The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot

"W-who?" Sophia stammered, pretending not to recognize the name.

Elias groaned in frustration. "Just because I don’t say anything doesn’t mean I’m blind like Dad."

Sophia’s heart raced wildly. His glare was so intense she almost decided to confess everything. He might hate her, but she knew he would eventually become a part of their plan—everything she was doing was for him.

"So you really went to meet him," Elias concluded, noting the panic on Sophia’s face.

"I-I, it’s not what you think, Eli..." Sophia murmured, unsure how to begin. How could she explain befriending Gracia Wright, Evelyn’s mother, or why she married William after Gracia’s death?

"From the way you sneak out and have secret calls with him, I’m sure it’s more than just friendship, Mom." Elias pressed, causing Sophia to frown. Did he think Maverick was her lover?

"Did you do a background check on him? What if he’s using you?" Elias asked, worried about the repercussions. "And do you think Dad would be happy to hear about this from someone else?"

Sophia sighed, pulling a sad expression. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. "It’s getting too much for me, Eli. I-I just needed support, and he provided it."

Elias’s frustration melted at his mother’s tears. He knew things had become unbearable for her, especially with his father always lost in memories of his dead wife. If he hadn’t been born, he doubted his father would have married his mom, and part of him wished that had been the case—for Evelyn’s sake too.

"He’s very genuine and kind. I couldn’t help but befriend him, Eli." Sophia continued, her performance rivaling that of a seasoned actress.

"It’s better for everyone if you stop seeing him, Mom. Our family and business can’t handle another scandal." Elias said, moving forward and pulling his mother into a hug.

Sophia nodded, her sniffles growing louder in the empty, dark corridor. Blind? Her son was even dumber than William. A small smile lifted her face as Elias patted her back, finally softening after Evelyn’s marriage. She felt like things were starting to fall into place.

"Where are you going at this hour?" Sophia asked, breaking the hug and glancing at the car keys in his hand. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Someone kidnapped Evy and tried to bury her alive."

"Oh my God!" Sophia gasped, horror etching her face. "Who would do such a cruel thing?!"

"Right? Avery called a few minutes ago. I’m going to the hospital," Elias said, his earlier suspicion about Sophia washed away by panic.

"I want to come with you, but we’ve been on bad terms since Anna’s arrival." Sophia murmured, an apologetic expression masking her delight. "I’m afraid I’ll only make things worse. But you should hurry!"

Elias nodded and quickly ran downstairs, calling Avery again to confirm the hospital. As he walked out of the house, Sophia’s creased brows smoothed, and a sigh escaped her lips. So, Evelyn was still alive! A snicker escaped her lips, amused at the new opportunities to torment her.

"This will get more fun," Sophia murmured, a plan forming in her mind. With a smirk, she walked to her room, confident in whom to make the scapegoat of this mess.

———

Evelyn was moved from the operating theater to a private ward. As the senior doctor emerged, everyone rushed to him, with Zevian leading the charge.

"You brought her in time, Mr. Reign. A few minutes late, her lungs would have collapsed completely. Even we couldn’t have saved her."

"How is she now?" Damien demanded, sensing the doctor was skirting around the point.

"She’s out of danger," the doctor replied, making everyone sigh in relief. Zevian’s expression softened, his heart resuming a normal rhythm.

"But it might take a couple of hours or days for her to wake up. The drug was strong, and though we’ve removed it, her body’s mechanisms have weakened significantly fighting it off."

"Can we see her?" Avery asked, stepping forward. Elias, who had just arrived, nodded eagerly, needing to confirm with his own eyes that his sister was really fine.

"Yes, but don’t cause a scene. She needs as much rest as possible," the doctor instructed, and everyone nodded in understanding. He recalled something and added, "Oh, and she has quite a few cuts, including a major one on her right ankle. Whoever it was handled her very roughly, so she might not be able to walk for a couple of days. Take proper care of her."

Zevian nodded, his expression darkening. Whoever did this would pay dearly.

As the doctor left, a junior resident guided the group toward the special ward. She instructed them not to crowd and to visit one by one, mentioning that only one person could stay with the patient overnight.

Avery and Elias were the first to enter the room, while Zevian waited impatiently for his turn. Avery broke into tears at the sight of Evelyn covered in an oxygen mask, her skin paler than a ghost’s.

"You’ll wake her up," Elias grumbled, fighting his own tears. Whoever did this to his sister, he hoped Zevian would find them and bury them ten feet deep. Little did he know, it was his own biological father, now on a flight to an Arabian desert city.

Rosalind and Natalie were next to see Evelyn. They didn’t take much time, aware that Zevian was waiting outside. As they walked out, Rosalind hugged her son and said, "I’ll bring Kia in the morning."

Zevian nodded and asked Damien to escort them out. Once everyone had left, he quickly entered the room, with his team guarding the entire corridor.

His heart clenched at the sight of her in such a state, with devices attached and her face so pale. Dragging a stool, he sat beside her, his eyes never leaving her face. Holding her hand gently, he murmured, "Thank you." Kissing her forehead tenderly, he stayed there, watching over her.

After nearly six hours, Evelyn began to stir, her mind hazy and blank. Sensing her movement, Zevian quickly stood and leaned closer, waiting for her to wake up.

"Zev..." Evelyn’s voice was a soft whisper, her blurry eyes trying to focus on the figure beside her.

"I’ll get the doctor!" Damien, who had been sitting on the couch, hurried out of the room.

Evelyn blinked, her vision clearing, and the first thing she saw was Zevian’s panic-filled face. Confusion clouded her mind. Her hand reached out to touch him, trying to discern if she was dreaming.

Zevian leaned forward, letting her cold hand land on his cheek. He pressed her hand firmly, bringing tears to Evelyn’s eyes as she realized she was alive.

Soon, the doctors came with Damien. Zevian stepped back, but his hand still held hers. The senior doctor checked her vitals while his assistant removed the oxygen mask.

"She’s stable now, but let’s monitor her for a day or two," the doctor suggested, and Zevian nodded. The team administered doses and briefly talked with Evelyn before leaving the room.

"You should sleep for a few more hours, Ma’am," the nurse suggested, adjusting the IV attached to her hand. Evelyn nodded, and the nurse left, locking the door behind her.

"You gave him a heart attack," Damien said, standing beside Zevian.

Evelyn managed a small smile, looking at Zevian. She had no clue what had happened, but his presence and the way he held her hand confirmed it had been serious.

Zevian gently adjusted her hair with his free hand. "Sleep for a while," he mumbled.

Evelyn nodded but couldn’t shake the unease in her heart. "Sleep with me," she whispered, her inner thoughts slipping out, causing Zevian’s eyes to widen in surprise.