**Blake's POV**

I walked through Mayo Clinic's entrance, spotting the mother and daughter from yesterday near the elevator. The girl looked marginally better today, sitting in a wheelchair as her mother pushed her back from what appeared to be the garden area.

The mother noticed me immediately, her tired face brightening with recognition.

"Mr. Parker!" Her voice trembled with emotion. "Your generosity for my daughter's treatment... we can never repay you."

I nodded slightly, pressing the elevator button. "No need for thanks. If you have issues, contact my assistant."

The elevator arrived, and I stepped inside. The mother wheeled her daughter in after me. Once the doors closed, she grew even more emotional.

"We're forever in your debt," she said, pulling something from her bag. "Hannah made this for you during her time in bed."

She held out a handmade keychain - simple but clearly crafted with care.

I accepted it with a brief "Thank you."

When we reached my floor, I paused before leaving.

"Let me clarify something," I said. "I'm helping your daughter because her medical data is valuable to me. This is a transaction,"

I held up the keychain. "I appreciate this, but don't waste energy on unnecessary gestures. Your daughter should focus on recovery."

I walked away without waiting for a response.

In Laurel's room, she was watching something on her tablet.

"Blake darling!" She waved me over enthusiastically. "What do you think of this funeral style?"

I glanced at her screen showing an elaborate funeral setting - white roses and ribbons creating a serene atmosphere.

"You're planning a funeral?" I asked, sitting beside her.

"For Rachel and Audrey," she nodded. "They were so young... don't you think they'd appreciate something this beautifu?"

I grabbed a banana from her fruit basket, peeled it, and handed it to her. "They don't have bodies, Laurel. No need for elaborate ceremonies. Save your energy for recovery instead."

Laurel froze briefly, then something like joy flashed across her face. She set the banana aside and grabbed my arm.

"You're always thinking of what's best for me!"

As she hugged my arm, she suddenly winced. "What's in your pocket?"

She reached into my jacket and pulled out the keychain.

"What's this?" she asked, examining it.

"A thank-you gift from someone I helped." I replied casually.

Her eyes lit up."I like it. Can I have it?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You want that?"

"Yes!" she smíled, already clutching it possessively.

I shrugged. "It's yours."

The keychain was useless to me anyway.

Three days later, I was still at the hospital when Laurel made an unexpected request.

′′I′'m craving those chocolate éclairs from that little French bakery downtown," she said. "Could you get some for me?"

The bakery was nearly an hour away through downtown traffic, and they always had long lines. A round trip would take at least four hours.

"Why that specific bakery?" I asked, feeling a bit odd.

"They're the only ones that taste good to me now." she said innocently. "Please? It would mean so much if you went yourself."

I studied her face. "Fine.I'll be back later."

While appearing to leave, I had Michael arrange for someone to drive my car away as I hid in the empty room next to Laurel's. About ten minutes after my car left the parking lot. I heard footsteps approaching her room.

Laurel spoke up. "Did you confirm it's Hannah Winters?"

"Definitely!" It was Thalia. "My investigator not only photographed her giving Blake that keychain but heard he gave her mother his business card!

1

"She's not even pretty," Olivia's voice came through. "Nothing like you."

Laurel laughed coldly. "Neither was Audrey, yet she had Blake wrapped around her finger. Maybe this Hannah is just as skilled at keeping men happy."

"We can't let her become another Audrey," Thalia declared. "She could ruin everything between you two!"

"Let's deal with this now," Laurel said decisively.

I was about to follow when my phone rang. It was security from Lunar Mansion.

"Sir, Miss Sinclair claims she's sick and needs medication urgently."

"Then get it for her," I replied, my attention still on tracking Laurel.

"She says only she can obtain it, and without it, she... she says she might die."

I felt a surge of irritation. "What medication requires personal presence?

She's fine - this is obviously an excuse to leave."

"Buy whatever she needs. She won't die immediately without medication.

She's clearly making up stories."

"Don't let her leave under any circumstances."

"Yes,sir."

**Audrey's POVi

The security guard put his phone away and looked at me apologetically.I leaned against the wall, my face pale with pain.

"Mr. Parker says we must keep you here, but we can get whatever medication you need."

I attempted a weak smile. "It's okay. I'll figure something out."

The truth was, my prescriptions weren't something just anyone could purchase. As a late-stage cancer patient, my medications required proper documentation and identification.

I made my way back to my bedroom, each step an effort.Snow followed closely, sensing my distress. I collapsed onto the bed, curling around the pain in my stomach.

*So Blake is determined to keep me prisoner, even at the cost of my health.*

I grabbed theold phone Felix had given me.

"Felix," I said weakly. "I need your help..."

**Blake's POV**

After handling the call about Audrey, I immediately contacted Michael.

"Where exactly is Hannah Winters' room?" I asked urgently.

After a while, Michael's voice came through. "Sir, we've searched Mayo Clinic's records thoroughly. There's no patient registered as Hannah Winters."

I frowned. "Thaat's impossible. I've seen her myself."

"However," Michael continued, "we've discovered a secretive treatment area in the basement. Our men have located it. Would you like an escort?"

"Immediately," I replied.

A black-suited security guard soon appeared and led me toward a service elevator. As we descended to the basement, I wondered if those three would actually harm a sick girl.

*Even Thalia wouldn't go that far, would she?*

But as we approached the basement corridor, I could hear sounds that suggested otherwise. A girl's frightened crying and a woman's desperate pleas grew louder with each step.

"I never tried to seduce Mr. Parker..." Hannah's voice broke between sobs."The keychain was just a thank you gift..."

"A thank youa gift?" Thalia laughed, the sound cold and harsh. "Is that what you call sleeping with my brother these days?"

A sharp slap echoed through the hallway.

"Trash," Thalia spat.

"Easy there," Laurel's voice was eerily calm. "Blake still has that pathetic keychain in his pocket. He obviously has a thing for his new toy."

"I thought we were finally rid of Audrey, and now this," Thalia complained.

Hannah's mother's voice was frantic. "Please, we never meant any harm.We're just grateful for Mr. Parker's help -"

"God, it reeks in here," Laurel cut her off. "Olivia, what is that smell?"

"Dead fish I brought. Fitting for their station, wouldn't you say?"

Laurel sighed dramatically. "It's a cheap keychain, honey. Keep it. Don't think you can compete with me using dollar store crafts."

I kicked the door open.