Chapter 175
Watching Sarah sip her soup in the hospital bed, Zachary couldn’t shake the image of her collapsing in the rain. e image of her collapsing in the rain.
When she’d fainted in that downpour, he’d felt his world stop..
Zachary walked quietly to the window, watching spring buds emerging on the hospital’s manicured lawn.
A patient crept across the grass and snapped off one of the fresh blooms.
His heart jumped, his expression darkening
A vision flashed through his mind: a girl lying in a pool of blood, another screaming hysterically before fainting.
The memory made him unsteady. He braced one hand against the wall, pressing the other to his temple.
you
“Are you alright?” Sarah asked.
Zachary forced a smile, gradually relaxing his frown. “Just tired. Have you finished?”
“Yes.” Sarah dabbed her mouth with a napkin.
She tried removing her IV, but Zachary stopped her.
“Let’s wait for the doctor. Your fever hasn’t broken yet.”
At the abandoned warehouse, a black Porsche Cayenne pulled up. Sarah stepped out in her hospital gown, looking pale.
Zachary walked to her side, supporting her.
Inside, Sarah saw Grace bound to the same chair where she’d been tied earlier.
Grace struggled against the heavy restraints Zachary’s security team had brought
Armed guards stood at every exit on both floors. Even if she broke free, escape was impossible.
Seeing Sarah, Grace began shouting.
At Zachary’s signal, his men removed her gag
“What do you want? If I broke the law, call the
police! Why am
am I here?” Grace’s eyes were wild as she glared at Sarah.
Behind her anger, Sarah saw fear
Sarah gave a slight laugh. Of course a university professor would be terrified in this situation. Zachary’s security detail looked intimidating enough, and she’d probably never experienced anything like this.
“Tell me, did Lucy steal my paper and put you up to this?” She stared intently at Grace.
Grace avoided her gaze, finally closing her eyes. “I don’t know what woutra est
Chipoter Th
+15 Bonus
“Really? I couldn’t figure out how you got my paper. The security footage showed nothing unusual, but we both know it was
Lucy.” Sarah’s expression hardened.
Zachary placed a document before her. “We traced a payment. Yesterday, Lucy transferred you half a million dollars. Here’s the
proof.” He let the paper fall.
Grace’s eyes followed it to the floor, her hands trembling “If you know, why ask?”
“I don’t know what Lucy promised you, but you understand the consequences. The university fired you, but I can press charges. And now attempted kidnapping that’s far more serious.”
“What does it matter! I’m already ruined!” Grace cried bitterly.
Sarah shook her head. “You have a daughter, Grace. Do you want her growing up with a mother who has a criminal record? As a psychologist, you understand how society treats criminals and their families. Need I say
more?”
