Chapter 181 An Act Well Played
Josh’s eyes widened in shock, disbelief written all over his face.
What the hell was going on? Did I
Y get so drunk last night that I lost control?
4%
Finished
He frantically denied the possibility in his mind.
No way. Absolutely not. I’m that kind of man.
But the security footage was right in front of him. It was a solid proof that could not be ignored. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, the truth was staring him in the face.
Josh did not know what to say. He had to find that girl and get to the bottom of this.
After getting out of bed, he washed up, changed into fresh clothes, and prepared to head out. But as he reached the entrance, his gaze landed on a Maitrise umbrella resting on the cabinet.
Faint memories recalled some fragments of a conversation outside the bar.
It seemed like I had asked her to take me home?
Josh was speechless. Getting drunk really made him reckless. He had actually let a girl he had only met twice, someone whose name he did not even know, drive him home.
He stared at the umbrella for a long moment before finally stepping out the door.
Inside the elevator, the hushed conversation between two middle–aged women reached his ears.
“Did you hear? Last night, a girl was nearly assaulted right outside our building. It’s all over the neighborhood chat group. Girls really shouldn’t be out alone so late at night. It’s too dangerous.” The first woman said.
“Exactly. What was she even doing outside at ten o’clock at night?” The second woman answered.
Josh froze.
Could they be talking about the girl who had taken me home? Had she been attacked because she was returning from dropping me off?
A wave of guilt crashed over him. Without a second thought, he rushed downstairs to check the security footage.
It was Mia. In the video, she looked utterly helpless, her terror palpable.
Josh felt a tight squeeze in his chest. He immediately drove to Hoverdale Tech University, intending to find her. But then, a realization struck. He did not even know her full name. So instead, he went straight to the police station.
From the police officers, he learned that Mia had indeed been nearly assaulted the night before. Fortunately, the police had arrived just in time to save her.
Josh also managed to get her name and phone number from the police officer.
In the café across from the university, warm sunlight streamed through the windows, casting golden
1/2
Chapter 181 An Act Well Played
64%
Finished
Josh sat across from Mia. She looked tense, her hands clutching the hem of her sweater so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her wide, anxious eyes darted around as if searching for an escape. Clearly, she was still traumatized by the previous night’s events.
Seeing Mia like this, so fragile and shaken, tugged at Josh’s heart. “I’m sorry about last night,” he said, his voice deep and laced with guilt.
Mia’s breathing hitched. She lifted her trembling hands to pick up her coffee, hoping to steady herself. But she was shaking so badly that the cup clinked against the saucer, the sound crisp and telling.
That sight made Josh feel even worse. She was almost assaulted twice in one night. No wonder she was terrified.
Even though he had not meant for any of this to happen, she had suffered because of him. If he had not asked her to take him home, she would not have been out so late and would not have run into those men.
Josh rubbed his temples, heavy with remorse. “I drank too much last night,” he admitted, his voice tinged with regret.
“It’s okay,” Mia stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “I know you’re a good person…”
She said she was fine, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears, her vulnerability striking a chord deep within him.
Josh sighed. No amount of apology could undo the fear she had endured.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a bank card and slid it across the table. “There’s 140,000 dollars on this card. Take it as compensation for everything you’ve been through because of me.”
Mia lowered her head even further, her long bangs falling over her face, concealing the flicker of emotion in her eyes.
Josh assumed she felt insulted and offended that he was trying to use money to make up for what had happened. What he did not know was that, at that very moment, Mia was fighting back the urge to cheer.
Inside, she was celebrating.
Finally! All that acting last night wasn’t for nothing! Lauren, I’m about to get rich! I’ll take the money today and leave tomorrow. You stay home, and I’ll study abroad. Our little family will live happily ever after.
The only regret she had was that the man in front of her was actually her cup of tea. Too bad she had not gotten the chance to have a taste. But it did not matter. No man could ever compare to her precious Lauren.
Golden light spilled through the floor–to–ceiling windows in the afternoon, casting soft, scattered reflections on the polished floor.
Josh studied Mia’s lowered head, her hair veiling most of her face. She remained silent for a long time.
280
