Chapter 3 - THE SECRET MESSAGE
By the next morning, the hospital was heavily guarded by men in black suits.
Maria arrived for her regular shift at the Whitfield estate, expecting to be fired on the spot.
Instead, a black luxury sedan pulled up to the servant's entrance.
A man wearing a sharp suit and an earpiece stepped out and opened the back door.
"Maria Alvarez, Mr. Whitfield has requested your presence at the hospital," the man said blankly.
Maria hesitated, clutching her cleaning supplies tightly to her chest.
"I was told by Mr. Voss that I am no longer welcome there," she replied cautiously.
"Mr. Voss does not own the company yet," the driver stated flatly.
Maria fetched Sophia from the nanny, knowing she could not leave her daughter unprotected.
When they arrived at the hospital, they were escorted through a secret basement entrance.
Dr. Park was waiting for them near the service elevators with a relieved smile.
"He refused to speak to the police or the board until he saw Sophia again," Dr. Park explained.
They entered the VIP suite to find Daniel sitting up slightly, the breathing tubes finally removed.
He looked battered and bruised, but his sharp, calculating mind was clearly functioning again.
When he saw Sophia, the harsh lines around his mouth softened into something resembling a smile.
"You told me not to be afraid," Daniel said, his voice still raspy.
Sophia nodded shyly, hiding behind her mother's leg.
Daniel shifted his gaze to Maria, and the warmth in his eyes instantly vanished, replaced by cold steel.
"My car brakes did not fail on their own, Maria," Daniel said softly.
May you like
Maria gasped, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation.
"Charles Voss tried to kill me, and he is going to try again before I can leave this bed," Daniel whispered.
