Chapter 24: Riley, Come Back to Me
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The phone rang twice and then went to voicemail. He’d blocked her. Riley’s lips twitched. Even on their first meeting, she hadn’t liked Noah; he’d tried to get her WhatsApp while still with Chloe. He was clearly a player, but Riley hadn’t expected him to be so unreliable. Even if he was worried about the financial fallout, he didn’t need to ghost his girlfriend while she was injured and in the hospital. Even if he was scared, he could at least pretend to care before running.
“Wan Wan, didn’t he know you’re rich?” That was the only explanation Riley could think of.
Chloe shrugged.“Probably not.”
When dating Noah, she hadn’t flaunted her wealth, and she wasn’t into designer labels. She cherished anything she liked, regardless of price. She knew Noah didn’t have much; aside from his good looks, he offered little. But she’d liked him. She wouldn’t mind supporting him, as she had plenty of money. She hadn’t expected him to be such a coward, unable to even break up with her properly, instead ghosting her while she was unconscious. Clearly, besides being physically fit, he offered nothing.
The more she thought about it, the angrier Chloe got.
“Okay, stop being sad. Didn’t you say the next one will be better?”
Chloe sobbed, “But I really liked him.”
Riley ruffled
her
hair.“When
did
become you
SO
hopelessly
romantic?”
A gruff male voice cut through the air from the doorway.
“Damn it, I just got into a car accident!”
“Dude, it’s not my fault I didn’t pick you up. I was in the accident because I was *picking you up*!” “Calling an ambulance would have been faster!”
“Fine, I’ll go settle things with the two–wheeled idiot who hit me. My brand–new car–I’m going to have him arrested if it’s not fixed!”
The door flew open, revealing Peter, his head bandaged, phone in hand, flanked by uniformed bodyguards. If Riley hadn’t known him, she would’ve been terrified.
“You’re the one who hit car! Do
my
you
know…”
He stopped mid–sentence, staring at Riley.“Whoa, Riley, what are you doing here? My Liam isn’t in this room.”
Riley understood. Noah had hit *Peter’s* car. Of all the people to hit, he’d hit this small tynt. Riley noticed the blood seeping through the bandage on his forehead.“Are you okay?” Peter shook his head, a grimace twisting his face. He muttered a curse.“That little punk hit me hard.”
Chloe hid behind Riley, afraid to be seen. Peter clearly had a terrible temper. She stammered, “Sir, I’ll for the damages. Please just go.”
pay
Peter noticed Chloe. His eyes narrowed.“I remember it was a scrawny guy. What’s this about a girl?”
Riley laughed nervously.“He ran away.”
Damn coward.”
16.6%
Chapter 24: Riley, Come Back to Me
Riley winced, tentatively asking, “Peter Ge, is your car okay?”
Peter found the address term unusual. Then Riley continued, “My friend didn’t mean to, Can you please not involve the police?”
up
There was no such thing as a free “Ge” in the world. She’d used the term to soften him for what would likely cost millions.
Peter
do smiled.“Little sis,
you
know
car how badly my
was
damaged?
Riley shook her head.
Peter showed her photos of his damaged car. Riley gasped. The hood was crumpled; it was still smoking. It looked bad.
Chloe also looked, her face paling.“Sir, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to, I’ll pay anything. Please don’t make me go to jail!”
Peter looked at Chloe. She was surprisingly attractive. He smirked.“You’re Riley’s friend?* Chloe nodded.“Best friend and roommate.”
Peter raised an eyebrow.“Since you’re friends, let’s talk.” He motioned for Riley to leave. Riley knew Peter wouldn’t let her friend fall into trouble, but before she could speak, Chloe whispered, “Riley, your brother is so hot. He’s my type!”
Riley:“…”
unfounded. Better avoid being a third wheel.
It seemed her worries
were
Do
Riley stood.“You two talk. I’ll
to
need me tomorrow?”
you go.
Chloe waved her hand.“No, no. Go ahead.”
Riley nodded and started to leave. At the door, Peter stopped her.
“Little sis, your Liam is hospitalized. Aren’t you going to see him?”
Riley was surprised.“Hospitalized?”
“Yeah. Upstairs.”
“Why? He was fine at lunch.”
Peter scoffed.“Who knows what happened. Go see if he’s dead. I’ll be up
“Okay.”
later
When Riley arrived at Liam’s room, a nurse was changing his dressing. He lay in bed, eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
Riley asked softly, “Nurse, what happened?”
“Allergic reaction.”
Riley was stunned. “An allergic reaction? Did you find the allergen?”
The nurse opened her mouth, but Liam, who’d been sleeping, spoke.“What are you doing here?” “My friend was in an accident downstairs. I came to check on her.”
She approached him, whispering, “Are you feeling better? How did you get an allergy?” The nurse said, “No more beef or seaweed. This time, it wasn’t much, but a larger amount would Have been much worse.”
16.6%
Chapter 24 Riley, Come Back to Me
Meriu
Riley felt guilty. Beef and seaweed that was the lunch she’d brought him
I’m so sorry…”
Liam glanced at her. No apology needed. I only found out about the allergy after eating it. I should thank you.”
Riley twitched. He was surprisingly good at comforting people.
Do you want some water? I’ll get you some,” Riley offered, feeling responsible for his allergy and wanting to make amends.
‘No, you sit.”
Riley mumbled an “oh.”
Liam watched her, ‘It’s not your fault. Don’t overthink it.”
Riley shook her head.
Her phone rang. It
was an
unknown number. She hesitated, then answered.
‘Hello?”
‘Riley, it’s me, Jake.”
Riley’s hand froze. She said impatiently, “What do
you want?”
Was it you who made me the hangover soup last night?”
Riley instinctively glanced at Liam. He was staring at her, a flicker of displeasure in his
eyes.
He’d
heard Jake.
