Beyond Boundaries

CHAPTER 9:

The tension at the company's entrance was spreading. Estelle felt uncomfortable speaking with Steven Hoods, the CEO.

Estelle, keeping a straight face: "He did, but I am an early bird."

Steven showed Estelle the way.

Steven: "Why do you look uncomfortable, Miss Estelle?"

Estelle hesitated: "Me, uncomfortable? You must be mistaken, Mr. Hoods."

Steven, keeping his demeanor with a smile: "You can call me Steven, no need for formalities. Relax."

An employee called for Steven, and Estelle was left on her own after he told her to wait a few minutes for him.

Estelle wandered into an employee's office, and he appeared suddenly.

Employee, surprised: "Are you Estelle, Nolan's girlfriend? You look prettier in real life."

Estelle, confidently: "Thank you, I know I am pretty!"

Employee, in a low voice: "She is full of herself, just like they said."

Estelle, sarcastically: "Well, I like being full of myself, so you can say that to my face."

Employee, hesitated and worried: "I am sorry, please don't fire me! I am Carl, a colleague of Nolan."

Estelle, confused: "Why would I do such a thing?"

Estelle extended her hand: "Well, it's nice to meet you, Carl."

Carl was left in shock, then he gave his hand back for a salutation.

Estelle, curiously: "So, what is your role in this company?"

Carl, showing a shy face: "I am still a beginner. There is no big deal about my role. I just analyze the company's footprint visitors and deduce information about that person in detail."

Estelle, surprised: "Wow, you are a genius!"

Estelle lowered her voice: "If you are not paid well, you should come to my company. You can do this and take a big amount of money. You will be on my side because I have many enemies."

Carl reassured Estelle: "Thank you, Miss, but I am well paid. I want to stay in this company to grow my abilities."

Estelle, feeling guilty: "You are right, this is where you belong. I am sorry, I lack knowledge in this domain. You have a good view of the future. I wish you luck with your success."

Carl, happy: "Thank you, Miss. If you are waiting for Nolan, he is on his way here. He told us he will be late."

Estelle: "I am an early bird, you know."

Steven came all of a sudden.

Steven: "It's good to be an early bird."

Estelle, embarrassed: "I didn't mean it like that!"

Then they were heading to his office.

Estelle straightened herself and spoke confidently: "I don't intend to enter your office. I want to avoid the employees speaking behind my or Nolan's back since I am an important guest and, because of me, you will promote Nolan."

Steven, reassuring: "Is that what you are worrying about? Just be relieved. In this company, we value talented and hardworking employees!"

Estelle, sarcastically: "Of course, that should be the law. Having someone like Nolan will only elevate your company's rank."

Steven, smiling: "Don't worry, I don't accept incompetence in my employees, and I know everyone's value."

Steven, curiously: "But can I know the reason for your presence here? You were trying to buy one of my employees! I noticed that."

Estelle showed a sharp demeanor: "Does that bother you? I already got a refusal, and since I have no information about this domain, I know he is where he belongs."

Estelle, sarcastically: "I came here to visit Nolan for something personal, but it might be beneficial for you. But don't worry, I am not the girl who keeps her boyfriend away from his work."

Steven, with a curious smile: "Beneficial, you said. You are very mysterious, Miss Estelle, and way more beautiful when you speak."

The door opened, and Nolan had already arrived.

Nolan, worried: "Estelle, are you alright? I am sorry for keeping you waiting."

Estelle looked at Nolan, bothered: "It's okay, what matters is that you finally came."

Steven, mischievously: "Having such a beautiful girlfriend waiting for you is wrong, Nolan, and I see that you are missing your work lately."

Nolan, annoyed: "It's none of your business, Steven. Stay out of this. And about work, I just avoided bringing journalists to the company and finished all my duties. The rest is up to you and the team."

Nolan took Estelle's hand and turned around: "And about the work, we are going to do thanks to Estelle, I got a new idea to develop my big projects!"

Estelle, coldly: "Well, Mr. Hoods, can you stop speaking to me that way? I truly despise that!"

Steven was surprised, but his curiosity about Estelle increased.

Nolan took Estelle to his office, concerned, and asked: "Estelle, what's with your reaction? Did he say anything inappropriate to you?"

Estelle, angry: "Why did you come late? Do you know how I felt waiting for you here?"

Nolan, worried: "Estelle, relax, you are scaring me! I know he wouldn't do something bad to you. He's just a bastard playboy, and who I respect is his father."

