Isabella stood up. “Oliver,” she said, her tone decisive. “Call our lawyer right now and get ready for the lawsuit. I also need every original design draft and related material for Eternal Promise. I’m going through all of it myself.”

“Understood, Miss Scott.” Oliver nodded, his earlier anxiety beginning to settle.

To handle the immense pressure, Isabella created a temporary workspace next to the hospital bed. She sat close, one hand gently brushing Liam’s hair while the other held a stylus. She focused intently, sketching on the digital tablet.

Her studio had been hit with one disaster after another. The Sterling Industries project was her final lifeline. Success was essential to salvaging her studio’s reputation.

“Mommy…” A soft, sleepy voice broke the quiet. Liam blinked his eyes open, still drowsy.

“You’re awake, sweetie?” Isabella set the stylus down and leaned over to kiss his forehead. “Are you feeling alright?”

“Yes.” He nodded, his small fingers clutching the edge of her shirt. “Mommy, what are you doing?”

“Mommy’s working. Be good and go back to sleep, okay?” Liam nodded obediently and closed his eyes again.

Watching her son’s gentle compliance filled Isabella with a surge of determination. She picked up the stylus once more, her expression resolute.

Time slipped by in the silent hospital room. The only sound was the faint scratch of the stylus against the tablet’s surface.

Outside, daylight faded into evening. The room grew dim, but Isabella remained completely absorbed in her work, unaware of the changing light.

Slowly, her hand grew heavy. The stylus wavered, dragging an unsteady line across the screen. A wave of dizziness hit her suddenly, making the room spin.

“Isabella!” Lucas’s voice cut through the haze, sharp with alarm.

Her body swayed backward, strength deserting her. Lucas caught her just in time, guiding her gently into the chair beside the bed.

“Are you okay?” His voice was thick with worry.

She tried to focus, giving a weak nod. “I’m fine. Just tired.” Her words were faint, her face pale.

Lucas frowned. He touched her forehead, finding it alarmingly warm. “You’re burning up.”

As her awareness dimmed, her breathing became shallow. She fought to keep her eyes open.

Helpless, Lucas watched her slip into unconsciousness, his heart clenching.

He carefully lifted her and moved her to the empty hospital bed, pulling the covers up to her chin.

At a testing facility, a woman moved furtively down a sterile hallway. She was disguised in large sunglasses and a scarf that covered most of her face, revealing only a sliver of skin.

Her steps were quick. She glanced over her shoulder nervously, afraid of being recognized.

Vanessa’s heart hammered. Her palms were damp. She couldn’t understand why Sophia had tasked her with this—switching files. It felt dangerous.

She stopped in front of an office door, took a deep breath, and pushed it open.

The office was empty. A sealed manila envelope lay on the desk.

Vanessa quickly pulled an identical envelope from her bag. She swapped them, tucking the original into her bag.