CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: ZANE THORNE’S HEARTACHE

The rope was untied, and Natalie Vaughn moved her legs. As she stood up, her body tingled from sitting for so long, almost causing her to fall.

Fortunately, Zane Thorne reacted quickly, reached out to embrace her waist, and looked down to examine her closely.

"Where else did you get hurt?"

His voice was as cold as ice.

Natalie Vaughn shook her head.

"Just a bit numb."

The man furrowed his brows, said nothing, and bent down to carry Natalie Vaughn.

At this moment, Damian Quinn, James Vaughn, Felix Langdon, and the others also arrived.

Damian Quinn glanced around the room, stepped forward, and handcuffed Shawn Lowe, while James Vaughn looked up at Natalie Vaughn in Zane Thorne’s arms.

The latter shook her head.

"I’m fine."

James Vaughn’s fists clenched and unclenched at his side. He stepped forward, wanting to take Natalie Vaughn from Zane Thorne’s arms but, remembering their relationship, withdrew his hand.

"You were too careless."

His tone was reproachful, but ultimately, his eyes held more concern.

Zane Thorne looked at the man who bore some resemblance to Natalie Vaughn, and nodded in acknowledgment.

James Vaughn had heard from Felix Langdon that Zane Thorne returned to the country today, probably rushing here straight off the plane. Seeing Zane Thorne’s dedication to Natalie Vaughn with his own eyes, James Vaughn felt reassured.

"Take Nina to the hospital to treat her wounds; I’ll handle things here."

Finished speaking, James Vaughn stopped Damian Quinn, who was about to take Shawn Lowe away.

Daring to kidnap someone from the Vaughn Family meant enduring the Vaughn Family’s wrath.

Zane Thorne nodded and strode out, carrying Natalie Vaughn. Felix Langdon followed behind, relieved to see Natalie Vaughn was generally okay.

Along the way, he understood the whole sequence of events.

Shawn Lowe’s girlfriend had been involved in the fight video incident at Natalie Vaughn’s bar, and she was mercilessly blacklisted. Originally, their lives weren’t affluent, even strained. Becoming web celebrities was their only livelihood choice, but this blacklist shattered their dreams.

Coupled with the recent collaboration to promote the crew, Zoe Chandler had posted a video of Theo training on Natalie Vaughn’s account, and another participant from the bar had posted a comprehensive explanation video, significantly improving Natalie Vaughn’s reputation.

Her fan base naturally surged.

However, during this period, Natalie Vaughn was immersed in script and acting studies, paying no attention to these aspects, leaving Zoe Chandler in charge.

Shawn Lowe probably couldn’t endure such provocation, prompting him to act foolishly.

Felix Langdon was actually somewhat scared, reflecting on how this matter was partly connected to him. Had anything serious happened to Natalie Vaughn, he wouldn’t know how to explain to James Vaughn, let alone to Zane Thorne.

The car door opened, Zane Thorne sat in the back holding Natalie Vaughn, while Felix Langdon volunteered as their driver.

Natalie Vaughn sat on the man’s lap, feeling his firm warmth, her face gradually flushing.

"You can put me down now."

She was just numb in the legs, momentarily unable to stand.

Zane Thorne looked down at her.

Her originally white and tender face was now highly swollen, with blood at the corner of her mouth. Her slender wrists were scraped and still bleeding, while her ankles were bruised purple due to prolonged binding.

Raised in luxury, her delicate skin made even slight injuries stunning in appearance.

Zane Thorne’s large hand remained on Natalie Vaughn’s waist, not loosening a bit, and he ignored her suggestion, continuing to securely hold her on his lap.

Natalie Vaughn’s body was already uncomfortable and, after such a tumultuous ordeal, she was truly exhausted, opting to lean comfortably against his warm, firm chest.

After closing her eyes to rest for a while, Natalie Vaughn asked.

"When did you come back?"

Zane Thorne, sensing her discomfort, spoke softly for a change.

"Take a nap if you’re unwell; I’ll wake you when we reach the hospital."

Natalie Vaughn shook her head.

Her head throbbed painfully, making sleep uncomfortable.

Seeing this, Zane Thorne raised his gaze to Felix Langdon in the front, who wisely increased the speed.

"Just got back."

Natalie Vaughn blinked, raising her head to discern the bloodshot in his eyes and understand what "just got back" meant.

Then Felix Langdon explained on behalf of his taciturn good friend.

"Mr. Thorne rushed over as soon as he got off the plane; the airport is close by, so he arrived quickly. Zoe Chandler alerted us when she noticed the account logged in from an unfamiliar device, that’s how we pinpointed the location."

Felix Langdon paused.

"You’re very clever, ma’am."

Despite being kidnapped, she remained calm and methodically signaled them, earning Felix Langdon’s admiration.

Natalie Vaughn tried to smile, but the movement pulled at her facial wounds.

Silent before, now pain made her brows furrow tightly, unable to suppress a groan.

Zane Thorne lowered his head, his features tense, gently wiping Natalie Vaughn’s mouth.

"Does it hurt?"

Natalie Vaughn replied with a choked voice.

It did hurt, though not unbearably so; she could endure it. But knowing Zane Thorne rushed over immediately after landing instilled an unexpected sense of grievance.

Perhaps due to illness, her nerves were particularly sensitive and fragile.

Or perhaps the warmth of the man’s chest comforted and relaxed her.

The moment her tension eased, the habit of behaving childishly since childhood surfaced.

Like a proud, stubborn Persian cat, blinking its big eyes to act coquettish, to a man, this was overpoweringly effective.

Zane Thorne tightened his arms around Natalie Vaughn; her genuine expression of pain was distinct from her previous deliberate feigned injury to gain sympathy.

The man found himself unsure how to handle this situation.

A girl who remained silent when her palms were full of blood after fighting now curled up in his arms, softly saying she was in pain.

Zane Thorne’s straight brows knitted; he swallowed dryly, his voice hoarse.

"Did he hurt you anywhere else?"

Holding the wet wipe Felix Langdon handed him, Zane Thorne gently dabbed the girl’s face in his arms, wary not to aggravate her injury with any heavy hands.

Seeing the man’s cautious demeanor, Natalie Vaughn wanted to laugh.

From their recent interactions, she already knew Zane Thorne was someone who lived rather ruggedly, casually. Yet when facing her, he tried his utmost to be meticulous.

She couldn’t say if this was Zane Thorne’s respect for his future wife, but she did cherish this special attention from him.

"My tooth hurts."

The man’s blows were ruthless and heavy; she painfully endured three slaps.

Zane Thorne paused while wiping her face, awkward and stiff, his fingertips lightly caressing the swollen side of Natalie Vaughn’s face, offering futile comfort.

"We’re almost at the hospital."

He spoke, lowering his head to press his lips against her forehead, attempting a simple intimate gesture to alleviate her pain, releasing some of the heartache that grew within him.

Upon reaching the hospital, the man still didn’t release Natalie Vaughn, holding her all the way to the examination room. He cautiously placed her on a chair, even instructing the doctor.

"Be gentle."