Sprague''s gaze swept instinctively to the ICU, his expression darkening. "What''s going on with Jarrod? Something happened?"


    He stepped closer, frowning through the ss doors. "Why would he suddenly end up in intensive care?"


    It was clear that Sprague had just run into them by chance-his surprise looked genuine.


    Elodie had already calmed down; her face showed nothing of rm. She nced at Andrea before turning to Sprague. "It''s just a minor injury, nothing serious. You don''t have to worry, really."


    Sprague shook his head, unconvinced. "He didn''t look alright to me. Since when does a minor injurynd you in the ICU? Elodie, we''re family. If something''s wrong, we face it together-you don''t have to be afraid."


    Andrea stepped forward, standing between them with wless poise. "Mr. Silverstein''s already turned in for the night. There''s no need to worry. If you''d like, he can call you himself tomorrow to let you know he''s okay."


    Sprague''s eyes lingered on Andrea.


    He''d heard of this man before.


    Whenever it came to Jarrod''s most important business, Andrea was always the one entrusted. Even among executive assistants, Andrea was in a league of his own-utterly reliable.


    Elodie shifted the conversation. "Big brother, what are you doing at the hospital sote, anyway?" Her tone was light and almost casual as she looked at him.


    Sprague finally replied, "My mother''s been having migraines and couldn''t sleep. I thought I''d bring her in for a check-up. Didn''t expect to run into you all."


    There was nothing Elodie could say to that she couldn''t exactly use him of spying, after all.


    "Then you''d better get back and look after Aunt Elinor. You don''t have to worry about things here—it''s nothing." She showed no sign of wanting to say more, her demeanor calm and matter-of-fact.


    Sprague studied her face for a moment. "If you say it''s nothing, Elodie, I''ll trust you. If Jarrod''s up to it tomorrow, have him give me a call."


    Elodie nodded.


    Only then did Sprague turn and leave.


    She watched his retreating figure, her expression growing grave.


    Given what Andrea had just said about the recent situation with the Silverstein Group, she was sure: Sprague hadn''t just happened to show up-he''d been tracking Jarrod''s movements, maybe for a while now.


    "Andrea, I''ll stay here. You go back and keep an eye on thepany. If anything happens, call me right away." She made the decision quickly.


    Andrea understood the stakes. He nodded solemnly. "Alright. Don''t worry."


    Andrea left.


    Elodie stood outside the hospital room for a long time.


    She looked through the ss at Jarrod, still unconscious. The silence of the night


    felt suffocating, burning in her chest. She drew in a shaky breath.


    Of course she was upset-she''d be lying to say otherwise.


    Everything that happened today had been a shock. The fall had startled her, but seeing Jarrod throw himself forward without a second thought to catch her-her heart had nearly stopped.


    She wanted to ask him, was he out of his mind?


    Just a little miscalction, and things could have gone so much worse.


    She was a grown woman, not exactly heavy, but certainly not weightless.


    As the doctor had said, if not for Jarrod, with her slight frame and the awkwardnding, she could have easily died-or, if luck was onher side, still been paralyzed for life.


    Sheid her hand against the ss, her voice barely a whisper. "Jarrod, you''re unbelievable..."


    Sprague exited the hospital and climbed into his car.


    He looked up at the hospital''s glowing sign.


    Of course, Elinor didn''t have a headache tonight.


    He''d been having Jarrod watched for a while now-discreetly, so as not to tip his hand. Tonight had presented a rare opportunity and his people had followed through.


    Jarrod... gravely injured.


    For now, there was no way he''d be able to interfere with anything.


    Wasn''t this the perfect opportunity, as if it had been handed to him on a silver tter?


    Sprague narrowed his eyes, then started the engine and made a call.


    It rang for a long time before someone picked up.


    "What is it, Mr. Silverstein?"


    Watts Aldridge''s voice was nothing like his usual easygoing manner. Just hearing


    it sent a chill down the spine.


    Sprague gave a low chuckle. "Mr. Aldridge, I''ve got a golden opportunity for you. Care to work together again?"


    Watts let out a coldugh. "Do I need to remind you? Last time, your performance left a lot to be desired."