Estelle, trying to breathe and trembling in a low voice: "He reminded me of a certain person. I know I overreacted, but he speaks just like that person, and it makes my body chill through my veins."

Nolan, comforting Estelle, hugged her to calm her down.

Nolan, concerned: "If you are not feeling well, we can delay it to another time."

Estelle remained straight and determined: "No, we have to break into their system."

Nolan, with a comforting look, sat on his laptop and started doing some coding, then switched to another laptop.

Nolan, focused: "We should use another laptop to avoid their suspicions, and we will throw it into the ocean."

Estelle was surprised: "Is it that dangerous? And how could you manage to buy something new and throw it away? How can you afford that?"

Nolan, focused: "It was a gift from an indecent boy!"

Nolan, focused: "I found something!"

Estelle sat near Nolan. All of a sudden, Estelle was left in shock, covering her mouth. She started trembling.

Estelle's eyes were filled with tears. Nolan showed a disgusted look.

Nolan noticed Estelle, so he covered the screen.

Nolan, worried: "You don't have to look at these filthy things."

Estelle, scared: "What have I done? Why did I involve you in this?"

Nolan put his arms around Estelle, trying to comfort her.

Nolan, worried: "Take a deep breath. Everything will be okay! I won't even let them near you. With this file, we can end them forever."

Estelle was scared: "What if they realize and harm you or Lisa? I don't want to think about it!"

Nolan, suspiciously: "Did he do something to you?"

Estelle lost consciousness. Nolan, in fear, called for the ambulance, but it was just a panic attack.

Estelle woke up at the hospital.

Estelle, touching her head: "Where am I?"

Nolan, concerned: "Estelle, how do you feel right now?"

Estelle, in panic: "The file and laptop?"

Nolan, reassuring: "I got rid of them and took a file copy and sent it to my police friend. He should find the places on the file to confirm the information, but everything is safe right now. We will observe every move from them."

Estelle was relieved: "Is that truly how it will end? They have industries. If they have a man who covered all of that for them, you would be in trouble."

Nolan, taking a deep breath: "Well, I warned my friend about the intruder, and I have a trusted journalist who has eyes everywhere and brings just the truth. He will extract everything, so relax a bit."

Estelle, trying to calm down: "If you say so."

Estelle informed Nolan that tomorrow is going to be Lisa's engagement party.

Estelle, tired: "She ordered both of us to wear matching outfits!"

Nolan, confused: "Shouldn't I just wear something fancy, and you will match me with the color?"

Estelle was disappointed: "You have no sense of fashion. We should go shopping together!"

Nolan, proudly: "Excuse me, I am more stylish than Steven in the company."

Estelle, tired: "I NEVER SAID OTHERWISE. I just mentioned a matching outfit, so I should be the one choosing!"

Nolan exhausted: "Do whatever you want. I have work to do in the company, so I should head back."

Nolan took Estelle to the mall, asked for his sizes, and then went excited. Nolan was watching her happily.

The next evening, the preparations were finished and everyone was ready. Nolan, wearing the suit Estelle ordered for him, looked elegant and manly. He was waiting outside for Estelle. When Estelle appeared, she looked magnificent in a golden dress.

Nolan was charmed by her looks.

Nolan held her hand with a smile: "You look fabulous!"

Then he turned her around.

Estelle: "So let's go, my fake boyfriend, brother, friend."

The evening started, and the party had a fancy and elegant aura. Lisa, wearing a turquoise shining dress, looked wonderful with Simon. Even Layla and Michael attended the party together. Estelle was annoyed and held tightly onto Nolan.

Nolan, worried: "What's wrong?"

Estelle, annoyed: "My father and your mother are still together! Just how much do they love each other?"

Nolan, reassuring: "They can't marry if we are dating, so relax!"

Estelle felt chills through her veins, like someone was watching her from afar.

Nolan noticed Estelle's reaction: "Are you alright?"

Estelle, comforting Nolan: "Nothing, just being at such a party makes me feel uncomfortable."

Nolan, worried: "Is it okay if I leave you on your own after two hours? I have to head to the company, I have many tasks to achieve."

Estelle, reassuring confidently: "What do you think of me? I can handle everything, don't worry!"

Nolan smiled, petting her head: "I know that."

Estelle, embarrassed: "What are you doing? It makes me feel shy!"

Suddenly, a romantic song started playing on the piano. Simon asked Lisa for a dance, and they started slow dancing.

Nolan extended his hand to Estelle, asking her for a dance, and she accepted.

