Abby noticed the edge in Ste''s voice and spoke softly, "Star, no matter how you slice it, Rachel took drastic measures because of what I said. Even though I''m your friend, it''s not unreasonable for him to want some answers from me."


    Abby, usually the fiery one in the group, was surprisingly calm this time.


    "Rachel risked her life and ended up in the ER, going through all that pain. And here I am, just offering a simple apology. If you think about it, I''m getting off easy. It''s like I''ming out ahead."


    She continued, "Don''t me Haynes for this. If it weren''t for your influence, this whole thing wouldn''t have blown over so easily."


    Ste understood that Abby was correct, yet she couldn''t shake off the heavy feeling in her chest. ncing at the bruises on Abby''s face, she asked, "But what about your injuries?"


    "These weren''t Haynes'' doing. There''s a reason for everything, and this isn''t on him."


    Abby looked at her intently. "Star, maybe this was Rachel''s n all along. Don''t fall for it."


    Ste didn''t reply.


    Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.


    A slender figure slowly made her way inside.


    "Jasper mentioned he saw you downstairs... and I heard Ms. Murphy got hurt, so I came to check on you, Ms. Cameron."


    Seeing Rachel, Abby''s expression shifted to one of disdain. "Drama queen." she murmured.


    Rachel ignored Abby''s jab and smiled at Ste. "Congrattions, Ms. Cameron, on finding Ms. Murphy."


    Ste turned to Rachel. "Was Abby kidnapped by you, Ms. Pearce?"


    Rachel feigned confusion. "Ms. Cameron, I''m not sure what you''re implying..." Ste realized Rachel was going to y dumb to the end.


    She let out a coldugh, stepping forward with a steely determination. "It doesn''t matter if you admit it or not, Ms. Pearce. I''ve already called the police. They''ll find out soon enough."


    Ste, without any influence or resources, found herself with no other option but to reach out to the authorities for help in extricating Abby from the situation.


    Ultimately, it was the police who came to Abby''s rescue.


    She locked eyes with Rachel, her voice steady and firm. "It''s convenient that you''re here, Ms. Pearce. I was nning to find you anyway."


    Rachel, however, didn''t seem fazed; instead, she smiled slightly. "Haynie won''t allow it."


    At that moment, there was another knock on the hospital room door.


    Two uniformed officers stepped inside.


    They approached Rachel. "Are you Ms. Rachel Pearce?"


    Rachel nodded slightly. "Yes, that''s me."


    "There''s an usation against you for kidnapping, Ms. Pearce. We need you toe with us."


    Rachel shook her head. "This must be a mistake. I didn''t do anything."


    "Whether it''s a mistake or not, you need toe with us for further investigation."


    As the officers moved to escort Rachel, she suddenly let out a piercing scream.


    "Ah!"


    The scream startled not just the officers, but Ste and Abby as well.


    Rachel''s demeanor shifted dramatically to one of terror, her eyes wide with a frantic glint. "I didn''t do it! Stay away from me! It wasn''t me!"


    The stark contrast between her previousposure and this outburst stunned everyone in the room.


    Rachel grabbed Ste''s hand in a desperate grip. "Ms. Cameron, I swear I didn''t do it... Please, have mercy on me... Please let me go."


    Rachel''s sharp nails dug into Ste''s skin, causing a sharp pain that made Ste instinctively pull her hand back.