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.”

the ventilator for

go into

mail box, which he received it in the morning. It was short:

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

surprised by this news. He didn’t doubt Hayden’s abilities. If Davina’s whereabouts could have been tracked down, it would have been done when she first went missing. What he was worried about now was how powerful the

door, suddenly turned to Harding and said,

Davina to wake up and found himself admiring her will to live. He immediately headed towards the ward.

saw Davina trying to open her mouth, as if attempting to say something. She didn’t have the strength to open her eyes; only her eyelashes were fluttered.

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

Davina at the office, wearing high heels, eating in the cafeteria with her, and reminiscing about old times. But now, Davina resembled neither a human nor

“Is she trying to say

to

asked Davina, “Who

something. Julie leaned in, straining to hear

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

by illness, they still hoped to live a little longer, be it a day, a minute, or a

the last of their strength to beg for death. It was too

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

on Davina’s body, it must have

walked up to Davina and said, “Tell me, who did this to

was on the ventilator. Once she removed

a name, and I’ll grant your

which was easier than begging for death. But Davina suddenly clammed up. She was

and Julien collapsed into his arms.

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

arm. She shoved him aside, gave him a look but didn’t utter a

reckon we should

indulge Davina?” Julie turned her head, asking Kieran’s opinion. Her eyes

Davina’s eye. She was dying for death, 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 know who it was.

had her hand on Davina’s ventilator. Davina cracked open her eyes and looked at Julie. Her eyes were filled with apology, pain, and gratitude, but not a trace

and Julie suddenly turned to Kieran, saying,

seemed to muster up some energy. She shook her head at Julie. The movement was slight, but it took all her strength.

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