Estelle's face was full of happiness and she felt awkward since all the people were looking at them. Nolan couldn't take his eyes off her, but she also had the feeling of being watched by someone from afar.

After they cut the cake and wore the rings, it was already time for Nolan to leave. He hugged Estelle and then left.

Lisa came to stay with Estelle.

Lisa, excited: "You looked perfect for each other, you and Nolan!"

Estelle sighed: "You and Simon are the stars of this event. You are very beautiful, and this dress suits you perfectly!"

Lisa narrowed her eyes: "But that Nolan did something unsuitable by leaving you on your own."

Estelle, indifferent: "You know well it's a cosplay! And he has to work!"

Lisa, determined: "You looked so real to me, and Simon thought that you were truly in love. They were all jealous of you!"

Estelle insisted in a low voice: "I still care for Lucas, and he still cares for Stella, so you should stop!"

Lisa, confused: "Are you sure about him? Looking at him, he seemed definitely over her because what she did to him is nothing compared to you and Lucas!"

Estelle in a strict voice: "Now that you are engaged, shouldn't you focus on your career?"

Lisa happily: "Now that he's captured, I can focus on my career."

Simon came with a smile: "Am I a fish to be captured?"

Lisa, smiling back at him: "Of course, I was so cautious around you to escape from me!"

Simon, looking deep into Lisa's eyes: "Why would I escape from the woman I cherish the most?"

Lisa, smiling happily: "Stop, you're making me feel shy!"

Estelle, smiling: "Congratulations, Simon. You should take care of Lisa well and never make her upset."

Simon sighed: "Well, don't worry, everyone is against me. I don't want to try anything to upset her!"

Estelle left Lisa and Simon in their happy moment and went to the terrace, avoiding her father. Watching from afar, Estelle noticed someone downstairs. She recognized that someone, so she headed downstairs. Lisa noticed her and followed.

Estelle headed directly to the person, a woman wearing a hat and glasses to hide herself.

Estelle got closer to the woman.

Estelle in an unsure voice: "Stella? Is that you?"

The woman removed her glasses; it was Stella Stone, the famous star and Nolan's ex-girlfriend.

Stella grabbed Estelle's hand and pressed tightly: "It's your fault that Nolan left me! Stay away from him!"

Estelle used force and released her hand: "Are you crazy? If you lost your boyfriend, it's your own fault."

Estelle, annoyed: "You should leave before anyone sees us here."

Estelle noticed Stella's phone ringing with a call from her manager. She took the phone and answered. Stella, annoyed, shoved her, and Estelle fell on her feet.

Estelle on the phone, in a serious tone and in pain: "Stella is losing her mind. I will bring her closer to you, so you should take her to the neighborhood nearby."

Estelle stood up, then Lisa came.

Lisa, worried: "Estelle, are you okay? Are you crazy? Get lost!"

Estelle stopped Lisa.

Estelle reassuring: "Don't tell anyone. I will return her safely and come back. Don't ruin your party."

Lisa, worried: "Are you crazy? She came to attack you!"

Estelle reassuring: "She will face many problems if she gets exposed! I will handle the situation and meet up with her manager."

Estelle grabbed Stella in a drunk state, trying to control her and make her enter the car. Then Estelle entered the car and drove off.

Lisa, without hesitation, called Nolan.

Lisa, worried: "Nolan, your crazy ex-girlfriend came to bust the party, and Estelle stopped her. But I'm afraid something bad might happen to her because Stella, in her state, might cause an accident."

Nolan, shocked on the phone: "Lisa, calm down. Explain quietly!"

Lisa explained everything to Nolan, so he left work and headed to Estelle directly.

On the way, Estelle was driving when suddenly Stella started moving the car's steering wheel, and the car began to swerve.

Estelle, in panic: "Have you lost your mind? Do you want to die?"

Stella, crying in anger: "If I have to die and take you with me, I will, just to keep you away from Nolan!"

Estelle managed to handle the car, parked it on the right side, and removed the keys. She got out of the car and put the keys outside near the front door on the street.

Estelle, angry and tired: "You should handle yourself. I don't want to die with you. The manager will come. I will wait outside."

She locked the car and stood by.

Nolan was worried and searched everywhere until he noticed a car parked on the side. He rushed over and saw Estelle away from the car, so he headed to her quickly.

Nolan, relieved: "I am glad you're okay!"

Nolan hugged Estelle out of worry.

Estelle pushed him away, annoyed: "I am fine. You don't need to make a big fuss about it."

