At such a young age, how did Dave survive such terrible experiences?
Finally, Bianca’s voice quivered as she asked, “During those ten days…”
“I survived by eating mud, scraping bits off the walls, and drinking water seeping through the cracks. The cellar was damp, and the days were gloomy and rainy. Somehow, against all odds, I managed to make it through.”
Bianca felt her heart ache with pain, imagining what Dave had endured.
“And how did you eventually get out?” she asked, her voice still trembling.
“The neighbor’s daughter found me when she came over one day and rescued me. Luckily, my grandfather was home at the time, so he protected me from my uncles.”
As Dave finished recounting his story with calmness, his demeanor shifted, and a coldness settled into his dark eyes.
But he quickly pushed down the rising emotions. He gently rubbed his chin against Bianca’s head and said, “Bianc, you mentioned not knowing much about my background. It’s not that I don’t want to share, but the truth is, I don’t have much family besides my grandfather. He’s a traditional and stubborn man, not easy to connect with. I’ve been worried that meeting him might stress you out. I always thought I’d introduce you when the time was right, but I realize I haven’t considered your feelings. I’m sorry.”
Bianca realized that Dave had never talked about his family because of this.
She lifted her head, gently cupping Dave’s face in her hands, meeting his melancholy gaze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had gone through so much pain. I just wanted to understand you and your family better. I was afraid that if you ever left me, I wouldn’t even know where to find you.”
Suddenly, Dave held Bianca closer, tightening his embrace. He kissed her forehead gently and asked, “Have you forgotten? We’re engaged. You’re my fiancee, my future wife. I’m not going anywhere; I’ll be with you for the rest of our lives. It’s too late for you to run away now.”
Bianca lifted her head, planting a kiss on his prominent Adam’s apple. She wrapped her arms around him and whispered, “I won’t leave because you’re my favorite.”
Blushing, she buried her face in his arms.
Dave’s Adam’s apple slightly moved as he slipped his large hand under her chin, gently lifting Bianca’s face to meet his gaze. Then, he kissed her softly. “Me too. You’re my favorite.”
Bianca was eager to leave the hospital the next morning, but Dave insisted she stay.
“The doctor stressed that you need to finish your recovery here.”
“But I still have a few procedures left. If I don’t finish them on time, it could delay the company launch,” Bianca explained, sitting gracefully on the bed, her anxiety clear.
The night before, during a talk with Dave, she had shared her ambitious plan to start a company. To her surprise, Dave, drawing from his own entrepreneurial experience, offered valuable insights. He had learned a lot from his own journey, giving Bianca plenty of solid ideas that fueled her determination.
“Stay here and focus on recovering. Just give me the necessary materials, and I’ll take care of everything else for you,” Dave suggested confidently.
Bianca looked at him with questioning eyes. “Is that really feasible? Some tasks need a personal touch.”
“Trust me, I have a solution,” Dave reassured, a smile playing on his lips.
Giving Dave a skeptical look, Bianca handed over the backup materials and proposed with a mischievous grin, “Here’s the deal. I’ll give you two days. If you can’t get it done by then, I get to check it out here.”
Despite her doubts about Dave’s ability to complete the task, Bianca decided to wait and see what would happen.
She already had a backup plan in mind.
“Just one day will be enough,” Dave said, raising an eyebrow as he looked into Bianca’s eyes.
Bianca bit her lip skeptically and replied, “Don’t make big promises you can’t fulfill.”
But Dave leaned in closer, his voice low and captivating. “When have I ever disappointed you?”
“Fine,” Bianca said, deeply blushing as she pushed him away.
Dave chuckled, and after sorting everything out, he left the hospital.
He directed Zane to take care of the paperwork and then headed back to his company.
Dave was deeply immersed in his work at the Evans Group’s office when a knock interrupted him.
“Come in,” he called out, not looking up.
The door opened, and footsteps approached.
“Dave, I heard that last night; someone went as far as mobilizing military resources just to find a woman.”
Dave furrowed his brow as he glanced up. Michael stood before him, hands in his pockets, his amber eyes slightly narrowed, studying him intently.
Relaxing in his chair, Dave met Michael’s gaze and asked, “And?”
Michael raised a hand, tapping his nose thoughtfully. “No one in the city has the influence to pull that off except your family.”
Dave simply smiled, saying, “So?”
“I know what happened. Do you think your uncles won’t figure out who’s responsible? Dave, you may have pushed things too far this time,” Michael said seriously, his casual manner replaced by a sense of gravity.
Dave’s expression remained unchanged. In a calm, detached tone, he replied, “I always weigh the consequences of my actions.”
Michael shrugged casually. “I’m just here to let you know I’m on your side.”
As he spoke, Michael squinted slightly and leaned closer to Dave. “How about a deal? You help me expand my business internationally, and I’ll assist you with handling your uncles. What do you say?”
“How dare you negotiate with me?” Dave responded, a hint of scorn in his voice.
Michael sighed deeply and took a seat across from Dave. “Honestly, even though I’m technically the head of the Hayes family now, it’s my mother who really runs the Hayes Group. I’m just a figurehead without real power to make major decisions. I’m not satisfied with that. The global market presents an opportunity for the Hayes family, and I want to seize it for myself! Dave, if I gain real control of the Hayes Group, I can help secure your claim to the Evans Group inheritance. It will be beneficial for both of us. When have I ever failed you?”
Dave stared at Michael with a piercing, cold gaze, a sinister smile forming on his lips. “Fine, I’ll help you out, but you’ll owe me a favor first.”
“What kind of favor?” Michael felt a chill down his spine, sensing trouble brewing.
“Last night, a friend needed my help to track down a girl. We’re close, so I naturally assisted,” Dave said with indifference. “From now on, that’s the story everyone will hear.”