Anna Rivera was discharged from the hospital after a few days.
When she was first admitted, she had feigned experience, constantly complaining of ringing in her ears, headaches, and overall discomfort.
She demanded hospitalization and a report diagnosing her with minor injuries.
The hospital conducted a thorough examination and found nothing serious other than some gynecological issues.
The handprint on her face would fade in a few days, and her nasal bridge wasn't fractured, not even considered a minor injury.
The hospital admitted her for observation but didn't issue a minor injury report.
Such reports are the responsibility of forensic institutions, not hospitals.
Hospital records are only used as important supporting evidence.
Seeing no chance to extort money, Anna Rivera initially planned to stay in the hospital indefinitely.
After all, her medical expenses and lost wages would be covered.
However, lying in a hospital bed with no one to talk to was incredibly boring.
Moreover, the attitude of the hospital staff was extremely harsh.
They constantly scolded her, accusing her of faking illness, wasting public resources, and occupying a bed needed by other patients.
Anna Rivera argued with them several times but was always outnumbered.
All the other patients in the ward sided with the staff, lecturing her:
"Hospital beds are already scarce. You're a young woman, making a fuss over a couple of slaps; it's ridiculous."
Unable to bear the humiliation, Anna Rivera left the hospital and returned to her rented apartment.
Since she couldn't get money from Delwen Dowlin, she had to find a way to get it from James.
Today was the last day of the agreement with James.
She called him, hoping he would forgive her and spare some money.
She knew that mutual destruction would benefit neither of them.
All she wanted was money.
If possible, she was willing to let James hit her again, as long as he paid up.
However, she discovered her number was blocked. She was both shocked and furious. He had won 90 million, couldn't he spare a little for her?
She wasn't asking for much, just a few million.
He had pursued her for so long; was he not interested in her body at all?
Extremely unwilling to give up, Anna Rivera called her best friend to bring her phone over.
She needed to have a proper talk with James.
...
James was currently having a meal with Shirley Taylor's two roommates.
One, named Bella, was a local from Miami, with an arrogant personality.
She didn't seem pleased to see him and Shirley Taylor together.
She kept pulling Shirley aside, interrogating her and even accusing her of being naive and shortsighted for being with such a playboy.
James chuckled and stepped forward, shielding Shirley behind him, and lectured Bella,
"Little beauty, you're so pretty, why are you so mean? Are you jealous that others are better off than you?"
Bella was dressed in a cool outfit today, wearing gradient sunglasses, large metal earrings, and her dark hair draped over her shoulders.
She wore a long polo shirt that reached her thighs.
Her lower half was clad only in very short denim shorts, even shorter than the shirt.
She was very pretty, with bright red lips and fair, delicate skin.
Her relationship experience was also zero.
Unfortunately, her charm score was just a bit short, at 89.
"You're the mean one! You're harassing our Shirley and playing the victim!" Bella retorted.
"Shirley and I are dating. What right do you, an outsider, have to meddle in her affairs?" James stood his ground.
"I'm her best friend. I have a duty to help her see clearly and not be fooled by some scumbag."
Bella pouted, glaring at the man.
She had a bad feeling about him. He was flashy and arrogant,
just like her womanizing cousin.
"Well, I really appreciate you protecting Shirley for me," James said with a smirk.
"Since when is Shirley yours?"
From behind her brown sunglasses, Bella shot him a disdainful look.
"Hey, let's order first," Asa interjected, trying to defuse the tension.
As someone who'd been around the block, she immediately noticed Shirley Taylor's awkward gait and, remembering that Shirley hadn't returned to the dorm last night, put two and two together.
She'd already been taken advantage of; what was the point of arguing now?
Asa flipped through the menu and asked,
"Brother James, what would you like to eat?"
"You order. I haven't been here before. Just get whatever the specialties are."
James was a few years older, so it was normal for these 20-year-old girls to call him "brother."
However, most girls would just call him "handsome,"
and this "brother" nickname was a bit too intimate.
But considering her pretty face, James allowed it.
"Then let's try some local Miami cuisine. The signature braised pork, stir-fried eel, crispy golden ribbonfish, crispy squab, simmered fish maw, wasabi prawns..." Asa placed the order with the waiter.
They were at a private restaurant, a place recommended by Bella.
It was a standalone villa with a classic and elegant ambiance, very high-class.
The prices weren't exorbitant, about 300-400 dollars per person, but apparently, it was hard to get a reservation; it was a place frequented by old Miami locals.
"Big Brother can't eat spicy food. Tell them not to add chili," Shirley Taylor carefully reminded.
"Miami cuisine is on the sweeter side, not too spicy," Asa explained.
"It's okay, a little bit is fine," James reassured.
Hearing this, Bella's suspicious gaze darted between Shirley Taylor and James. She inquired,
"Shirley, you seem to care about him a lot."
Bella was a local and usually went home on weekends, so she didn't know that Shirley Taylor had become James's girlfriend yesterday.
James saw Shirley Taylor getting embarrassed by the question, lowering her head and saying nothing, so he answered for her with a smile,
"What a surprise. Shouldn't she care about her man?"
"Hmph, self-absorbed jerk!"
Bella frowned, "Before you two are married, I won't let you take advantage of Shirley."
James laughed, his eyes scanning the cool girl from head to toe, and provoked,
"What if I insist on taking advantage?"
Bella replied coldly, "Then I'll have my dad put you in jail."
James was slightly taken aback.
No wonder this little girl was so arrogant and had remained so pure despite her beauty.
Her family had some serious clout, and no one dared to mess with her.
Such a thorny rose was dangerous, but men liked this type.
Courting a girl while risking one's life was exciting.
But James wasn't very interested in her because his "rice bowl" was already full to the brim.
"You should worry about yourself instead of others, little girl," James chuckled.
"Hmph, I won't let you succeed, old man."
Bella's eyes were fixed on James.
Their gazes clashed, sparks flying in the air.
Shirley Taylor, hearing them discuss her, was too embarrassed to say anything.
Asa was contemplating how to discreetly get James's number.
The four sat in the private room in silence for a while,
until James's phone rang, breaking the quiet.
James checked the caller ID; it was Anna Rivera's best friend.