Chapter 1158:

🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙

Gracie’s hands curled into white-knuckled fists at her sides. She’d suspected Eaton’s involvement, but she hadn’t expected him to move this quickly.

They’d struck an agreement just hours ago, and yet he’d still sent assassins to back her into a corner with nowhere to turn, forcing her hand on the Rebirth reagent.

Charlie remained at attention, his expression hardening to match hers. “What should we do with these two now?”

“Turn them over to the police.” Gracie’s voice came out tired but resolute. “They’re right about one thing — we’re nothing like Eaton.”

Reality crashed down on both men — Gracie had been running a bluff from the very beginning.

“You played us!”

“We gave you everything you wanted, and you’re still handing us over? You’re signing our death warrants!”

“Eaton will kill us the second he finds out we talked. How can you be this heartless?”

Gracie ignored their words and crossed slowly to Brayden’s bedside, her eyes burning red as she gazed down at his unconscious form. “I’ll keep the situation contained. You’ll be protected — I’ll make certain of it.”

No𝗏e𝗅𝘀 іn 𝘁𝗋е𝗻d o𝗇 𝗀𝖺ln𝗈ve𝗅ѕ.с𝗼𝘮

But Brayden, lost somewhere in the dark depths of unconsciousness, couldn’t offer her any reassurance.

The chaotic night bled into morning without triggering widespread panic.

Gracie never closed her eyes once. When Charlie returned at dawn, exhaustion had carved dark shadows beneath her eyes.

“You haven’t slept at all. You need to go home and get some rest — please.”

“I’m fine. I’ll catch a few minutes of sleep right here.” Gracie shook her head, her fingers tightening around Brayden’s hand.

If she hadn’t arrived with backup when she did, both Brayden and Charlie would be dead. The thought of how close they’d come still sent ice through her veins.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She glanced at the screen, her brow creasing at the caller ID, then reluctantly accepted the call.

Valeria’s voice crackled through the speaker a moment later.

“Gracie, why did you leave the estate so early this morning?”

“You came to my villa looking for me?”

“Yes, I did. Ellie’s condition is deteriorating, and as her mother-in-law, I need to check on her regularly. Since you’re clearly overwhelmed, you should let me take over her care. Yet you don’t trust me enough, and you disappear before dawn every morning.”

Her tone dripped with barely concealed resentment.

“There’s been an incident at the hospital. You need to come here immediately.” Gracie’s voice dropped to something heavy and grim. “I’ve been shielding you from the truth to spare you worry, but after what happened last night, I can’t give you what you’re asking for.”

She disconnected without waiting for a response.

Valeria stared at her phone’s blank screen, her frown deepening as she turned her glare on the bodyguards still blocking Ellie’s door. “I’m going to the hospital. We’ll settle this when I return.”

She pivoted on her heel and strode from the villa.

The moment she entered the hospital room and caught sight of Brayden’s broken body in the bed, all color drained from her face. She rushed forward with a strangled gasp.

.

.

.