C14 Maybe She Was Mistaken!

"Uh... I'm not certain yet." Loran was hesitant to jump to any conclusions without solid evidence.

"I need to see that surveillance footage!" Lydia, clinging to the hope of proving her innocence, was determined not to let the opportunity slip away.

With a burst of energy, she threw back the covers and made her way to Loran, her feet hitting the floor with purpose. But in an instant, she was brought to a halt by the tug of the IV line on her wrist. A jolt of pain shot from her hand to her heart, sending her slender frame into a slight shiver, her forehead beading with cold sweat.

Turning, Lydia saw a long trail of blood backflowing from the IV in her left hand. With a frown, she yanked out the bothersome tube.

She pressed a cotton ball to the puncture site, but the blood outpaced her efforts, spilling over her delicate hand and onto the floor.

"Loran, could you please show me the surveillance video?" Lydia, too focused on her mission to attend to her bleeding hand, approached Loran once more. But as she took a step, Reece firmly pressed her back onto the bed.

Seated on the bed, Lydia's face registered complete shock.

She looked up abruptly at Reece, her brows knitting together in frustration. "What are you doing?!"

"Loran, call the nurse to reinsert her IV," Reece ordered, ignoring her protest and directing the dazed Loran.

Loran, catching a glimpse of Reece's stern profile, couldn't help but smile. His charming eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement. "Alright, I'm on it."

"No, Loran, don't leave!"

Lydia watched Loran's back as he walked away, desperate to follow, but Reece kept her firmly seated on the bed.

Turning her agitation back to Reece, she raised her voice, "Reece, I don't need a nurse. I need to see the surveillance footage. Do you get that?"

"Hand it over," Reece said, extending his hand toward her.

Lydia paused, confused. "What?"

What was he trying to do?

Before she could process, Reece leaned over, took her left hand, and pressed a larger cotton ball against the bleeding point.

Only then did Lydia realize that her hand had been bleeding nonstop, the crimson stain spreading across her white sleeve.

Was he tending to her wound?

The revulsion she initially felt settled down.

"Thank you." Lydia awkwardly licked her pale lips, her voice softening slightly.

"I'll have Loran send the surveillance footage to your phone," Reece said as he applied a bandage to the needle mark on Lydia's arm, his gaze resting on her. "You can watch it while you're getting the IV."

"...That won't work. If I find a lead, I need to follow up on it right away."

"The first step to proving your innocence is to be in good health. Otherwise, you're only making things harder for yourself," Reece stated in a tone that was neither light nor heavy, yet each word carried weight.

Lydia bit her lip and settled back onto the bed, conceding.

He was right; she needed to be in good health to accomplish more.

Silence enveloped them once more.

Lydia stole a glance at the man next to her. Was it her imagination, or did he seem less cold today? It felt like their interactions weren't as frosty as they used to be.

But upon further reflection, she dismissed the idea.

After all these years, he had always been distant and cool. Had he ever changed?

So...

It was undoubtedly a figment of her imagination.

After the IV was set up again, Lydia reached out and firmly grasped Loran's arm. "Loran, let me see the surveillance video. I need to know who tampered with my phone."

"Sixth Bro..." Loran hesitated, seeking confirmation from the man beside him.

With a nod from Reece, Loran pulled out his phone and brought up the surveillance video stored on it.