Estelle sighed tiredly: "I managed to keep her away from view and lock her in the car."

Nolan, concerned: "Your leg is bleeding. Don't you feel hurt?"

Estelle ignored him: "All that matters is that you managed to handle her. You should go speak with her."

The sound of a car taking off at high speed spread through the air. Estelle and Nolan, out of breath, turned around. It was Stella, who had moved the car and was heading straight toward Estelle to crash into her. Estelle, out of shock, froze in her place, wondering how she had managed to move the car.

Nolan, out of panic, pushed Estelle toward his body and switched places with her. Everything went blank in Estelle's eyes.

The car stopped, and the sound of crying and shouting was everywhere. Estelle opened her eyes to the noise. She was unable to move, and a body was over her. She suddenly realized it was Nolan; he had protected her by switching places with her.

Estelle, in shock and out of breath: "Nolan? Nolan! Nolan!"

Estelle looked at her hand, trembling and full of blood. It wasn't hers; it was Nolan's blood.

Estelle, trembling in panic: "Nolan, wake up! Nolan, wake up!"

Estelle, crying and panicking, raised her voice: "Why did you save me? Nolan!"

Estelle yelled at Stella, who was locked in the car: "Call the ambulance right now!"

Stella, crying, called emergency services.

At the hospital, Estelle, in a devastated state, didn't want to let go of Nolan's hand. They took him to the emergency room. Estelle sat on the floor, her dress covered in blood, frozen and with eyes full of tears. She found a nurse and begged her.

Estelle, crying: "Please save him! Please!"

The nurse, noticing her scars: "We will do our best! But miss, you also need treatment!"

Estelle ignored the nurse: "What's important now is to save him!"

After an hour, Estelle was still in her devastated state when Michael and Layla arrived in a panic. Layla was crying, and as the doctors came out of the emergency room, they all rushed to them.

Doctor: "He is in a stable condition. Luckily, no severe injuries were found, just a broken bone."

Estelle, relieved, fell to the floor, and Michael hugged Layla, happy that the danger was avoided. Michael noticed Estelle.

Michael, in a cold, furious voice: "Can't you be responsible for your actions? You just keep wishing for the best! Look at you, causing problems for those around you again. Can't you learn a lesson and stop?"

Estelle kept crying without a word, feeling guilty. Layla intervened.

Layla, angry at Michael: "Can't you see her condition! Be more understanding. Nothing is her fault. Stop blaming this poor girl. The important thing is that he is alright!"

Layla put her hand on Estelle's cheek, her eyes full of kindness and worry.

Layla: "Are you okay, dear?"

Estelle, feeling the warm hands of Layla, started crying again.

Layla, concerned: "Stop crying. Everything is fine. He is fine!"

Estelle, sobbing: "It's because of me, because he saved me!"

Layla, concerned: "Stop blaming yourself. It's not your fault."

Estelle, sobbing: "I am sorry for causing this to Nolan! It's because he saved me."

Layla hugged Estelle with a tender voice: "WHY ARE YOU APOLOGIZING? You were also concerned and attacked! You did nothing wrong, and my son likes being heroic. Don't blame yourself."

Estelle continued crying in Layla's arms while she comforted her.

The doctors said that Nolan had woken up. Layla and Michael entered his room for a visit.

Layla, relieved: "I am glad you are okay."

Tears started falling from Layla's eyes.

Nolan, in pain: "Of course, I am strong enough. Stop crying, Mom, you are making me feel guilty."

Nolan looked around them and then asked, panicked: "Where is Estelle? How is she? Is she hurt?"

Michael, in a gentle tone: "She is fine, thanks to you. I don't know how I am going to repay you for saving her life. I am really grateful for this."

Layla, in a gentle voice: "She's outside waiting. She felt guilty to face you."

Nolan asked, concerned: "Can I see her?"

Layla was surprised: "Fine, me and Michael will step outside. If you need anything, call me!"

Layla and Michael stepped outside the room, then Estelle entered, lowering her head and getting closer.

Nolan, in pain: "Come closer, Estelle! And don't lower your head; you did nothing wrong!"

Estelle started crying: "I am sorry."

Nolan, concerned: "You look awful. You should at least change your clothes and stop apologizing. I should apologize for making you worry like this."

Nolan, with a deep smile: "I am glad nothing happened to you! You should at least get treated."

Estelle, worried: "How do you feel?"

Nolan sighed: "Great until I saw you in this condition!"

