Ethan’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing sharply.

He issued a cold command. “Effective immediately, none of these people are to set foot in this company again.”

“Mr. Blackwood—” One of the men tried to protest, but the ice in Ethan’s gaze silenced him instantly.

“Final paychecks will be processed by HR,” Ethan stated flatly before turning and walking away without another word.

Vanessa watched him leave, releasing a shaky breath. Then a thought struck her. Isabella used to be Ethan’s personal secretary. His intense reaction felt disproportionate. Why would he intervene so forcefully? A old rumor resurfaced in her mind—that Isabella and Ethan had been involved romantically. Could it actually be true?

Meanwhile, Ethan slid into his car and immediately dialed Isabella’s number.

“The number you have dialed is not in service…”

Frustrated, he threw his phone onto the passenger seat and slammed his palm against the steering wheel.

That infuriating woman!

The memory of Isabella’s pale, distressed face haunted him.

Inside the car, the air conditioning was on full blast, but it did little to cool the feverish heat radiating from Isabella’s skin. She shifted restlessly, drifting in and out of coherence. The world outside the window was a smear of colors.

Only one face—sometimes clear, sometimes blurred—dominated her feverish thoughts.

“Ethan… it’s so hot…” Isabella mumbled, clumsily tugging at her collar, unable to loosen it.

Her fingers accidentally brushed against warm skin, a touch that felt both foreign and soothing.

Lucas gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles turning white. He forced his eyes to stay on the road, though everything seemed to move in slow motion. The heat of Isabella’s breath filled the car, amplifying the tension coiling inside him.

A storm of emotions raged within Lucas. He pitied her condition, but he couldn’t ignore his own growing feelings.

“Ethan… water…” Her voice was soft, weak, almost tender. Lucas’s heart clenched. In her delirium, she thought he was Ethan.

He took a steadying breath and spoke with forced calm. “Isabella, hang on. We’re almost at the hospital.”

But she didn’t seem to hear him. She leaned closer, murmuring Ethan’s name again.

Her burning cheek pressed against his arm, searing through his sleeve.

Lucas’s breathing quickened. A different kind of heat flared within him, threatening his control.

He clenched his jaw, fighting for composure. He wouldn’t take advantage of her vulnerability. He refused to betray her trust, even if she didn’t know it was him.

He accelerated, driving straight to the nearest emergency room.

The hospital ER was brightly lit and bustling with urgency. Lucas carried Isabella inside, rushing her into an exam room. The medical team quickly surrounded her, assessing her state.

“She’s been drugged,” one of the doctors announced grimly.

Lucas’s face hardened instantly. His hands balled into fists, rage whitening his knuckles. He silently promised retribution against whoever had done this to her.