Once they were alone in the house, Dallas knelt in front of her with alcohol and medicine, picked up her foot, and carefully removed her ruined high heels, placing her bare feet on his thighs.
Dallas: "It might hurt a bit."
"I can bear it."
Dallas looked up at her, "You don't have to bear it. Cry if you want to, scream if you need to. You won't be the scariest I've heard."
Averi was taken aback, a smile forming on her lips.
The alcohol hit her skin instantly, piercing pain spread through, and despite being prepared, Averi still winced in agony. She bit her lip, drawing in quick breaths without letting out a cry.
For someone who had never voiced their pain, expressing it was harder than enduring it.
After applying the medicine, Dallas skillfully bandaged her wound, then lifted her shirt to inspect other areas, tending to the minor abrasions on her shoulder and elbow as well.
In this situation, neither of them harbored any ulterior thoughts; there was only a mutual reliance born from shared hardship.
Once finished, Averi offered, "Let me treat your wounds."
She helped him take off his shirt, only then noticing that his back bore the worst of the injuries. Bruises, scrapes, and cuts crisscrossed, and because they hadn't been treated promptly, blood had clotted and dried, sticking to the fabric. As he removed his shirt, the wounds tore open again, seeping fresh blood.
She had thought herself lucky to have escaped unscathed, but now it was clear that he had taken most of the impact for her.
Averi was momentarily speechless, holding the alcohol, unsure where to start.
Though facing away from her, Dallas seemed to read her mind, speaking calmly, "It's part of my job, looks worse than it is, not as bad as dislocations."
Averi remained silent, after a while, she said, "I'm pouring."
"Hmm."
He was better at enduring pain, not even a gasp escaped him.
After the alcohol came the ointment, Averi moved gently, applying it and softly blowing on the wounds.
Her gentle breaths brushed over the injuries, easing the pain and bringing a slight tickle.
Dallas gradually grew uncomfortable, yet he didn't want her to stop, the torment only increasing.
Once the wounds were treated, they looked at each other silently, and Dallas initiated the conversation, "What are your plans?"
Averi frowned slightly, "I'm not sure, we'll play it by ear." Pausing, she added, "I need to make a call, is your phone safe?"
Dallas nodded, handing her his cracked phone, glanced at her, and left the room.
At that moment, Averi felt a pang of guilt, a rare emotion for her.
He had saved her, yet she still had to guard against him, and he knew it, which was why he left.
Averi, skilled at dialing numbers, entered Jordan's number and pressed the call button.
"Hello."
"Jordan, it's me, don't speak."
"Hey, long time no see." Jordan quickly recovered, Averi heard her say "Sorry, I need to take this" to someone unknown. After a brief silence, her voice came back, "My boss was in a car accident, it's all over the news. I'm at her house right now, what's so urgent that you have to call me now? How are you, how have you been?"
Averi was relieved by Jordan's quick thinking, lowering her voice, "Just listen, I'm fine, no need to worry. Are you at the Forbes family now?"
"Hmm."
"Everyone's there?"
"Yeah, having a dinner party. I can stay, when will you be free?"
Averi: "I'll come back in a few days. Don't tell anyone about my call, let them think I'm missing for now."
"Got it, no problem. Do I need to bring anything?"
"Jordan, keep an eye on everyone's reactions, especially Big Brother. Watch if he makes any secret calls or shows any unusual behavior. I can't specify exactly what to look for, but if anything feels off, remember to tell me. You can call this number when the time comes."
"Sure, I got it. See you then?"
Averi sincerely said, "Thank you, Jordan."
She wasn't without doubts about Jordan, but given the circumstances, she had to take the risk.
She needed to use this time to figure out why Johnathan chose this moment to act. Could it be because of the Top Ten Business Figures event? Recently, Christopher had been quite overt about it. Christopher's neglect of him wasn't new, and Johnathan had always been cautious, fearing further displeasure from Christopher and losing his current position.
Averi found it hard to piece together.
Thinking about it, it was Dallas who had reminded her: if they wanted her dead, the best way would be to arrange a fatal car accident, ensuring nothing went wrong. If they had gone to such lengths, they wouldn't just leave her fate to chance.
Moreover, whether it was a protest against forced demolition or her "fatal" car accident, both would severely damage the Forbes family's reputation. Would Johnathan really act so recklessly?
Cristopher wasn't senile yet. If she could think of Johnathan, then Cristopher certainly could too. If she died, there might still be room to maneuver, but dragging the company down with her? Cristopher would never forgive that.
If that's the case, why not wait until Cristopher passes away before making a move?
Averi's mind was a tangled mess, full of thoughts she couldn't quite sort out.
