Inside the hospital bathroom, Isabella had her phone to her ear while washing her hands. A grimace twisted her face — she clearly didn't like what she was hearing.
"That's stupid. I can't do what you're asking, Adrian, and you know that," she said, drying her hands with a tissue.
It'd been a while since she last spoke to him, and now he was calling to ask her to do something that could ruin her nursing license.
Still, she couldn't deny her curiosity about the restricted VIP ward — the one cleared for a single patient whose identity was kept secret from the entire hospital. Only Doctor Sam and a few trusted nurses knew what was happening there.
Yet here she was, with a desperate Adrian trying to convince her to sneak in and confirm a name — one everyone in the city knew too well.
The Blackheart.
Adrian suspected Christopher Blackheart was the one in the ward. She could believe it — it was unlike Christopher's illegitimate son, Antonio, to visit any hospital. His sudden appearance had everyone talking, and Isabella couldn't deny she wanted to know the truth herself, though she wouldn't admit it.
"It's not that hard, Isabella," Adrian said, trying to sound confident but clearly running out of arguments.
He didn't even know why he was doing this — risking so much just to help Jason's ungrateful ass. Three days had passed with no sign of him. Even Jack couldn't track him down. It wouldn't be the first time Jason disappeared after angering his father. Everyone knew Alexander had a cruel way of "disciplining" him, especially after that stunt at the GBR Club.
"Then do it yourself, and don't get your head blown off by Antonio if you're right," Isabella snapped.
Adrian gritted his teeth. He'd forgotten how bratty she could be.
"Exactly. We still don't know who's in there — that's why I need you," he said, lowering his voice. "I'll make it up to you."
"How? You'll just ghost me again. Do you think I'm stupid, cousin?"
Adrian chuckled. "No, of course not. I've just been busy. I'll get you anything you want."
"Fine. I'll try," she said, her tone softening.
"So, I'm getting an answer tonight?"
Isabella scoffed. "What? Tonight? Don't tell me you're outside the hospital — I can't do this tonight."
"I'll double whatever you want. Just get in there and confirm the identity. That's all."
Adrian sat up in the car while his driver waited silently. Judging by Isabella's hesitation, it was clear they'd be there for a while.
"Fine," she said finally. "I'll be out soon."
She hung up, glanced around the bathroom to make sure she was alone, then stepped out wearing a calm smile — hiding the anxiety burning inside her.
At the front desk, her gaze fixed on the access cards hanging from the wall — her golden ticket. She barely knew anyone there.
She looked around for cameras, pretending to check a patient file, but she had no idea how to grab a card unnoticed.
"I don't think you're on night duty today," one nurse said, making Isabella look up.
"Uh… I know, I'm just—"
Before she could finish, chaos erupted. A patient was wheeled in, covered in blood, and every nurse rushed to help.
Using the distraction, Isabella snatched an access card, pressed it to her chest, and slipped out through the commotion. Her heart pounded. No one saw her — hopefully.
With the card, getting into the elevator was easy. But when she reached the VIP floor, she froze — two armed guards.
She bowed her head, flashing the card. They let her through without a word.
Inside the ward, she stopped cold.
Christopher Blackheart lay unconscious, hooked to life support.
Adrian was right.
She quickly took out her phone, recording short clips. Just as she raised it for a photo, voices echoed outside.
Doctor Sam.
Her stomach twisted. There was only one exit. Panicking, she dashed into the bathroom, leaving the door slightly open.
Through the glass panel, she watched him checking Christopher's vitals, jotting notes. She snapped a quick picture, then crouched to text Adrian — but there was no signal.
"What the…" she whispered, clapping a hand over her mouth.
That was it. Her career was over.
Footsteps approached. Sweat trickled down her face as her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
But then, the door opened — it was the head nurse.
"Sir, there's an emergency downstairs," she said.
Doctor Sam handed her a file. "Take this to my office and alert the resident doctor to prep the OR."
The door shut. Silence returned.
Isabella exhaled shakily, then slipped out, walking past the guards with forced calm.
Outside, she exited through the back door, tossed the access card into a trash can, and spotted Adrian's car.
"Hey, cousin—" Adrian started, but she cut him off.
"Don't 'cousin' me. I almost got caught because of you."
"Well, did you get in?" he asked flatly.
"Seriously? That's all you care about?" she glared, handing him her phone.
A grin spread across his face as he scrolled through her gallery.
She snatched it back. "Wait—"
"No waiting, Adrian. We had a deal."
"And I haven't forgotten. You're so temperamental," he said, signaling his driver. The man handed over five shopping bags, which Adrian passed to her.
She peeked inside. "These aren't enough."
"I gave you what you wanted. I risked my life too — if Antonio finds out, we're both dead."
"Then pay me enough to keep my mouth shut," she snapped. "You're still hanging around that fool Jason, aren't you?"
"Yeah, your ex — the one I'm trying to save," he muttered.
"Fine," she said coldly. "Three million."
"What the—"
"Or I tell Antonio what you did."
"You wouldn't. You're not that heartless."
"Watch me. The loser can die for all I care. Do we have a deal?"
Adrian sighed. He shouldn't have involved her. Jason would kill him once he found out.
"Fine. But this stays between us. If Antonio finds out, we're both dead," he warned.
But Isabella was already out of the car, snatching her phone back.
"Whatever. Have my money ready by tomorrow… cousin."
She slammed the door hard enough to make Adrian curse — but she was already gone.