Estelle hugged Nolan with all her force, forgetting he was injured. Nolan tried to endure the pain. He felt something unexpected, so he couldn't move.

Estelle came back to her senses.

Estelle, worried: "I am sorry! I didn't mean it. I forgot you were injured! Are you hurt?"

Nolan annoyed: "Stop apologising and get yourself new clothes and treated, then come back. Look at you, more miserable than me."

Nolan sent Estelle away from his room. All of a sudden, Estelle got a text saying, "You enjoyed your time of dating, but don't forget about us. -Jeremiah." Estelle turned off her phone and ignored the message.

After Estelle changed her clothes, Lisa and Simon came to visit Nolan in his room.

Nolan, annoyed: "Why did you come, Lisa, bringing your fiancé with you?"

Lisa, angry: "How dare you! We were worried about you! We came to check on you, so you should thank us!"

Nolan sighed: "Thank you, but visits to patients must be short. You should know that since you are a doctor!"

Lisa, annoyed: "Blaming us for checking on you? Let's go, Simon!"

Simon stopped Lisa in a calm voice: "I’m glad you’re okay, Nolan. Lisa, didn’t you want to say something to him about Estelle?"

Lisa realized Estelle wasn’t there, so she spoke normally.

Lisa, determined: "I know you saved her, but you should be more aware! That girl is always facing danger!"

Nolan, with a smile: "I’m grateful to you for informing me. Thank you, Lisa."

Lisa, sarcastically: "It was for Estelle. Even if we don’t show our friendship, she would do everything for me."

Lisa, showing a sad smile: "Seriously? If I knew she was like that, I would never have ignored her. Seeing such a beautiful side of her and at the same time heartbreaking made me realize her value!"

Nolan smiled: "I agree with you!"

Estelle suddenly entered: "What do you agree about?"

Lisa took Simon's hand: "Let’s go, Simon. The visit to the sick must be short!"

Estelle: "Wait, what were you talking about?"

Lisa took Simon and left. Estelle fixated her sharp eyes on Nolan.

Nolan, pretending pain: "I’m sorry! I can’t explain properly!"

Estelle, annoyed: "Well, if you refuse, you should say so!"

Nolan, surprised: "Okay? What are you angry about?"

Estelle, determined: "I am not angry, but I came to discuss an important matter with you."

Nolan, worried: "About what?"

Estelle, uncertain: "Can you give me your police friend's phone number? Or the journalist?"

Nolan, confused: "Why is that?"

Estelle, in a strict, cold voice: "I need to put an end to the Kilians. Even if it’s not the end, just keeping them away from us is good."

Nolan, worried: "Did they bother you again? What's the reason?"

Estelle, avoiding explaining: "It’s just a simple thing. You don’t have to bother yourself about it. You should heal as soon as you can."

Nolan, angry: "Are you playing with me? Say it!"

Estelle, worried: "I will be honest with you, but don’t get angry at me."

Nolan, trying to calm himself: "Fine, but why would I?"

Estelle gulped water, then uneasily: "They keep sending me uncomfortable messages, and I need the CCTV camera recording from the day of our meeting because it disappeared."

Nolan got annoyed: "What do you mean by messages?"

Estelle showed her phone to Nolan.

Nolan got angry and wanted to remove the serum attached to his hand, but Estelle put her hand on his, stopping him with a reassuring voice.

Estelle: "You promised me you wouldn't get angry! I am alright! All I need is the camera record and these messages to keep them away from our family!"

Nolan, angrily curious: "Why do you need the record?"

Estelle, trying to calm the situation: "To show how he threatened me."

Nolan, annoyed: "How about the employees? Didn't they notice anything?"

Estelle, uneasy: "You know they are afraid of losing their jobs, and one of them is a traitor."

Estelle, determined: "Just give me their numbers. I will ask your mother to help me if I need to! Also, I have something to announce to you after this! You can trust me!"

Nolan, worried: "I trust you, but you need help."

Estelle, reassuring: "This is more like a private matter, but when you get well, you can help me."

Nolan hugged Estelle to support her. Estelle felt really uneasy, her heart started racing, so she released herself.

Estelle, awkwardly: "Well, I am leaving."

Michael called Estelle to come back home to discuss something with her.

At the Jefferson estate, Michael and Layla were in the office.

Michael spoke suddenly: "Well, how do you feel?"

Estelle, surprised: "Fine, I guess."

Michael, in a gentle demeanor: "I found a way to make you feel better, away from this stressful life!"

Estelle, worried: "Don't tell me it’s an arranged marriage with Mateo."

