Now that he was awake, Alexander's mind had shifted back into full gear. His instincts told him that Thomas Hernandez would not sit idly by - he would certainly have planted someone close to monitor his every move, to see if he was still pursuing the truth behind the accident. If Alexander wanted to stay ahead, he had no choice but to act weak, helpless, and unthreatening, all while secretly continuing his investigation from the shadows.
He understood that trusting the wrong person could be fatal. Everyone around him was a potential threat, and he had to tread carefully. He needed to feign fragility convincingly while, underneath the surface, piecing together the broken trail Thomas had tried to erase. Still, as much as he wanted to handle everything alone, Alexander realized he would need help. One pair of eyes was not enough in a house full of unknown dangers.
Yet the thought of trusting someone filled him with unease. How could he be sure who was truly loyal? Anyone could be the mole Thomas had installed. But then, as if drawn from the depth of his subconscious, a memory resurfaced: "His name is Thomas Hernandez… That surgeon… I remember every detail about him…"
"Sienna," Alexander whispered under his breath.
She had spoken those words to him. She knew Thomas Hernandez - not vaguely, but with certainty. Alexander wasn't naive enough to put blind faith in anyone, but Sienna was the only one who might genuinely be able to help. She had even told him they would face it together. He decided that when the time was right, he would approach her and uncover exactly how much she knew.
Meanwhile, Thomas Hernandez had been working on his own plans. He knew that distracting Alexander would be difficult now that he was awake, but it was still possible to stay ahead - he just needed eyes and ears inside the Miller household.
After meticulously reviewing the personnel files of everyone working in the estate, he found a weak link: Agartha Mayson.
Unlike the long-time staff members whose families had deep ties to the Millers, Agartha's connection was recent and fragile. Her only child, a son attending a public university, weighed heavily on her financially. Despite her professionalism, her situation revealed cracks - cracks that money could easily slip through.
The Millers paid her generously compared to most, but between her own living costs and her son's growing educational expenses, it wasn't nearly enough. To make matters worse, her contract demanded she be on call at all hours, preventing her from seeking additional income. On the surface, Agartha appeared steadfast and loyal, but desperation had a way of bending even the strongest principles.
Thomas rose from his chair, cradling a glass of whiskey, and moved toward the window, staring out at the dark city skyline. A cold smile played at his lips. "Jackpot," he murmured to himself.
He immediately pulled out his phone and called Gerald. The line barely rang once before Gerald picked up, his voice heavy with sleep.
"Hello?"
"I need you to dig into Christian Mayson," Thomas instructed sharply. "Son of Agartha, Mayson. Find out everything there is to know about him." Gerald, understanding the importance of the task and knowing better than to waste time with questions, responded quickly.
"Got it," he said, and ended the call.
Later that evening, Alexander asked to see Sienna alone. The staff had been sent off on their various tasks, and the corridors were hushed. He sat upright in bed when she entered, the dim light casting deep shadows across his sharp features.
"Alexander," Sienna said softly, her voice laced with concern. "You should be resting." "I know," he replied, his voice low but steady. "But there's something important I need to talk to you about."
Sienna approached cautiously, sensing the seriousness in his tone. She pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat, waiting for him to continue. "I can't explain everything yet," Alexander began, choosing his words carefully. "Not because I don't trust you… but because the less you know for now, the safer it will be for both of us."
Sienna frowned. "You're being vague. How can I help if I don't even know what's going on?" "I just need you to be my eyes and ears," he said. "There are things happening around this house… people I can't trust. I have to move quietly." He met her eyes. "I can't do it without someone helping me… and you're the only person I can even consider."
She exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "You know you're making this sound incredibly suspicious, right?" A faint smile tugged at the corner of Alexander's mouth, surprising her. "Suspicious? I thought I was being charming."
Sienna shook her head, biting back a reluctant smile. "You're many things, Alexander Miller, but charming isn't at the top of the list right now." His smile deepened, slow and lazy, and for a moment - just a moment - the tension between them shifted into something warmer, something that hummed in the silence. Their eyes locked, and the air seemed to thicken, pulsing with an unspoken understanding neither dared to voice yet.
Alexander's gaze softened just briefly, as if he were seeing her for the first time; not just as his physician, but as someone who had stood by him when others might have walked away. Sienna looked away first, her cheeks warming. She busied herself adjusting the thin blanket covering his legs, even though it didn't really need fixing. Her heart thudded a little faster against her ribs.
"I'm asking you," Alexander said more quietly, "because I believe you're not like the others. You've already risked more than anyone else to help me. That matters."
Sienna straightened, struggling to regain her composure. "Let me think about it," she said finally, her voice steadier than she felt. Alexander nodded, understanding. "Take your time. But please... don't take too long."
She left his room that night with a heavy heart. She paced her own room, wrestling with the decision. Everything logical screamed at her to stay out of it. Yet deep down, she knew she couldn't turn her back on him - not now.
By morning, her mind was made up. She returned to his room, finding him already awake. He looked up at her expectantly. "I'll help you," she said quietly.
Relief flickered across his face, so quick it might have been imagined. "Thank you, Sienna." As Sienna turned to leave Alexander's room, she nearly collided with Mrs. Miller standing just outside the door, arms folded tightly, an icy expression freezing her features.
"How long do you plan to keep interfering?" Mrs. Miller asked sharply, her voice slicing through the morning stillness. Sienna stiffened but didn't flinch. "I'm doing my job," she said calmly, though her pulse quickened.
"Your job is to follow medical protocol, not whisper secrets behind closed doors," Mrs. Miller hissed, stepping closer. "Don't think for one second that I don't see what you're doing."
Sienna's fists clenched at her sides, but she kept her voice level. "If you have concerns, Mrs. Miller, I suggest you take them up with Mr. Miller himself. Alexander is capable of deciding who he wants to see."
For a heartbeat, neither woman moved. The tension snapped taut between them, almost unbearable. Mrs. Miller leaned in just slightly, her voice a whisper of venom. "People like you are easily replaced, Miss Sienna. Remember that." Without waiting for a response, she turned sharply and stalked down the hall, her heels clicking like gunshots against the polished floor.
Sienna stood rooted to the spot, her jaw tight. She drew in a deep, steadying breath before finally moving, every step carrying the weight of unspoken battles yet to come.
Meanwhile, far from the Miller estate, a different meeting was unfolding. In a quiet restaurant on the edge of town, the air buzzed with a different kind of tension.
Thomas Hernandez sat at a secluded booth, a casual smile on his lips as he nursed a cup of black coffee. His sharp eyes watched the entrance until he spotted the man he was waiting for.
Anthony James stepped inside, scanning the room briefly before making his way over. Dressed neatly as always, Anthony looked every bit the respectable doctor he had become. Thomas stood as Anthony approached, and when they clasped hands, Thomas pulled him into a brief hug.
"It's been a while," Thomas said, pulling back slightly. His voice dropped into a tone only Anthony could hear.
"Brother."
Anthony stiffened almost imperceptibly, but he smiled, masking the reaction so well that no one else in the restaurant would have noticed.