Jessica hurried to the first floor, where police cars and an ambulance were parked at the entrance. Joshua was already waiting beside the ambulance.
Paramedics were trying to stop lan’s bleeding, but with the pen driven straight through his palm, he would have to go to the hospital for surgery to remove it.
The lobby wasn’t crowded. Only two receptionists were discreetly snapping photos of them for gossip.
“Do you have any wet wipes?” Jessica asked, rapping lightly on the reception counter.
Startled, the two quickly pulled out a pack from the drawer. She thanked them and ran up to Zachary.
“Zachary!”
The two receptionists were stunned. They couldn’t believe that Jessica had just called their boss by his first name. Now, the gossip was bound to grow wilder by the minute.
Outside, the December breeze was biting, yet Zachary stood at the doorway looking as composed as ever.
When he saw Jessica hurrying over with his coat, he brightened at once.
“Are you hurt?” She grabbed his arm and checked him over.
He spread his arms, turning slightly to show that he was fine.
Relieved, Jessica pulled out the wet wipes and began wiping the blood from his chest.
“Aren’t you afraid that people will see?”
A smirk crossed his face as he watched her hands brush across his abs. His throat bobbed.
“Then, you do it yourself,” she said, frowning at him.
“Do as you please.”
Her hand twitched with the urge to slap him.
There wasn’t much blood, so she cleaned it off quickly. But the metallic smell still lingered in
the air.
“Put your clothes on.”
“There’s no need. They’re dirty,” Zachary replied, glancing at his shirt.
915
“Are you disobeying me?”
“That’s not ”
“Are you putting it on or not?”
“Fine.” He eventually obliged.
Joshua was momentarily stunned, then stifled a laugh. It was his first time seeing Zachary so meek. For a domineering man like him to act so docilely like this, Jessica had him well–trained
indeed.
She helped him into the shirt without hesitation, buttoning it and pulling on the coat. He’d actually gone shirtless to keep the fabric clean, baring himself for all to see–in the winter, no less. She ought to have let him freeze a little, really.
“I need to go to the police station,” Zachary said.
“I’m coming with you.”
“Sure.”
Jessica took the wipes back to the front desk, returning the unused pack and reminding the receptionists not to post any photos. They didn’t dare reply and simply nodded in response.
After all, Zachary was their boss. Gossiping was one thing, but doing something that might sabotage the company was another.
Joshua followed the ambulance to the hospital, while Zachary got into the police car. Jessica went down to the underground parking lot and drove to the station herself.
At the police station, Zachary admitted that he had injured Ian. Everything now depended on Ian. If he pressed charges, Zachary would be held responsible. If not, it would be easier to
settle.
Jessica sat outside, anxiety and unease overwhelming her:
Zachary must’ve learned that Ian had laid hands on her, or he wouldn’t have lost control like that. She wrung her fingers, guilt gnawing at her.
At 6:00 pm, Ian showed up at the station. His hand was wrapped with gauze like it was a mummy’s relic.
Joshua said Zachary’s aim had been precise, driving the pen between two bones. Otherwise, Ian’s hand might have been ruined for good.
In less than ten minutes, Zachary was released.
To Jessica’s surprise, lan hadn’t pressed charges at all. He simply called it a misunderstanding and dropped it.
Her hands were still trembling when she slid into the driver’s seat. She couldn’t even bring herself to start the car.
“I’ll drive.”
Zachary glanced at her from the passenger seat, knowing he’d really scared her this time.
WA
Chapter 96
