Chapter 48

The morning sun cast golden streaks across Adrian's polished mahogany desk as he reviewed his schedule. First on the list: picking up Vivian from Harbor Grand Hotel for lunch, then escorting her to Sapphire Springs Medical Center for a thorough checkup.

Vivian had perfected the art of weaponizing her complaints lately. Just last week, she'd threatened divorce over something as trivial as his late-night business call. Any visible injury would become her ammunition for years. Her porcelain skin showed every mark with embarrassing clarity. The thought alone made his temples throb.

His phone's melodic ringtone interrupted the tension. Miranda Graves' panicked voice crackled through the line. "Mr. Blackwood! Serena's having another cardiac episode!"

Adrian's grip tightened on the device. "Explain."

Miranda's breath hitched. "Last night... there was some misunderstanding with the production team. They accidentally promoted audition hashtags that sparked fan wars. When Vivian's supporters attacked Serena, she released raw audition footage in retaliation." A weighted pause. "You know Serena - she's not the most technically skilled, but no one questions her work ethic. The leaked clips ignited brutal online debates. Critics accused her of scheming her way into roles."

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I found her curled in bed, sobbing into her silk sheets. Gave her sedatives, but she kept waking from nightmares. This morning, her pulse was erratic, her breathing shallow. The paramedics just stabilized her."

Adrian massaged his temples. "I specifically instructed Ethan to scrub all related posts. How did she see them?"

Miranda's guilt was palpable. "My fault entirely. I was discussing damage control in the hallway, unaware she could hear. The midnight hate calls were the final straw. Someone's orchestrating this."

A shaky exhale. "In all her years under your mentorship, she's never faced such vitriol. The cruelty would shake anyone, let alone someone with her condition. Mr. Blackwood, I wouldn't trouble you, but—"

"I'm on my way," Adrian cut in decisively.

Relief colored Miranda's tone. "She'll be overjoyed. Maybe bring peonies? They always cheer her up."

As the call ended, Ethan entered with an extravagant bouquet. "For Mrs. Blackwood, sir. Fresh from the Ivory Summit greenhouse."

Adrian barely glanced at the blooms. "Change of plans. We're heading straight to Emerald Pines Hospital. Serena's condition has worsened."

The roses remained forgotten on the desk as Adrian strode out, his shadow stretching long across the marble floor. Somewhere in the city, two women waited - one in a luxury suite, the other in a hospital bed - both unknowingly bound by the same man's divided attention.