*


    Jessica hung up the phone, and just then, Stanley''s deep, smooth voice echoed from behind her.


    "Why are you standing at the door?"


    Stanley stepped out of the study, holding a file, with Zayn following close behind him.


    Jessica immediately put on a smile. "Oh, nothing. I thought heard something. Don''t let me keep you from work."


    Stanley shot her a suspicious look.


    Jessica''s heart skipped a beat. She feared Stanley might pick up on something. After all, with his sharp instincts, it would be easy for him to spot any funny business.


    At that moment, Zayn stepped forward with another document. "Mr. Hawk, this contract still has some issues."


    Stanley finally pulled his gaze away from Jessica. "Let''s talk in the study."


    Stanley and Zayn turned to head back into the study to handle the urgent paperwork.


    Jessica''s tension finally eased. She smiled slyly, knowing she didn''t have to do anything else for now. All she had to do was wait for the good news.


    Tonight, Wendy''s baby would be taken care of, and no one could threaten her anymore.


    Wendy was driving toward Cecelia''s apartment when she received a call from Halsey. "Hey, I''ve been trying to call Cecelia, but I can''t reach her."


    Halsey didn''t know yet that something had happened to Cecelia.


    "Halsey, listen to me-Cecelia''s in trouble. She''s been taken!" Wendy''s voice was frantic.


    "What?" Halsey gasped. "Who took her?"


    "Stanley!"


    Halsey let out a sharp breath. "Mr. Hawk? What did he take Cecelia for?"


    "He''s trying to force me to treat Jessica. Now, he''spletely on her side, and there''s no limit to what he''ll do. He''s crossed every line."


    Halsey was left speechless, the shock evident in her silence.


    "Anyway, I''m telling you this so you can be careful. I''m afraid he''s going toe after you next!"


    Halsey faltered. "Actually, Mr. Hawk and I-"


    "I can''t talk right now. I''m at Cecelia''s ce." Wendy hung up abruptly and jumped out of the car, rushing into the building.


    Wendy had stayed at Cecelia''s apartment for a while, so she had a key. She unlocked the door and stepped inside. The apartment was inplete disarray, as if a struggle had taken ce. It was eerily silent, and no one was there.


    Cecelia? Cecelia!" Wendy called out, her voice echoing in the quiet space.


    There was no answer.


    3


    Wendy pushed open another door, but the room was empty too.


    Just then, her ears picked up a faint sound.


    She quickly pushed open the bathroom door and gasped when she saw Cecelia.


    Cecelia was being held by a man in ck, his hand mped tightly over her mouth.


    Wendy froze for a moment, then immediately rushed forward. "Who are you? Let her go!"


    When Cecelia saw Wendy approaching, she quickly shook her head, silently warning her not toe any closer. But Wendy couldn''t leave Cecelia behind. In a desperate move, Cecelia bit down hard on the man''s hand. The man hissed in pain, loosening his grip on her mouth.


    "Run, Wendy! They''re after you! Watch out behind you!" Cecelia screamed. Wendy spun around just in time to see another man in ck standing behind her.


    He swung a club at her, and before she could react, the blunt force mmed into the back of her neck.


    A sharp pain shot through her, and her vision quickly faded to ck.


    Wendy copsed to the floor, unconscious. In her fading awareness, she heard Cecelia''s desperate cries.


    "Wendy! Who are you people? Where are you taking her? Wendy!"


    (