Chapter 367 - Meeting Whites (6)

JoAnna was sitting on the ground and groaned. "It looked softer from up there..."

Jeff realized that JoAnna is not surprised by this fall, and she probably did it on purpose. But it was a big fall! "Are you OK?"

Seeing his anxious expression, JoAnna smiled to calm him down. "I might end up with a bruise or two, but that's it."

Jeff looked at Golden Legend and noticed that saddle is sideways, holding onto back straps only. "How did that happen?"

"I noticed at least two cuts on straps." JoAnna calmly explained while feeling her buttocks.

"And you still went up on it?!!" Jeff was outraged.

JoAnna looked on the side and saw people rushing their way and spoke with urgency. "Someone prepared this play for me, and it would be a waste not to use it against them. How hurt should I be? Did I break something? The more fuss we make, the better will be. Later, when we flush out the culprits, they will not be able to cover it up."

Jeff looked at her and shook his head helplessly while pushing back his anger. "Irresponsible. What would I do if you really got hurt? How do you know it's not only one culprit?"

"Later... people are coming... now go and make a fuss. I'm hurt." JoAnna lowered her head and covered her face with hands like she is crying.

She heard a male voice mixed with panting. "Mr. White... What happened? … We saw your companion fall... is she..."

"What happened!?? Look at this saddle!" Jeff growled at whoever came close enough to him. "Is this how you ensure safety? I will sue you all until you declare bankruptcy for your next three generations! Why are you standing there? Did you call the hospital? Arrange a helicopter! Don't you see that my fiancé is hurt? If I don't see a helicopter here in five minutes, you will all lose jobs and face lawsuits! ... Where do you think you are going? Don't you dare approach her! Incompetent! Who gave you the job? Are you incapable of setting up a saddle on a horse, or did someone tamper with it on purpose? You don't know? Is your equipment faulty? ..."

JoAnna listened Jeff throw insults and threats at people. 'I think he is enjoying this... a bit too much.'

Shortly after, a helicopter arrived. Before boarding the helicopter, Jeff threw few more threats at people gathered and warned them that if they don't do a proper investigation, they will suffer dire consequences.

Medics took JoAnna away on a stretcher. Jeff didn't let go of her.

The crowd of curious onlookers observed the scene while spreading the news that something was wrong with a saddle and fiancé of Jeffrey White is hospitalized.

"Tell mom and dad not to worry." JoAnna told Jeff as soon as they got in the helicopter.

"Let them..." Jeff frowned. "It will be more believable."

JoAnna agreed that it will be more believable, but still felt that it's too cruel to make them think she is hurt.

In a VIP room of a private hospital in Reno, JoAnna and Jeff were waiting for results after her check up, and x-rays, when she received a text message from Olivia: "Liam cut the saddle."

JoAnna smiled thinking how she made a good estimate of Olivia's character. She responded to her text with: "Thanks"

"Who is Liam?" JoAnna showed her phone to Jeff.

"Aiden's acquaintance. He had an encounter with Sarah during my birthday party." Jeff didn't want to say more. When he entered the back room at the venue, Liam was passed out after wetting himself. It was not a pretty sight.

JoAnna understood that something happened between that Liam person and Sarah and texted a group text to Aiden and Sarah: "Who is Liam? Why would he want to hurt me?"

JoAnna could guess that females would be jealous, and they want to hurt her because of that. But why would some male want to hurt her? That is a mystery that requires some investigation.

Jeff's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "You didn't explain why you think that more than one person is involved."

"In the dressing room, four girls came to talk to me. I didn't understand why, but now I do. They were there to delay me until this Liam person tampers with the saddle. The one who lead them was a girl with name Pearl. At the same time, I believe that this is orchestrated by a female other than Pearl."

"You have someone in mind?" Jeff noticed.

JoAnna nodded. "Lindsay"

Jeff was confused. "The name sounds familiar, but it's nothing that stands out. Why would she be the one behind this?"

JoAnna giggled. "You men are silly. If you don't know her, that does not mean that she is not interested."

Jeff looked at her in the hospital bed remembered how recklessly she acted. He sat on the bed next to her and looked at her sternly. "You listen... don't you ever do something like that. It's dangerous."

"I am fine."

"But what if you fell on a rock? Do you know how worried I am when you act recklessly?"

"Sorry..." She cupped his cheeks in his palms and kissed him. "Come on... you can't be angry at me."

Jeff paused for a second before succumbing to her charms, "Yes, I can't." His expression relaxed.

JoAnna gave him few short kisses before he completely forgot that he was supposed to be angry at her. His hands wrapped around her pulling her closer. He twitched when he felt her barely covered back with the hospital gown. Jeff deepened the kiss and enjoyed the feeling of her skin under his palm. His body reacted and craved for more.

"Anna, dear, how are you?!!" Elanor barged into the room, followed by Oscar.

Jeff and JoAnna abruptly ended the kiss. Elanor saw them but didn't seem to care. She was focused on JoAnna and how she is doing.

"I think I'm OK. We are still waiting for results." JoAnna responded shyly.

"How did this happen?" Oscar frowned.

Jeff responded. "Someone tampered with the saddle. We need to investigate who and why."

Elanor and Oscar exchanged looks. Jeff noticed.

"I will look into it." Oscar assured them. "Let's wait for results to come in first."

"It seems you two are not telling us something." Jeff scrutinized Elanor and Oscar.

Elanor nodded. "These things happen. Even now, I always need to be careful with whom I'm socializing, what I'm eating, where I'm going..."

"Why?" Jeff was trying to understand.

"Who knows what they are trying to achieve." Elanor helplessly extended her arms. "They don't have common goals; everyone has their own agenda."

Jeff looked at JoAnna with concern. He does not want to put her in any danger.

JoAnna hugged him. "Don't worry so much about me. As long as we are together, everything will be fine. I will be more careful, and not do reckless things. I will ask Sarah to help with security, she is an expert." JoAnna decided right then and there that she will be stronger, smarter, bolder, and defend her right to be next to Jeff.

Jeff hugged JoAnna tightly and kissed top of her head. "If your results are OK, we are going back to LA immediately."