Chapter 429

The guard shook his head. "I'm sorry, but the body was claimed last night."

Nathaniel Blackwood's pulse spiked. "By who?"

"One of Mr. Blackwood's relatives. They came late last night."

So the Blackwoods know. His mind raced. Then why is everything so quiet?

He pulled out his phone, scanning headlines—financial news, gossip sites, even Blackwood Group's official channels. Nothing. The silence was unnerving.

This doesn't add up. Was it even him?

"Are you certain it was Nathaniel Blackwood? CEO of Blackwood Group?"

The guard nodded. "Positive. His father identified him personally."

Nathaniel exhaled sharply, suspicion gnawing at him as he returned to Vivian Lockhart's hospital room.

Inside, Sophia Osborne and her boyfriend, William Carter, were already there.

"Viv!" Sophia rushed forward, eyes glistening. "I nearly lost my mind when you vanished! What happened? Who hurt you? I swear I'll make them pay!"

Vivian squeezed her hand. "Relax. Just a clumsy fall. A few weeks of rest and I'll be fine."

William stepped in. "My father knows top orthopedic specialists. I can arrange consultations if you'd like, Miss Lockhart."

Sophia cut in before Vivian could respond. "Obviously she needs them! Call them now. Only the best for Viv."

William nodded, already reaching for his phone.

Vivian hesitated. "Actually... there's someone else who might need them more. Nathaniel Blackwood."

Sophia blinked. "Wait—what? He got hurt too? Saving you?"

"Nearly lost a leg doing it." Vivian's voice was steady, but her fingers tightened around the sheets. "He’s stable now, but a specialist should check him."

Sophia gaped. Since when does that arrogant bastard play the hero?

Liam chose that moment to stride in. "Blackwood can afford his own doctors. If you push too hard, he’ll assume you’re still hung up on him."

Sophia nodded vigorously. "Exactly. You know how his ego works. Don’t give him the wrong idea."

Vivian sighed. They weren’t wrong. "Fine. I’ll drop it."

After a while, Sophia and William rose to leave.

"Wait," Vivian called. "William, I need to speak with you alone. Just for a minute."