Chapter 2
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Zoey took a few hesitant steps forward, but the black car beside her rolled along just as slowly, shadowing her movements.
Her face paled slightly, and she couldn’t help but finally ask in a soft, trembling voice, “Excuse me, are you following me?”
Her voice was delicate, like a frightened kitten’s mewl–so vulnerable and small
Zoey herself was petite, her frame almost swallowed up by the large yellow backpack hanging off her shoulders. Her skin was so smooth and clear that it seemed to bruise at the slightest touch
Though her eyes were closed, it was obvious that this girl was the picture of beauty, one of those rare blossoms just waiting
to bloom.
Levi couldn’t help but think to himself, ‘Grandmother was right She really does look innocent, pure–like someone untouched by the world’s cruelty. She’s more like a kid than a schemer.
Jack, Levi’s assistant, opened the car door as Levi stepped out. Each of his steps was firm and deliberate, carrying him closer to Zoey. Standing over six feet tall, he towered over her, casting a long shadow across her fragile figure.
“Word is your eyesight hasn’t fully recovered. Why did you leave the hospital? Levi’s voice was deep and rich, the kind that could send shivers down anyone’s spine.
Zoey felt her cheeks warm with a mix of embarrassment and nervousness. That voice… she thought. “It’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.
With her eyes still closed, she tilted her face slightly in his direction. “Who Who are you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Normally, Levi wouldn’t have had the patience for this sort of conversation. His no–nonsense personality meant he had little time for small talk, especially with strangers.
But looking at her now–so small and frail, like she hadn’t had a proper meal in days–he felt an unfamiliar tug of sympathy in his chest. “My name is Levi Cordon. Tm the grandson of the woman you saved. I just wanted to thank you for helping my grandmother.”
Levi’s words must have struck a chord, because the next thing he knew, Zoey’s lips curled into a soft sanile. That smile,” gentle yet radiant, lit up her entire face. The dimples on her cheeks deepened, making her look even more charming, like flecting vision of beauty that could blind anyone lucky enough to see it.
Jack and the driver, standing nearby, exchanged quick whispers No wonder Mrs. Gordon likes her. She is good–hearted and pretty”
For them, it was hard not to pity her, a girl this beautiful, with her eyesight tragically taken away.
Zoey gave a small shake of her head. “You don’t have to thank me
“It’s late,” Levi said, his gaze sharp but his tone softening When are you headed all alone?”
Zoey’s face fell, her shoulders drooping under the weight of his question. I… I don’t have anywhere to go.”
She’d thought about returning to her hometown, but her beloved grandparents had passed away long ago. The only thing waiting for her there was a crumbling house, one that offered little more than shelter from the wind.
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Chapter 2
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Levi remained silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he weighed his options. “Your eyes aren’t healed yet. I’ll take you back to the hospital
“No, please. That’s not necessary, Zoey stammered, her voice shaky with panic. “You’ve already spent so much money on
me, and my eyes… they can’t be fixed.”
“Who told you that nonsense?” Levi’s voice tumed ice cold, sharp enough to freeze the air between them.
Startled by his sudden change in tone, Zoey went palle, her lips parting as if to speak but no words came out
Realizing he’d been too harsh, Levi’s expression softened, though the intensity in his eyes never wavered. He’d spent too many years in the cutthroat world of business, his presence commanding and intimidating–a far cry from what a fragile girl like Zoey could stand.
“Don’t worry,” he said, his voice gentler now. “I’ll find the best doctor to treat your eyes. I’ll make sure you’re healed.”
Zoey hesitated, her emotions clearly stirred. She didn’t have anywhere to go right now, and maybe following this man could give her a chance to regain her sight. With a soft, almost timid voce, she replied, “Th–thank you, Mr. Horton I’ll go with
Hearing this, Levi couldn’t help but give a half–smile, thinking to himself, ‘Mr. Horton? Did she mishear my name? Well, no point correcting her. But why does she sound so scared? Maybe is because she can’t see me. She doesn’t know my expression or how I look, so she thinks I’m intimidating
“Why do you seem so frightened?” Levi asked, his voice lowering as if he were coaxing a child.
Zoey gripped the straps of her oversized yellow backpack and whispered. “B–because you’re so tall.”
He was so imposing that when he stood in front of her, it felt like he blocked out the wind
Levi’s lips curled up in amusement, thinking to himself, ‘Interesting
“Come on. I’ll take you back to the hospital,” he said gemly reaching out and taking her hand to guide her into the car. Her hand was small and frail, and he could feel how thin she was
Levi was mostly concerned that, being unable to see, she might trip or hur herself–and that would only add to the headache of explaining things to Isabella
Jack and the driver, who had been standing aside, were left completely dumbfounded by what they saw. “When did Mr. Gordon get so gentle?‘ they wondered. It’s one thing to offer her a ride, but to hold her hand? If all those socialites in Cridonia caught wind of this, they’d be green with envy.
