The Villain Who Stole Hearts

Chapter 107: Saoirse’s Eyes Turned Red

"Veil, you’re awake?!"

Just outside the private luxury ward, Saoirse had just wrapped up a conversation when she turned back and saw Veil’s eyes flutter open. Her beautiful eyes instantly lit up with surprise and relief. Without hesitation, she rushed over to his side, her steps light and quick.

Cough, cough, cough...

Veil’s chest convulsed as he broke into a violent fit of coughing. And no, this wasn’t for show—he was truly in agony. Every bone in his body felt shattered, as if someone had taken him apart and barely managed to glue him back together. Even his skin flared with intermittent stabs of pain, like being pricked by countless needles.

"Don’t move! And for God’s sake, don’t get emotional!" Saoirse scolded softly, placing a gentle hand on his chest. "The doctor said your injuries are serious—any intense emotional reaction could make things worse."

Her tone was caring, but her brows knit with concern. Seeing Veil tilt his chin slightly, she quickly understood and fetched several pillows. With great care, she propped them up behind him and helped him sit upright against the headboard.

"You... what are you doing here? What happened after I passed out?" Veil asked, his voice raspy and confused.

The last thing he remembered was collapsing on some godforsaken dirt road in the middle of nowhere. Now he was staring at a spotless white ceiling, surrounded by warm-toned furnishings in a room that looked like it belonged in a five-star hotel. Clearly, this wasn’t just any hospital room.

"You should ask your bodyguard about that." Saoirse folded her arms, trying to sound annoyed. "I came the moment I got the call. When I saw you, you were covered in blood and unconscious."

There was a hint of reproach in her voice, but as she looked at Veil, wrapped in bandages and barely able to sit upright, her irritation faded. Her chest tightened, and her eyes reddened with a wave of emotion she couldn’t suppress.

In truth, it wasn’t anger.

It was worry.

She’d been scared—really scared.

And now that he was finally awake, she couldn’t bring herself to scold him.

"I’ll go get him," she said softly, turning away so he wouldn’t see the tears threatening to fall. "He’s been watching over you this whole time... he’s just outside, trying to catch a bit of rest."

With that, Saoirse stepped out of the room, wiping her eyes as she went.

Moments later, Kai walked in, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The usually stern and imposing man didn’t even make it halfway to the bed before dropping to his knees with a loud thud.

"Young Master, you’re finally awake! I damn near had a heart attack!" he blurted, voice trembling with emotion.

"What are you yelling for?" Veil rasped, giving him a look. "I’m not dead, am I? Just a little accident. Now get up—I’ve got questions."

Seeing Kai’s haggard expression, and recalling how even the always-composed Saoirse had nearly teared up, Veil couldn’t help but feel a twinge of warmth. He may have acted calm, but deep down, he was moved.

Still, feelings aside, he needed answers.

"Go wash your face. Breathe a little. Then I’ll ask," Veil said, nodding toward the door.

Kai shook his head quickly. "No need, Young Master. I’m fine. Besides, I wasn’t the only one watching over you. Miss Saoirse was here the entire time—she didn’t leave your side once."

"Alright. So tell me—what exactly happened after I passed out?

Where’s Anna now?

And why was Saoirse the one you called?

Did you inform the others?"

Kai took a breath and began.

"I got to the scene right after your call, but by the time I arrived, you were already unconscious. Only Miss Anna was still there—along with the body of Casper Voss. I had her quietly taken away, and... disposed of the corpse without drawing attention."

He paused, gauging Veil’s reaction before continuing.

"I figured, given your identity, bringing you to a public hospital would’ve been a huge risk—too many eyes, too many questions. So I took the liberty of contacting Miss Saoirse and arranged for you to be treated here, at the Black Dragon Society’s private facility."

"As for the others," Kai scratched his head, "I’ve made countless calls and sent messages, saying you’re away on business. But the truth is... if everyone had shown up here at once, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it."

His voice trailed off awkwardly.

"And Maxen Clark?" Veil asked, brow arching slightly.

"Saoirse got wind of some intel about him and had him dealt with. Just some wealthy pig from Veyport City—a coal tycoon who thought money gave him the right to act on his lust. He wasn’t worth much. He’s been taken care of."

By the time Kai finished his explanation, Veil had a clear picture of what had happened during his coma.

