Henry''s expression darkened. He stood stiffly by the doctor''s office door, tension radiating from every line of his body.


    A short whileter, Rnd Yeaton hurried in with his wife, having just returned from a business trip. Spottingn, Rnd rushed over, anxiety etched across his face. "Mr. Goodwin, how''s my daughter?"


    "Food poisoning. Her stomach''s been pumped, but she''s stable for now,"n replied, voice calm and steady.


    Rnd let out a long breath of relief. "Thank God. I knew with you here, nothing could go wrong." Then, noticing Henry lingering nearby, he called out, "Mr. Holt, I didn''t see you there!"


    Henry nodded politely.


    "Mr. Goodwin, why don''t you head home and get some rest?" Rnd said, concern softening his tone as he took in the fatigue etched onn''s face. "We''ll stay here with her. You''ve done more than enough."


    He turned to Henry. "I''ll head out first."


    "Alright. I''ll stay until Vanessa wakes up," Henry replied.


    By the timen stepped out of the hospital, it was already half past ten. Gavin, his driver, was waiting by the car and promptly opened the door for him. “Where to, Mr. Goodwin?"


    "Back to Cloudcrest Manor," Ian said, rubbing his brow.


    Gavin started the car and headed toward the manor. Twenty minutester, as they pulled up to the estate,n''s gaze lingered on one of the buildings. Suddenly, he spoke up. "Stop the car."


    Gavin hesitated, confused. "Is something wrong, sir?"


    Vesper Joy Hotel. Her private presidential suite.


    "Take me to Vesper Joy Hotel instead,"n instructed.


    Without missing a beat, Gavin turned the car around and sped through the city streets. Ian watched the world blur past the window, his eyes shadowed beneath thickshes, unreadable.


    When they arrived, Gavin pulled up to the entrance. "We''re here, sir."


    "Is Ms. Sutton staying here?" he asked.


    The clerk was momentarily taken aback, then nodded. "Yes, Ms. Sutton checked in yesterday with her child."


    "Is the room next to hers avable?"


    "One moment, let me check."


    A few momentster, she returned with a keycard. "Yes, Mr. Goodwin. The room next door is unupied. Here you are."


    A slender silhouette appeared in the warm glow, just visible through the sheer curtains-a fleeting figure, graceful and familiar. She lingered only a few seconds before turning away, disappearing from sight.


    his eyes.


    But the moment passed quickly; the shadow behind the curtains vanished.


    With a sigh,n loosened his tie, a flicker of restlessness crossing his handsome features. In the dim light, he looked like a beast reigning in its instincts, fighting some urge rising from deep within.


    He turned away, yanked off his tie, and unfastened the top buttons of his shirt, heading for the bathroom.


    Half an hourter,n emerged in a robe, an air of fatigue and quiet satisfaction about him. He poured himself a stiff drink and stepped back onto the balcony, letting the night wind ruffle his damp hair.


    His phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Henry: "Vanessa''s awake.


    She''s asking for you."