Chapter 82
Back at the hospital, she froze at the sight in the garden: Lauren supporting Sebastian as they strolled.
Even in loose hospital attire, Sebastian’s tall, commanding frame remained majestic.
His arm rested on Lauren’s slim waist; his face carried that warm, almost gentle smile—the kind that could melt the hardest hearts.
Lexi’s chest tightened.
She couldn’t bear the scene.
With quick, heavy steps, she left the hospital.
She shouldn’t be here.
She shouldn’t humiliate herself like this.
On the sparsely lit street, Lexi kicked at loose stones, feeling the numb ache of fate’s cruelty.
Then, tires screeched, and Summer’s black SUV pulled up beside her.
Summer stepped out, eyes blazing with fury, and slapped Lexi across the face.
“You want to ruin Logan’s life, don’t you?” Summer spat, pointing at Lexi.
“If you don’t care for him, why even get involved p>
The sting left Lexi’s cheek burning, her vision blurred.
She forced herself to calm down, mind steadying.
“Listen, it’s not what you think. I’ll make it right p>
Summer’s chest heaved, but she restrained herself—her heart condition kept her from striking further.
Lexi’s voice remained firm, measured.
“I know this affected Logan but I’ll release a statement. I’ll take responsibility where it’s mine p>
Summer snorted, skepticism clear in her amber eyes.
“You said that before. Didn’t stop him from walking into danger because of you. Why should I believe you now p>
Lexi’s own frustration flared.
She raised her voice, every word cutting like steel.
“Believe it or not, from now on, wherever Logan goes, you won’t see me. Not once p>
Her tone left no room for doubt, and even Summer paused in surprise.
Then, with a last glare, she climbed back into her car, leaving Lexi standing alone.
Lexi dug out a small mirror from her bag.
Her left cheek had swollen from the slap—Summer’s strength underestimated.
She winced, pressing a cold water bottle to the bruise.
The shock and pain forced a sharp inhale through her teeth, but she stayed silent.
“Were you here to see Sebastian?” Simone asked cautiously.
Lexi shook her head, suppressing the bitterness clawing her chest.
“I just happened to pass by.
I didn’t know he was hospitalized p>
“Lexi… lying kids grow long noses,” Simone said softly, amber eyes searching Lexi’s.
Intuition told her something deeper had happened between Lexi and Sebastian.
Lexi’s nervous glance betrayed more than words ever could.
Simone’s voice softened, tinged with melancholy.
“Sometimes, what you see isn’t the whole story. You have to ask your heart what it wants. Being with someone doesn’t automatically mean love p>
Lexi closed her eyes, pressing her hand to her chest.
Images of Sebastian and Lauren walking together, Dominic’s warning echoing like a curse in her mind, shattered the last remnants of her resolve.
She had wanted her life to return to normal, to peace—but the path back was gone.
Simone escorted her to the edge of the complex and left.
Under the dim streetlights, an argument erupted nearby.
A man and woman’s voices clashed violently.
Lexi ignored it and continued walking.
A piercing scream cut through the night.
Lexi’s pulse jumped.
She ran back to find the woman collapsed, pale, breathing weakly.
Pulling out her phone, Lexi dialed 911 and gently straightened the woman.
The police arrived swiftly, along with an ambulance.
As medics approached, the woman’s eyes snapped open, and she shouted at the officers: “It’s her! She hit me! Arrest her p>
Before Lexi could react, two officers restrained her.
“Ms. Lexi, if you can’t provide solid evidence, we have to rule in favor of the complainant,” one officer explained flatly.
“Since she refuses to settle and you’re a public figure, your losses could escalate p>
Lexi’s jaw clenched.
She had tried to do good, only to be trapped in a setup.
From now on, perhaps detachment was her safest armor.
“Does she want money?” Lexi asked, incredulous.
The officer shook his head.
Both parties’ refusal to cooperate puzzled them, making enforcement difficult.
Then a junior officer opened the door.
“Ms. Lexi… someone’s here to post bail for you p>
Lexi frowned, her mind foggy as she followed the police officers out into the glaring sunlight.
The brightness stabbed at her eyes, forcing her to squint.
Her gaze shifted to Dominic leaning casually against his car.
A chill ran through her—somewhere deep inside, she knew she was trapped in a much larger scheme than she’d realized.
“Don’t overthink this,” he said, his voice low, tinged with warning as he adjusted his grip on the wheel.
“I’ll handle it for you p>
Lexi turned her head, scanning the bustling street outside the car window.
After a long pause, she pressed her thin lips together and muttered, “It just doesn’t make sense. Why would that woman pick me, of all people, to accuse… and not even ask for money? Doesn’t that seem weird to you p>
Dominic let out a sharp, mirthless laugh.
“Don’t be naive. Maybe she just dislikes you and wants to see you rot in that station for a while. Lexi, now you’ve seen it—everyone has their plans. Don’t fall for someone else’s fake kindness p>
Lexi’s stomach sank as comprehension dawned.
That woman had been planted—Dominic and Lauren had orchestrated the entire thing to make her doubt Sebastian.
She and Sebastian were pawns in their blood-soaked game.
A perfect checkmate: win the heart first, and everything else follows.
Lexi nodded slowly, though unease still gnawed at her.
She barely registered Dominic’s words after that, her thoughts spinning uncontrollably.
When he finally pulled over near her apartment, she told him she’d walk the rest of the way.
She needed space—silence to think clearly, to untangle the knots of manipulation and betrayal tightening around her heart.
The leaves along the tree-lined avenue rustled in the wind, a soft lullaby against the heavy weight pressing on her chest.
Lexi walked slowly, each step burdened with tension.
Up ahead, a black Maybach gleamed in the sun.
Sebastian leaned against the door, impeccably dressed, his tailored suit flawless, sunglasses reflecting the city around him.