Chapter 5

The two hurriedly arrived at Edward's room.

The door was wide open, the hallway littered with shattered glass, and a glass base split in two.

Aurora's heart tightened as she quickly walked in, finding the room in complete disarray.

Two doctors were holding Edward down, with a half-filled syringe of blood already drawn from his thick vein.

Victoria followed closely behind, her eyes catching sight of the thick needle, with the area around the vein already swollen.

A normal blood draw wouldn't cause this; it was clearly intentional abuse!

Although Victoria wasn't a medical student, her psychology major involved some knowledge of injections. She immediately rushed over, pushing the doctor aside, carefully removing the needle, and skillfully stopping the bleeding with a cotton swab while glaring angrily at the doctor.

"Is this how your teacher taught you to draw blood?"

The doctor was stunned, looking at each other before glancing towards the sofa.

On the sofa sat a man in a suit, his hair meticulously groomed, wearing half-rimmed gold glasses. His high-bridged nose exuded indifference as he stared unblinkingly at Victoria.

There was no need to ask who this person was.

Marcus sneered, mocking Edward, "She doesn't even understand basic rules. Edward, if Grandpa knew you married such a wife, it would be quite interesting."

Edward's eyes darkened, but before he could speak, a crisp voice interrupted.

"If Grandpa knew his grandson was so selfish, deliberately drawing so much blood from his own brother, he would be heartbroken!"

Victoria was nothing but protective.

Regardless of whether Edward acknowledged her as his wife, she was determined to protect him.

With this interruption, Aurora also reacted, glaring angrily at Marcus. "If you have any conscience left, get out immediately!"

Faced with their accusations, Marcus showed displeasure on his face, but then he thought of something and curved his lips into a cold smile. "Aurora, don't forget who is cooperating with NovaMed Medical Group. Speaking of which, Edward's only hope for recovery is in my hands."

NovaMed Medical Group was a shareholder of NovaMed Hospital, the only place Anouk had ever stayed, and the most likely place to find her whereabouts.

Aurora thought of this, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction and a hint of restraint.

Seeing Aurora's frustration, Marcus was smug, leisurely standing up and saying slowly, "Grandpa is counting on me to find Anouk to improve his sleep, so I won't disturb you any longer. Oh, by the way, today's blood draw and examination for Edward was Grandpa's idea."

Marcus waved his hand, leaving triumphantly.

Aurora was so angry that her heart tightened, breathing heavily and feeling suffocated.

Victoria, sensing something was wrong, held her hand and calmly guided her. "Look into my eyes and breathe deeply with me. Yes, you're doing great."

The latter part of Victoria's sentence didn't sound like she was talking to her mother-in-law.

Under Victoria's guidance, Aurora's breathing calmed, and the suffocating feeling dissipated.

Victoria said, "You should go rest; I'll clean up here."

Kindness was mutual, and Victoria wanted to do her best to be good to Aurora.

"Alright."

Aurora didn't refuse, turning to leave and taking Lila with her.

As the door closed, Victoria watched Aurora's unwavering back, guessing she was genuinely frightened and needed rest.

Victoria put away her random thoughts and began to clean up the mess in the room.

Seeing the blood on the floor, her heart ached.

For a moment, she thought of her own mistreatment by Amara, feeling a certain resonance with Edward.

If Edward's grandfather really cared about Edward, Marcus wouldn't have the guts to do such despicable things.

Victoria couldn't help but mutter softly, "It's so unfair."

These words fell perfectly into Edward's ears.

From the moment they rushed into the room, Edward's gaze had been fixed on Victoria.

Victoria, frowning with impatience yet carefully removing his blood-drawing needle, had a face full of indignation as she defended him. If it was an act, he could only say she deserved an Oscar.

At this moment, he lowered his head, only seeing her fluffy head. Her muttering was low but clear.

The blood on the floor was deliberately spilled on him, and naturally, someone would go to Gavin to complain about the mess and bloodstains.

But Victoria's concern still made Edward's heart feel like it was being scratched.

Victoria finished cleaning the floor and moved to tidy the bedside table. As she reached out, her hand was suddenly grabbed.

The next second, she fell onto something soft.

Looking up, she met a pair of deep eyes.

Victoria quickly got up, but before she could sit properly, Edward grabbed her underarms and lifted her onto his lap.

The position was identical to their wedding night.

Victoria almost instantly recalled last night, her cheeks flushing as she lowered her head to avoid Edward's invasive gaze.

Originally, Edward just wanted to threaten her, finding this position convenient to restrain her.

But now, seeing Victoria's ears turning red, he suddenly changed his mind.

His right hand moved up her thigh, the hot palm pressing against her skin, fingers slipping under the edge of her skirt.

Victoria's heart tightened, and she grabbed his right hand nervously, stammering, "What... what are you doing?"

Edward snorted lightly, his right hand pausing, but his left hand restlessly moved to her waist.

The dress had buttons at the back, exposing half of Victoria's back.

Edward easily unbuttoned it, and the sleeves slipped off her shoulders.

Victoria panicked, covering her exposed underwear.

Edward found her flustered state amusing, pressing her against him, and rubbing her chest through the thin dress.

His right hand moved up, grabbing her left buttock, then slipping under her panties, his fingers brushing against her soft pubic hair, gently stroking her clitoris.

Victoria, shocked, closed her legs, her hands covering her chest. She was forced to support herself on Edward's shoulders, her clothes slipping down to reveal lace-trimmed underwear.

"Your underwear is so tacky." Edward mocked lightly.

"If it's so tacky, then don't look... Ouch!"

Victoria's complaint turned into a cry of pain as her nipple was bitten hard through her underwear, making her push his face away.

Edward buried his face in her chest. He kissed Victoria's chest, finding her scent intoxicating.

His right hand didn't idle, deliberately tightening her panties, pressing against her vulva.

Victoria, teary-eyed, whimpered, "No."

Edward's thumb pressed against her tight vaginal opening through her panties. Suppressing his desire, he stared at her flushed face. "Let's see how far you'll go for Marcus."

On the bedside table, his phone flashed, but neither of them had the energy to care.

Meanwhile, outside the door, Aurora and Lila listened to the muffled sounds inside, exchanging satisfied glances before heading downstairs.

Aurora said, "I told you Victoria is soft-hearted; she can't stand seeing Edward suffer."

As for Edward, she wasn't worried. She had already sent someone to show the photos to Gavin.

Lila echoed. "Your idea of promoting their relationship is really impressive."