Love's Bitter Edge (Eva and Leonard)
Chapter 101

Chapter 101 Drugged

When I woke up in the private hospital, my brain was still completely fried. It wasn't until I saw Jill's anxious but frustrated face that I finally let out a breath of relief-I'd been saved.

Jill's face turned red as she stared me down. "Eva, you went nuts... you nearly choked me after you were drugged!" "Sorry, I was totally out of it." I shook my head fast, not wanting to even imagine what I'd done to make her so flustered. Jill flicked me on the forehead. "You owe me Again."

"I'll never forget what you did for me: I owe you big time, and next time I'll

She cut me off, shoving her phone in my hand. "Forget next time. Just deal with the disaster you've got going on first."

When I saw the video on the screen, I was frozen in shock. The naked woman in the video... was me. The guy on top of me? His face was blurry, but from the side, he kinda looked like Zack. And where were we getting it on? A private room in a damn restaurant. I didn't even need to check the comments to know the Internet was exploding, just like my brain was

"You... You said you saved me..." I stammered, my thoughts spinning out of control.

I instinctively touched myself. Jill rolled her eyes. "I got there in time, okay? What are you even checking for?

She snatched her phone back. "Whoever set you up had this planned from the start. Al face-swaps are easy these days"

I nodded, dazed, knowing this was about to go nuclear.

Even though the platforms pulled it down fast, I knew people already had copies. Five whole minutes of video-more than enough to ruin me for good.

I grabbed my phone, and sure enough, it was blowing up. Almost everyone I knew-or anyone looking for some juicy gossip-was calling

Jill looked at me, concern written all over her face. "I talked to Emma, so she's not freaking out. I also pulled the restaurant's security footage, but it only shows me getting you out. The rest was erased. Want me to help clear this up? My dad's friend owns the place." I squeezed my phone, keeping quiet. I had a pretty good idea who was behind this, but I didn't think they'd

sink this low.

"Jill, can you check why that private room was the only one left?"

"I already asked. Every room was booked and paid for but no one ever showed. Cash, of course. The guy was wearing a baseball cap and a mask, so his face was hidden. And even if we saw him, what could we do?"

She didn't have to finish. I knew exactly what she meant. Even if we had a clear shot of his face, it wouldn't matter. When someone got the money to cover their tracks, they'd nearly untouchable.

When Leonard called, I immediately hit decline. I didn't need to answer to know what he wanted-40-something missed calls made it crystal clear.

Jill's phone rang next, and she answered, looking a bit confused. "Hello? Who is this?"

"Is Eva with you?" Leonard's voice came through, sharp and urgent Jill and I exchanged looks, and i gave her a quick nod

"Yeah, she was drugged. I took her to the hospital".

Less than ten minutes later, Leonard stormed into the hospital room. He wrapped me in a bear hug. squeezing tight. I started slapping his back. ""What

the hell, Leonard! Are you trying to kill me? Murder's still a crime, you know!"

He let go immediately "Are you okay?"

Jill gave me a knowing wink before sheaking out of the room.

"Why were you with Zack again?"

"I was set up"

"I know!" Leonard's voice exploded, catching me completely off guard.

I blinked, shocked. He'd seen the video and still believed me.

He dropped his head against my shoulder, his voice breaking. "Eva, what do you want me to do? How ar I supposed to handle this? How am I supposed to handle you?"

He used to say that every time we fought. He never knew how to deal with me, and in the end, he'd always back down. Usually, it was my fault, though I'd never admit it. But this time, it was different.

I cleared my throat. "Leonard, this was a setup"

"Of course, I know that!" His eyes were red, raw with hurt and frustration.

"But you never should've been with Zack. I told you to stop working with him. If you hadn't gone, none of this would've happened. Do you even realize how much damage this is doing to the company? Have you seen what's all over the Internet?" "Leonard, do you even hear yourself right now?"

Any trace of gratitude I had evaporated the second those words left his mouth.

I stared at him blankly. He wasn't the easygoing college guy I once loved. Now, he was the president of Harmon Group, heir to the family empire.

"Eva, you know how the media can wreck the company."

"Leonard, it doesn't matter if I was meeting Zack or anyone else. Whoever's behind this would've come for me either way. Harmon Group isn't hurting because I did something wrong-it's hurting because someone's pulling the strings. You know that."

But the frustration in his eyes told me he didn't really agree. To him, if I'd just stayed home or worked alongside him, none of this would've happened. In his world, we'd play the perfect couple, walking in step as Mr. and Mrs. Harmon-idolized, envied, and untouchable. "Leonard, I'm exhausted. Let's just get a divorce-"

Before I could finish, Zack burst through the door. "Eva, are you alright? Did the drugs mess you up at all-

Zack, you con of a-!" Leonard's voice boomed. The moment he heard Zack's voice, he flew into a ra charging at him and swinging a punch before I could blink.