Chapter 12

However, after being out in the rain for way too long and dealing with all that physical and mental crap, Victoria finally hit her breaking point. Her vision started getting all fuzzy, and she felt her strength just drain away until she was like a ragdoll.

Eventually, everything went black, and she hit the ground hard, water splashing everywhere. People around her barely even glanced her way and just kept on walking.

Nobody stepped up to help, and it was like no one gave a damn whether she lived or died. The world around her stayed loud and chaotic, while she just lay there quietly in the rain. The rain kept pounding down on her, making her look like some lifeless doll getting battered by the elements.

Right then, Harry came back from running errands. He spotted Victoria lying there in the rain, and his heart just about stopped. He rushed over, squatted down, and gently called her name.

But Victoria didn't respond; she was already out cold. Without thinking twice, Harry took off his coat and covered her with it. He glanced up at the tall figure in the big floor-to-ceiling window on the twentieth floor and sighed. Then he carefully picked her up, put her in the back seat, and sped off to the hospital.

In the VIP ward, Victoria's face was flushed, her breathing was fast, and she had a raging fever. Her brows were all scrunched up, like she was stuck in some awful nightmare.

In her dream, she was back in that horrible moment when Alvin was taken away. She wanted to save him, but she was helpless.

Then, she saw the four guys who had tried to rape her, their faces smug and mocking her weakness. She wanted to run, but her feet felt like they were made of lead. She screamed in despair, but no one came to help.

Next, the scene shifted, and she saw William's cold face and the hand that slapped her hard. Her heart felt like it was being ripped apart, the pain unbearable.

Victoria kept struggling in her dream, her body trembling slightly, and sweat beads forming on her forehead.

In the ward, the faint sounds of medical equipment echoed, and no one knew the hell she was going through in her dream, nor could anyone pull her out of it.

Harry stayed outside the ward for a bit, watching Victoria's pained expression, feeling a deep sense of pity. He knew he couldn't stay there forever; he had stuff to report to William.

Taking a deep breath, Harry pulled himself together, and left the hospital. When he got to William's office, he knocked lightly on the door.

Hearing William's low "come in," he slowly pushed the door open.

The office reeked of tobacco, making Harry cough. William was sitting at his desk, coldly staring at some documents. His brows were slightly furrowed, his gaze focused and icy.

Harry hesitated for a moment but then spoke up, "Mr. Scott, Ms. Carter fainted outside the company. I took her to the hospital."

William slightly raised his head, a flicker of some complex emotion in his eyes, but it quickly turned back to indifference.

His gaze landed on Harry, as if he was waiting for more info. "How is she?" he asked. His voice was flat, showing no concern at all.

Harry replied, "The doctor said she's got a fever, and her condition's pretty unstable. She's having some kind of nightmare, and looks really distressed."

William was quiet for a moment, then coldly said, "She brought it on herself. She's just a nobody; her life or death means nothing to me."

After saying that, he went back to his documents, like Victoria's situation didn't matter at all.

Harry looked at William's indifferent expression, feeling a bit helpless. He knew the beef between William and Victoria ran deep, but he also thought William was being a bit too harsh.

His lips moved, like he wanted to say something, but he didn't know where to start. In the end, he just left the office silently.

As he walked out, he sighed lightly. He could only hope William wouldn't regret treating Victoria this way someday.

After who knew how long, Victoria slowly woke up from her stupor. She opened her heavy eyes, and the first thing she saw was the white ceiling and familiar medical equipment.

Her head was foggy, and her body felt weak and powerless. She tried to remember what had happened, and a wave of bitterness rose in her heart.

Just then, the door to the ward was suddenly pushed open, and Ella walked in, all high and mighty.

She was dressed in fancy clothes, her face full of arrogance. She got straight to the point, pulling out a settlement agreement and tossing it onto Victoria's bed.

"Victoria, if you know what's good for you, sign this agreement and drop the whole thing." Ella's voice was sharp and cold.

Victoria looked at the agreement, and her anger flared up. Dragging her sick body, she struggled to sit up and glared at Ella.

"Ella, do you think I'll let you off that easy? I'll never forget what you did to me." Victoria's voice was weak but filled with determination.

Ella sneered, her eyes full of contempt. "You'd better know your place. Do you really think you can go up against me? You're nothing but a pathetic insect. Look at you now-you're like a drowned rat," she said mockingly, raising her chin slightly as if looking at a lowly creature.

Victoria's face turned pale, her body trembling slightly. "Ella, don't push it!" she said.

Ella, however, was unfazed and kept mocking. "Push it? What can you do to me? Your dad's a criminal, and you're no better. What right do you have to challenge me? Do you think William cares about your life or death? Stop dreaming. He only keeps you around to amuse himself when he's bored. You pathetic wretch; you only caught William's eye because you look like my sister who's abroad. You're just his plaything. You really think you're something?" she said.

Hearing this, Victoria bit her lip tightly, using all her strength to point to the door. "Get out! I don't want to see you again. I'm not signing your damn agreement, so give up!"

Ella's face turned livid with anger, but she had no choice but to leave the ward. As she walked out, she ran into Bobby, who had come to ask Victoria for money.

Bobby overheard their conversation, and his eyes lit up. He immediately blocked Ella's path, a greedy expression on his face.