She bit her lower lip hard, trying to steady herself. Her eyes darted around nervously. “Ethan… what are you saying? I’m really not well. My chest—it’s hurting terribly—”

“Is that so?” Ethan let out a cold, mocking laugh, his eyes narrowing. He turned to Benjamin without another look at her. “Bring the doctor who was on duty last night.”

Benjamin immediately turned and left the room. The silence that followed was heavy and tense.

Sophia’s heart hammered against her ribs. Dread coiled in her stomach. She gripped the quilt so tightly her knuckles turned white, forcing herself to breathe slowly.

Minutes later, Benjamin returned with a doctor in tow.

“Tell me, Doctor—does Miss Reed’s condition warrant the emergency she described?” Ethan’s voice was icy, leaving no room for evasion.

The doctor glanced nervously between Ethan and Sophia before speaking cautiously. “Well… there are some minor cardiac irregularities, but nothing critical. We cannot completely rule out the potential for sudden complications, however.”

His words were carefully measured, as if he were treading on thin ice.

Ethan waved a dismissive hand. “Both of you, get out.” Benjamin and the doctor didn’t need to be told twice. They exchanged relieved glances and quickly slipped out, closing the door softly behind them.

“Ethan… why are you interrogating me like this? Don’t you trust me?” As soon as they were gone, Sophia turned to him, her eyes welling up with fresh tears. Her voice trembled with feigned hurt.

But Ethan’s stare only grew colder, his jaw tightening. Her pitiful expression did nothing to move him; it only confirmed what he already knew in his gut. “Everything that happened last night…”

His voice was low, sharp as a blade. “It was all your doing, wasn’t it?”

Sophia’s face lost all color, her mask slipping as panic flashed in her eyes. “No… no, it’s not like that, Ethan. You have it all wrong!”

“Then tell me, do you know a man named Caleb Fletcher?” Ethan leaned in slightly, his gaze piercing.

Sophia’s breath caught. “C-Caleb Fletcher?” she repeated, her voice shaking. “I… I don’t know that name…”

Ethan watched her intently, the guilt written all over her face erasing any last shred of doubt. In that moment, he knew—she was involved.

“I will find Caleb soon. When I do, the truth will be out.” With that, Ethan turned on his heel and left the room without a backward glance, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Back in the ward, Sophia collapsed against the pillows, her body trembling, her face as pale as the hospital sheets. She never imagined Ethan would suspect her—never thought he could be so cold, so merciless. Meanwhile, outside the room, Ethan’s expression was grim as he turned to Benjamin.

“Watch Sophia. I want to know her every move. If she so much as breathes suspiciously, report it to me immediately.”

Benjamin nodded sharply. “Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”

Without another word, Ethan stalked out of the hospital and into his car.

He slammed his fists against the steering wheel with such force the veins in his hands bulged, his knuckles white.

Where the hell was Isabella? His mind kept replaying the same horrifying image—Isabella’s pale, fragile face and the terrifying pool of blood staining the ground.

Minutes later, the car screeched to a halt in front of the bar owned by Daniel’s family.

Without hesitation, Ethan jumped out, his stride tense and purposeful as he stormed through the entrance.