When Sebastian''s phone rang, he was just stepping into Constance Hospital. He lingered in the waiting area outside the emergency room, listening as the doctor ran through Leslie''s injuries.


    Leslie had been in a car ident on her way to work. The ambnce brought her in straight from the scene. She''d fractured her lower leg in multiple ces and lost a lot of blood. The nurses had just finished patching her up.


    Sebastian arrived right as Leslie came to. Shey in bed, pale as a sheet, looking so fragile it hurt to see.


    “Sebastian, thank you foring to see me," she murmured.


    Before he could say a word, his phone buzzed again. He answered, jaw tight.


    "Mr. Ratcliff! Your grandfather is awake! The doctor says he only has about ten minutes left. You have to get back here, now!"


    The panic in his bodyguard''s voice was unmistakable. Leslie heard it too. Her brow knit just slightly.


    Of course she didn''t want Sebastian to leave her for his grandfather. But the other hospital was at least half an hour away, even if he sped the whole way. She knew how fast those military meds wore off. There was no way his grandfather would hold on that long.


    If someone had to y the understanding one, it might as well be her. Leslie forced a weak smile and reached for Sebastian''s arm, her hand trembling. "Sebastian, your grandfather needs you more. Go, I''ll be fine. Really, I..."


    He pulled his arm away before she could finish. "You don''t have to say it. I''m going."


    The look he gave her was ice cold. "Do yourself a favor. Don''t try those little tricks with me. Next time, I won''t this nice."


    With that, he turned and walked out, never looking back.


    "Get the car ready," he snapped to his team as he strode away.


    Leslie was left behind, frozen, clutching her nket so hard her knuckles turned white. When had Sebastian ever been this cold to her?


    No. She couldn''t let things keep going like this. She wasn''t about to just sit here and watch everything fall apart.


    At the same time, Jane and Reese were worried about the old man''s condition. They couldn''t keep waiting anymore and went into the hospital room themselves.


    The old man was lying in bed, his face flushed an unnatural shade of red, tubes running everywhere. When he saw Reese, he managed a faint smile, his eyes flickering a little brighter.


    He tried to raise his hand. Reese hurried over, taking it in hers, startled by how hot his skin felt.


    His gaze shifted to Jane, and she immediately understood what he wanted.


    She rushed to exin, "Sebastian just got a call from the office. He doesn''t know you''re awake yet, but he''ll be here any minute!"


    Reese didn''t bother calling out Jane''s obvious lie. She just gave her a look and let it slide.


    Jane''s mind was spinning. Robbie''s warning echoed in her head. He''d used Reese of harming Mr. Ratcliff.


    Jane seized her chance. "Dad, do you remember who came into your room when it happened?"


    Mr. Ratcliff coughed, his eyes going wide. He squeezed Reese''s hand hard.


    He tried to speak but just didn''t have the strength. Finally, he managed to get out, "It was Les..."


    Leslie.


    Jane''s eyes widened. There was no way the old man would make this up. So it was Leslie who''d bribed the nurse and snuck in to hurt him.


    Jane had always liked Leslie and hated Reese, but if Leslie was really this ruthless, letting her marry Sebastian would destroy them all.


    "How-how can this be?" Jane stumbled back, shocked.


    Reese just nced at Jane, her face calm. She had something else to take care


    of.


    She knelt by the old man''s side and, with Jane watching, asked,


    "Grandpa, when you were


    unconscious, thewyer told me you wanted to leave me fifteen percent of thepany''s shares. I need to make sure that''s what you really want. If it is, please blink


    Mr. Ratcliff blinked, slow and clear.


    After all these years, the Ratcliffs had treated Reese badly. Leaving her somepany shares was the least he could do.


    Besides, Reese had evidence of Sebastian''s crimes. He hoped that giving her the


    shares would be enough to keep her from turning against the family.


    "What?" Jane''s shock turned to panic. "Dad, what are you doing?"


    Reese and Sebastian were about to get divorced. Why would Reese need shares in Ratcliff Global now? And everyone could see there was something going on between Reese and Matthew. If Reese took the shares and married Matthew, his stake would almost be as big as Sebastian''s. If Matthew made a move, where would that leave Jane and Sebastian?


    Mr. Ratcliff coughed again, his gaze starting to fade. He knew he didn''t have


    much time left.


    He forced out, "Reese, after I''m


    gone, if you want to divorce Sebastian, do it. Take the shares. Marry another man if you want will always support you."


    "Dad! You''re not thinking straight!" Jane cried, her voice cracking.