Chapter 199

Robbie stood by his great-grandfather’s hospital bed, watching as his breaths grew shallower. He didn’t feel sad. Not even a little. Instead, his mind was racing —already running numbers.
If he really passed, how would the inheritance get split?
His dad was the only official heir of the Ratcliff family, so everything should go to him. Which meant, eventually, it would be his. Unless, of course, his great- grandfather decided to leave something for that illegitimate son or that annoying girl.
“Patient’s crashing! ICU, now!”
Nurses and doctors rushed in, lifting Mr. Ratcliff onto a gurney and speeding him down the hallway. Reese clenched her jaw and hurried after them, following all the way to the ICU. The doors swung shut right in front of her, and for a moment, memories of her childhood and her great-grandfather’s strict voice flashed through her mind. Unexpectedly, her eyes burned with tears.
Sebastian was already there, standing outside the ICU, looking pale and lost. The sharp scent of disinfectant hung in the air, making him wrinkle his nose. His hands were curled into fists so tight his knuckles went white.
Through the heavy doors, the monitors beeped steadily, each sound somehow making the tension worse.
He stared down at his own reflection in the spotless floor tiles, his eyes dark and unreadable. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. The stormy energy around him made people keep their distance.
Everything had happened so fast. Only now was he realizing he might actually lose his grandfather-the man who had kept the Ratcliff family together after Sebastian’s father died, who had taught him everything, who had been his first real teacher. Now, that man was slipping away.
“Get the adrenaline!”
“Heart rate’s dropping! Start compressions!”
The ICU was filled with shouts and hurried footsteps. Doctors and nurses moved quickly around the bed. The heart monitor’s harsh, steady beeping cut through everything, making it impossible to ignore what was happening.
A doctor rushed out, face tense. “Mr. Ratcliff is very old. There’s not much time left. You should… prepare themselves.”
The hallway instantly filled with crying and sobs. No one wanted to let go.
Reese’s eyes were red, her fists clenching and unclenching, but inside, she felt oddly calm.
Maybe it was because she’d already accepted that this day would come eventually. Or maybe, deep down, she’d been waiting for it.
Once he was gone, her marriage to Sebastian would be over too. Whatever had
happened between them, it wouldn’t matter anymore.
She looked down and typed out a message to George.
[Please start preparing for the divorce hearing.]
She had just sent the text when hurried footsteps echoed down the hall Réése lööked up and saw Alden running toward them, panic all over his face.
“Mr. Ratcliff! This wasn’t an accident!
“I just checked everything in the control room. The equipment didn’t fail. The monitors didn’t just glitch. Someone messed with the system on purpose.
“And that’s not all. The oxygen line was cut clean through, probably with a sharp blade. The call button by the bed the wire was ripped out force..
“Mr. Ratcliff, someone did this. It was deliberate.” Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on
Those words hit Sebastian like a punch.
The air around him seemed to freeze. His eyes went dangerously cold.
“Who’s been in my grandfather’s room lately?” His voice was sharp and low, every word like a warning.
Aiden’s eyes darted to Reese, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed, looking nervous and unsure.
“Before I went to the bathroom, only… only one person went in
He knew how much Reese meant to Sebastian. He also knew what saying this could do to the family.
“Say it!” Sebastian’s voice was hoarse, anger making his eyes bloodshot.
“I—I left, and only Mrs. Ratcliff went in
Every eye turned to Reese, including Sebastian’s.
Reese’s eyes widened. She stared at Aiden, shocked. “You’re saying
She looked around at all of them, finally meeting Sebastian’s gaze. you think I did this?”