The room was hushed. Ernest was nowhere to be seen, but Laney and a nurse stood by her bedside.

“Miss Holland, you’re awake! How are you feeling?” Laney asked, her voice laced with concern.

Elissa didn’t answer. Her gaze fixed on Laney’s lips, moving soundlessly as if she were underwater. She heard nothing, registered nothing.

Slowly, Elissa sat up, peeling back the blanket. With deliberate care, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood.

“Miss Holland?” Laney rushed to her side, offering support. “Where are you going?”

Elissa acted as if she hadn’t heard a word. She strode straight to the door, pulled it open, and walked out without looking back.

“Miss Holland?” Laney asked, visibly panicked. Without Ernest there, she feared something might go terribly wrong.

Addy had just passed away, and there was paperwork to be done. Ernest had gone to handle the formalities.

Laney rushed after her and called out to the bodyguards at the door. “Quick! Notify Mr. Flynn!”

“Understood!”

Elissa continued down the corridor, but just a few paces later, she stopped. She reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and dialed a number.

“Hello, Hadley. It’s Elissa… You have her number, don’t you? Send it to me.”

On the other end, Hadley was still unaware of Addy’s passing. Yet something in Elissa’s voice sounded off.

“Did something happen? What do you need her number for?”

Hadley didn’t need to ask who Elissa was referring to.

“Hurry!” Elissa snapped, her tone sharp with urgency. “Please, just send it to me. Okay?”

“Okay!” Hadley didn’t hesitate upon hearing the desperation in Elissa’s voice. “I’ll send it to you right now!”

Nore chatpers ν.c0n

“Thank you!”

After ending the call, Hadley stared at her phone, her worry deepening. A heavy feeling settled in her chest. Something was definitely wrong. Should she call Ernest or Quentin?

Meanwhile, Elissa had already received the number Hadley sent. Without wasting a second, she copied it, tapped it into her phone, and hit dial.

Holding the device to her ear, she made her way toward the elevator.

Just as she stepped out of the in-patient department, the line connected.

“Hello?”

The voice on the other end froze Elissa in place. Her own voice shook as she forced out the words.

“Tell me where you are right now!” she demanded.

“Hmm?” Linda’s voice came through the line. “Oh, it’s you. What do you want?”

“I’m the one asking questions here, not you!” Elissa snapped, her patience gone. “Where are you? Answer me!”

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