Lucas gave a firm nod, his expression turning serious. “Exactly. He’s your uncle, isn’t he? I need you to make sure he attends the banquet.”

“Don’t tell me this is about her again.” Olivia’s lips curled into a playful smirk as she looked at Lucas, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You do know my uncle is an extremely busy man, right? Getting him to show up won’t be simple.”

Lucas rubbed his nose, a nervous habit that gave away his discomfort. A faint blush crept across his cheeks under Olivia’s knowing gaze, but he fought to keep his composure. “Let’s get straight to the point, Olivia. What’s your price for helping me?”

Olivia laughed lightly and held up five fingers. Without hesitation, Lucas transferred $500,000 to her account, refusing to bargain.

The sound of the transaction notification echoed between them.

Olivia’s eyes lit up with pure delight as she glanced at her phone. A satisfied smile spread across her face, as if she could already taste the sweetness of the money. “Wow, so this is what hitting the jackpot feels like? I could definitely get used to this.”

Lucas grew impatient with her obvious greed. Frowning slightly, he brushed past her, his voice cold and stern. “Remember, Olivia, fraud involving large sums is a serious crime. You’ve just taken half a million from me. If Alexander isn’t there tomorrow, I’ll have no choice but to report you.”

Though his tone was calm, it carried an undeniable authority that demanded attention.

Olivia felt a wave of shock as the light from her phone screen illuminated her conflicted expression. The device suddenly felt like a burning piece of coal in her hand.

“Um… well…” she stammered, her eyes darting around nervously as she scrambled for a response.

She watched helplessly as Lucas walked away, her heart racing with alarm. In that moment, she realized Lucas was not someone to be trifled with.

Snapping back to reality, Olivia quickly dialed a number. “Hello, Uncle Alexander…” she choked out, her voice trembling. “I need your help!”

Meanwhile, Ethan found the sterile smell of disinfectant in the hospital nearly suffocating. After getting Sophia settled, he noticed it was almost ten o’clock. Wearily, he pulled out his phone and dialed Benjamin’s number.

“Has Isabella returned home?” he asked quietly, barely masking his exhaustion.

There was a brief silence on the other end. “Uh, what? Mr. Blackwood, should I drive over to check?” Benjamin’s voice wavered uncertainly.

Ethan hung up without answering. His heart began to race as he hurried to Isabella’s ward, only to find it empty. He assumed she had already gone home.

Just then, his phone rang—it was Benjamin. “Mr. Blackwood, Mrs. Blackwood isn’t home.”

Ethan’s brow furrowed in annoyance. It was already ten at night; how could Isabella and Lucas still be out having dinner?

A growing sense of unease settled over him as he drove to the upscale restaurant. A polite waiter greeted him at the door and informed him that Isabella and Lucas had left some time ago.

Frustrated, Ethan stepped out into the cool night air, massaging his temples as he dialed Isabella’s number.

“Where are you?” he muttered under his breath, his voice icy and sharp with contained anger.

Meanwhile, Isabella’s phone lay forgotten on the nightstand, drowned out by the sound of running water from the bathroom. She remained completely unaware of the incessant ringing.

One call after another went unanswered, deepening the scowl on Ethan’s face.

“She’s doing this on purpose,” he muttered through clenched teeth. Unbearable images of Isabella with another man flashed through his mind, tormenting him.