Chapter 187
Natalie twisted her head, narrowly avoiding the man’s hand and the dirty rag.
With a sharp pain, her jaw was gripped, and her head was forced back into position. As the man lunged again, Natalie suddenly raised her hand and sprayed something directly into his eyes.
“Agh!” he screamed, dropping the rag as he clawed at his burning eyes.
Sophia, who had started walking toward the alley’s exit, confident the job was done, spun around at the sound of his cry.
Before she could react, Natalie was in front of her, her hands clamped tightly around Sophia’s neck. A surge of adrenaline, born from a desperate will to survive, coursed through Natalie’s woozy body, lending her a strength she didn’t know she had. Sophia, frail and unaccustomed to physical struggle, immediately began to choke. “Get… her she gasped, trying to command the man who was still on the ground. He wiped at his eyes, his vision blurry, but he could see his employer being held hostage. He scrambled to his feet and charged forward.
“Stop!” Natalie shouted. “I know you’re just following her orders! If you don’t want to get dragged into this, don’t move! This alley isn’t deserted. All I have to do is scream, and someone will come p>
She began backing away, dragging Sophia with her toward the mouth of the alley, where the headlights of passing cars were now visible.
Her strength was fading fast. With one final, desperate push, she shoved Sophia forward and stumbled out into the street.
“Help! Somebody, help me p>
Sophia gasped for air, then shrieked at her accomplice, “Go get her, you idiot! If she gets away, do you really think you’ll be fine p>
The man snapped to his senses and took off after Natalie.
Her legs felt like lead, and as she saw him closing in, despair washed over her. Her knees buckled, and she fell to the pavement, unable to get back up.
Just as the man reached her, he abruptly stopped.
Through her hazy vision, Natalie saw that someone else had arrived. She heard footsteps approaching from behind and managed a faint whisper, “Help… me before her eyes closed and she slipped into darkness.
When Natalie opened her eyes, she was in a hospital bed.
Her mind was foggy, but after a moment, the terrifying events of the night came rushing back. “Natalie, you’re awake p>
It was Arianna’s voice.
Natalie turned her head, her own voice raspy. “Arianna p>
Sensing her unspoken questions, Arianna explained, “The hospital called me. They said you collapsed on the street and a passerby brought you in p>
Natalie remembered the footsteps she’d heard just before losing consciousness. A stranger had saved her.
Just then, a doctor entered the room. “Good, you’re awake. We’ve cleared the sedative from your system, so you have nothing to worry about p>
“Thank you, Doctor,” Natalie said. “Could you please tell me who brought me here? I’d like to thank them in person p>
If it weren’t for that person, she might be in Aetheria right now.
“The individual said they were just passing by when they saw you collapse. They brought you here and information:
left without leaving any henet
I’m sorry, we don’t know who it was p>
The doctor gave her a few more instructions, telling her she could be discharged in
a couple of days, and then left.
He returned to his office, where Aaron Lee was waiting for him.
At The Ramirez Group, Alexander was reviewing financial reports when his phone rang. It was Aaron.
“Speak,” Alexander said, answering the call.
“Mr. Ramirez, Ms. Watson is fine. The doctor confirmed the sedative has been completely flushed from
her system She should be able to
go home in a couple of days p>
Alexander’s eyes remained on the report. “Mm,” was his only response. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the
Aaron continued, “And don’t worry, Mr. Ramirez. The doctor didn’t tell Ms. Watson
the truth, so she doesn’t know you were the one who saved her p>
That night, Alexander had been at a business dinner when he saw an incoming call from Natalie. Since
once
their divorce she had never Was
contacted him voluntarily. He so surprised that he excused himself to a quiet corner to take the call.
When he answered, however, he heard nothing but muffled, distant sounds, as if the
phone’s microphone was obstructed.
Confused, he said her name. “Natalie Watson, speak p>