Michael returned to his strict demeanor; even Layla was wondering what he was suggesting.

Michael: "You are going to work away. I already got you plane tickets."

Michael: "The Kilians decided to offer you a position in Sweden to work there, and it's not hard to handle, so I agreed to that, and you will be leaving tomorrow! They wanted you to get in a good relationship."

Estelle, angry: "Excuse me? The Kilians again! No way, I won't accept it."

Layla, disappointed in Michael: "Is this your way of making her happy? I never expected such a thing from you!"

Michael, strict: "What's your problem with them? Refusing every offer? I already accepted; you have to do so too."

Estelle, annoyed: "I don't want to go anywhere near them; they make me sick!"

Michael, furiously: "Have you seen what you cause by being here? You should at least be responsible for once! You will go even if it's by force, and Layla, don’t interfere; I know what's better for my daughter!"

Estelle started panicking and trembling; she left for her room and started breaking everything around her.

Layla came to stop her, worried: "Sweetheart! Don't worry, I will speak with your father when he calms down!"

Estelle started denying and closing her ears; after a moment, she realized Layla's warm eyes.

Estelle, desperate: "I can't stand this any longer. I want to ask for help! I am sorry, Mother; it seems like your daughter can't take this revenge for you! I am so sorry!"

Estelle hugged Layla, crying: "I am sorry, please help me! Please! I don't want to go; they did something bad to me. Please help me."

Layla, full of sorrow: "Sweetheart, calm down. I will help you. What do you mean by 'bad'?"

Estelle told everything to Layla. Layla, in shock, started crying.

Layla, comforting and petting Estelle's head: "It's okay! You are not going anywhere! I am here with you!"

Layla told Estelle to remain in her room while she spoke with Michael.

Layla entered the office, shoving the door, her eyes full of rage and tears.

Michael, in shock: "Layla? What's wrong? Did she say something to you that harmed you?"

Layla slapped Michael in the face.

Layla, in a hurt voice: "How could you let your daughter suffer without realizing it?"

Michael, angry: "What do you mean? She played innocent in front of you and made you against me again!"

Layla, hurt, in a cracked voice: "She was just begging for help! Do you know how filthy the Kilians are?"

Michael, annoyed: "She finally gave you reasons because she refused every time I asked her."

Layla, with rage: "Of course, she would refuse if she had a father like you! If I knew this from the beginning, I wouldn't have even accepted marrying you, Michael."

Layla, in rage and a cracked voice: "At least if you consider her your daughter, be a man and defend her for once. You should protect her."

Layla told Michael everything she heard from Estelle. Michael was left in shock and became enraged. He called for a company meeting with all the employees.

Michael, in rage: "They dare play with me and harm my daughter by using me! I won't let them get away with this! I will make them regret stepping into our company!"

Layla returned to Estelle's room, which was a mess. She found Estelle hugging a pillow, lost in thought.

Layla, in a tender voice: "Estelle, how do you feel right now?"

Estelle, realizing Layla's presence, sat up in a rush and asked: "What happened? Did you inform Dad?"

Layla, with a reassuring smile: "Yes, he will deal with them in his own way, so just relax. Everything will be fine."

Estelle remembered: "The file! It is with Nolan's friend."

Layla was shocked: "Have you informed Nolan about this?"

Estelle, confused: "Yes, he insisted, but I only told him they threatened me. I also showed him the texts."

Layla, worried: "Do you realize what you've done? Nolan will never stay silent!"

Estelle, surprised: "But he promised me he would rest!"

Layla, with eyes full of worry: "Sweetheart, don’t believe every promise he makes, especially concerning these kinds of topics."

The phone rings, and Estelle picks it up.

Estelle: "Yes?"

Nurse: "We are calling from the hospital. It seems Mr. Smith has disappeared."

Estelle: "What do you mean by he disappeared? Did he escape?"

Estelle hung up the phone, stood up, and rushed toward her car, taking off.

Layla, worried, kept calling her, but she didn't listen.

Meanwhile, at the company, Michael gathered all the employees.

Michael, in a strict tone: "Find me the camera record of my daughter's meeting with the Kilians right now! If you don't manage to find it or know who took it, you will all be fired. Nobody would accept such a traitor in their company, and this will affect the support you receive for your families."

The employees started panicking and running everywhere, searching for the record until one of them revealed seeing Killian investors making inappropriate advances toward Estelle.

Michael's fearsome tone: What a waste of employees who use my distant relationship with my daughter against me.