Filed to story: Billionaire Bride’s Revenge (Vera & Howard)
She turned to Samuel, her hands clasped lightly. “Isn’t it odd? First, one of your employees is shot, and now this ambush.”
Samuel looked up, a realization dawning on him. “Do you think it’s all connected?”
With her hands clasped tightly, Vera shook her head slowly, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.
“I don’t know. It’s just a suspicion-I don’t have any solid evidence,” she murmured.
Currently, her main concern was Victor’s recovery, not uncovering the schemer behind the attack. She held a silent prayer in her heart for Victor’s safety. The wait outside the operating room felt endless, each minute stretching into what seemed like an eternity. Vera was engulfed in misery and anxiety.
Then the doors of the operating room swung open. Vera, propelled by urgency, surged forward and nearly stumbled in her haste.
Her eyes, wide with concern, searched the doctor’s face for any sign.
“Doctor, how is he? Is he out of danger?” she asked, her voice tight with worry.
The doctor removed his mask and reassured her. “Don’t worry. The bullet missed his heart by merely an inch, but he’ll be fine. He must avoid strenuous activities while he recovers, though.”
Relief washed over Vera, and she let out a long breath, her tension easing.
“Thank you, doctor,” she responded gratefully.
Victor, still under the effects of anesthesia, was carefully moved to the intensive care unit, with Samuel handling the necessary paperwork.
Just then, the sound of hurried high heels echoed down the corridor.
A woman appeared, her presence marked by a blend of elegance and urgency. Her complexion was flawless, a testament to meticulous care, yet her expression was undeniably anxious, revealing inner turmoil. Cristina Adams hurried over and intercepted the doctor.
“How is my son? Is he alright?” she asked urgently.
“The surgery went very well. He’s no longer in danger,” the doctor replied quickly.
Cristina let out a relieved sigh and murmured, “Thank goodness.”
Vera observed from the side, realizing that this poised woman was Victor’s mother.
Cristina exuded an aura of dignity and authority. Suddenly, her gaze shifted to Vera, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
“Who are you? Why are you here?” Cristina demanded.
Before Vera could respond, one of Cristina’s aides interjected,
“Mrs. Adams, this lady is the designer collaborating with our company. Mr. Adams was injured while trying to protect her during the shooting.”
Cristina’s demeanor changed instantly. “Explain,” she commanded.
The aide continued, “There was an ambush, and during the attack, Mr. Adams shielded her, taking a bullet in the process. Also, she’s under suspicion for another incident at the company today involving the murder of the design department head.”
With each revelation, Cristina’s expression grew sterner. Vera, caught off guard, struggled to find the right words.
Indeed, she was a prime suspect in the murder case. Victor had been injured because of her, albeit unintentionally. She attempted to defend herself,
“Mrs. Adams, this is all a misunderstanding. I did not kill anyone.”
Cristina scoffed, “A misunderstanding? That seems far-fetched. Why were you even in the same car as Victor?”
Vera clenched her fists, trying to remain composed. “I was at the police station providing a statement. Mr. Adams kindly offered me a ride afterward.”
Cristina spoke harshly, her tone dripping with skepticism. “Are you serious? Victor has never been this attentive to any woman. Who are you really? Are you trying to seduce my son, or is someone trying to plant you by his side?”
Taken aback, Vera quickly shook her head in denial. “You’ve got it all wrong. We are purely business partners, nothing more,” she asserted.
Seizing the moment, Cristina’s subordinate interjected sharply, “Just last night, you were seen dining with Mr. Adams, and suddenly he’s in the public eye. Then today, there’s a shooting. Quite the coincidence, don’t you think?”
Vera didn’t know what to say, her frustration evident. Facing Cristina, she pleaded earnestly, “Mrs. Adams, the truth is, there’s a conspiracy aimed at framing me.”
Before Cristina could respond, her subordinate accused Vera with a piercing stare, “Why do all these suspicious events revolve around you? If not for you, why would Mr. Adams be in the hospital right now?”
Cristina’s expression darkened with fury, her anger palpable.
Vera began to attempt a defense, but before she could continue, Cristina struck her across the face without a second thought.
Vera’s head tilted from the force of the slap, leaving a clear palm print on her cheek. Suppressing her anger, Cristina stared intensely at Vera.
“Victor is in critical condition all because of you,” she accused.
Remaining composed, Vera responded, “Mrs. Adams, there’s been a misunderstanding. Mr. Adams and I are strictly business partners. I’ve never intended any harm to him.”
Cristina clenched her teeth and demanded, “Then how do you explain these incidents?”
“The police are currently investigating the murder of the department head. I’m not involved. Regarding the shooting, the assailants came prepared. I don’t have enemies. Mr. Adams believes the attack was meant for him, and I was unfortunately caught up in it,” Vera explained.
Despite her involvement in multiple incidents, Vera maintained her innocence.
Cristina hesitated, her experience with the Adams family told her that many would target her son, Victor. Earlier, after hearing that Victor had been shot and influenced by her subordinate’s comments, Cristina had lashed out at Vera.
Once calmer, she began to consider the possibility that Vera was merely caught in an unfortunate series of events.
The subordinate, sensing the shift in mood, quickly added, “But isn’t it too coincidental? Mr. Adams had been out of harm’s way until she appeared.”
Vera gave him a sharp look, recognizing his attempts to lead Cristina astray from the start. She challenged him calmly, “Were you present at the shooting?”
Confidently, he replied, “Of course, I was. How else would I know so many details?”
Encouraged by his response, Vera pressed further, “And were you at the scene when the department head-?”
Caught off guard, the man faltered, his expression betraying him.
Vera turned his own argument against him. “You claim to know so much, yet you weren’t present. What exactly sent you here?”
The man looked to Cristina, panicking under her scrutinizing gaze. He hastily assured, “Mrs. Adams, I’ve always been loyal to you and Mr. Adams. I was simply too concerned about Mr. Adams’s safety.”
Cristina remained silent, observing the exchange with skepticism. Vera, sensing an opportunity, accused, “All you’ve done is cast suspicions on me to divert attention. What’s your real motive?”
Unable to respond, the man’s silence was damning. Cristina, her disgust evident, dismissed him with a wave. “Leave us.”
Reluctantly, the subordinate left. Cristina shifted her gaze back to Vera, noticing the mark on her cheek and feeling a pang of guilt. “I lost my temper and struck you. I apologize if I’ve wronged you,” she said with a trace of regret.