Accidentally Slept With The Ruthless Billionaire

Chapter 549: Where’s Aunt Rachel?

Dave gently ran his fingers through her hair. "I was going to talk to you later. Don’t stress about Phoenix Alliance Group."

"Then why didn’t you pick up my calls? We said we’d face everything together," Bianca said, staring into his eyes. "You don’t even look worried."

"My phone was on silent during the meeting. I didn’t mean to make you worry," Dave said softly. When he noticed the frustration on her face, he chuckled. "It’s not as bad as you think. I’ve got it under control."

"Is that so? Then tell me your plan." Bianca suddenly remembered the scandal involving Reece. "Reece managed to bury today’s bad press along with the Phoenix Alliance Group news. I got word from Retrie."

Dave gave a knowing nod. "Yeah. Reece dropped by this morning."

Bianca froze for a moment. Then, she realized that Reece’s timing wasn’t by chance. He had exposed the forged evidence purposely. It was all part of a plan.

"Reece pulled some strings and is working on gathering proof. There’s nothing that can actually harm Phoenix Alliance Group. The people behind the smear campaign are connected to the Lawson Group."

"The Lawson Group?" Bianca's eyes widened. She couldn’t understand why they’d be involved. As far as she knew, the Lawsons and Phoenix Alliance Group had never clashed, even though both families were powerful in Edenfield.

Dave explained, "The Lawsons are linked to the Evans family through marriage. Since my aunt is involved, I'm letting things unfold for now."

If Wyatt hadn’t followed Skylar, Dave wouldn’t have suspected Brady even with the Lawson Group involved.

But now, the truth was right in front of him. Brady had picked the wrong person to mess with.

Dave’s face turned cold. He hadn’t planned to push things this far, especially with Rachel’s safety to consider.

Even if their relationship had grown distant over the years, Rachel had once been like a second mother to him besides his parents.

Dave had already made solid plans to handle the crisis at Phoenix Alliance Group. He was just about to explain everything to Bianca when his phone suddenly rang.

It was Franklin calling. Dave frowned as he looked at the screen. It was already 9 p.m.— not the usual time for calls unless something serious had happened.

If there was an emergency, it was usually Lucas who contacted him. Franklin rarely called, unless his grandfather couldn’t.

"Dave, Lucas has fainted," Franklin said quickly. "He’s on his way to the hospital now."

Franklin sounded shaken, which instantly set off alarm bells in Dave’s head.

"What happened?" he asked anxiously.

"I... I only know that Brady said something to him. I was outside at the time," Franklin said nervously.

Dave's face darkened. He had no doubt that Brady had something to do with his grandfather collapsing like that.

But what exactly did Brady say? That part was still unclear.

"Dave, Brady is the one taking Lucas to the hospital right now," Franklin added.

"Alright. I’m on my way," Dave replied and hung up.

He turned to Bianca, grabbing his coat. "I’m going to the hospital. Grandpa fainted."

"I'll go with you," Bianca said right away.

Dave called Wyatt and told him to drive them to the hospital. When Wyatt heard why, his face tightened.

"Brady must’ve done it on purpose," he said to Dave. "He’s clearly trying to shake the entire Evans family."

Dave already knew that. Brady’s intentions were obvious. But what bothered him most was what Brady had said to Lucas to make him collapse like that.

"We can’t let him keep getting away with this," Dave muttered. "We have to protect the company and the family."

Bianca squeezed his hand affectionately. "No matter what happens, I’m staying with you."

Back at the office, she had told him clearly that she was going to buy a large number of Phoenix Alliance Group shares. She was ready to stand with him, no matter what came their way.

And Dave had made a promise to himself. He would never let her down.

"Don’t worry. I’ve already made some arrangements," he told her, trying to sound casual.

But deep inside, something didn’t feel right. A heavy feeling kept pressing against his chest. It wouldn’t go away, no matter how hard he tried to shake it off.

Outside, the dim street lights flickered as crows cried sharply above, and their voices cut through the night like a warning of something grim.

Dave checked his phone again. That’s when he realized something was missing. Franklin hadn’t said a word about Rachel. That silence felt strange. Too strange.

Since Lucas didn’t like Brady, they rarely met alone. It was usually Rachel who brought Brady along when they visited, but today felt different.

Dave tried calling Rachel, but the call wouldn’t go through.

A memory flashed in his mind; when his uncles had dragged him away years ago, Rachel had just stood there. She didn’t say a word. She didn’t try to help him.

But that was in the past. He told himself to let it go.

Still, he dialed her number a few more times. None of the calls connected.

“Wyatt, step on it,” he said sharply.

That anxious feeling in his chest was growing stronger. He rolled down the window, hoping the cool air might help him breathe easier.

When they finally got to the hospital, Franklin was already standing at the entrance.

"Dave, thanks for coming," he said respectfully. "Lucas is still in the emergency room. He hasn’t come out yet."

Dave noticed the tear marks on Franklin’s face. His heart sank.

This hospital was privately owned and Brady had invested in it. If anything happened to his grandfather here, Dave wouldn’t hesitate to tear the whole place down.

"Call Grandpa’s private doctor right now," he ordered. "Also, contact Edenfield Central Hospital. If possible, have him transferred there."

Without another word, he walked straight toward the resuscitation room.

There, he finally saw Brady’s sorrowful face.

But to Dave, it looked fake. All he saw was a mask of cold, shameless hypocrisy.

Dave never liked Brady. But sadly, his aunt stayed loyal to him.

He had heard the rumors—about the problems between Rachel and the other woman.

Brady, as a man, couldn’t even control himself. Worse, he blamed everything on his wife. It was clear he had no real feelings for her. All that talk about being a good husband was just an act.

And now, even with her father in the emergency room, Rachel wasn’t here. Brady stood alone.

Some husband he was.

"Dave, you’re here," Brady said with a sad look, covering his face like he was heartbroken. He looked like he wanted to say more, but then stopped himself.

"Why did Grandpa suddenly faint? And where’s Aunt Rachel?" Dave asked sharply.

Brady suddenly broke into tears—what were supposed to be tears of sadness.