"If we can get a meeting, then we don''t need to go through with the Ratcliff Global deal.


    "Just remember, no one can find out about this, and you need to move fast."


    Hank nodded right away, not daring to hesitate for even a second. "Got it."


    "And another thing," Bailey added after a pause. "Take care of Sofia. We''re having dinner together tonight. Ask her what she wants to eat, book a table, and make sure she doesn''t feel neglected again."


    Once the call ended, Bailey leaned back in his chair, his eyes cold and sharp.


    He wasn''t about to let the de project slip through his fingers, but losing the Ratcliff family''s support would be just as disastrous.


    Over at the hospital, Jane was handling all the details for Mr. Ratcliff''s funeral. She nced over at Sebastian, who was standing a little ways off, talking on his phone, and her eyes darkened.


    It was Leslie calling again.


    What could possibly be so important that Sebastian couldn''t even be there to say goodbye to his grandfather?


    Just then, her phone lit up. It was a message from her private investigator.


    "Leslie was in a car ident this morning. She''s at Constance Hospital, getting treatment."


    Jane slipped her phone into her bag and headed straight for the elevator.


    "Ma''am, where are you going?" one of the bodyguards asked. "Should I get the car?"


    Jane shot him a look. There was no way she could let Sebastian know she was going to see Leslie.


    "No, that''s alright. If Sebastian asks, just tell him I had some personal business to take care of and I''ll be back soon."


    She needed to hear from Leslie herself-why she tried to hurt Sebastian, Mr. Ratcliff, and the entire Ratcliff family. After all Jane had done for her, how could Leslie have betrayed her like this?


    She''d looked out for Leslie when her mom died and her dad was in jail. She''d even convinced Mr. Ratcliff to help Leslie out when she was struggling.


    And this was how Leslie repaid her?


    Jane left the hospital, grabbed a cab, and followed the address and room number from the investigator.


    When she saw Leslie was in a VIP suite, her anger red up even more. Of course Sebastian would go out of his way for her.


    Jane pushed open the door and found Leslie lying on the bed, covered in bandages, but she didn''t look like someone on the verge of death.


    Jane leaned against the doorway, watching for a moment. When she saw Leslie''s eyshes twitch, she grew even more convinced that Leslie was faking it, probably just trying to get Sebastian to feet sorry for her.


    And because of her, Sebastian missed his grandfather''s final moments.


    If people found out, what would they think about him?


    "Cut the act, Leslie!"


    Jane stormed over and yanked the nket off her. "You little homewrecker!"


    Her voice rang out, echoing down the hallway, loud enough to draw people from the other rooms.


    Curious patients and visitors started


    togather in the doorway.


    Leslie heard the footsteps and thought it was Sebastian. She was about to


    pretend she''d just woken up when she heard Jane''s voice.


    Her heart skipped a beat, and for the first time, she actually looked pale, like someone who might really be sick.


    Wasn''t Jane supposed to be out of the country? Why was she here, and why did she look so furious?


    Had Jane seen Mr. Ratcliff before he died?


    Sure enough, the next second, Jane''s voice rang out, sharp and unforgiving. "Leslie! You''re a murderer!"


    "You really thought you could fake being sick to keep Sebastian away? Father woke up before he died and told us himself. It was you who cut his oxygen tube!


    "How could you be so cruel? You even tried to me my daughter-inw and wanted my son to send her to jail!"


    Outside the room, people started whispering, eyeing Leslie with


    curiosity and suspicion the hallway


    buzzed with gossip, and everyone wanted to know what kind of person


    Leslie really was.