Ultimately, Diego was a powerful man who commanded respect. When he barked his final warning in a low, dangerous voice, the frantic reporters finally fell silent for a moment.
At that exact time, a squad of security guards arrived to push the press back, clearing a path just as Quentin, Amanda, Winter, and Jasper rushed onto the scene.
"Brother!" Amanda cried, running over to inspect the two of them.
Only then did Celia lift her head from Diego's chest. She looked at Amanda with a mix of exhaustion and fury. "You actually dared to forget about me while you were busy trying to kill someone!"
The absurdity of the comment made the tension in the hallway snap into a heavy silence.
Later, at the hospital, Diego and Celia were tucked away inside a private room. Amanda sat in the hallway, leaning into Quentin's embrace.
"You really shouldn't underestimate Elena," Amanda whispered. "If we had been a few minutes later, I probably would have had to call that woman 'sister-in-law' in the future. To drug him and then hire reporters... she's truly cruel."
Quentin patted her shoulder gently. "It's over. Don't think about it anymore. I'll handle the rest."
Amanda sniffed and nodded obediently. The bloodthirsty, aggressive woman from the bathroom was gone, replaced by the vulnerable girl who just wanted to go home. Standing nearby, Jasper and Winter watched the couple's display of affection and wished they could go blind. To survive a night of carnage only to be forced to watch "PDA" was, in their opinion, truly unfair.
Inside the room, as the effects of the drug were neutralized by treatment, Diego's mind finally cleared. He propped himself up and realized a girl was curled up on the sofa, fast asleep.
Celia had followed everyone to the hospital, but exhaustion had claimed her the moment she sat down. Diego grabbed the blanket from his bed and draped it gently over her. For the first time, he took a moment to observe her closely.
"Fortunately, I didn't do anything unforgivable to you," he murmured.
He couldn't forget the moment she had finally accepted the idea of being with him, but he was even more grateful that she had the strength to knock him out. If they had crossed that line tonight, under those circumstances, he wouldn't have known how to face her tomorrow.
Celia smacked her lips in her sleep, clutching the blanket and turning her back to him. Diego laughed softly, shook his head, and walked out of the room.
Amanda saw the door open and sprinted to him. "Hey! How are you feeling?"
Diego offered a weary but gentle smile, petting her hair. "Look at you. You've cried until your eyes are swollen."
Amanda pursed her lips. Her tears had dried, but seeing her brother safe made them want to flow all over again. Quentin walked over, pulling her back into the safety of his arms and giving Diego a knowing nod.
"Are you okay?" Quentin asked.
"I'm fine," Diego replied. "You should take her home; it's late."
The two men locked eyes, silently communicating a dozen things at once. Quentin nodded in agreement. "Then we'll head out first."
Amanda, seeing that her brother truly was recovered, waved goodbye. "I'm going, then!" she called out, once again completely forgetting that her best friend was still asleep on the sofa inside.
Quentin and Amanda had just left when a familiar figure strolled down the hallway.
"Hey! I just got here. Why is everyone leaving already?" Derrick asked leisurely, looking like he was visiting a casual street market.
Diego knew exactly why Derrick was there—to watch the drama unfold. Without a word, Diego gave him a freezing look, stepped back into his room, and pointedly locked the door.
Derrick stood in the hall, stunned by the cold shoulder. "What's his problem? Is he drugged, or just going through menopause?"
Jasper looked at his older brother, annoyed that he had received the news so quickly. He decided then and there that the family's information management needed an overhaul. Jasper snorted and strode away without even glancing at Derrick.
"Hey! I came to pick you up!" Derrick shouted.
Jasper gave him an arrogant wave over his shoulder. "Thanks for the kindness, but my heart is currently full of shit."
Derrick gasped, offended. "That kid... he's grown up and now he wants to rebel!"
Winter was the only one left. Encountering this "hateful" man again made her skin crawl. She lowered her head and tried to sneak away quietly.
"Stop right there."
Derrick had been at a bar when he heard his brother was at the hospital. He had rushed over, only to find Diego was the patient and everyone was in a foul mood. Now, he needed someone to vent his frustration on, and Winter was the perfect candidate.
"Where do you think you're going? I'll drive you."
Winter looked at his "elf-like" smirk and felt goosebumps. She shook her head quickly. "I can walk."
She tried to bolt, but Derrick caught her by the collar, smiling warmly. "But I want to take you. It's useless to refuse."
Winter fumed. Being grabbed by the collar felt like a direct insult to her height. In a fit of rare courage, she swung a hand at his face, but Derrick caught her wrist effortlessly.
"We haven't seen each other in a few days. Have you improved your skills to the point of hitting people now?"
He was amused by the way she was huffing with rage. He glanced down at her hand to see if her old burn had healed, but instead, he saw a fresh, dark bruise where her skin had hit the door earlier.
Derrick clicked his tongue. "Why is it that every time I see you, there's a new wound on your body?"
Winter yanked her hand back. "It has nothing to do with you!"
Derrick chuckled. He let go of her collar and grabbed her sleeve instead, dragging her toward the exit. "I'm taking you home. If you wander around this late, human traffickers will snatch you up."
Winter didn't have the strength left to fight him. She followed him out, her heart crying out in despair: Miss Amanda! Save me!