Chapter 263: Nolan Forrester Injured

Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Nolan Forrester Injured

His entire face was a crisscrossing mess of hideous scars, with only a pair of dull, jet-black pupils visible. The moment they locked onto her, she felt the suffocating sensation of being stalked by a lurking viper.

She had never seen such a terrifyingly ugly face. The flesh was so twisted and contorted that she could barely make out his original features.

’Why is this man targeting me?’

The man’s lips slowly curled into a grim, sinister smile. He advanced on her step by step, his movements accompanied by the patter of the rain outside. His soaked soles squelched on the floor, leaving a trail of muddy water stains.

"Not bad-looking at all."

He stopped in front of her, looking down at the woman limp on the floor. Unconcealed lust churned in his eyes. That lewd, twisted smile, stretched across his scarred face, was all the more sinister and grotesque, enough to make one’s blood run cold.

"Who are you? Who sent you?"

Shiloh Sloan struggled to move her lips, but her voice was faint and weak, completely drowned out by the downpour outside.

The man bent down, scooped her up, and roughly tossed her onto the bed.

His gaze was greedily fixed on the fair, delicate skin revealed by her collar. He suggestively licked his chapped lips as his rough palm slowly reached for her.

Shiloh Sloan’s body went rigid, her pupils constricting. A tide of despair washed over her, completely drowning her reason.

’Nolan Forrester... Why aren’t you here yet?!’

Just as his filthy fingertips were about to touch her skin, boundless darkness and fear came crashing down. She plunged into an abyss of despair and squeezed her eyes shut.

In that moment, the familiar nightmare returned with a vengeance.

It was as if she were eighteen again, when her stepfather had drugged her and personally delivered her to a business partner’s bed.

Back then, she had been just as powerless, just as despairing. Like a fish on a chopping block, she was utterly unable to resist, only able to passively await her doom.

If Vesper hadn’t noticed something was wrong and helped her escape, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

’But this time, who will come to save me?’

CRASH—

The deafening sound of a heavy impact rang out.

A tall, swift, dark figure burst through the air, violently tackling the assailant and slamming him hard into a cabinet.

The solid wood cabinet crashed to the floor.

"Who gave you the nerve to touch her?"

Nolan Forrester’s voice was laced with extreme coldness and ferocity. Fueled by overwhelming rage, his fist smashed ruthlessly toward the man’s head, the blow merciless and absolute, leaving no quarter.

Shiloh Sloan’s eyes flew open, her heart clenching tightly.

She wanted to cry out and warn him to be careful, but her limbs were limp and weak, and her throat was so dry and tight that she couldn’t utter a single word.

All she could do was stare wide-eyed, holding her breath and listening to the sounds of the fight, anxiously praying over and over for the police to arrive quickly.

The fastest response time from the nearest local police station was twenty minutes.

And from the start of the attack until now, only seven minutes had passed.

The man on the floor absorbed the heavy blow, quickly recovered, and launched a ferocious counterattack. The two were instantly locked in combat, trading blows with neither giving an inch.

Nolan Forrester had worked out for years and had a strong physique. Seeing the woman he loved almost violated, extreme rage churned in his chest and his adrenaline surged. Every punch he threw was fast and vicious, landing solidly with razor-sharp force.

After a few moments, the scarred man’s stamina began to fail, and he was steadily forced back. A sinister killing intent suddenly flashed in his eyes.

Seizing the opening as Nolan Forrester dodged to the side, he suddenly reached for his waist, pulled out a dagger that gleamed with a cold light, and lunged for Nolan’s heart in a surprise attack!

Nolan Forrester sharply sensed the murderous intent and instinctively raised his arm to block.

The sharp blade instantly sliced through muscle, and warm blood gushed out, soaking his sleeve.

He clutched his profusely bleeding arm and stepped back, his dark eyes churning with bloodthirsty ferocity. The atmosphere around him grew frighteningly oppressive.

The man gripped the dripping dagger and pressed forward, his murderous intent now fully on display.

Nolan Forrester calmly evaded, found an opening, and shot out a kick, precisely knocking the dagger from his opponent’s hand.

CLANG—

As the dull clang of metal hitting the floor rang out, a powerful punch smashed viciously into the man’s eye socket.

The man grunted in pain and staggered back, his back slamming hard against the windowsill.

"Speak! Who are you? Why are you here?" Nolan Forrester’s voice was bone-chillingly cold as he advanced on the man, his presence utterly oppressive.

The man remained silent, his shadowed eyes fixed on Nolan, full of malice.

Nolan Forrester’s expression grew even more sinister, and he was about to step forward to press the interrogation.

The sound of distant police sirens pierced the rainy night, growing steadily closer and clearer.

A flicker of panic crossed the man’s eyes, and without hesitation, he vaulted out of the second-story window.

Nolan Forrester’s expression changed drastically. He immediately leaped down in pursuit, but he was a step too late.

After landing, the man skillfully weaved through the alleyways, scaled a courtyard wall in an instant, and vanished completely into the dark, torrential downpour.

Clearly, he was extremely familiar with the routes in this area and had come prepared.

Nolan Forrester suppressed the ferocity in his eyes and quickly returned upstairs.

"Shiloh, are you hurt anywhere?"

He rushed to the bedside, bent down, and pulled the weak woman into his arms, his voice laced with unconcealable anxiety and panic.

Shiloh Sloan blinked slowly, signaling that she was mostly unharmed.

Seeing her abnormal state, Nolan Forrester didn’t press further and immediately took out his phone to make a call.

"Master Shaw, get over here now."

Five minutes later, a knock sounded at the door. The local police had arrived.

