Chapter 34

“What happened outside?”

Faith held a glass of water. Her hands still trembled, but she could manage. “I heard Mr. Musso talking to you. Is the Russo family causing trouble because they won’t let me have the book?”

Anthony shook his head. He glanced outside before sitting beside Faith’s bed and saying quietly, “Mr. Russo wasn’t causing trouble. It was Peter. He was badly tortured and brought here for emergency treatment.”

“I only glimpsed him from afar, and I felt sick. His face was sunken, and his body covered in painful boils and sores. Not an inch of his flesh was intact.”

Faith became agitated. “Was it Kyle?”

Anthony shook his head. “I don’t know, but even if it was, if Kyle is exacting revenge for you, you must act like you know nothing. Otherwise, we’ll cause trouble for Kyle.”

“Mr. Russo is furious. He swore to find the culprit, no matter the cost. We must keep quiet; otherwise, it will be disastrous.”

At that moment, a loud voice boomed through the hospital room.

“Disastrous? For Mr. Archer? Ha! Who gave them the courage to cause trouble for him?”

They turned to see an imposing man in the doorway.

“Mr. Clements, you’re here. Please, have a seat.”

Anthony relaxed upon seeing Mike. He had been terrified facing Joe earlier. But with Mike here, things were different.

Mike waved a hand. “I’m not staying. I’m here to deliver an invitation to Ms. Curtis. Ms. Rivas is overjoyed at Mr. Rivas Senior’s recovery and has organized a charity dinner for tomorrow night. Ms. Curtis, you would honor us with your presence if you decide to come…”

Faith was surprised.

Mike smiled and handed the invitation to Anthony.

Anthony respectfully accepted it. “Don’t worry, Mr. Clements. We’ll be there. Mr. Rivas Senior has always been kind and generous, so we’ll support him fully.”

“We’re unsure if Faith’s health will allow her to attend.”

Faith immediately shook her head. “I’ll go, Mr. Clements. But I have a question. Will Kyle be there?”

Mike hesitated. “Of course, we owe Mr. Archer a huge favor; he cured Mr. Rivas Senior. We’re sending him a personal invitation. We’re hoping he’ll honor us with his presence.”

Faith beamed. Meeting Kyle was the best thing that could happen.

“Mr. Clements, I’ll definitely be there!”

Then, Faith bit her lip. “Mr. Clements, pardon my nosiness, but do you know anything about Peter being in a fight? Was it Kyle? Will he be…” She stopped.

Although Mike seemed reluctant to talk, he didn't want to recall the event. He was haunted by what happened. He had witnessed Kyle's transformation into that abomination. Even as a memory, it made him sick.

After a moment, Mike nodded slightly. “It was Mr. Archer’s work. I was there.”

He’d initially wanted to keep it from her; it was too horrifying. Kyle’s methods were cruel beyond comprehension. But recalling Anthony and Maria’s treatment of Kyle, and Kyle's apparent lack of secrecy, he decided to tell them. It would also show how much Kyle cared for Faith.

Maria laughed lightly. “Don’t think Mr. Archer killed Peter out of mercy. The truth is, Peter hoped Mr. Archer would end his suffering. Peter's torment will be true agony. Stuck in a state of confusion and limbo, that's Mr. Archer's revenge on his behalf.”

Anthony and Maria exchanged glances, their feelings complicated.

Faith’s eyes lit up. She didn’t care about Peter; she only cared that Kyle had gone to such lengths for her. However…