463 Zoe exhaled shakily, a flicker of relief washing over her. But it was short-lived. She hesitated, then asked softly, “How is Darwin doing? Is he… okay?” James’s head snapped up, his expression hardening into pure disdain. “Don’t you dare ask that.” His voice was low, venomous. Zoe froze,
464 James glanced at Logan, his lips tightening in a thin line as Logan hit the dial button to call Lady Margaret Wettin. The phone buzzed for a moment before a sharp, authoritative voice answered. “James, what is it?” Lady Margaret’s tone carried a distinct edge, the kind that demanded immediate
465 Lady Margaret stormed into the hospital, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor as her face twisted with worry. She had not slept, not eaten, consumed by the anxiety gnawing at her. Darwin’s condition still hung in the balance, and she couldn’t bear it. The moment she reached h
466 Margaret stepped into the elevator, feeling the familiar weight of control slipping back over her as the doors closed with a soft chime. Her mind raced, but she forced herself to focus. She needed a clear head if she was going to fix this—whatever it took. The sharp scent of antiseptic fille
467 Margaret’s phone buzzed again, jolting her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen, expecting another urgent update from Whitaker or Maelstrom. But when her eyes landed on the name flashing across the screen, her entire body stiffened. Julius Wettin. Her nephew. Her wicked nephew.
468 --- Meanwhile, in the dimly lit waiting room of the hospital, Zoe sat on the edge of a plastic chair, her hands trembling in her lap. The events of the past few days had turned her world upside down, and every time she closed her eyes, she saw Darwin’s face—unconscious and vulnerable. She ne
469 Zoe’s breath hitched. Her heart pounded wildly as her wide eyes locked onto the man entering the room. She stumbled back, gripping the edge of the table for support. “Darwin?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. At her trembling question, the man paused, his lips curling into a bemused s
470 “I told you, I don’t know!” Zoe cried, tears brimming in her eyes. She turned to Julius, her voice trembling with desperation. “Please, you have to believe me! I would never betray Darwin—I’d never hurt him!” Julius tilted his head, studying her with an unreadable expression. “Interesting,” h