Just the thought of what he had done in the past made the slight rise in confidence fly away completely.
Looking at Roy, she sighed softly, "Maybe he does have a reason, but no matter what, resorting to violence is not justified. So, you stay here and wait for updates. Once Walton gets him out on bail, you ask him for details and try to dig out every detail. I'll go to the hospital and see the person he hit, see if I can persuade him to settle this matter."
"I understand." Roy also thought this was the best course of action now. If possible, he certainly didn't want his good friend, who was about to make a comeback, to be sent back to square one because of this fight. Downey had been in a slump for so long; he desperately needed a big win in a movie to prove his return! Even if not for himself, he had to do it for his son, for his new girlfriend, to start anew.
Laila didn't waste any time. After finding out which hospital the guy had been taken to, she hurried over with her bodyguards.
When she reached the ward, even before entering, she heard an uproar and shouting that shouldn't be heard in a hospital.
"So what if he's a celebrity? Just an outdated little star! This time, no matter what, I won't let him off. I'll make him understand the consequences of messing with me!"
Laila frowned outside the door, having a premonition that her visit might be in vain. But since she was already here, she couldn't just turn back without doing anything.
Earlier, she had asked the doctor about the guy's injuries. Apart from some swelling around the mouth, he only had a bit of impact on one thigh, and it didn't look like a result of being punched; it seemed more like an injury from a fall.
Laila asked her bodyguards to wait outside and knocked on the door before entering.
"Who are you?" He had just hung up the phone, wanting to vent his frustration to someone about the pain in his leg. When he looked up, he saw a casually dressed woman.
"Hello, Cole West, I'm Laila Moran." Laila placed the flowers she brought on a nearby cabinet.
Cole squinted at her, wondering when he had met such a beauty. She looked familiar, but if he had "played" with someone like her before, he shouldn't forget. Based on her appearance, he doubted she was one of the sexy and easy-to-hook women he usually went for. Someone like Laila, who seemed like a proper lady, wasn't his type at all.
In his mind, women from cultivated families, especially those with conservative British heritage, were associated with dullness. So, even at previous high-society events with his father, he would only choose women who appeared very sexy and easy to hook up with. Women like Laila, who seemed like a refined lady, were not even on his radar.
At that time, he probably glanced at Laila's face and lost interest since she didn't seem like she could "play." Moreover, Laila usually had light makeup, quite different from the heavy makeup she wore to events. That's probably why he didn't recognize her.
Seeing that he didn't recognize her, she repeated her name to remind him, "I'm Laila Moran."
Cole impatiently waved his hand, "Okay, I know your name. Why are you here?"
Laila felt a bit frustrated. She knew how much of a profligate he was, but she didn't expect him not to remember her own name. Even her family, ranking high among wealthy people, remembered even those behind them. How could he forget even those?
Failing to respond to his question immediately due to her surprise, in Cole's eyes, she seemed silent. This made him think of a reason.
"Come here," he beckoned with his finger.
Laila squinted her eyes, definitely not going to pay attention to a disrespectful gesture.
"What? Want to make money from me and don't know how to behave?" Cole was a bit annoyed. Coming to his hospital room so late at night, standing there silently without saying a word after mentioning her name, did she want to play with him and make some pocket money? Considering she looked decent, he didn't mind spending the boring time in the hospital with her. If he treated her well, playing for a bit longer wouldn't be a problem.
Laila was amused by his words. If it weren't for knowing that it wasn't the time to worsen their relationship, she would have thrown the flowers she brought on his face!
"Mr. Cole, I'm here for Downey's matter." Not giving him a chance to misunderstand further, she straightforwardly stated her purpose.
"Downey?" Cole frowned, unable to recall who that was.
Laila was truly baffled. Even if he didn't recognize someone he had just fought, was it alright for him to threaten jail without even knowing who he was accusing? Did the police just give him any name, and he would go all out to accuse that person?
In truth, Cole was being wronged. People like him didn't care about movies or celebrities, especially not Downey, an actor who had fallen from his peak. He only knew someone had hit him, and he remembered the face of that person. But to make him recall a name with a brain that was already filled with straw and paste was too difficult.
"Downey is the one who clashed with you today. I'm his..."
Before Laila could finish, she was interrupted by Cole's shouting.
"So, it's him! I don't care if you're his woman or his mother, but that bastard dared to hit me. I'll definitely make him go to jail!"
Laila was getting a headache; reasoning with someone so unreasonable was like talking to a wall. Talking to a wall might be more productive. Perhaps she would be irritated to death.
"Mr. Cole, being impulsive won't solve the problem." Laila was also tempted to hit someone due to his attitude. Forget about not having a broken leg, even if Downey had broken two, it wouldn't solve anything. "I can compensate you in other ways, maybe financially."
Cole looked at her disdainfully, "Who do you think I am? Offering me financial compensation? Do you think I lack your little money? Let me tell you, I've made it clear today. Regardless of the cost, I will make sure that bastard goes to jail. Moreover, don't think that once he's in prison, he'll be safe. I'll make sure he enjoys the highest level of 'service' in there, ensuring that every day is full of 'surprises' for him!"