Addiction to Temptation: His Mischievous Sweetheart Captivates Him-Chapter 246: Bloodstains in the Corridor

Just as Phoebe Quinn finished speaking, Quentin Donovan and Felix Langdon rushed toward the restroom, startling Phoebe to her feet.

"Did something happen to Nina?"

The group quickly headed for the restroom, with Felix still on the phone with Zane Thorne, explaining the situation.

Zane’s voice was tense and grim.

"Nina shared her location, she’s still in this building and hasn’t left. Hurry, I’m coming over immediately."

While speaking, the group had already arrived at the restroom.

The unusual lighting in the corridor and restroom made them sense that something was wrong, and their hearts grew heavier.

Quentin immediately took out his phone to call the person in charge over when Phoebe wanted to enter the restroom, but he stopped her. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Don’t go in yet."

Phoebe looked at him in confusion.

Quentin’s fashion empire included a significant segment on perfumes and fragrances, giving him a keen sense of smell. He could detect a strange scent even from outside the restroom.

And this drug... he had encountered it once abroad. A crude, despicable method used by those with peculiar fetishes to get what they wanted.

Thinking of this, Quentin’s heart sank completely. Moments ago, he had hoped that since Natalie Vaughn was skilled in karate, nothing major would happen, but if she’d been drugged, it would be different. He’d heard that such a drug first makes the limbs weak, keeping the mind clear to understand what’s happening, but after a while, the mind would start clouding as well.

Quentin’s voice was slightly grave.

"There’s drugging inside, someone is targeting Nina."

On hearing this, Phoebe’s legs began to buckle.

"Who?"

Who would know? Phoebe’s mind was in chaos upon realizing that something might have happened to Natalie. She shouldn’t have left Nina alone, why did she go for that damn business talk?

Felix’s hand subconsciously clenched around his phone hearing this; Quentin’s voice wasn’t loud, but the silence allowed Zane to hear everything.

Felix’s heart sunk from the silence on the other end of the call.

"Mr. Thorne, it’s been a short time, she couldn’t have gone far, she’ll be fine."

Phoebe tried hard to suppress her panic.

"Nina’s smart, she would definitely leave us clues."

Otherwise, why would she send location-sharing information to Zane?

While speaking, Phoebe’s eyes swept over the restroom doorway, and her gaze abruptly stopped.

"There seems to be something at the restroom entrance."

The rest turned their eyes in that direction, and by now, the hotel manager had arrived as well. An accompanying staff member spoke up.

"Why’s the lighting here like this?"

Quentin pointed at the restroom.

"Restore the lights, ventilate the restroom, don’t touch anything inside."

As soon as Quentin gave orders, the manager arranged for the staff to get to work.

The hotel manager walked up, puzzled.

"President Donovan, what’s... happened?"

"If something really has happened, your hotel is finished. Where’s the surveillance room?"

On hearing this, the hotel manager’s legs nearly gave out.

"There’s a surveillance room next door."

Quentin looked at Felix.

"You and Phoebe wait here for Zane, I’ll go check the surveillance room."

The staff worked quickly, soon restoring the lights. Phoebe immediately saw that at the restroom doorway were Natalie Vaughn’s high heels.

Phoebe was almost unable to stand when Felix, quick-witted, grabbed hold of her.

Felix glanced around and saw the "under repair" sign at the restroom entrance; in the previous dim light, it would’ve been hard to notice. In other words, to prevent others from entering and to lure Natalie in, at least two people had to be involved.

Zane had already arrived, and upon seeing Natalie’s high heels, his face turned grim as the ocean.

"Her location hasn’t moved since I found out, check nearby for her phone."

Phoebe steadied herself against the wall; though never taught criminal investigation, she had picked up bits and pieces from Damian Quinn.

"Nina is smart, taking off her high heels meant she noticed something off about the restroom. She couldn’t walk, so someone must have carried her away."

Zane said nothing and carefully inspected the restroom and surrounding area, suddenly crouching down.

"Mr. Thorne, what is it?"

Zane reached out and touched the base of the wall.

It was fresh blood.

Though not much, the sight of the blood at his fingertips held Zane’s focus.

"Nina must have injured herself intentionally."

Felix was at a loss for words. Natalie would indeed do something like this; during her previous abduction, she had cleverly left him clues.

"Sis-in-law is smart, she’ll be fine."

By then, Quentin had returned.

"I saw Nina talking with Serena Blackwood before entering the restroom. I had someone check, she reserved a hotel room."

Zane stood up. He wore a black suit, even his dress shirt underneath was black, having rushed over, his hair slightly disheveled. Now, with bloodstained fingertips, he appeared as if emerged from hell, exuding a murderous aura.

The hotel manager recognized Zane, nearly collapsing to his knees.

"Allow me to escort everyone."

The reserved room was on the top two floors, and without permission, hotel staff were not allowed to go up.

Inside the elevator, no one dared to speak, and the hotel manager relied on the wall for support.

The room was at the innermost position on that floor.

Zane strode toward it, but stopped at the sight of a large bloodstain in the corridor.

Felix felt a shiver through his heart.

"Mr. Thorne, it might not be sis-in-law’s."

Zane’s eyes were bloodshot. As the hotel manager’s shaking hands fumbled for the room card, Zane lifted his leg and kicked the door open.

Though of high quality, the hotel’s top-floor room door flew open from Zane’s single kick.

Inside lay an unspeakable scene.

A naked man held a whip, swinging it toward the bed. At the loud noise, he turned around swiftly.

A woman’s wretched scream pierced the air.

Felix looked away instantly, fearing he’d see something inappropriate. Zane and Quentin advanced further inside.

This horrible sound couldn’t be Nina’s.

Zane glanced. Tied to the bed was Serena Blackwood. Quentin swiftly checked other parts of the room.

"Nina isn’t here."

Zane closed his eyes, inhaling deeply to control his emotions.

The bloody-headed man roared angrily.

"Who are you?!"

Zane snapped his eyes open and kicked the man to the ground, then pinned his foot on the man’s face.

"Where is she?"

The voice was seething with fury.

The kick made President Archer spit blood.

"I’m asking you, where is she."

As he spoke, Zane ground his foot on the man’s face.

"I don’t know, I don’t know."

Quentin glanced at Serena, already bloody and barely clothed from the whipping.

"Where is Nina?"

Serena frantically shook her head.

"I don’t know, I don’t know, please save me, save me, he’s a madman."