Chapter 76

ALISHA POV

Richard’s long strides made it hard for me to keep up. My fake injuries and the stiffness of the bandages didn’t help.

But then I thought about it…this was the right time to meet up with Nadia who's still at the car parking spot.

Come to think of it, why would Richard snub Nadia just like that and even pretend or should I say behave like he didn't see her.

Anyway that's none of my business because I shouldn't be involved in what I'm not paid for and focus on what I'm paid to do here.

I tried to maintain my pace, but my legs started to ache…not from any real pain, but from the effort of pretending to be injured. The entire situation was beginning to weigh on me.

I needed to be careful with every fucking thing that I was doing.

“Alisha, keep up,” Richard said sharply, turning to glance at me over his shoulder. His tone was firm, almost impatient.

I still needed a way to tell him…probably give him an excuse that I needed to slow down or wait for him at the lobby if possible, or any place to wait for him.

“I’m trying,” I replied, my voice light, though frustration was bubbling inside me. It wasn’t like I asked to be dragged along in the first place.

Richard slowed slightly, his eyes scanning me as though assessing whether I was genuinely struggling or just stalling. “Don’t fall behind,” he warned.

“I won’t wait for you if you lose track of me.” He warned me and I wished if only he could do what he just said now it would be the happiest thing he would do right now.

I adjusted the bandage on my arm for effect and stopped briefly.

“Richard,” I began hesitantly.

“Why don’t you go ahead? You clearly have something important to do. I can sit somewhere and wait for you. I don’t want to slow you down.”

His brows furrowed as he stopped and turned to face me fully. “No,” he said firmly.

I blinked, taken aback by the sharpness in his tone. “But…”

“No ‘but,’” he interrupted, crossing his arms. “You’re coming with me. I don’t want you wandering off or getting lost.”

Okay fuck it, I was already tired of him saying same thing for some minutes.

And it was making me think that the mighty Richard Garrison is short tempered or was he hurrying me because he was late for work.

“I’m not a child, Richard,” I said with a small, forced laugh.

“This isn’t about that,” he replied, his voice growing serious.

“If you lose track of me and the media gets wind of it, tomorrow’s headlines will be all about how ‘The Almighty Multimillionaire Richard Garrison Left an Accident Victim Stranded.’”

The weight of his words sank in, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Was that the real reason he hadn’t left me at the hospital? Because he didn’t want bad publicity?

For a moment, I couldn’t respond. My chest tightened, and my mind began racing.

Richard Garrison, the perfect businessman, couldn’t afford to have his reputation tarnished…not even by something as trivial as leaving an injured woman behind.

“Fine,” I said finally, forcing a smile. “Lead the way.”

He gave a curt nod, satisfied, and turned back toward the building.

As he walked ahead, I couldn’t help but watch him. His back was straight, his strides confident.

Everything about him screamed control, precision, and power. But behind that facade, was there any warmth? Or was I just another part of his well-calculated plan?

I was already losing it as I just wanted to shout and scream at Richard telling him…' Can't you help a lady in distress.'

I trailed behind him silently, pretending to be deep in thought while secretly forming my own plan.

Richard’s phone buzzed, and he answered it almost immediately.

“Yes, I’m on my way,” he said briskly. “I’ll be heading to the cabinet room shortly. Just start without me if necessary.”

He quickened his pace, his focus entirely on the conversation.

This was my chance.

I hesitated, my heart pounding. My eyes darted around, searching for any sign of Nadia. I had seen her earlier, standing not too far from Richard’s car.

She had whispered something to me…something about wanting to give me something.

Slowly, I came to a stop. Richard was a few steps ahead, his attention fixed on his phone. He didn’t notice that I wasn’t following him.

Taking a deep breath, I turned slightly and began stepping backward. My movements were cautious, deliberate. I didn’t want to make any noise that might draw his attention.

When I was far enough behind him, I turned fully and started walking in the opposite direction. My steps were quick but quiet, my gaze scanning the area for Nadia.

She was still there, standing near the parking lot, her arms crossed and her expression calm.

When she saw me approaching, her eyes lit up slightly, and she gave me a subtle nod.

“What are you doing?” I asked softly when I reached her.

She glanced around, ensuring no one was watching, before leaning closer. “I need to give you something,” she whispered.

“What is it?” I asked, my voice low.

“Not here,” she replied. “It’s too risky. Just wait a second.”

Her words sent a shiver down my spine. What could she possibly want to give me? And why was she being so secretive about it?

I hesitated, glancing back toward the building where Richard had disappeared. If he noticed I was gone, he would definitely come looking for me.

“Hurry,” I urged Nadia. “I don’t have much time.”

“I know,” she said quickly. “Just trust me.”

Her words hung in the air, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever she was about to do would make everything worse.

''Lets go at the back of the car.''

When Nadia brought it out, then I realized that I really needed it. The question now is…what if I get caught,what if Richard later found out that all of this was fake.