CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 19: NAME YOUR PRICE, I CAN AFFORD IT

"At this time, it’s hard to get a ride. Where are you going? I’ll take you." The man’s voice was as melodious as a cello.

"No need." Ivana Monroe looked at Leon Keane’s extraordinarily handsome face, got scared, took a step back, and turned to escape his gaze. Suddenly, her ankle twisted, and her body tilted to one side.

Just managing to stabilize herself, she started walking again, but a sharp pain shot through her ankle, turning her face pale, and fine beads of cold sweat quickly appeared on her forehead.

Leon Keane got out of the car, blocking Ivana’s path. Seeing her pained expression, he frowned and said, "Your ankle is twisted. I’ll take you to the hospital."

"I’m fine, no... need to go to the hospital."

Leon didn’t give her a chance to finish speaking and directly scooped her up in his arms. Upon seeing the pointed high heels on her feet, he furrowed his brows tightly. When placing her into the passenger seat, he casually took off her shoes and threw them out of the car.

Ivana’s eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn’t expected Leon to be so domineering, discarding her high heels without her consent.

Moreover, those shoes were expensive and brand new.

Ivana grabbed Leon’s hand, which was helping her with the seatbelt: "What gives you the right to throw away my shoes? Those were newly bought and not cheap."

Leon felt the warmth and the delicate feel of her small hand, raising his eyebrows slightly. He said calmly, "How much? I’ll compensate you at ten times the price."

Ivana was dumbfounded, then came back to her senses and said, "It’s not about the money. Help me retrieve my shoes."

Leon’s thin lips curved into a slight arc: "Sorry, I never retrieve what I’ve thrown away. Name your price, I can afford it."

Ivana fumed: "Leon Keane, do you seriously think money is all-powerful? Can it buy everything?"

Leon smiled faintly: "I can’t say if money is all-powerful, but your shoes were bought with money. I threw them away, so I’ll compensate you with money. Is there a problem?"

Ivana found herself tangled in his reasoning, and to her chagrin, he seemed to make a point.

She opened her small mouth, trying to argue back.

He suddenly said, "Miss Monroe, although I am very handsome, this is still the roadside. You can’t keep holding my hand."

Ivana glanced down, her exquisite face instantly turning red. As if holding a hot potato, she swiftly retracted her fair fingers.

Click!

His slender fingers fastened her seatbelt.

He walked around to the driver’s seat, shut the car door, and started the engine.

"Please take me to Apex Tower, Block A."

Ivana suddenly thought of Mrs. Vance’s matters, urgency written all over her face. When she glanced at the time displayed on the car’s LCD screen, it was already 1:20, making it impossible to reach Mrs. Vance’s place in ten minutes.

She urged Leon, "Hurry up, I’m pressed for time."

Leon ignored her, pressed his thin lips together, and drove to the hospital. Despite Ivana’s protests, he carried her out from the passenger seat and strode into the hospital, heading toward the orthopedic department.

"Ouch, it hurts! Can’t you support someone properly? You clumsy oaf." Loraine Mcgee’s face was caked in heavy makeup and half-hidden beneath large, black sunglasses as she scolded her manager beside her in a low voice.

She was a formerly minor celebrity who had recently become a B-list star, with her value skyrocketing. A celebrity gossip expert who used to be a paparazzo had once dug into Loraine Mcgee’s rise, suggesting she had been elevated by a wealthy sponsor, soon to become a top A-list star.

The identity of this sponsor, however, was something the expert dared not disclose, leading to rampant speculation, and all the minor celebrities deeply envied Loraine for her good fortune.

Her manager apologized, fearing Loraine’s wrath.

Loraine noticed a familiar handsome face, removed her sunglasses, and looked carefully, "President Kane, who’s the bitch you’re holding in your arms?"

Loraine couldn’t remain calm on the spot, as if she were looking at a rival, and hurriedly ran over.

The manager was dumbfounded, as Loraine had severely sprained her waist while shooting, prompting the director to immediately let her rest and visit the hospital.

Yet here was Loraine running with absolutely no sign of a strained waist, looking completely fine.

Loraine ran up to Leon and immediately hooked her arm around his, her pretty eyes darting a quick glare at Ivana, and in a sweetly whining voice, she said, "President Kane, I hurt my waist badly while filming. Will you accompany me for a check-up?"

As Loraine cooed, she shook Leon’s arm, slyly using her elbow, shaped like a triangle, to nudge Ivana’s face.