Scars before his crown

Chapter Six

The driver glanced back, stunned. "Madam, why send him home? He’s just hungry. Splash some water on him, give him a hundred bucks and an apology—problem solved. Or have you forgotten what we’re really out here searching for…?”

"Shut up!" the woman snapped. "Are you disobeying my orders now?"

The man shook his head quickly. "No, madam—I wasn’t trying to. I just meant... all this will be for nothing if we abandon what we came here for.”

"Then do as I said. That’s final." She turned to the guards. "Well? Why are you still standing there?”

They snapped into action, lifting Lewis and placing him in the car. The woman climbed in, and the driver started the engine, reversed, and sped off in the Bugatti.

The bodyguards followed close behind in the trailing car.

Half an hour later, they pulled up to a grand estate. The gates swung open at once, letting the Bugatti and the trailing car through.

The compound looked like paradise—lush, elegant, and almost surreal.

Men in black all stood at different

positions, vigilant in their watch.

As soon as she stepped out, the woman barked, "Bring a wheelchair for him.”

Once it arrived, Lewis was gently placed on a wheeled stretcher and taken inside, the woman and driver following closely.

Hours passed. Early morning light slipped through the curtains as Lewis’s eyes slowly opened. He found himself in an elegantly furnished room—one so refined, even with its medical equipment, it outshone any hospital he'd ever imagined.

He glanced down to see a drip slowly feeding into his arm—and realized he was shirtless.

“What’s going on? Where am I? How am I still alive when I should be lifeless on the road? Why is it so bright here in the middle of the night?” His mind scrambled, trying to piece things together. Then the door creaked open, diverting his attention.

A man stepped in, dressed like a doctor—Lewis didn’t need to guess.

“Doctor, where am I? What’s happening? How did I end up here? Please, tell me,” he urged.

The doctor moved closer, with a calming demeanor. “You’re awake. Good. Now, just relax—I need to give you your final injection.

“Injection? For what? What’s happening?” Lewis’s confusion grew. “Please, I need to leave. I have to get back to my dorm before the gates close. It’s late.”

The doctor cleared his throat softly. “It’s already morning, sir.”

“Morning?” Lewis’s mind spun. “So this isn’t just light—it’s sunlight.” Memories flashed—how he’d almost been hit by a car just moments before.

Could the driver have brought me here? Lewis wondered, still trying to piece it all together.

The doctor gave the final injection with practiced ease. “You’re on the mend now. I’ll prescribe the medication you need—just be sure to take it regularly.”

Lewis gave a faint, bitter laugh. “That’s if I can even afford medicine.”

The doctor gently removed the drip. “Since you’re awake and stable, it’s time for you to meet Madam.”

“Madam? Which Madam?” Lewis’s brows furrowed in confusion.

“Please, follow me,” the doctor said calmly.

“Follow you? I’m not even wearing a shirt! Where’s my shirt?” Lewis snapped, then spotted it lying crumpled in the corner.

“Hey! Who dumped my shirt over there? Do you know how much I paid for it?” Lewis grumbled as he hurried over, snatched it up, and threw it on.

Meanwhile, in the inner sacred part of the room, the woman sat alone, holding a photograph. Her eyes were locked on it, tears shimmering in silence.

The door creaked open. The man who had driven the night before stepped inside. At the sight of him, she quickly tucked the photo into her pocket, wiped her tears, and asked, “Any update?”

The man shook his head solemnly. “No, Madam. We’ve completely lost track. Since last night, I’ve had the computer department monitoring everything—but there’s been nothing.”

The woman exhaled sharply. “If that’s not working, then hire another team. I’ve waited long enough. This delay is unacceptable.”

He nodded resolutely. “Understood, Madam. I’ll contact the best team available—hackers, if necessary.”

The woman gave a slight nod, then asked, “And the young man? How is he doing?”

The man opened his mouth to answer, but just then, they both spotted Lewis and the doctor coming down the stairs into the hall.

At the sight of him, the woman—Madam Sarah—rose from her seat. A soft smile touched her lips as she exhaled a sigh of relief.

Lewis’s eyes widened in disbelief as he took in his surroundings. “Oh my God... is this heaven? Even the stairs are dusted with gold,” he muttered. “This isn’t just a house—it’s a palace. And that room… more beautiful than any hospital.”

As he stepped fully into the hall, awe took over. The space was massive, every inch dripping with elegance. A colossal 76-inch TV occupied one wall, flowers spilled from vases, and the lavish furnishings spoke of wealth beyond anything Lewis had ever known.

Lewis’s eyes met Madam Sarah’s, and a jolt shot through him. He quickly looked away, stealing a glance at the man beside her. Were they the ones who nearly hit me—or the ones who found me afterward?

The doctor cleared his throat and turned to Madam Sarah. “He’s fine now. All he needs right now are these medications.” He then handed over a slip of paper.

The man beside her took it and said, “Thank you, doctor. We’ll handle it.”

The doctor nodded and left.

Sarah turned back to Lewis and asked, “Young man, how are you feeling?”

Lewis nodded. “I’m feeling good, Madam Sarah.”

She gave a small, apologetic nod. “I’m sorry for his carelessness—that’s why he almost hit you with the car. But I’m glad to see you’re alright now.”

Lewis was now certain they’d brought him here because of the accident. He forced a small smile, though unease, he wasn't comfortable. Standing before a wealthy woman like Sarah made him feel out of place—almost ashamed.

“Thank you. I’m fine, really. Actually, I’d like to leave,” Lewis said.

Sarah frowned. “What’s the rush? And why are you still wearing those dirty clothes?”

Lewis’s embarrassment deepened. “I’ll go work first, then change,” he mumbled.

“Work? What kind of work? And why were your clothes stained with blood last night?” she asked sharply.