Leo James crashed while picking up my car. Fractured tibia.
By the time I reached the hospital, a girl with swollen, tear-streaked eyes was shrieking at me:
"Who do you think you are, making Mr. James fetch your car? If you hadn't been too lazy to go yourself, he never would've gotten hurt!"
"Do you have any idea that Mr. James fractured his leg? That he bruised his ribs?"
Her tone dripped with self-righteousness—like she was scolding a servant who'd stepped out of line.
It wasn't just me. Every friend and relative who'd come to visit Leo stood frozen, staring.
Leo shot her an indulgent glance, then turned to placate me:
"She's just protective of her clients. Speaks her mind a little too freely. Don't take it personally."
His heart hadn't been with me for a long time. Of course I wouldn't take it personally.
I studied the weeping girl with detached calm, waiting until she'd exhausted herself into silence.
"Finished? Good. My turn."
"This is the second time your dealership has made this kind of amateur mistake. Either you give me a satisfactory explanation, or you can deal with the police and Harding Group's legal team."
1.
The color drained from her face. She turned to the man in the hospital bed, eyes pleading.
Leo's expression flickered.
"Gladys Harding, it was my mistake. She had nothing to do with it. I've already handled the accident."
"Your mistake?" I arched an eyebrow and looked straight at him. "How bad is it?"
Leo cleared his throat. "I'm fine. Just the fracture and a mild concussion. You don't need to—"
I cut him off.
"I was asking about the car."
The girl flinched at my coldness, her voice pitching higher:
"Mr. James is in the hospital and all you care about is the car? Do you even have a heart?"
"You must be Virginia Matthews."
I folded my arms, unhurried, my face blank.
"First—that car is worth eighteen million dollars. Limited edition. One of twelve in the world."
"Second—Leo James is my husband. Legally. Him picking up my car is hardly unusual."
"Third..."
I paused, letting my gaze drop to where her fingers were clenched around the fabric of Leo's hospital gown.
"You're just some college student Leo sponsored once. So what exactly gives you the right to stand here and interrogate me?"
Virginia's face flushed scarlet. She released his gown instinctively, but couldn't stop herself from protesting:
"I—I just feel bad for Mr. James!"
"You could've picked up the car yourself, but you made him go all that way. Now something's happened and you can't even pretend to care—"
I glanced at the message from Evan on my phone. A cold smile curved my lips.
"Save some of that sympathy for yourself."
"The damage assessment just came in. Repair costs are estimated at over three million. Card or cash?"
Virginia's knees buckled. She swayed, then glared at me with stubborn, wounded fury:
"Th-three million? That's extortion!"
Her gaze slid toward Leo, helpless and imploring.
"Mr. James..."
Leo pushed himself upright, wincing as the movement pulled at his injuries. He pressed his fingers to his brow.
"Gladys, she's barely out of college. Still a kid. Where would she get three million? Don't scare her."
"I'm the one who made the mistake. I'll pay for it."
Virginia's eyes lit up. The corner of her mouth curled with barely concealed triumph.
I looked at him, my voice dripping with mockery:
"How chivalrous of you, Mr. James. Wasn't buying her an entire dealership generous enough?"
Leo clearly hadn't expected me to know about that. His expression froze.
Virginia lost every trace of her earlier bravado. She bit her lip.
"Gladys... if you're angry, take it out on me. Don't blame Mr. James. He only helped me because he felt sorry for me."
Leo sighed and waved her toward the door.
"This has nothing to do with you. Go home."
Virginia kept her head down as she shuffled toward the exit, glancing back every few steps. She'd just reached the doorway when she suddenly turned and hurried back.