Zoey, having rarely ridden in cars, settled into the luxurious vehicle and immediately noticed the light scent of cologne lingering in the air. The leather seats were so soft that she felt like she were sitting on clouds. She sat stiffly, trying not to make any sudden movements,
Levi, noticing her discomfort, asked, “What’s going through your head?”
Shyly, Zoey replied, “Mr. Horton, this car…It must be really expensive, right? I’m scared I might damage something. I
wouldn’t be able to afford to fix it.”
A flash of surprise crossed Levi’s face. “It’s not expensive. Don’t worry, you won’t have to pay for anything,” he said calmly.
Zoey breathed a sigh of relief, unaware that the car she was sitting in was a limited edition model worth tens of millions. Only the wealthiest and most powerful people could afford one
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Exhausted from a long day of chores and still not fully recovered from her injuries, Zoey soon felt herself growing drowsy.
She unknowingly leaned against what she assumed was a pillow and drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep. In her dreams. she noted how warm and cozy the pillow felt, though it was a bit too firm for her liking.
Levi, however, stiffened. For the first time in his life, someone was sleeping on his shoulder. His face darkened, his body. rigid as if he’d turned to stone. After a moment, he coldly mudged her off him, and Zory, still half asleep, was left to slump against the car window instead.
Based on the background check Levi had done, Zoey was barely twenty, though she looked more like a high schooler. She’d grown up doing hard labor around the house and had been frequently mistreated, often going hungry, which explained her frail and malnourished appearance
Levi wondered if she had saved Isabella out of pure coincidence or if someone had orchestrated the whole thing
He found it hard to believe that anyone would risk losing their eyesight for the life of a stranger, and yer Zoey didn’t seem to regret it in the slightest. Is there really anyone that selfless? he wondered.
Zoey returned to her ward in the private hospital, the sterile, antiseptic smell filling her senses. The low hum of medical equipment was the only sound as she lay on the bed, tired from what had happened during these few days
Meanwhile, Levi, standing just outside, was on the phone with his friend, Daniel Smith. His voice was sharp, like the bite of winter air. “Daniel, make sure someone’s keeping an eye on her she slips away again, you can kiss that project you’ve been working on goodbye”
The private hospital, renowned for its top–notch medical care, was owned by the Smith family and the prices were astronomical. It was a place only the ultra–wealthy could afford–definitely not a place for ordinary people.
Daniel, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, sounded as carefree as ever. “Mr. Cordon, relax. I won’t let anything happen to your precious little sweetheart”
“Watch your mouth. Levi snapped, his tone ice–cold.
Daniel chuckled, still unfazed. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep it zipped. My lips are sealed, promise?
But no sooner had he hung up than Daniel did the exact opposite of what he promised. He quickly typed out a message in the group chat of their childhood friends: Guess what? Mr. Gordon’s finally showing some interest in a woman.]
The responses came flooding in almost instantly. Someone instantly texted: [Dream on, Daniel Levi’s gone years without so. much as a woman near him. You really think he’s interested in anyone?]
Another chimed in: [I’ve always wondered if something’s wrong with him. I mean, he’s twenty–nine and hasn’t even glanced. at a woman. Do you think Mr Gordon likes men? I might have a chance then.]
Daniel, grinning, typed back: I swear it’s true. Levi’s got someone in the hospital. She’s sick, staying at my family’s hospital. If you don’t believe me, go see for yourself.]
The group wasn’t just made up of Levi’s old friends; there were also a few socialites who had been after him for years, hoping to catch his attention. With no luck getting close to him, they’d tried cozying up to his friends instead, hoping that might give them a chance to talk to Levi someday.
Inside the room, Zoey was resting after the check–up, her body finally starting to relax when the loud, staccato clicks of high heels echoed from the hallway, growing closer with every step.
Outside, a nurse’s voice was fraught with tension. “Ms. Carter, you can’t go in there.
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“Out of my way,” a sultry, commanding voice shot back. “I want to see for myself who dares to sedure Levi?
Aurora Garter stormed down the corridor, her bright red lipstick and voluminous waves of hair making her look like she’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Dressed in a figure–hugging fishtail dress that highlighted every curve, she was practically on fire with jealousy and determination
Without waiting for permission, she shoved open the door to Zory’s room, her expression darkening as her eyes locked onto the girl lying innocently in the bed.
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