Not long after, Tamara rose as well. “I’ll just step outside for a moment. I won’t be far. If you need me, just call.”

“Alright…”

Hadley started to reply, but Tamara was gone before she could finish.

Left alone in the room, Hadley grew increasingly confused. Both Chelsey and Tamara seemed to be acting strangely today.

Meanwhile, Tamara slipped into the hallway and immediately dialed Phillips to report.

“Tamara, don’t let Chelsey out of your sight. She might try to get away.”

“Understood.”

At that moment, Phillips was still waiting for the hospital laboratory to send back results.

Earlier, Tamara had secretly switched out the coffee Chelsey handed to Hadley with a duplicate cup she had prepared in advance. The real cup had been sent off for immediate analysis.

Tamara’s substitute was nothing more than regular coffee, but Hadley’s sharp instincts had picked up that something felt off the moment she tasted it. Chelsey must have sensed the switch, which meant they had to stay vigilant.

Thanks to Phillips’ foresight, Chelsey would have no chance to slip away. The hospital expedited the testing process, ensuring results would arrive quickly.

When Phillips’ phone finally rang, he instinctively looked at Eric, who gave him a slight nod.

“Go ahead. Answer it.”

Phillips accepted the call and switched on the speaker. “Hello?”

“Mr. Brown,” the doctor’s voice came through, calm but firm. “The advanced blood work confirms the presence of—”

He listed a string of technical terms, each one matching the same substance previously identified in Hadley’s bloodstream.

G3t th3 l3g1t v3rs10n 0n g4ln0v3ls.c0m

“Thank you, doctor,” Phillips said at once before ending the call.

He turned to Eric with a steady look. “Mr. Scott, what are your orders?”

A bitter laugh slipped from Eric’s lips, though his eyes were cold as ice. “Chelsey really outdid herself this time.”

Everyone around Hadley—except Chelsey—had been placed there by Eric himself.

Ironically, the only one he had allowed to stay, simply because Hadley wanted her there, turned out to be the threat.

Now, that single act of leniency had nearly resulted in disaster.

Without another word, Eric stood, collected his coat, and spoke with finality.

“We’re heading to the set.”

“Yes, Mr. Scott.” Phillips quickly fell into step behind him.

With evidence in hand, it was time to bring Chelsey to justice.

When they arrived, Hadley was filming, completely absorbed in her scene. Tamara stayed close by, but Chelsey was nowhere to be seen where she should have been.

Inside the lounge, Chelsey was frantically stuffing her belongings into a bag—mainly her coffee supplies and a few personal items. Once everything was packed, she swung the backpack over her shoulder and slipped quietly toward the exit.

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