Lyra stared at the screen.
Disbelieving. He just dropped the call like that. Is he really the Lucas Arden she knows?
Her fingers trembling slightly, placed the phone on table. She took a deep breath and pressed her trembling hands against her face, to hold herself together.
"It's okay, Lyra." she kept whispering.
"Everything will be fine..."
…
The phone clattered on the table. Lucas rubbed the back of his neck, eyes shut for a moment.
"You won't dare... I know you well, Lyra."
"Klein!" he shouted.
Hearing her name, she stepped quickly into the room.
"Yes, Mr. Arden," she replied.
"Any word from the shareholders?" he asked, clearly not in the mood.
"Ah, about that... they've asked to move the meeting to the evening. Most of them are tied up with other appointments in the morning."
He let out a heavy sigh. "Call Hudson in," he said, waving her off dismissively.
Nadia bowed slightly and stepped out of the room. Outside, she was over the moon.
Lucas Arden wasn't getting married tomorrow. It was a temporary joy, but it still felt worth it.
"Lyra Ashford, your end is near," she whispered under her breath.
She had already hired someone to ruin her.
After Lucas returned to Mistvale, it would all be finished.
…
Lyra failed to notice the door slowly creaking open, inch by inch, as pairs of curious eyes peeked inside.
Some nurses had gathered in the pantry, chatting quietly.
"Ahem!" Edris cleared his throat loudly.
"What's all this commotion?" he asked, twirling his finger toward them.
"Hush, Dr. Edris," they glance around nervously, and motioned for him to come closer.
He raised his brows and stepped forward in curiosity. The nurse whispered something into his ear. A faint frown tugged at his brows.
They didn't notice the woman in scrubs who had slipped in behind them and every word reached her ears.
"Sooner or later, people will find out." She stepped back and leaned against the doorframe.
The nurses stiffened, exchanging uneasy glances.
They all knew Chloe had never liked Lyra and none of them liked the thought of her stirring up trouble again.
"Mind yourself, Dr. Windsor," Edris warned, his hand curling into a fist.
"Nah… she never accepted your love. Why would you protect her?"
A smirk curled her lips.
"Serves her right." She pushed herself off the frame and waved at them.
…
"Lyra, honey…" a soft knock came at the door.
Lyra flinched.
Quickly, she reached for a tissue, wiping her tears carelessly.
The middle-aged nurse stepped into the room, frowning slightly, her eyes full of quiet worry.
Lyra forced a bright smile, but it looked painfully out of place.
Her shoulders still trembled, and she sniffled softly, her eyes swollen and red from crying.
"Oh, my dear." Nora pulled up a chair and sat beside her.
"Did you chop onions?"
Lyra shook her head.
"But… your eyes look rosier than my lipstick," Nora teased, trying to cheer her up.
She reached over and gave Lyra's shoulder a gentle pat.
"You look upset. What happened?"
Actually, Nora already knew. It was all thanks to Chloe's big mouth.
She had gone around telling everyone about Lyra's massive fight with her fiancé.
By now, everyone knew that Lyra had declared she wanted to break things off.
"Nora… help me," Lyra begged, clutching Nora's hands tightly.
"I'm done with Lucas, but I'm more worried about Grandma. How will she take the news? Her heart isn't strong enough to bear the stress."
Nora reached behind her and patted her softly.
"Oh, my dear… Agnes's tougher than a double-shot espresso," Nora said, giving Lyra's hand a reassuring squeeze.
"How am I supposed to know Grandma can handle this?" Lyra whispered, her gaze falling to the floor.
Nora pressed her lips together, thinking for a moment, and then an idea struck her.
"Let me talk to Agnes. Wait here, I'll grab my bag."
"Okay, Nora. I'll wait for you at the entrance," she said quickly, agreeing without hesitation.
Lyra hurried pack her things and left the room in a rush.
Her car sat at the far end of the parking lot, so she had to cross a long stretch of pavement before she could reach it.
Halfway to her car, a strange feeling crept over her. Someone was following her.