Eric’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing to slits. The mask was slipping, and he could feel it. Despite every precaution, Gifford had somehow unearthed these damning images.

How?

“Speechless, are we?” Gifford’s voice dripped with glee, feeding off Eric’s silence.

He pointed to the final image, the medicine bottle. “I had a doctor look into that drug.”

He tapped his temple with a flourish. “Eric, you’ve got a blood clot in your brain. It could rupture at any moment. Surgery? Low odds of success. You’re dancing with death!”

Eric’s vision blurred, a sharp throb pulsing in his skull. His fists tightened, knuckles whitening.

It didn’t add up. Gifford’s claims were too precise, too detailed for mere photos. He couldn’t have pieced this together without something concrete beyond the images.

Eric’s steps faltered; he staggered forward, clearly unsteady.

“Mr. Scott!” Phillips rushed to steady him, then turned to a nearby bodyguard. “Get Tamara. Now.”

“Yes, sir!”

In the lounge, Hadley stirred from her nap.

“Hadley, wake up!”

Blinking her eyes open, she saw Tamara leaning over her, face tight with urgency.

Dread hit Hadley like a wave. Her heart picked up speed. “What’s wrong?”

“Get up—quickly!” Tamara kept her voice low for Joy’s sake. “Mr. Scott’s not feeling well.”

“What?” Hadley shot upright, throwing off the blanket and reaching for her shoes. “Where is he?”

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“Phillips already took him to the hospital.”

Hadley’s thoughts spun in a panic; she didn’t dare imagine how serious it might be. Her voice trembled with urgency. “What happened exactly?”

“There’s no time to explain it all. I’ll tell you on the way.”

“Okay.” Hadley nodded quickly, pulled on a coat, and paused by the bed to look at Joy’s sleeping face.

“Don’t worry!” Tamara said gently. She lifted Joy in her arms. “I’ll have someone bring her back to Jewel Avenue safely.”

“Thank you.”

At the hospital.

“You’re here?” Eric was propped up in bed, leaning against the headboard. He managed a faint smile and extended a hand toward Hadley when she walked in. “Come sit with me.”

Hadley hurried over, took his hand, and studied his face. He looked drained, his complexion pale with fatigue.

Her voice trembled slightly. “Does your head still hurt?”

“No.” Eric shook his head with a soft smile. “It’s not that bad. Don’t worry.”

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