Ethan Sullivan's gaze shifted to Ian Gallagher.
His voice was low. "How's Emma doing lately?"
Ian remained composed. "The young lady is cooperating well with treatment. She doesn't seem wary of me."
When speaking of his patient, his eyes softened noticeably.
"She's stronger than I expected."
Ethan's expression relaxed slightly. "Thank you for your hard work, Dr. Gallagher."
Though tension simmered between them, he respected Ian's professional expertise.
Emma had always resisted outsiders.
The fact that Ian had gained her trust spoke volumes about his skill.
Ian smiled faintly. "Just doing my job."
The atmosphere seemed to ease.
Ethan frowned slightly. "I appreciate your timely intervention today."
He paused. "But why were you here? Leo's sudden outburst didn't seem like a normal reaction."
Sophia Sullivan let out a soft laugh.
She arched a brow at Ethan. "Finally thought to ask me?"
"I invited Ian here," she said, her tone laced with amusement. "Originally planned to give Leo a taste of his own medicine."
"Had Ian prepare a special compound. Never thought it'd come in handy so soon."
She briefly explained the sequence of events.
"The drug worked perfectly. Leo lost control immediately."
Ian smiled modestly. "Just a little side project. Glad it helped Sophia."
Ethan's fingers tapped lightly on his wheelchair armrest.
He summoned Ian Watson from outside.
"Make arrangements at the psychiatric hospital. Ensure Leo Carter never resurfaces in A-City."
Ian Watson nodded in understanding. "Understood."
This was about eliminating the threat permanently.
——
Leo Carter crouched in the dense undergrowth.
Clutching his injured wrist, his back drenched in cold sweat.
The pain from jumping out of the moving vehicle had shocked him back to his senses.
Now, recalling his frenzied actions, a chill ran down his spine.
The doctor's calm smile flashed through his mind.
Leo gritted his teeth. "You set me up..."
He'd become a laughingstock in everyone's eyes.
Worse, those powerful figures would never let him off the hook.
Leo sneered. "Think you can lock me away in some asylum? Dream on!"
He pulled out his phone and dialed Chloe Evans' number.
The line emitted a busy tone.
She'd blocked him.
With a roar, Leo hurled the phone against a tree trunk.
The shattering screen mirrored his fracturing sanity.
Why should he take the fall alone?
Why did Sophia get to walk away unscathed?
How dare Chloe try cutting ties now?
A grotesque smile twisted his features.
"If I go down, you're coming with me!"
Staggering, he fled toward the outskirts.
Finding a payphone, he redialed Chloe's number.
"Miss Evans, think blocking me solves everything?"
His voice dripped venom. "I have recordings of all our calls."
Chloe's finger hovered over the disconnect button.
"You recorded us?"
Leo scoffed. "No insurance, I'd be devoured by you long ago!"
Chloe massaged her throbbing temple.
She'd just placated Liam Winston and managed the media fallout.
Now this worthless fool dared threaten her?
Her voice turned icy. "Who'd believe a madman's tapes? I'll claim they're fabricated!"
Leo remained unfazed.
"Authenticity doesn't matter. But imagine if Sophia Sullivan got them?"
His words slithered like a serpent's hiss. "The press would have a field day."
"Miss Evans, I may be insignificant, but you've got no shortage of enemies."