### Chapter 67 “I’m pregnant, so taking medication isn’t an option for me,” Avery declared, her eyes glimmering with resilience. “Just give it a few days. I’ll manage to cover it up with makeup in the meantime.” “Are you kidding me? Get some rest!” Laura pleaded, gently patting her legs, encouraging her to lie down. Avery shook her head defiantly. “I’m not tired anymore. I’ll just scroll through my phone.” As she powered up her device, a missed call from Mrs. Cooper caught her attention. Avery contemplated calling back, yet the cacophony of the crowded bus made it nearly impossible to hear. After deliberating briefly, she resolved to return the call once she reached home. Just then, an alarming headline flashed across one of her news apps, seizing her focus: **‘Cole Foster Carried Out of Casino in the Dead of the Night! Suspected of Owing Money to Loan Sharks!’** Taking a deep breath, she tapped the headline. The photos loaded, and the first image struck her with a visceral jolt—Cole being hoisted out of the casino, looking disheveled and lost. Beside him, another image emerged, one that sent a chill down her spine; he was being whisked away to the hospital. Yet, the sight that truly unsettled her was the unmistakable figure beside him—Cassandra. Her sister, whom she hadn’t seen in ages, appeared even more provocatively dressed than she remembered. Had Cole avoided ruin, Cassandra would likely have been enjoying the luxuries of a high-end hotel room with him instead of this disgraceful moment captured for the public eye. With a steely resolve, Avery exited the news app and dove into her messages. Among them was a frantic text from Tammy: **(Avery! You won’t believe it—I almost slept with Jun Hertz last night! But then, boom! My period arrived like an uninvited guest!)** Avery’s heart raced with surprise. **(Aren’t you moving way too fast?!)** Tammy’s next message came with a hint of embarrassment. **(We’d had a bit too much to drink… Oh, you should have seen the look on his face when I started bleeding! He was disappointed, but bless him, he ran out and got me a tampon.)** **(Don’t they have those in hotel rooms?!)** Avery typed back, her brow furrowed with disbelief. Tammy explained, **(Nope, we crashed at his apartment. I might be getting closer to him to uncover his secrets, but I still need to ensure he knows his way around the bedroom!)** Avery couldn’t suppress her understanding smile. **(Ah, I see.)** Tammy, sensing an opening, teased, **(So, how’s your husband in bed?)** Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and Avery quickly pivoted the conversation. **(My phone’s dying! I need to charge it!)** Tammy’s playful taunts didn’t stop there. **(I bet you’ve already slept with him! Otherwise, you’d just say you don’t know!) Hahahaha!** Embarrassment washed over Avery, compelling her to shove the phone deep into her bag as the bus rumbled toward Avonsville. Three hours later, when they finally arrived, Avery ushered her mother home. Laura, burdened with a hefty bag of groceries in one hand and fresh fruit in the other, passed Avery the keys to unlock the front door. As she pushed the door ajar, the sight before her took her breath away. Someone was sitting on the couch! Startled, Avery instinctively took a step back, her heart pounding furiously. Laura mirrored her shock; had she not been familiar with Elliot’s face from previous encounters, she might have already dialed the police. The bodyguard, aware of their dismay, stepped forward and gently nudged Avery into the house. He then took the groceries from Laura, assisting her into the kitchen, leaving Laura unsure if she should extend her gratitude. “What are you doing here?” Avery managed once the initial shock wore off. Steeling herself, she approached Elliot, her voice firm yet laced with trepidation. “This is my mother’s home. What business do you have here?” A shiver raced down her spine as realization hit her—Elliot had breached her privacy effortlessly, tracking her and her mother down to this very spot. Noticing the fear in her eyes, Elliot’s expression softened slightly. “I’m here for you,” he said, the gravity of his words resonating ominously in the air.