Chapter 17 Lila And Her Plan
The moment he saw the man’s hands clasped behind his back, Donovan 1derstood.
Without hesitation, he shoved Kyler aside and stepped into the room. Kyler turned but didn’t retaliate immediately. He lingered for a few seconds, torn between attacking and restraint. In the end, he chose the latter.
Donovan lowered himself onto the couch–the very same spot where Kyler had been humiliated that day.
Kyler’s smirk was sharp, almost playful, but his eyes remained cold as he leaned in, running his tongue lightly along his check. “What brings you here, Mr. Mayer?”
Donovan asked, “What did you use to threaten Shelby?”
Kyler hadn’t expected the man to say those words. He was momentarily stunned, then let out a laugh.
“So, you’ve figured it out.” He relaxed suddenly, settling into the seat across from Donovan.
With Shelby gone, there was no longer any reason to keep secrets. He had threatened her once, after all–only to have her
Since Donovan had asked, he told him.
Regardless, Kyler thought, he wouldn’t be the one to suffer.
Kyler chuckled as he tapped his phone, sending a video clip to Donovan’s email. “Do you remember when your received a large sum of money? That was from me–Shelby came to me for help.”
He leaned back, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Originally, she had two reasons for breaking up with you. First, to pro And second… because of this.”
Donovan watched the video in silence. It showed a man and a woman entering a hotel together. The next morning, they emerged hand in hand.
There was nothing particularly remarkable about it–except for the woman in the footage. Shelby’s mother, Maggie.
Maggie had been having an affair.
No wonder she was blackmailed by Kyler
Kyler gestured toward Donovan. “Give me back Shelby’s ashes. I paid a high price to get them from Maggie.”
Donovan’s brows furrowed. She sold Shelby’s ashes? Shelby was her daughter. She actually sold her own daughter’s ashes to Kyler?
Kyler laughed, raising a hand and spreading his fingers. “Exactly. Five million.”
Donovan rose to his feet without a word and turned to leave. Kyler licked his lips, his fingers idly caressing the golf club beside him. “Donovan,” he called, his voice laced with amusement. “Are you going to give them back or not?”
Donovan didn’t answer. He simply turned and without hesitation, drove a kick straight into Kyler’s chest.
Kyler hit the ground hard, gasping as violent coughs racked his body, clutching at his ribs.
Dmn it, this guy’s ruthless.
“Hey.” Kyler staggered to his feet, clutching his chest as he called out to Donovan’s retreating figure. “Don’t assume Lila is innocent. Where do you think I got the video of Maggie’s affair? Let me tell you–she gave it to me. She’s been plotting against you for a long time, jealous of Shelby. So after my father bankrupted the Mayer family years ago, she came straight to me, knowing I had feelings for Shelby.”
Donovan froze at the doorway.
Kyler let out a hearty laugh. “Don’t you think car accidents on rainy nights are a little too cliché? Like something straight out
1/2
of a drama series? Do you see yourself as the tragic male lead or something–expecting a crash just because it’s raining. hoping to be saved by some beauty? You should really look into that Lila. Whe knows what kind of shady dealings she might have with that driver?”
“Donovan’s fingers curled into fists so tightly that his knuckles creaked.
When he had first met Shelby, she had introduced him to Lila, her best friend.”
Kyler’s voice was hoarse. “She knew full well you were Shelby’s boyfriend, yet she still got close to you–comforted you. How decent do you think she really is?”
Panting heavily, Kyler grimaced. D’mn it. I’m heading to the hospital right now. If that kick did any real damage, Donovan’s going to pay for it.
He followed Donovan out the door and slipped into his own car, trailing him all the way to the hospital.
When he spotted the hospital sign, he chuckled to himself. Lila’s done for. However, it’s hard to say for sure. Donovan might really have feelings for Lila
Lila had just woken up, an IV drip attached to her arm.
The door to the ward swung open, and Donovan stepped inside. Her eyes lit up with surprise and delight as she sat up–t before she could utter a word, his hand closed around her throat.
Lila gasped, confusion flickering across her face.
“Donovan…” Her voice trembled, eyes brimming with tears, making her look utterly pitiful.
But there wasn’t a shred of pity in his. He leaned in, one palm pressing firmly against the bedsheet, his gaze locking anti hers. The piercing coldness in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine.
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“Get plenty of rest and recover soon,” Donovan said, the corners of his lips tugging into a faint, unreadable smile.
His fingers brushed over her neck–once, twice–slow and deliberate
A flicker of coldness flashed in his eyes, but when Lila looked closer, his gaze was as calm and composed as ever. Maybe I’m just too nervous and imagining things.
Carefully choosing her words, she hesitated before asking, “Have you and Shelby made amends?” Her voice wavered, eyes welling with unshed tears.
Donovan’s expression remained indifferent. “She’s dead.”
Lila froze, staring at him, searching his face for any sign of deception. But for a moment, she couldn’t tell if he was telling the
truth
“Is this a joke?” Lila let out a stiff laugh, her fingers tightening around the bedsheet. Is he testing me or something?
Ever since Donovan had returned from his business trip abroad, she had sensed a shift in his attitude toward her–subtle, but undeniable.
She bit her lip. Donovan had always been someone who repaid kindness. That much, she was sure of
With a trace of bitterness in her voice, she said, “Donovan, don’t talk about Shelby like that. She was my best friend. Even if she betrayed you, there was still a bond between you two. That night, when it was pouring rain and you went to find her… I think it’s understandable that she refused to see you. After all, she doesn’t love you anymore.”
Lila’s body tensed. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as her teeth sank into her lower lip. “Donovan… my bones hurt,” she murmured, her voice trembling. “It feels like they’ve been dislocated again.”
