Chapter 124
Ethan Sullivan leaned against the sterile white hospital wall, arms crossed over his chest. Noticing Evelyn Laurent's gaze, his lips curved slightly as he gave her a subtle nod.
Evelyn's throat tightened. "Thank you," she rasped.
Her fingers had accidentally dialed Ethan's number during the crisis. His contact remained in her phone, yet she never expected him to be her rescuer in that dire moment.
Without him, tonight's outcome would have been unthinkable.
Ice flashed in Evelyn's eyes as she recalled Margaret Hill's betrayal. She'd gone to meet them out of gratitude for childhood kindness, only to discover they'd planned to sell her like merchandise.
Her trust had been gravely misplaced.
Only after confirming Margaret's legal punishment did Evelyn relax. With her robust constitution, she quickly discharged herself and returned to the Lowell estate with Victoria Langley.
Ethan didn't follow.
He'd recognized the pure gratitude in Evelyn's eyes—nothing more. The realization inexplicably irritated him, prompting his abrupt departure to investigate the drug's origin.
This matter would be thoroughly uncovered.
The next day, Evelyn took a rare leave of absence.
Meanwhile, whispers spread through Harvard University's campus forums like wildfire.
"Did you see the Lowell motorcade yesterday? They ran every red light to the hospital—must've been the seventh daughter in trouble."
"I spotted the Sullivan vehicles too! Who is this seventh daughter anyway? Rumor says she studies here."
"Imagine having that kind of powerful backing..."
The gossip remained contained, but Sophia Lowell's eyes gleamed with calculation as she scrolled through her phone during her own medical leave.
The seventh daughter of the Lowells—the same mysterious figure who'd denied her entry to The Grand Hyatt.
If no one knew the seventh daughter's true identity...
A predatory smile curled Sophia's lips as she strode back to her dorm.
Her roommates' excited whispers greeted her:
"Who do you think the seventh daughter is?"
"With yesterday's commotion, she must've been hospitalized. Sophia's at the hospital too today—could it be...?"
Three pairs of eyes widened in sudden realization.
The door creaked open.
Sophia stood framed in the doorway, surgical mask in place. "Lydia," she inquired with perfect innocence, "what are you all discussing?"