CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 86: AFTER THE CRASH, EVERYTHING CAME BACK

Stella knew that he was still holding back, so she did not push him away again.

About five minutes later, he slowly let go of her.

She turned off the shower and supported his almost drained body as they walked out of the bathroom.

She settled him on the sofa and used a large towel to dry his hair.

Aiden leaned against the back of the sofa, eyes closed, long eyelashes still bearing droplets of water, his face frighteningly pale.

Stella found the medical kit, squatted in front of him, and cautiously began treating the wounds on his arm.

She carefully cut open the wet sleeve of his shirt, revealing three deep scratches, the flesh turned out, bloodstained and shocking to behold.

Her hand holding the cotton swab trembled slightly.

The only sounds in the air were the smell of antiseptic and their suppressed breathing.

For a long time.

He finally opened his eyes slowly, his voice low and hoarse, yet carrying a strange determination.

"I didn’t touch her."

"I held back."

"Stella, I didn’t betray you!"

Stella’s hand froze abruptly. She looked up at him in shock.

So the startling wounds were not inflicted by Corinne, but by himself?

Just to protect... her in a drugged state...

"Knock! Knock! Knock!"

A sudden urgent knocking sounded at the door, almost breaking the tension in the room.

Stella snapped out of it and stood up to open the door.

Standing outside was Andy Lockwood.

His handsome face was full of anxiety. Seeing Stella opening the door, he looked her up and down.

"Stella! Are you alright?"

His gaze went past Stella and saw Aiden Fordham on the sofa, disheveled but still decently dressed, and his tense expression eased slightly.

He immediately took off his suit jacket and, without a word, draped it over Stella’s thin nightgown, wrapping her up.

"Come with me."

His tone was undeniable as he grabbed her wrist to take her away.

"You can’t leave!" Aiden on the sofa suddenly stood up, wanting to rush over.

Four black-suited bodyguards, who appeared without notice, stepped forward immediately to block his way with expressionless faces.

"Senior, how did you get here?" Stella asked, a bit bewildered as Andy shielded her.

"I heard there was a landslide here and couldn’t reach you, so I came here as soon as I could," Andy replied, his voice softening with concern, "I didn’t expect to be a bit late... I’m just glad you’re okay!"

He raised his hand, habitually patting her head, and the heart he had hung onto finally settled back to its place.

Stella felt the warmth from his hand on her head and the concern in his voice, a wave of warmth washed over her heart.

Meanwhile.

In another suite in the hotel.

"Bang!"

The door was brutally forced open from outside.

A man with a cold demeanor and sinister eyes walked in, followed by another expressionless, burly man.

Corinne Kensington huddled in a corner in terror.

The cold man gave her a glance, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

"Enjoy yourself! Just don’t explode," he sneered.

With that, he turned and left, as if even one more glance was too much.

Leaving the burly man, who step by step approached the collapsed Corinne, then scooped her up and tossed her onto the disheveled bed...

The next morning, on the national road leading from Borrin to Meritopia.

Aiden sat in the back seat, resting his eyes with a hint of fatigue on his brow but a trace of urgency.

"Boom—"

A thunderous crash!

An out-of-control dump truck ran a red light, like a mad beast, crashing fiercely into the black sedan Aiden was riding in!

The tremendous impact sent the sedan flying!

The car rolled in the air twice, like a kite with its string cut, before crashing with a "clang" into the roadside trees.

The airbags deployed instantly, glass shards scattering everywhere.

The trailing escort vehicle screeched to a stop, and the pale-faced bodyguards rushed over.

"President Fordham!"

They frantically opened the car door, only to see Aiden slumped in the back seat, his forehead gashed, blood trickling down his sharply defined cheek, having lost consciousness completely.

...

So dark.

Surrounded by endless darkness, it felt like he had returned to that winter night many years ago.

In a dilapidated cottage, the glow of the oil lamp was dim and faint.

A small figure lay on the bed, her little face flushed, her lips cracked.

"Big brother..." the little girl weakly clutched his hand, the scorching heat transferring through the skin, "don’t leave Stella..."

His heart ached as he patted her little hand, "Stella, don’t worry."

His voice still held the clarity of youth, "You’re having a fever now, can’t travel far with me. When you’re better, after the New Year, I’ll come back to get you."

He took a folded paper airplane from his pocket and carefully placed it in her burning palm.

The little girl’s tears flowed instantly, "Brother Aiden... you must come back..."

"Mm," he nodded firmly, his tone was of a teenager’s solemn promise, "I will definitely return."

He fished out a piece of paper from his pocket and slowly wrote down an address with a pencil.

"This is my home address, keep it safe, don’t lose it."

He tucked the note into her hand and handed a thick red envelope to the kindly old man next to them.

"Please, sir... take care of her."

With that, he turned and left with determination.

At the doorway, he couldn’t resist looking back.

The small figure stood at the dim doorway, clutching the paper airplane and address tightly, tears silently streaming as she watched him leave.

"Stella!"

Aiden suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp, dull pain radiating from his chest.

He gasped for air, his forehead damp with cold sweat.

That dream... that night long buried in his memory... and Stella!

He finally remembered; he was filled with excitement.

"President Fordham! You’re finally awake!" Keegan Lindsey’s surprised voice sounded beside him, "I’ll call the doctor right away!"

Aiden’s eyes sharply scanned his surroundings, white walls, the smell of antiseptic.

"Where is this?" his voice was a bit hoarse from just waking up.

"Central Hospital in Borrin," Keegan quickly replied, "You were in a car accident on the way back yesterday and have been unconscious for a day and a night. The doctor has checked you and said your body functions are fine, just a concussion and some bruises."

Aiden didn’t hear the rest of Keegan’s words. He suddenly raised his hand and yanked out the IV needle from the back of his hand!

The movement was swift and decisive.

Blood instantly gushed out.

Keegan was startled: "President Fordham, what are you doing!"

Aiden threw off the cover, sat up, his eyes determined and his tone irrefutable.

"Back to Meritopia."

Immediately, right now!

He couldn’t wait; he wanted to see her: his dear sister Stella.

He had forgotten her for a full twelve years, and he wanted to make it all up to her.