“I’ve explained this to you so many times—Debbii didn’t do it on purpose. You’re the one who left a scar on her neck, the one who ruined her reputation in the industry. You must hold a press conference to clear things up and apologize to her in person.”
I stared at him in disbelief. Was he insane?
He wanted me to apologize to the person who nearly killed my mom?
Grinding my teeth, I pushed myself up from the bed. I needed to leave, to go to the hospital and see how my mom was doing.
But before I could take a single step, his hand shot out and grabbed me, iron-tight.
“This isn’t a negotiation, Hedy,” he warned, his tone cold. “The press conference is in five days. Start preparing now. Don’t forget—your brother’s still in prison, and your mom’s in a hospital owned by the Lundeberg Corporation.”
His words froze the blood in my veins.
My mom and my brother were still in his hands. I had no power to resist.
I looked at him blankly, my heart like stone.
“Five days, right? Fine,” I said at last. “I’ll do it. But you’re going to pull all your people off my brother’s case and let the process go through normally.”
If he withdrew his men, I could arrange for mine to step in.
That way, five days from now, my brother could leave with me and my mom.
I kept my expression steady as I looked at Bryson.
For a fleeting moment, he felt as though I were far, far away from him. I could tell his heart gave a small, panicked tremor as he reached out a hand toward me.
But before he could say anything, Debbii called him.
By the time he returned from answering her call, Bryson agreed to my terms without hesitation.
He left with a smile, holding the contract I had just signed.
I struggled to my feet and headed straight for the hospital.
When I reached my mom’s room, what awaited me wasn’t her lying in bed but hospital staff clearing out the space.
A sudden wave of dread surged up inside me. I grabbed the nearest staff member's hand, trembling.
“The patient who was here—where is she?” I demanded.
She gave me an impatient glance.
“Dead,” she said flatly. “Family couldn’t pay the fees. She held on for a whole day before passing. Her body’s in the morgue.”
All of a sudden, the world tilted. I dropped to my knees on the cold floor, nearly fainting.
“No… that’s impossible. Bryson said he paid. How could she be dead?”
I shook my head frantically, refusing to believe it.