strength to beg

stood there, looking at Davina. The desire to die was intense, and it was hard to imagine what

it must have been an

up to Davina and said, “Tell me, who did this to you, and I’ll let

the ventilator. Once she removed it, Davina would die for

and I’ll grant your wish.” Julien gripped

a piece of cake which was easier than begging for death. But Davina suddenly clammed up. She

pulled Julien close, and Julien collapsed into his arms. She was

ain’t gonna spill the beans.” Hayden tried to talk Julien out of his

him a look but didn’t utter

figure, saying, “I reckon we should let Julien know about the value of this door.”

turned her head, asking Kieran’s opinion.

but keeping her secret was more important than dying. So, even if she longed for death, she couldn’t spill that name. Hayden was right. Davina wouldn’t rat on her tormentor, even though she might

ventilator. Davina cracked open her eyes and looked at Julie. Her eyes were filled with

and Julie suddenly turned to Kieran, saying, “Davina’s mom

to muster up some energy. She shook her head

to her. She heard Davina’s whisper, “Please, let me