Clyde''s surgery was a resounding sess. The blood clots in his brain were meticulously removed, but he remained unconscious.


    "The brain damage anda are par for the course," the doctor had said. "Whether he wakes up is now up to fate."


    The Crawford family was all over the news, and Henson had moved swiftly, catching them off guard. Only Talbot had managed to slip away in the chaos.


    By the time Lisa arrived, she looked exhausted, yet there was a noticeable softness in her eyes.


    "I had already secured the evidence from Talbot''s safe and handed it over to the police early this morning. I''ve cooperated with their investigation. He won''t get away this time."


    "It''s like I''ve betrayed my own family. The police have been understanding, but any project approved by Garfield has been put on pause."


    Gone was her usual prideful demeanor, reced by a sense of relief.


    "But stay on your toes. Talbot''s still out there, and he''s slippery."


    "How did he even get wind of this? Garfield himself was in the dark."


    "My mom used to say he had an animal''s instinct for danger."


    Lisa''s tone was t, her gaze fixed on Clyde in the ICU.


    My voice came out raspy and strained as I managed to say, "Thank you."


    "For what? It was a mutual need."


    "The Crawford name''s taken a hit. We''re losing contracts and halting projects, not to mention the damages..."


    Lisa''s gaze met mine, her smile tinged with bitterness.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    "Talbot used dirty tricks to take your family''spany, Mnie. I can''t give it back to you."


    "I''ll do my best to keep it from bankruptcy. Starting over will be easier with the foundation we still have."


    I nodded, understanding her initial motives.


    After all, what use was thepany to me now? My parents were gone.


    Suddenly, a thought struck me, and I grabbed her arm.


    "What about Geneva? I haven''t seen her."


    If the police could find me so quickly, surely she must be safe too?


    With all the worry over Clyde, I''d forgotten about Geneva!


    Lisa shook her head. "We haven''t found her."


    "I suspect Talbot has a trick up his sleeve. We haven''t found Galen Brown either. Be careful."


    "He''s always had a knack for slipping through the. He might still be after your trust fund." "But the lead detective on the case is top-notch. I''m sure Geneva will be fine."


    Her reassurance didn''t sound entirely certain as she patted my hand.


    If Talbot could turn on his own brother, neglect his wife and daughter, what wouldn''t he do?


    After Lisa left, I stayed by Clyde''s


    side, watching him sleepet


    free of


    any visible distress


    Wove


    emotion.


    I spent nearly all my time in the hospital, waiting for him to wake.


    I had to believe in karma; I''d survived two surgeries, and I was sure Clyde would be okay too.


    Then, as I was about to grab a bite


    to eat, my


    phone buzzed. A


    had sent me a friend reque trans


    social media, with the note "Geneva."


    I quickly epted, and they sent me a video.


    It was Geneva, bound and restrained.


    Talbot''s voice echoed in the background.


    "Come find me, both you and Galen Brown, or I''ll chop her up and send her back to you piece by piece!"


    "Mnie, I''ve killed before. She won''t be the first."


    "I''ve got nothing left to lose. I want


    money Come with Galen Brown


    Call


    a


    cops, and you''ll be collecting


    es