Late at night, the hospital''s VIP wing was silent enough to hear a pin drop. In the head physician''s office, Alexia ced a bank card on the coffee table and leisurely sipped her tea.


    "Ms. Alexia, what is this?" Dr. Zade asked, staring at the ck card.


    Alexia smiled slowly. "Mr. Thaddeus''s blood work came back. I assume you found something interesting?"


    Dr. Zade hedged. "We did detect some... unusual substances in Mr. Thaddeus''s blood sample."


    "Such as methamphetamine?"


    Dr. Zade was shocked. "How did you know?"


    "You''ve suspected it from the beginning, haven''t you? His symptoms are less like a recurring headache and more like the effects of withdrawal, am I right?" Alexia''s gaze was cold and sharp, pinning him in ce.


    Dr. Zade''s hand trembled, nearly dropping his teacup. "Severe headaches can sometimes present with simr symptoms. It doesn''t necessarily mean it''s withdrawal." The CEO of the Abernathy Group, a suspected drug addict? If that news got out, it would cause an earthquake in Elmsworth, and he''d be lucky to escape with his life. He had to be careful.


    Alexia set her cup down with a soft click. "But what if it is?"


    Sweat beaded on Dr. Zade''s forehead. "Ms. Alexia, what are you trying to say?"


    vel


    "I want you, as Mr. Thaddeus''s attending physician, to issue an official medical report confirming that his condition is caused by substance abuse. List every chemicalponent found. This card is a down payment-ten million. When it''s done you''ll receive another twenty. You won''t be


    short-changed." Alexia tilted her chin up, her gaze arrogant. "Thirty million. You could work until you drop and never earn that much, Dr. Zade. And I know you need the money. Your son is in a holding cell overseas for assault, and that requires a hefty sum to resolve. And your wife''s bone marrow transnt isn''t cheap,<fnd83d> Readplete version only at find{n}ovel</fnd83d>


    either."


    Dr. Zade''s jaw dropped. He feltpletely exposed, his deepest vulnerabilities


    "You''re hesitating because you''re afraid of the repercussions, of crossing Thaddeus," Alexia said with azy smile. "Don''t be. First, his blood work genuinely shows the presence of illicit drugs. You''re not


    lying. Second, the Abernath


    Group


    is about to enter a new era.”


    "A new... era?"


    A greedy light shone in the woman''s eyes. "Thaddeus''s health is failing. Whether it''s drug abuse or addiction, he is no longer fit to be CEO. And now, our young master has returned. As the rightful heir, his health is improving daily, and his capabilities are no less than Thaddeus''s. When Thaddeus steps down, our young master will take over everything. He will be the undisputed sessor When that happens, Dr. Zade, you will be seen as having performed a great service. Our young master will not forget you."


    Dr. Zade felt as though he were sitting on pins and needles. He knew he had no choice. He was caught in the crossfire of the Abernathy brothers'' war, and this was his fate. With a sigh of resignation, he epted the card.


    With Thaddeus unconscious, Hamilton insisted on staying at the hospital to watch over his grandson. The old man refused to leave, forcing Frederic to stay as well.


    But Chad knew the truth. His grandfather was here, enduring the long, sleepless nights, not just out of love, but to guard against him.


    Chad sat outside the hospital room, looking through the ss at his unconscious brother. A cold smile touched his lips. "You dote on him so much, Grandfather. But for how much longer can you protect him?"