From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 69

Half an hour later, she lay soaking wet on the bed, tightly wrapped in a heavy duvet.

An IV drip hanging by the nightstand flushed steady fluids into her arm.

She shivered violently, curling into a tight ball beneath the covers.

"Mr. Ford, your wife..."

Xavier sat on the sofa, his suit completely unruffled once more. He didn't move a muscle, but the freezing hostility in his dark eyes was terrifying.

The doctor instantly realized his mistake and corrected himself. "The young lady was given a highly potent aphrodisiac."

"The IV fluids should flush the majority of the drug out of her system, but just to be safe, I'll draw some blood once the drip is finished and run a full toxicology screen at the lab."

"Get out."

The doctor nodded quickly and left, making way for two police officers to step inside.

They nodded at Xavier, and after receiving his silent permission, walked over to the bed. "Ms. Sterling, could you please walk us through exactly what happened?"

Lydia couldn't help but look at Xavier. She found the man staring back at her, his gaze perfectly level, utterly devoid of emotion.

Even though he clearly despised her, he had still stepped up to help.

And not just that—he had handled everything flawlessly.

He was incredibly efficient, and despite his coldness, an undeniably decent man.

Lydia looked away and recounted the entire terrifying sequence to the police.

"Did you eat anything at all this evening?"

She hadn't eaten a single bite, but...

"I drank a glass of orange juice. It was handed to me by my former assistant, Alice May."

"And I heard the two men chasing me mention 'Ms. Sutton'. I believe they were talking about my half-sister, Sierra Sutton."

"We'll bring everyone involved in for questioning. Once you're fully recovered, please come down to the station to give a formal statement," the officer said.

"I will." Lydia nodded.

After the two men left, the room fell so quiet that the only sound was the steady drip of the IV.

Through the silence, their eyes met across the room. She remembered how wildly she had thrown herself at him under the influence of the drug. Beneath the covers, her free hand clenched into a tight, white-knuckled fist, desperately trying to suppress the humiliating wave of embarrassment. She forced herself to hold his gaze.

Xavier's eyes remained completely glacial. He stared at her for several long seconds before speaking. "When you give your statement, do you know what to say?"

She shook her head.

What did he mean? Was he telling her to change her story?

"There are police cruisers, an ambulance, and media reporters swarming downstairs right now."

"My phone is in the coat check," she replied softly.

"Did you hear? There's a massive sex scandal going down at the banquet hall right now..."

"Joanna..." she interrupted weakly, quickly giving her a summarized version of what had happened.

"I'm on my way up right now." Joanna hung up in a panic.

A moment later, a female hotel staff member walked in and laid a pristine dress on the bed. "Ms. Sterling, do you need help getting dressed?"

"No, thank you. I've already called a friend."

"Alright. The doctor and I will be waiting outside."

"Okay."

...

Joanna was frantic, taking the elevator straight to the top floor.

She hadn't originally planned on attending the gala tonight. The only reason she used to show up and donate was to support Lydia.

Since Lydia was no longer the chairwoman, Joanna didn't really care.

But when she saw the news that Xavier Ford was in attendance, she had decided to come and try her luck.