Gong Li'an's hands, as they tenderly adjusted my hair, paused momentarily before clenched into fists, retracting as if fearing any further touch.
"Rest well for now," he suggested, his voice tinged with haste as he stood to leave but found his arm caught by my grasp.
My arm, delicate as young lotus stems, extended from beneath the blanket, revealing a shoulder and the graceful curve of my neck, reminiscent of a vulnerable swan yearning for its mate's call. Just one glance from Gong Li'an, and the thought of leaving me would become unbearable.
Yet, he turned away, steadfastly avoiding my gaze.
"Why did you come to my rescue?" I persisted, seeking a glimpse into his heart.
"I couldn't bear to witness such vile acts within the Gong household," he replied, his words cold, devoid of personal attachment, shining with integrity yet dousing the flickers of hope within me.
Releasing his arm, I cocooned myself back within the blanket's embrace.
"Thank you for today, Mr. Gong. I was out of sorts from the fright. Please disregard my ramblings earlier and I hope they haven't troubled you. Could you ask the maid to bring me some clothes? I'm not decent like this."
Stolen story; please report.
Gong Li'an hesitated before suggesting, "Perhaps we should tend to your injuries first."
"And how shall we do that? Are you offering to tend to them personally?" I prodded, noticing the faint blush on his ears, though his composure remained unshaken.
"I'll call for the maid," he decided, evidently shaken by the ordeal's severity, particularly the bruise adorning my face, a testament to Jiang Lun's brute force.
During my half-month convalescence at home, I pondered my next moves and distanced myself from Gong Li'an, whose mere thought unsettled me, leaving me uncertain about our future interactions.
Simultaneously, my investigation into Xie Weihuan's financials hit a standstill, making my quest for justice for my sister even more daunting.
Engrossed in thought and consulting with Yanyan for insights, she bluntly reminded me of my mission's essence.
"You're complicating things. Have you forgotten what truly matters? Is it Gong Li'an you desire, or Xie Weihuan's downfall? Her misery is paramount; a man is merely a means to an end, understand?"
Her words resonated with clarity.
As night fell, an unexpected knock at my door stirred a blend of fear and curiosity within me. With no friends likely to visit unannounced, I opted for caution, feigning absence as the knocking grew more desperate.
Armed with self-defense tools, I approached the door, only to freeze at the sight of a shadowy figure reflected on my phone's screen, stealthily advancing from the balcony.
Heart racing, I mustered the courage to confront the intruder, only to collide with the figure and succumb to the chloroform-laden cloth pressed against my face, plunging me into darkness.