CHAPTER 56: THE MAN BEHIND THE WHEEL

"Who the hell are you? My family business has nothing to do with you!"

The middle-aged woman — maybe in her forties — glared, her thin, sharp face twisted with anger.

Sophia lifted Judy’s frail hand, revealing the bluish bruises across her skin.

"I might not be family," she said coolly, "but I’m the one who saved her. That gives me every right to make sure she walks out of here alive."

Her tone was calm but firm, the kind that left no room for argument.

The woman — Alma — gave a humorless laugh and turned to the man beside her.

"Daniel, did you hear that? She said she’s the one who saved Mom!"

Clicking her tongue, Alma added mockingly, "From where I’m standing, you look more like the one who hit my mother. Pay up! She’s fragile — this will cost you at least tens of millions!"

Sophia’s face darkened completely.

Classic. Try to help someone, and you still end up being the villain.

Then, a quiet girl who had been standing in the back finally spoke. She stepped forward and gently took her mother’s arm.

"Mom, if it’s really her, Grandma can confirm it herself. And besides..."

Her voice trailed off as her gaze drifted toward Lucas — shy, almost starstruck.

Sophia’s irritation spiked instantly.

"So, you want compensation, huh?" she said flatly.

Alma’s eyes lit up. Was this woman actually volunteering to pay? What an idiot.

"That’s right! Seventy million. Not a cent less!"

Sophia gave a slow, sarcastic smile.

"Perfect. Since you’re accusing me, then I’ll see you in court. Expect a letter from my attorney."

The color drained from Alma’s face.

"Who do you think you’re scaring with that? An attorney? You? Don’t make me laugh!"

Sophia was just about to roll up her sleeves when a hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her back.

Lucas stepped forward and took out a business card. "Then maybe you’ll recognize me."

The younger girl took the card, glanced at it—and froze.

"Mom... it’s him!" she whispered, eyes wide.

"Him? Who—" Alma snatched the card and her expression immediately stiffened.

Behind her, Daniel and Brian gasped at the same time.

"Mr. Hilton!"

Lucas smiled faintly, though there was nothing warm in it.

"So, the famous Clark Family of City Y — rivals of the Wrights. And the lady in bed must be Mrs. Judy Clark."

Judy blinked in quiet acknowledgment.

"I’ve heard the Clarks have been tearing each other apart over inheritance," Lucas continued lightly, voice laced with mockery. "Didn’t think I’d witness it firsthand. Quite the family reunion, isn’t it?"

Alma opened her mouth, but her daughter quickly tugged her sleeve in warning.

"Mr. Hilton," Alma said, forcing a polite tone, "it seems there’s been a misunderstanding. We appreciate your concern, but this is our family matter, so perhaps—"

"I’m afraid that’s not how this works," Lucas cut her off smoothly. "My wife’s word outranks mine, and since she’s spoken... it’s my duty as her husband to stand by her."

A blush crept across Sophia’s cheeks despite herself.

"Of course," Lucas added with a faint smirk, "I’m a reasonable man. If Mrs. Clark herself wants my wife to stay, then you can all come back when she’s discharged. How does that sound?"

Brian stepped forward, ready to argue — until Lucas turned his gaze on him.

One sharp look. That was all it took to shut him up.

"Mrs. Clark," Lucas said, his tone softening as he turned to the bed, "would you like them to leave?"

Judy’s trembling hand lifted. Her voice cracked with fury.

"Alma... get. Out."

Her shout echoed through the room.

"Mom! They’re outsiders! We’re the ones who should be taking care of you—"

"Lucas," Sophia said calmly, not even looking at Alma, "where are the bodyguards we brought?"

At that, the Clarks’ expressions shifted instantly — anger, panic, fear.

Lucas gestured toward the door. "There it is. Don’t let it hit you on the way out."

Sophia folded her arms, watching as the Clark family slunk out one by one.

When the door finally closed behind them, she turned the lock.

Silence fell. Absolute, blessed silence.

"Mrs. Clark, don’t worry," Sophia said softly, her tone firm but gentle. "I’m not the kind of person who goes around playing hero, but after what happened, I feel a certain responsibility for you. Once you’re discharged, I’ll make sure you get home safely—with the right people."

Judy’s eyes welled up. "Th-thank you..." she whispered, her frail voice trembling.

"I’ll send someone to take care of you. Those people won’t be allowed in again, I promise."

Just as the words left Sophia’s mouth, her phone buzzed sharply.

"Hello? ...What? They caught the suspect?"

Her eyes widened, and she turned to Lucas. Their gazes met for a brief, loaded second before they both hurried out of the hospital room.

...

The man who had driven the truck was in his thirties. His clothes were splattered with paint in every color imaginable, and there were shoe prints and small bruises all over his body. But what stood out most were his eyes—glassy, unfocused, and utterly empty.

"He was found in an abandoned building," the officer explained. "When we got there, he was alone. Calm as a lamb. Almost... like he was under a spell."

Sophia frowned. "Can I talk to him? Alone."

"Make it quick," the officer said.

She stepped forward, studying the man who had nearly killed her and her children. "Who sent you?"

"No one..."

"Impossible. Tell me who it was!"

"I was... driving drunk. Lost control. I panicked and ran..."

His voice was flat—monotone, robotic, almost too calm. The exact same tone every word, every pause measured and precise.

Sophia’s brow furrowed. Something was off. She waved a hand in front of his face. "What’s your name?"

"My name is Sean."

He didn’t even blink. Didn’t react. Just... answered.

Her pulse quickened. He’s been conditioned.

Sophia’s expression hardened as she turned to the officers. When they led Sean away, she walked beside Lucas, her voice low and sharp. "He’s been hypnotized."

Lucas glanced at her. "Hypnotized?"

"Yes. I studied psychology. This is advanced-level conditioning. He didn’t resist a single question, and every response was perfectly scripted—someone prepared him in advance, anticipating exactly what we’d ask."

Lucas looked intrigued. "I’ve heard of hypnosis... but I’ve never actually seen it used like this."

"Well," Sophia said dryly, "you’ve just witnessed it."

He exhaled slowly. "Still, I don’t think Aiden’s behind this. I know him too well."

"Know him?" Sophia shot back. "Please. You can’t even see through yourself. On the surface you look civilized, but underneath—you’re just a wolf in a tailored suit."

Lucas arched an eyebrow and leaned closer, voice low and teasing. "Then maybe I should show you the side of me you claim to hate—but can’t stop thinking about?"

"You’re unbelievable!" she hissed through clenched teeth.

Before she could fire back again, Lucas’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, lips curling into a dangerous smirk. "Well, well... looks like a little rat just crawled out of its hole."

He slung an arm over Sophia’s shoulder. "Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go home and watch the show—our rat’s about to spin and squeak."

Sophia jerked his arm away, glaring. "Hands off! We had an agreement—no touching!"

Lucas lifted his hands in mock innocence, his smirk never fading.

She turned on her heel and started walking faster.

A moment later, she felt a tug at her sleeve.

Lucas only shrugged, completely unbothered.

"Hey," he said, eyes gleaming, "your clothes touched me first."