Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 254

The phone call was from Hayden, who relayed a succinct message, "Davina Field has been found."

Julie was standing close to Kieran, so she overheard Hayden's words.

Seeing Kieran's expression shift, Dylan turned and asked, "Did we get a lead?"

"Davina's been found." Keiran said.

About half an hour later, they arrived at the entrance of the ICU at Tranquil Care Hospital.

Hayden stood by the door. He wore a deep blue suit with a black shirt underneath, and his demeanor seemed calm and composed. Two of his men stood beside him, and their mere presence magnified Hayden's already imposing aura.

Dylan stayed behind to deal with the two thugs and was tasked with escorting Daphne home.

Julien approached Hayden, the two seemingly accustomed to each other's silent company. Without a word of greeting, Julien kicked open the door to the ICU.

Julien, not dressed in protective gear, walked right in. Mr. Watson turned to Harding and asked, "That door must've cost a pretty penny, huh?"

"Julien can pay the bill." Harding glanced at Julien.

Hayden turned to Kieran and Julie, saying, "She was found on the west coast, still alive."

"Barely." Mr. Watson interjected, "If it wasn't for Harding's expertise, she'd probably be dead by now."

Julie, standing outside, peered through the window into the ward. Davina was sprawled on the bed, with tubes sticking out of her everywhere. She was as still as a corpse. Her face was pale and if it weren't for the rhythmic puff of mist from the ventilator, one would hardly believe she was alive.

Julien emerged from the ward and said to Julie, "You're better off not going in there."

Julie frowned, and Harding added, "Her tendons have been severed, and although the bullet from her gunshot wound has been removed, the wound has festered. She's covered in bruises and cuts, new and old, and there are numerous tiny puncture wounds from injections. Our blood tests during the check-up showed traces of drugs. We suspect she was repeatedly drugged and then forced to go through withdrawal.”

Harding suddenly stopped mid-sentence, and after a moment, he concluded, "Basically, the perpetrator is a monster."

"Can't she be saved?" Kieran asked.

Harding nodded, "Davina's lung function has completely failed. She can only survive on the ventilator, and at most, she has a week to live. If we remove the ventilator, she wouldn't last two hours."

"Then let's keep her on the ventilator for now." Kieran said.

Despite this, Julie decided to go into the ward to see Davina.

Outside, Hayden handed Kieran his phone. On the screen was a message in Hayden's public mail box, which he received it in the morning. It was short: [Davina, North Bridgehead, West Coast.]

Hayden explained, "I've already checked. It was sent from an anonymous account registered in Veridia by a high school student. He was paid by someone to do so. No other info could be extracted."

Kieran wasn't surprised by this news. He didn't doubt Hayden's abilities. If Davina's whereabouts could have been tracked down, it would have been done when she first went missing. What he was worried about now was how powerful the person must be that even Hayden couldn't find clues.

Julien, standing by the door, suddenly turned to Harding and said, "Davina's awake."

Harding hadn't expected Davina to wake up and found himself admiring her will to live. He immediately headed towards the ward.

Julie saw Davina trying to open her mouth, as if attempting to say something. She didn't have the strength to open her eyes; only her eyelashes were fluttered.

Harding checked on her before shaking his head resignedly. Davina was kept alive by the thread of the drugs.

Julie remembered the confident Davina at the office, wearing high heels, eating in the cafeteria with her, and reminiscing about old times. But now, Davina resembled neither a human nor a ghost. It seemed to take all her remaining strength just to open her mouth.

Marlon asked, "Is she trying to say something?"

Davina's half-open eyes seemed to be staring at Julie.

Julie, feeling heartbroken, asked Davina, "Who did this to you?"

Davina seemed desperate to tell Julie something. Julie leaned in, straining to hear her out.

The room was silent, and only the sound of the machines were beeping. Julie sat by Davina's ventilator and listened to her raspy voice. Davina said, "Please, let me die."

Julie had seen countless people living at the bottom of society. Even in harsh and unprotected environments, and even when plagued by illness, they still hoped to live a little longer, be it a day, a minute, or a second. Julie had witnessed that intense will to survive.