"Don't tell me. Mason?" Aria's jaw dropped and she blinked at the man before her in wonder. "How did that happen?" Her shock turned into happiness and a small smile made its way on Ian's face seeing her joyous expression. Aria hated Mason as she knew about his womanizing behavior and she loathed him all the more after the way he had behaved with her.

"Serves him right for being characterless. Bastard." She spat and Ian chuckled once again seeing her irked expression. ​​

"I lodged a complaint against him with the management and he was sent a notice immediately after. The management decided to investigate the matter and he was asked to be present before them. He was asked to provide the necessary evidence to claim his innocence or else he would be held guilty." Ian held his hand before him and the two started walking towards the cardiology department.

"What happened? It must have been entertaining to see the man trying to defend himself." 

"Not exactly." Ian cleared his throat and nodded at the nurse who walked by him.

"What do mean? Did something happen?" Aria glanced at him in confusion and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Mason did not make it to the investigation."

"And?"

"And he was dismissed from his job."

Aria stopped in her tracks and faced Ian. "What? He was dismissed just like that?"

"Why Aria? Weren't you happy that he left the hospital just a minute before? Are you worried for him now?" Ian folded his hands and teased her, making the girl roll her eyes.

"Worried, my foot. If I was in charge, I would have kicked him out of this hospital long ago. But what I am confused about is that he was asked to leave just like that. Wow, that's amazing." Aria added and nodded her head, secretly praising the team for showing him the door.

"There is nothing wrong with it. It was written in the notice that if he could not make it on the said day, he would be given a pink slip." Ian stated with a shrug.

"Seems about right. He deserved it. Anyway, I'll get going, Ian. See you later."

"See ya." Ian stared at Aria until she went inside the cardiology department. "Aria, you have no idea how far your man can go for you. If you find out what he had done to remove the pest beside you, I wonder how you will react." He sighed lightly and recalled what exactly had happened.

Although Ian had sent the notice to Mason, it was Noah who had made sure that the man would not reach the hospital on the said date. Noah had retrieved all his details and he had struck where it pained the most. Mason's father had a small investment company of his own and Noah had made him go bankrupt just before the day Mason was asked to make his presence. He had given Mason no option out and that was not the only action he had taken against him.

Annoyed and furious for even thinking about Aria, he had got his men to bring the man to him and he was now tied to a chair in the Underground base, awaiting his doom.

"What wonders love can do!!" Ian sighed and shook his head, contented that he did not have anyone in his life, not yet at least.

Meanwhile, the lover boy in question was heading towards the Underground base to deal with the scoundrel who had dared to trouble his sweet girl. Just the thought of it made Noah to clench his fists. It was the first time he was visiting the base after he was shot and he had to deal with a lot of issues. Although Joshua had managed to solve most of them, Noah still had to take a look as it was his responsibility.

All his men were waiting for him already and Noah did not waste any more time to go to his first prey, Mason. His hands were itching for some blood and he wanted to torture the man until he could not even lift his finger.

Mason was tied in an isolated room from where they could not hear a sound. The room was completely insulated. Noah glanced at Ronnie and the man immediately opened the door. Noah took slow, casual steps making them loud enough to gain the attention of his victim, who at that moment had his head bent.

Seeing him lift his head, Noah sat on the throne-like chair and crossed his legs. "Ronnie, why haven't you welcomed our new guest?" He questioned and Ronnie stifled a smile.

"Who the f_u_c_k are you?" Mason roared and tried to wriggle his arms. But they were tightly bound to the chair making it impossible for him to even move. "Why have you brought me here?"

"I'll answer all your questions. But before that, let me serve you with a welcome drink." Noah snapped his fingers and Ronnie came forward with a glass of red liquid. "Give it to our guest. He must be thirsty from all the shouting he has done for the past few days." 

"Yes, Boss." A devilish smile made its way on Ronnie's face. It was playtime for him and he was having fun, looking at his prey waiting to be tortured. 'Gosh, I missed this thrill!!'

"F_u_c_k you and your welcome drink. Look, whoever you are, get me out of here, right now." Mason bellowed and Ronnie clicked his tongue, shaking his head.

"Tch, tch, tch. There is no use shouting here, Dr. Mason. I suggest you to stop shouting and cooperate with us. Things might not go the way you want if you keep yelling, especially when your voice is annoying and horrible." Ronnie warned with a low voice.

However, Mason was too angry to care about his words. "You bastard. Get me out of here, right now." He ordered and tried to wriggle once again. A few seconds passed and Ronnie did not even move from his place.

Mason looked up to see what was happening and met Ronnie's bored gaze. "You pig, release me. You do not know who I am and what I can do."

"Ohh, tell me who you are and what you can do?" Noah intercepted and leaned forward, putting on a curious face. Mason frowned when he saw Noah's face, he found him to be familiar. But he could not put a name to his face.

"What the f_u_c_k are you? You son of a bitch. Piss off." Mason cursed and this time, Noah's anger reached his peak. 

"Ronnie, give him the drink." He ordered, his voice turning low and sinister.

"I don't want any drink. You pig head. Let me...Aghhhh." His tone and words changed the moment Ronnie threw the drink he had with him right on Mason's face. "Aghhhh." Mason continued to scream as he writhed in his seat. His eyes were burning with pain and he did not have to be a genius to guess what the drink was. It was nothing but chili powder mixed with water.

"You asshole. Aghhhh." He shouted and closed his eyes tight in pain. They were burning and tears started to run down his cheeks. He had never experienced such anguish before and he had the intense urge to kill the two men before him. "What do you want?" He struggled to get away with his eyes closed and seethed. He was still putting up a fight, but Noah ignored it.

"Now the man cooperates." Noah mocked and tapped his fingers on the handrest. "How dare you misbehave with Aria!!"