Verifying identities, investigating the scene, retrieving surveillance footage, taking statements—the whole series of procedures was carried out methodically. Half an hour had passed by the time they were finished.

Just as the police left, Scott Shaw appeared at the door.

"What’s the situation?" Scott Shaw asked as he stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the messy room.

Nolan Forrester held the woman in his arms tightly, his handsome face tense. The chill around him had yet to dissipate as he spoke in a low, heavy voice.

"Someone broke in and tried to assault her. Take a look at her, see what’s wrong."

Scott Shaw was Nolan Forrester’s best friend. He had graduated from Veridian University School of Medicine and, after completing his studies, turned down lucrative offers overseas to return home and establish a high-end private hospital.

He bent down to briefly check Shiloh Sloan’s complexion and condition, then immediately made his diagnosis. "It’s from a powerful sedative. Help her sit up."

As he spoke, he took a bottle of a special slow-release agent from his medical bag and carefully dripped a few drops into her mouth.

"The effects are gentle. She should fully recover her strength in about half an hour."

Hearing this, the knot of anxiety in Nolan Forrester’s chest finally began to loosen.

"Thanks, man."

Scott Shaw nodded with a smile, but his eyes happened to sweep over Nolan’s hanging arm. His pupils constricted slightly, and his expression suddenly darkened.

"You’re injured?"

Nolan Forrester was wearing dark clothes that completely hid the bloodstain. Without a close look, it was impossible to see that he was hurt.

At these words, Shiloh Sloan’s weak gaze immediately focused on him, her eyes filled with worry.

Sensing her anxious gaze, Nolan Forrester kept his expression nonchalant and his tone light.

"It’s nothing, just a scratch."

Scott Shaw’s brow furrowed. His gaze fell on Nolan’s sleeve, which was steadily seeping blood. The dark fabric was already soaked through, and the amount of bleeding was clearly no minor injury.

"Let her rest here for a bit. You, come downstairs with me. I’ll take care of that wound."

With that, Scott Shaw was the first to walk out of the bedroom.

Nolan Forrester tucked the thin blanket around Shiloh Sloan’s shoulders and gently stroked the top of her head, his voice a soothing whisper.

"Just lie here and wait for me, okay? I’ll be right back up to stay with you after I get this taken care of."

「Downstairs in the living room.」

Nolan Forrester took off his blood-stained shirt and lounged on the sofa. He lit a cigarette with his fingertips, and the pale white smoke drifted upward, masking the gloom that had yet to fade from his eyes.

Under the light, the wound on his forearm was shockingly gruesome. The flesh was torn open, revealing a deep gash that was startling to behold.

Scott Shaw examined the wound carefully, his expression grave.

"The cut is too deep. It needs stitches."

"Go ahead," Nolan Forrester said, his expression indifferent and his tone flat.

Cleaning and disinfecting, applying a local anesthetic, suturing in layers, and then bandaging the wound—Scott Shaw’s movements were practiced and efficient, and he completed the entire procedure smoothly.

"Don’t get the wound wet, and avoid infection and inflammation. I’ll come by in a week to take out the stitches. Try not to use your arm much until then." After running through the precautions, Scott Shaw looked up at him, a playful, teasing light in his eyes. "I have to say, it’s been three years, and you’ve fallen for her all over again, haven’t you?"

’No wonder Summer stayed by his side for three years, trying everything to please him, but could never win his heart.’

’Turns out he never forgot Shiloh Sloan.’

’Well, it makes sense. After all, Shiloh Sloan was his first love.’

’This guy... he’s so devoted and pure-hearted!’

Nolan Forrester blew a ring of smoke, glanced at him languidly with his narrow eyes, and drawled,

"Look who’s talking. It’s been five years. Aren’t you still waiting, too?"

The smile vanished from Scott Shaw’s face. "Don’t compare me to you. What happened with her and me was a misunderstanding. It’s not the same as your situation."

"There’s a life between you and her," Nolan Forrester said, stubbing out his cigarette. A cold, sarcastic smile touched his lips. "You should move on. Stop getting hung up on it. For all you know, she’s already put the past behind her, gotten married, had kids, and started a new life."

"Shut up!"

It was as if his deepest nerve had been struck. Scott Shaw’s face darkened, and he shot Nolan a harsh glare, his voice laced with indignation.

Nolan Forrester shrugged. "Why so angry? I’ll drop it, alright?"

Scott Shaw lit a cigarette, looking at him through the swirling smoke.

"Are you dead set on not going back to the Forrester Family this time?"

"I’m not going back."

"Aren’t you afraid of angering Miss Forrester and breaking her heart?"

A flicker of cold mockery crossed Nolan Forrester’s eyes, and his tone grew chilly. "All these years, I’ve compromised and given in to her time and time again, indulging her need for control. But no one ever asked me if I was happy or what I wanted. Three years ago, I compromised and lost Shiloh. This time, I won’t make the same mistake."

"You know Miss Forrester’s temperament. Her methods are harsh. She won’t give up easily. Sooner or later, she’ll force you to go back."

"I can handle it."

Seeing that Nolan’s mind was made up and that he had his own plans, Scott Shaw didn’t press the issue. He said a brief goodbye and left.

「In the bedroom.」

The medicine gradually began to take effect, and her strength slowly started to return.

Shiloh Sloan slowly moved her fingertips, struggling to get up. After several attempts, she finally managed to push herself into a sitting position on the edge of the bed, then steadied herself against the wall and slowly made her way to the door.

Just as she reached the stair landing, she ran right into Nolan Forrester, who was on his way back up.

"You have the strength to get up?"