And to be fair, Kai had done exceptionally well.

He’d defused all the hidden bombs before they could go off.

Still, there was something odd about his expression.

Veil narrowed his eyes. "That’s all?"

Kai chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Well... not exactly. I managed to keep things under wraps with most people. But... Miss Saoirse may have—just maybe—already found out about... certain things you’ve been doing outside."

"Is that so? It doesn’t matter," Veil said softly, his voice calm and composed.

Kai scratched his head, a little dazed.

"Uh... well..."

He stared suspiciously at Veil’s head, as if trying to figure out if it had taken a serious hit. He could’ve sworn there wasn’t any trauma when they brought him in.

Why did it feel like his young master had turned into a completely different person?

Kai hesitated for a moment before continuing,

"Young Master, what I mean is... Miss Saoirse already knows about the other girls."

Veil nodded calmly.

"I know. No need to keep repeating it. As for others, fine, let them worry. But Saoirse? I’m not concerned about her at all. I know her better than you ever will. She’s someone who knows how to prioritize what matters. She’s a woman built for bigger things, not someone who would fuss over trivial issues like this. That’s precisely why I had you contact her the moment things went south."

"Huh?"

Kai was confused. Contact her? He was pretty sure that was his own idea after seeing how dire the situation was!

Still, doubts were doubts. As someone trusted with Veil’s inner circle, he knew when to ask questions—and more importantly, when not to. So he shut his mouth and started giving a detailed report on everything that had happened while Veil was unconscious.

Like how Anna hadn’t left Veyport City. She was staying at a hotel, and despite trying to visit several times, she had been turned away every single time.

And then there was Sierra...

Kai spoke, and Veil listened, his thoughts quietly stirring.

Ding!

"Fated heroine Saoirse’s affection has increased. Congratulations, host. Villain Points +500."

Whew...

The moment Veil heard the system notification, the heavy weight in his chest finally lifted.

He may have been injured, but his eyes were still sharp.

That sliver of skirt peeking out near the doorway? That soft, fleeting shadow? It was obvious Saoirse was eavesdropping from outside.

If he hadn’t said something good about her, and she happened to hear something else instead... the next time he landed in the hospital, she’d probably be the first one to pull the oxygen tube out of spite!

Thankfully, he was quick on his feet—disaster averted.

Ding-dong!

Just as Kai finished his report, Veil’s phone buzzed with a message.

He took it out and glanced at the screen.

It was from Lyra.

"Veil, I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but I really need to ask. Am I being too clingy? Do I bother you too much? It just feels like you don’t even want to talk to me anymore."

"You should go rest. I’ll call you if I need anything," Veil said, waving Kai off. Once he was alone, he began typing a reply:

"Things have been a bit hectic lately. Haven’t even had time to look at messages. Sorry about that..."

But Lyra wasn’t done.

"Then you could’ve just told me! Not replying, not explaining anything—when I called, you didn’t pick up. You only sent a three-word text: ’Going on a trip.’ How am I supposed to know what you’re thinking?"

Veil gave a bitter smile.

A full professor at Veyport University... and after a few days of no contact, she was suddenly acting like a scorned lover?

Should he be flattered? Or feel sorry for himself?

If it weren’t for Casper Voss, he’d probably be riding in the back of a Bentley on the way to see her right now.

And now?

He could barely make it to the bathroom, let alone a romantic meet-up.

"Are you even really you? You’re acting so different over text. Send me a photo—I want to see for myself."

A normal woman might just ask her boyfriend for a cute selfie or snap one herself. But not Lyra.

This was a full-on test.

If Veil complied, she could say she just wanted to change her phone wallpaper—casual, no big deal.

If he refused, she’d escalate the issue to not caring or hiding something.

It was a strategic move—one that made Veil feel like he was being backed into a corner.

As a senior member of the Scumbag Defense Association™, he immediately saw through her intentions.

And yet... there wasn’t really a right answer to this.

So, instead of trying to dodge it, Veil sighed and raised his phone, angling it slightly to the side so the hospital window was in view. He snapped a close-up that carefully avoided any signs of injury—no bandages, no medical equipment in sight.

After double-checking the photo, he sent it.

No reply.

The message vanished into the void like a stone tossed into a lake.