In the executive suite atop Pinnacle Corporation, Liam Williams was preparing to leave for the night. Tonight was critical. They had finally managed to get a lead. The deal absolutely could not go through. And if they played their cards right, they might even catch Adrian Frost in the process.
His phone rang abruptly. He glanced at the caller ID—Alexander Wilson.
"Captain, based on the listening device in my wife's car, she's just driven onto Golden Gate Street. I'm afraid she's about to meet up with Adrian Frost."
Alexander's tone carried a hint of unease when he said the word "wife." Liam's grip on the phone tightened.
His deep, cold eyes flickered with a dark flame.
"You think Elijah won't ever like you? Why?"
At The Waterfront restaurant, Olivia Davis stared at Mia Lewis, whose face was pale with despair.
"After we watched that movie the other night, I tried to test him with some subtle hints. That's when I realized I was being foolish. I thought I still had a chance. But his heart... it's not so easy to change. Even knowing he's heading straight for a dead end, he'd rather wait there forever than give himself—or anyone else—a chance."
Mia forced a bitter smile as she spoke to Olivia.
"What do you mean? Is there really another woman in Elijah's heart?"
Olivia asked, confused.
"Can't you see it? Elijah thinks he hides it well, but a woman's intuition is always right."
Watching Mia speak with that sad smile, Olivia fell into deep thought. Then, a sudden flash of insight hit her, and she finally understood.
"Well, I never expected that. But they can never be together."
Although Olivia had suspected it before, they had never actually been together. There was never any hint of ambiguity between them, so she had dismissed her doubts. But now, hearing Mia say it, she realized her earlier suspicions weren't unfounded.
"I used to be so confident. But now... I honestly don't know what to do. Olivia, I love him so much, but he never sees me. It hurts so badly."
Mia poured herself another glass of wine and downed it. Olivia felt a pang of sympathy for her friend.
"Maybe you should talk to Emma. Let her make things clear to Elijah. Maybe after he's been through the pain, if you're there for him, he'll finally see you."
Olivia offered her advice.
"Even we can see that Emma only treats Elijah like a little brother. Can't Elijah see that himself? So what if he already knows the truth? He just won't let go."
"Then what's the point? They can never be together."
Olivia retorted immediately.
"Even if they're not together, his heart still belongs to her. I can never take her place."
Olivia looked at Mia, feeling sorry for her. But no matter what, Emma was married. She didn't choose her childhood friend back then. Would she choose him now that she was married?
It was a non-existent problem. Emma wasn't going to divorce her husband. That was as simple as a multiple-choice question.
If Emma were really going to divorce Liam because of Elijah, Olivia thought, it would happen only if the Titanic hit another iceberg.
"Mia, show some confidence. This isn't like you."
Olivia decided to encourage her friend.
"Even if I wanted to, I'd need a chance. Do you know why I feel so terrible today? Because I just heard that Elijah resigned from the hospital. He's leaving Silverdale."
"What? So suddenly?"
When Olivia heard Mia's words, she was stunned. No wonder Mia was so defeated today. No matter how much she liked Elijah, she couldn't just leave her parents and her career to follow him when their relationship wasn't even settled.
That wasn't love. That was insanity.
What else was there to say?
Emma Johnson sneezed while driving. She couldn't help but wonder if she was catching a cold. But sneezing just once was strange.
Was someone talking about her behind her back? Emma couldn't help but think of Amelia White. But she quickly shook her head, unwilling to dwell on that unpleasant thought.
Soon, she drove to the location Elijah had texted her. She looked around. It was a bit desolate. There were few cars, let alone pedestrians. Emma couldn't help but feel suspicious. Why would Elijah choose a place like this?
Could a restaurant really open in such a remote location?
But she didn't have time to think about it any longer. Because suddenly, a hand holding a handkerchief appeared from behind her, covering her mouth and nose. She tried to struggle, but her hands were quickly pinned behind her back. She couldn't even react.
Soon, Emma's consciousness began to blur as her breath was cut off. Finally, she fell into a deep coma. The person behind her caught her steadily and dragged her toward a black car parked nearby.
"Boss, what about her car?"
Adrian Frost was sitting in the back seat of the car. When Emma was brought in, he took the unconscious woman and laid her across his lap. His dark blue eyes flickered with a treacherous light.
"Just drive it into the woods. She won't need it after today anyway."
Adrian ordered his subordinate. The man nodded and drove Emma's car into the woods before returning to the front seat.
"Drive. I'm afraid the deal has already started by now. I think Elijah will be very happy to receive such a wonderful gift just as he's about to leave. It's a pity we can't let him know right away. Is the medicine ready? We can't have her waking up and struggling. If Elijah finds out, he might get soft-hearted and send her back. That would be a loss we can't afford."
Adrian smiled wickedly as he spoke to the man in the front seat.
"Don't worry, boss. Everything is ready. We just need to get her on the plane. Once we're in Italy, it'll all be done."
"Good. Call him once we're on the plane. That way, even if Elijah feels guilty, he won't send her back from Italy."
Adrian looked down at the woman lying on his lap, as peaceful as if she were sleeping. He couldn't help but smile—a smile that was both enchanting and sinister.
The prepared medicine only needed one injection. It would turn Emma into a mindless doll. She would never ask to come back. And even if Elijah blamed himself, he wouldn't easily let her return.