her canvas bag, and followed Ethan down the co

before sliding a forty-page document titled "Aldridge Family Cor

ds clasped behind his back, his eyes fixed on the small securi

ir and crossed her arms. "Mr. Sterling, as of five minutes ago, I'm ju

gold-rimmed glasses

c coma without an active primary proxy, the voting shares and medical decision-making authority specified in the tr

ch means the second Preston gets the pen, he pulls Callan's breath

isely. However, there is a supreme defensive clau

e who meets the specified eligibility requirements takes priority over bl

ice against the tabletop. "So you want me to marry a dyi

didn't

eive a monthly allowance of five hundred thousand dollars, structured through the family trust under applicable tax provisions, an independent seat

racted. The casual tilt of her shoulders vanish

e his legal wife. If he passes away in three months as the doctors predict, you become the

e urged the notary public to hurry up from the elevators. The cl

for three seconds. Then she reached out

ot sig

"Miss Mercer, this is your only shot to break free from you

, and I'd love to ruin Damian and Kelsey. But I don't pimp myself o

ped away from the concealed holster under his suit jacket

e is just a breathing corpse, and you're using me as a puppet to keep you

uick look. The tension in Ethan'

panel above her head, his voice dropping to a whisper. "What if

do you mean? Dr. Shaw just told the whole f

rom inside the ICU. "Dr. Adrian Shaw was acting under the Colonel's direct orders. Callan does have genuine physical injuries, but

s gray-blue pupils shifting in sharp, deliberate pattern

with no evidence of significant cortical damage. He heard every word in the hallway. In fact, bringing yo

d straight into the bedside camera, his gaze cold, shar

er, the Colonel doesn't need a doll to cry at his bedside. He needs a

ton's voice boomed from the hallway. "Ethan! Open this

. A single bold command flashed acro

words. Slowly, the corne

the dead man pick

Ethan's hand and slashed her signatu

want to see him nod

d open a disguised service

m. We'll bypass

f corridor, moving fast toward the private ele