?<strong>Chapter 1001:</strong>


    Aurora straightened up, her voice light as she teased, “I thought it was my friend. They have the same name.”


    Dunn didn’t reply, his mind clouded with questions. Why would Rickey be calling now? Did he know about Aurora’s ident? How could he have heard about it so quickly, being overseas? Did he still care about Aurora?


    When they arrived at the hospital, the doctor gave Aurora a full-body check-up. Aside from some minor cuts, she was fine. While the nurse tended to Dunn’s wounds, Aurora used the hospital’s phone to call Joelle and report her safety.


    “Mom, I’m fine. You don’t have to worry. I’ll be home soon.”


    “We’lle pick you up now! Where are you?”


    Aurora quickly replied, “It’s okay. A kind passerby helped me. I’m on my way home now. I’ll see you in a bit.”


    “Are you sure, honey?” Joelle clutched her chest in relief. “What’s the name of the person who helped you? We must thank them properly.”


    Aurora almost said Dunn’s name but quickly stopped herself. She’d never mention it unless she was crazy.


    “I’ve already thanked him properly, don’t worry. I’ve also found Rnd. He doesn’t want to go home for now, so I’ve settled him at a friend’s house.”


    “Which friend? Will it be too much trouble?”


    “No, it won’t, Mom.” Aurora nced at Dunn as he walked toward her and added, “My friend cares about me a lot and doesn’t mind helping out.”


    Dunn didn’t catch Aurora’s words. Once she ended her call, he told her, “Wait a moment. I need to return a call to my friend.”


    “Okay. The doctor prescribed some iodine solution for you. I’ll go get it.” Dunn watched as Aurora walked away, her figure disappearing into the hallway. He pulled out his phone, a storm cloud of emotions brewing in his chest. With a furrowed brow, he scrolled through his contacts and dialed Rickey’s number.


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    “Hello?”


    The fact that Rickey picked up so quickly annoyed Dunn. It confirmed his suspicion that Rickey had been monitoring Aurora’s every move. But what good would that do him? Rickey was overseas—helpless to act from so far away.


    “What is it?” Dunn asked, his voice calm, betraying none of the storm brewing inside him.


    Rickey got straight to the point. “How’s Aurora?”


    “What do you mean?”


    “She was kidnapped. Don’t tell me you don’t know.”


    Dunn stared out the window, the vast night sky pressing down on him like a suffocating nket. “I know. I brought her to the hospital for a check-up. But how on earth did you find out?”


    There was a pause on the other end, stretching ufortably into three or four seconds. Then Rickey spoke, his tone disconcertingly casual. “Because it was me who orchestrated the kidnapping.”


    Dunn’s brows knit together tightly. “What did you just say?”


    Rickey’s chuckle carried an unnerving ease. “Don’t get all worked up. I did it to bring you two closer. How is she? My men might’ve gone a bit overboard. Did they frighten her?”


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