?Chapter 824:


    Then, her voice dropped a note—sharp, deliberate.


    “And Sadie… she’s still in the way. As long as she’s around, I won’t have peace. He won’t be minepletely. Not yet.”


    There was a long pause.


    When Forest finally spoke again, his voice had shifted—lower, edged with caution.


    “I know this hasn’t been easy, Hailey. You’re right. Sadie’s presence is dangerous. If we want to secure our ce… she’ll have to be eliminated.”


    Hailey’s eyes darkened. The idea had crossed her mind more than once.


    But every time she imagined it, another thought followed like a shadow: if Noah ever found out… he’d never forgive her. He might never even look at her the same way again.


    A knowing smile touched her lips.


    She leaned into the phone, her voice light and yful.


    “Dad, since you’re so worried about me—and since you agree she’s a problem—why don’t you take care of her? You’ve got the connections. It’d be a walk in the park for someone like you.”


    On the other end, Forest went quiet.


    He knew just how dangerous Noah could be.


    The hospital room door suddenly swung open.


    Hailey’s breath caught in her throat. For one fleeting moment, hope surged through her—Noah came back. He couldn’t stay away. He did care.


    She propped herself up on shaky elbows, eyes locked on the doorway.


    But the figure that emerged was not Noah.


    Her smile faltered. Her gaze turned cold.


    Sadie.


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    Framed in the doorway like an omen, Sadie stood still, clearly just as stunned. Her brows knitted ever so slightly as her eyes took in the sight of Hailey in the hospital bed. Her body tensed—then she turned, as if to leave.


    She had no desire to linger in the same room as this woman. Not now. Not ever.


    But Hailey wasn’t about to let her slip away.


    Her lips curled into a slow, mocking smile—fragile, butced with venom.


    “Ms. Hudson, what a surprise. Did Patrick send you? Was he so concerned about me that he asked you to pay me a visit personally?”


    A soft, mirthlessugh escaped her.


    “How thoughtful of you both.”


    Sadie froze. Her spine straightened, every muscle in her body stiff with restraint.


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