Chapter 986:

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As the party began to wind down and guests started filtering out, Kole hid behind a tree, watching the flow of people. He hoped the chaos of the crowd might create a lapse in security — a small window for him to slip inside and see Carole’s face just once.

But as he waited, voices drifted toward him from a group of socialites making their way out of the living room.

“I can’t believe it,” one woman whispered, leaning toward her friends. “Carole always acted so refined, but it turns out she’s quite something. Sneaking off with a man in the middle of her own family’s party?”

“I know!” another replied with a sharp laugh. “And they were caught red-handed by both sets of parents. The Davis reputation took a massive hit tonight.”

“I don’t think it was that simple,” another woman nearby added, shaking her head. “I caught a glimpse of Carole back then, and her eyes were completely unfocused. She didn’t look like herself at all. It honestly seemed like… like someone might have drugged her.”

“What? If that’s true, then Mike drugged and assaulted her?”

“Keep your voice down! Haven’t you heard? The Knight and Davis families are looking into a partnership. The Knights had already suggested a marriage to bring the businesses closer. Carole’s parents weren’t sure at first, but after this scandal, her reputation is completely ruined. They don’t have any choice but to marry her off to him now.”

“Wow,” the first woman breathed. “Mike really knows how to play his cards.”

𝘘𝗎𝖺𝗹𝗂𝘵у 𝘵𝗋𝗮n𝘴𝗅a𝗍i𝘰𝗻s 𝘰𝗻 𝗀al𝗻𝗼𝘃е𝘭𝘀.с𝗼𝘮

Hiding in the shadows, Kole felt his mind go blank as the blood rushed to his head. His fingers tightened around the tree trunk, the rough bark digging into his skin until it drew blood. His heart pounded with a mix of terror and helpless fury.

Were they really talking about Carole? The girl who seemed so untouchable that even looking at her felt like a privilege — how could something so vile happen to her?

Kole trembled, unable to process what he had just heard. His eyes, now bloodshot, were locked on the villa. He had to get inside. He had to see for himself that she was all right.

But before he could find a way in, the silence of the night was shattered by the screech of an ambulance pulling up to the front door. Minutes later, he watched as medical staff rushed out carrying a stretcher. The figure lying on it had thick bandages wrapped around one wrist, stained a terrifying red. Carole’s parents followed right behind, looking frantic as they climbed into the vehicle.

Kole’s heart stopped.

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