Haynes had just finished his meeting and nced at his phone, noting the missed calls with a contemtive look.


    Jasper, smug, remarked, "See? I told you, if you give Ste the cold shoulder for a few days, she''lle running back to you."


    "Keep it up, and she''ll soon drop the act and show her true colors."


    Half an hourter, the elevator doors opened.


    Jasper and Haynes stepped out, one after the other.


    Ste stood up, "Haynes..."


    Before she could continue, Jasper interrupted.


    "Haynie, we need to go now. Something''s off with Rachel, and you should check on her immediately."


    Haynes had no intention of interacting with Ste, and with Jasper''s urgency, he walked past her without a nce.


    Ste moved in front of Haynes, "Just one minute..."


    Jasper''s voice pierced through sharply. "Ste, no matter how desperate you are, read the room. Rachel''s in trouble, and you''re here blocking Haynie. Are you trying to make things worse for her? How can you be so heartless?"


    Ste replied calmly, "When Mr. Wilkinson was mocking me earlier, you didn''t seem in a rush. Why the urgency now?"


    Jasper retorted, "Ste, stop stalling! If anything happens to Rachel, Haynie won''t let you off easily!"


    Steughed lightly, "Jasper, it''s amusing how you use me without reason. Do I have magical powers to harm from afar?"


    "Ste, you—" Haynes interrupted impatiently, "Enough."


    He nced at Jasper and said, "Where''s Rachel? Take me to her immediately." Ste frowned, "Haynes..."


    His voice turned icy, "Ste, if Rachel is harmed because of your dy, I may indeed hold you ountable."


    Ste''s grip unconsciously loosened.


    Haynes strode away without another word.


    Jasper shot Ste a contemptuous look, walking off with the self-assured air of a victor.


    Time wasn''t on Ste''s side. She needed to discuss Abby with Haynes and didn''t know when the next opportunity would arise.


    She hailed a cab and followed Haynes to the hospital, taking care not to intrude. She waited outside, nning to talk to him about Abby once he was done with Rachel.


    After all, disturbing Rachel''s "recovery" wasn''t a trivial matter.


    An hourter, the hospital room door finally opened.


    Haynes emerged.


    Seeing her waiting there, he wasn''t surprised at all.


    Without acknowledging her presence, he walked past her.


    Ste followed, "Haynes..."


    But before she could continue, his low, clear voice stopped her.


    "Didn''t you say you''d nevere begging to me?"


    Ste instinctively clenched her fists.


    She wanted to retort that if he hadn''t interfered with her friend, she wouldn''t be here.


    But thinking of Abby''s situation, she held back.


    "Haynes, I want to talk about Abby."


    Haynes didn''t break stride, "Mrs. O''Brien, if you''re asking for a favor, you should show it."


    A favor? Ste immediately grasped his implication.


    He expected her to grovel.


    A cold smile flickered across her lips. He might want her to react, but she had no intention of giving him that satisfaction.