Chapter 96: A Close Call
The bald man thought to himself, This must be some rich second-generation heir from a major corporation. These wealthy types fear nothing more than a scandal hitting the headlines.
Emboldened, the bald man said, “Sir, it was your woman who hit my car first. I asked her to pay me 27 thousand dollars, but she refused. Now you’ve broken my hand, and I haven’t done anything wrong. Is there no law in Havenbrook?”
“If you don’t want this to blow up, you need to pay me 140 thousand dollars this time,” the bald man said.
Fraser’s gaze sharpened, his voice icy as he replied, “140 thousand dollars? You think you’re worth that? My woman was frightened because of you. The compensation for her mental distress is 60 thousand dollars.”
The bald man’s face paled at the mention of 690 thousand dollars. For some reason, he had a sinking feeling this man meant every word. He thought to himself, Good lord, that’s 690 thousand dollars! I couldn’t earn that in a lifetime driving trucks.
Just then, several police cars arrived, sirens blaring, and pulled up alongside the road. A dozen officers in crisp uniforms stepped out efficiently. Leading them was Chief Larry, the head of Havenbrook’s police department. It was as if a major incident had occurred.
Mr. Larry hurried over and, upon seeing Fraser, bowed respectfully. “Mr. Graham, we apologize for the delay. We came as fast as we could after your call.” Please don’t hold it against us, he thought.
Fraser’s expression remained impassive. “Handle this,” he said.
With that, he bent down, slipped his arms under Summer’s knees, and lifted her up in front of everyone. Caught off guard, Summer felt herself enveloped by his strong presence. Her head spun, the dizziness growing heavier, and she was too weak to protest, leaning against him limply.
The officers, summoned for what they assumed was a serious traffic accident, were surprised to find a minor incident with no casualties. Yet, seeing Mr. Larry defer to this nonchalant man, they knew he was someone of great importance. Clearly, he cared deeply for the woman in his arms.
Mr. Larry, accustomed to high-stakes situations, stayed composed. “Of course, of course. I’ll take care of everything properly.”
Fraser gently placed Summer in the passenger seat, walked around to the driver’s side, and before starting the car, rolled down the window. Leaning on his elbow, he fixed the bald man with a piercing gaze. “I won’t accept a settlement,” he declared. With that, he floored the accelerator, and the car sped off, leaving a cloud of exhaust and stunned onlookers.
Fraser took Summer to the Graham family’s private hospital, where she was immediately admitted to a VIP room. The dean personally oversaw her CT scan and full-body examination.
Fraser leaned against the corridor wall, smoking. Half the cigarette had burned away, smoke curling upward, filling the hallway with its scent. Dr. Charles, seeing Fraser with a woman for the first time, dared not slack off. After the examination, he reported promptly, “Ms. Stewart is fine, just a mild concussion. She’ll…”
Summer lay half-reclined on the bed, medicated and feeling somewhat better. Her senses sharpened, and her mind cleared. From the accident scene to the hospital, Fraser had carried her the entire way. The thought of all those people watching made her cheeks flush. No wonder the nurses and doctors had given her those knowing looks.
Just then, the door opened, and a tall figure entered. Fraser’s footsteps echoed distinctly in the quiet room, each step seemingly resonating with her heartbeat. His handsome face was cool and composed, masking some suppressed emotion. His dark eyes fixed on her. “Are you an idiot? What were you daydreaming about while driving?”
Summer stiffened at his words. It was her first car accident, and then she’d been threatened by that menacing bald man. Now, instead of comfort, he was scolding her with a hint of coldness. If it weren’t for that interview, she wouldn’t have been distracted. Without that distraction, none of this would have happened.
The grievances she’d bottled up all evening twisted inside her like vines. Her throat tightened, and her eyes reddened, but she bit her lip. “I know I troubled you today. Sorry, Mr. Graham. It won’t happen again.”