Chapter 28: Will Not Be So Fortunate

After ending the phone call, Sebastian returned to the room. The doctor was sterilizing and applying medication to the wound on Madelyn’s knee. When he finished, he wrapped it with a bandage. He addressed Sebastian, “It’s done.”

He then took out a tube of ointment and handed it to Sebastian. “This is a medicinal cream for promoting blood circulation and reducing swelling. Remember to have her apply some on the bruised and swollen area every four hours. Try to avoid getting the wound wet. If she really needs to take a bath, be extra careful.”

“All right, thank you,” Sebastian nodded, accepting the ointment.

“You’re welcome. There’s nothing else, so you can head back.” After the doctor finished speaking, he packed up his medicine box and returned it to its original spot.

Sebastian approached Madelyn. “Let’s go home now.”

However, Madelyn remembered that Sebastian still had matters to attend to at his company. “But you still have work.”

Work is indeed important, but it can’t compare to Madelyn. He shook his head and said, “It’s okay, let’s go home first.”

Madelyn gently nodded. What she did next was unexpected. She spread her arms wide. “Carry me.”

Her voice carried an innocent, childlike tone. Coupled with her grubby appearance, she resembled a pitiful yet adorable beggar, which made his heart clench.

Without a word, he lifted her into his arms, holding her by the hips. Madelyn nestled quietly in his arms.

Looks like she’s traumatized. A wave of remorse inundated Sebastian. Why hadn’t I given her the car keys when she left? In fact, if I had let her stay, this wouldn’t have happened. Luckily, I rushed out to check on her. If she had been taken away and something terrible happened, I’d never be able to forgive myself.

Sebastian carried Madelyn out of the hospital and back to the car. Unbeknownst to them, Janessa, sitting in a black sedan across the street, was watching their every move.

Fury seized her, and she clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deeply into her palms. She had been watching from the moment Madelyn was harassed to when Sebastian came to her rescue, all the way until he carried her out of the hospital.

As everything unfolded before her, she was seething with such rage and resentment that she slapped the dashboard. “What a bunch of useless fools! There were so many of them, yet they couldn’t capture Madelyn and were even scared off by Sebastian! What cowards! They can forget about getting money from me!”

With that, she looked enviously in the direction of Sebastian’s car. The window was left open, allowing Janessa a clear view of what was going on inside. She saw Sebastian fastening Madelyn’s seatbelt for her.

Janessa’s jealousy grew more intense. In the end, she gritted her teeth and bit out, “Madelyn, you were lucky this time. But next time, you won’t be so fortunate!” Then, she stepped on the accelerator and drove off.

Fifteen minutes later, at Lockhart Villa, Sebastian carried Madelyn out of the car. As soon as they stepped through the door, Lydia noticed the bandage wrapped around Madelyn’s leg and exclaimed, “Mrs. Lockhart, what happened?”

Upon taking a closer look and realizing her leg wasn’t the only part that was injured, Lydia felt even more sorry for Madelyn. “What happened? Did someone do this to you?”

Upon noticing the worry etched on Lydia’s face, Madelyn smiled and said reassuringly, “Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

Lydia wasn’t convinced and insisted, “Let me go get the medicine.”

Sebastian stopped her with a cold voice. “No need, the medicine’s already applied. You should rest.”

Lydia stopped saying anything and watched them head upstairs. Once they returned to the room, Sebastian noticed the filthy state she was in and suggested, “Why don’t you take a shower first? Call me when you’re done.”

Madelyn nodded and limped her way toward the bathroom. Seeing that, Sebastian felt sorry for her, blaming himself for putting her in this state. He then reminded, “Be careful, don’t let the wound get wet.”

Madelyn turned around and gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. I’ve remembered everything the doctor told me. I’ll be careful.”

Only then did Sebastian feel relieved. Upon entering the bathroom, Madelyn first tested the water temperature. Once she adjusted the water’s temperature to her liking, she then slipped into the bathtub. To keep her wound away from the water, she propped her leg up on the edge of the bathtub.

The warm water enveloped Madelyn’s entire body in an instant. As her limbs relaxed, she suddenly felt an overwhelming pain coursing through her from head to toe. The burning sensation on her face lingered. Despite having had a cold compress and medication at the hospital, the swelling couldn’t possibly subside so quickly.

Recalling the unfortunate events of the evening, Madelyn couldn’t help cursing. What rotten luck! Why did this happen to me! There wasn’t anyone around at the time.

Upon reflection, Madelyn suddenly found those thugs extremely suspicious. It seemed as though the black van was specifically prepared for her. Is someone scheming against me? Madelyn found herself thinking of Janessa again. She’s the only one who hates me enough to do something like this to me. I can’t believe she’d go to such lengths!

After Madelyn went to take a bath, Sebastian headed downstairs. He went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, intending to find some ice packs to use as a cold compress for Madelyn.

Lydia approached and saw him rummaging through the fridge, assuming he was hungry, so she asked, “Mr. Lockhart, what would you like to eat? I’ll prepare for you.”

However, Sebastian shook his head. “I’m not hungry. Lydia, do we have any ice packs?”

Lydia thought about it and said, “Yes. If you could step aside, I’ll get it for you.” Following that, she pulled out some ice packs from the freezer compartment and handed them to Sebastian.

Holding the ice packs, Sebastian paused in his tracks before heading upstairs. He figured Madelyn must be hungry by now. So, he instructed, “Lydia, could you please prepare some food to be sent upstairs later?”

“All right. Mrs. Lockhart is injured. I shall prepare something light for her.”

Sebastian gave an affirmative hum. “You decide.”

Lydia smiled, relieved to see Sebastian and Madelyn finally getting along. “Looks like your relationship with Mrs. Lockhart has finally improved, Mr. Lockhart. That’s wonderful.”

Sebastian flashed a faint smile, remaining silent. Madelyn is indeed much more well-behaved right now. At least that’s how she acts around me.

Lydia continued, “Mrs. Lockhart’s feisty and unruly temper has mellowed down quite a bit. Oh, by the way, she even burned her hand when she cooked lunch for you today.”