As soon as Karen got back to the mansion, she caught sight of Jeffrey twirling their daughter in the living room, a scene that could melt any heart.


    Spotting her, Jeffrey arched an eyebrow. "Where''ve you been all morning? Tried calling you, but no luck."


    "Ah, it was nothing. Just swung by the hospital to check on my brother," Karen replied, swapping her shoes and setting down her bag before moving closer to Jeffrey. The sudden closeness caught Jeffrey off guard. "What''s up?"


    "Just... thinking," Karen murmured, her gaze flitting over Jeffrey, pondering how to broach the subject she had in mind. "I''ve noticed you''ve been hanging around the house moretely. Doesn''t The Lopez Corporation need you?"


    Jeffrey, gently rocking their daughter, responded casually, "Ever since Everett and Dorothy broke up, he''s thrown himself into work. They don''t really need me there. Everett''s got it covered."


    "And how''s he holding up? All thosete nights can''t be good for him," Karen prodded, her concern genuine.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    "He''s always been a workhorse; I''m sure he''s fine," Jeffrey replied nonchntly, easing Karen''s worry somewhat.


    His answer, so effortlessly delivered, suggested either Everett was indeed okay, or Jeffrey was in the dark about any issues-though thetter seemed unlikely given how close the two men were. "Why the sudden interest in Everett''s health?" Jeffrey asked with a hint of curiosity.


    "Just making conversation," Karen said, taking their daughter into her arms. "Dorothy mentioned Everett was sick, ended up in the hospital yesterday. Kevin called her, and she went with him." Jeffrey''s expression darkened instantly. "He was in the hospital?"


    "Yeah. He didn''t tell you?"


    "No... I''ll give Everett a call. See what''s going on," Jeffrey said, hurrying off.


    Karen quickly texted Dorothy the entire encounter, hoping to provide some reassurance.


    As the nanny appeared, Karen handed over her daughter, "Can you watch her for a bit?" "Of course, Mrs. Turner."


    With her daughter in safe hands,


    Karen


    stealthily positioned herself


    near the bedroom door to eaver of


    on the conversation within


    Inside the bedroom, Jeffrey had to call Everett twice before getting through.


    "I''m in a meeting, what''s up?"


    "You were in the hospital? Why didn''t you tell me?"


    After a pause, Everett''s voice, deeper than usual, came through, "It''s nothing. Was out in a few hours."


    "Did... everything go ording to n?"


    Jeffrey had lowered his voice when asking this.


    "Yeah." Everett didn''t hide anything from Jeffrey; he was privy to it all.


    "How''s Dorothy? Did you get the antidote? After being poisoned, are you experiencing any symptoms? Like Dorothy, constantly needing the hospital?"


    "I''ve been having hallucinations, nothing else so far."


    "You''re ying with your life, Everett! I''m really worried about you.


    time you''re in the hospital,


    Kevin call me. I''ll be there a exter


    you."


    "There''s no need. Quincy won''t let anything happen to me."


    At the mention of that name, Jeffrey felt a surge of disgust.


    "That person deserves the worst. Once you and Dorothy are safe, I''ll make sure she gets what''sing to her!"


    "I won''t let her off easy."


    With a heavy sigh and a few more words of concern, Jeffrey finally ended the call.


    Stepping out the door, he found Karen right there, waiting.