"No need."

With a darkening gaze, Lance hurried into the bathroom, his appearance disheveled.

Beneath the shower, he allowed the cold water to soak him entirely.

His eyes shut, he replayed the night's events in his mind.

During the toast with Bradley, Lance recalled a waiter who had seemingly offered him a glass of champagne.

It was that glass of champagne that seemed to be the root of the problem.

The audacity to strike at such an event, with him as the target, left Lance pondering the potential culprits among women or business partners.

Ivan promptly retrieved the surveillance footage.

After enduring a half-hour of cold water, Lance managed to suppress his inner turmoil.

Emerging in a bathrobe, Lance found Ivan already at the computer, reviewing the surveillance footage.

Without uttering a word, Lance sat solemnly before the computer screen, his wet hair dripping. He stared at the screen.

Ivan fast-forwarded until the footage focused on the waiter.

The waiter deliberately kept his head low, obscuring his face from view.

"Fetch the head of the protocol company. I want him to personally identify the individual."

"Understood."

With no leads in the video, Lance's only hope lay with the protocol company.

If he could identify the culprit, there would be no leniency.

…

Upon waking up, Freya's eyes wandered in confusion, met with a sterile white environment.

The scent of disinfectant lingered in the air.

Was she in the hospital?

Her forehead pulsated with dull pain, as if her head were on the verge of exploding.

Ella and Madeline entered the room side by side as the door creaked open.

Seeing that she was awake, they quickly stepped forward and asked, "How are you? Do you feel uncomfortable?"

"What happened to me?"

"Your car was in an accident halfway; you hit your head and sustained injuries."

Injuries…

"What about Bradley?"

Freya's thoughts raced back to the moment before she lost consciousness, where Bradley shielded her in his arms.

She was injured, but what about him?

"He's more severely injured than you. He's still in critical condition due to excessive blood loss, and now he's still undergoing resuscitation."

Boom!

A surge of emotions overwhelmed Freya. She disregarded the IV drip, determined to get out of bed.

"Freya, don't get excited. You are still weak and can't get out of bed now." Ella stopped her.

Freya ignored her and insisted on getting off the bed. Her whole body was shaking.

"He got hurt protecting me. I need to see him."

While Ella hesitated, Madeline stepped forward to support her. "Alright, I'll accompany you."

"Why are you encouraging her recklessness, Madeline?"

Ella interjected anxiously.

"This is how Freya is. Do you think you can stop her? Besides, the doctor warned that Bradley hasn't passed the critical period yet. If Freya goes to see him, he may survived."

Recalling when Bradley called Patrick, Freya remembered being in his arms.

When they arrived, Bradley was holding Freya tightly, with branches still stuck in his arms and blood all over the ground.

What he was thinking about was Freya. He even insisted on letting them send her away first.

Finally, Patrick hardened his heart and broke the branches, sending them both to the ambulance.

Madeline couldn't imagine the determination Bradley had.

When they arrived at the hospital, his face was frighteningly pale, yet he was still murmuring Freya's name.

They assisted Freya to the emergency room entrance.

Many people were gathered outside.

Not only was Patrick there, but Gabriel was also present, and even the rarely seen Shadow appeared.

Xavier was also inside the emergency room.

Freya pursed her lips, her eyes teary. Suddenly, a slender figure approached her.

"Freya."

Upon hearing her name, Freya turned to face her.

It was Juliet.

She was wearing a hospital gown, her complexion unpleasant, looking extremely exhausted.

Juliet staggered towards Freya and, in full view of everyone, knelt down.

"What are you doing?" Madeline frowned.

"I understand my words might not be appropriate, but consider this: how many hardships has Bradley endured for your sake? When you went missing, he fell ill for days searching for you. He has been injured multiple times on your behalf. And now, he lies in the emergency room, his life hanging in the balance."

"Your presence doesn't help him; you'll only be a hindrance. If you truly care for him, please leave him alone."

She pleaded tearfully.

Before Madeline could respond, Freya interjected,

"If I can't help him, then who can? Is it you?"

Freya clenched her fists tightly, her gaze icy as she looked at her.

Before, she regarded her as shrewd, but now it appeared that she possessed not only cunning but also the ability to portray herself as a victim.

This pitiful appearance was akin to a mistress provoking the legitimate wife.

Freya might have ignored Jian Yue's antics before.

But, she now felt compelled to reassess her.

If she didn't assert her authority, Juliet might mistake her for an easy target.

"You misunderstand. I'm only acting in Bradley's best interests. After all, we share a deep bond from childhood..."

"You may have a history, but remember, I am Bradley's wife. We have obtained certificates, which have legal effect."

Freya stared at her lazily.

Juliet had saved Bradley's life, so Freya could respect her.

But now, she couldn't tolerate Juliet openly breaking their relationship.

She even began to wonder if Bradley knew about her two-faced nature.

Tender and delicate in front of him, but forceful in front of her.

"I know you're married, but your marriage is only valid in the capital, not in Solterra..."

"Juliet, enough."

Before she could finish, Patrick strode over, sternly interrupting her.

Juliet bit her lip tightly, as she had planned to reveal everything just now.

If the issues of Solterra were exposed, Freya would know about Jordan's family's contribution, and she could find a way to force her out.

However, even Patrick had come and ruined her plans.

"The doctor said you're at risk of a miscarriage and need to rest in bed. I'll have the nurse take you back to your room."

Without giving her a chance to refuse, the nurse had already come over.

Juliet looked at the emergency room door, feeling resentful.

She followed the nurse out but glanced back at Freya, her eyes filled with malice.

"Huh, who is this woman? How dare she openly provoke Freya? And what did she say just now? Something about the marriage being valid only in the capital? Is she out of her mind?"

Madeline was extremely displeased.

"This woman is Juliet Jordan. I heard she's Bradley's lifesaver, and Bradley has been taking care of her to repay the favor." Ella crossed her arms, staring at Juliet's departing figure with furrowed brows.

She always felt this woman was very strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.

"Patrick, you called her Juliet. Are you very familiar with her?"

Madeline squinted, giving him a dangerous look.