Chapter 6 I Can Treat Your Grandfather

The hesitation lasted less than a heartbeat. It was so brief that Claire almost convinced herself she had imagined it.

A faint, unreadable glimmer crossed Dylan's dark eyes before his expression returned to its usual calm stillness.

Claire spoke first. "Thank you." Her voice carried a clean, steady tone.

"It wasn't anything," he replied, his deep voice distant and indifferent.

Her mind drifted back to something Rylie had mentioned in the car earlier.

"Besides Cade searching for Dr. L, Dylan Morgan has been looking for Dr. L, too. Apparently, it's for his grandfather's heart problem."

Claire raised her eyes and met Dylan's gaze directly. "I don't like leaving debts unpaid. Maybe I can repay you with a small favor."

A subtle spark of interest appeared in Dylan's eyes.

"No." His answer came immediately, firm and decisive.

Claire continued speaking as if she hadn't heard the refusal at all. "Mr. Morgan, you're searching for Dr. L, aren't you?"

Dylan's expression sharpened, and his eyes locked onto her with sudden intensity. "What exactly do you know?"

"I can treat your grandfather." Claire didn't hesitate. Her tone stayed steady and unflinching.

The darkness in Dylan's gaze deepened as suspicion quietly filled the space between them. "Who are you?"

"My name is Claire Lloyd," she answered without the slightest pause. "Your grandfather's heart condition has been worsening, and the medication he's taking now is losing its effect. Isn't that correct?"

For a brief moment, Dylan went completely still.

His grandfather's illness was one of the Morgan family's most tightly guarded secrets. Even the doctors responsible for the treatment had been forced to sign strict confidentiality agreements.

Yet this woman had described the situation with unsettling accuracy.

"Then prove it," Dylan muttered quietly, though the pressure in his voice was unmistakable.

Claire opened her clutch and removed a small glass vial containing several dark brown pills.

"This will help with the pain he feels at night," she explained calmly. "When the symptoms start, let him place one beneath his tongue. It will take effect in about five minutes, and the relief will last for roughly six hours. There are no side effects."

Claire extended the small vial toward him. "Have a doctor you trust examine it first. After that, let him try a single dose. If it works, then we can talk about the rest of the treatment."

From the far end of the hallway, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed, followed by Rylie's voice calling out, "Claire? Where did you go?"

Without hesitation, Claire placed the vial into Dylan's hand.

"Whether you trust it or not is up to you," she remarked calmly. "If you decide you want the treatment, call this number."

She quietly recited the digits, gave him a slight nod, and turned away to walk toward Rylie.

Dylan remained standing in the same spot. His eyes stayed on the small vial resting in his palm, his expression unreadable.

...

About thirty minutes later, inside the underground parking garage beneath Nimbus, Rylie slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. Her irritation was obvious. "That jerk Cade. You only just signed the divorce papers, and he's already preparing an engagement party for Dina."

Claire's hand paused on the seat belt. "An engagement party?"

"Yeah," Rylie replied with frustration. "This Saturday. Three days from now. It's happening at the Halcyon Hotel. Invitations have already been sent out. He can't wait to announce it publicly, like he's desperate for everyone to know how deeply in love they are."

Rylie's anger kept building as she gripped the steering wheel. "I'm calling him right now and telling him to stop searching for Dr. L. Dr. L would never-"

"Don't," Claire answered, cutting her off before she could finish.

Rylie stared at her in confusion.

Claire turned her face toward the window. Neon lights slid across the glass, casting a pale glow over her steady, unreadable eyes.

"Tell Cade I'll take the case."

"What are you talking about?"

"He's been searching everywhere for Dr. L, hasn't he?" Claire spoke calmly. "Let him know I'll treat the woman he cares about so much. And set the time and place for the meeting."

Her words paused briefly as a faint smile touched her lips. "Saturday night. The Halcyon Hotel. At their engagement party."

For a moment, Rylie could only stare at Claire. Then a grin slowly spread across her face, caught somewhere between disbelief and excitement.

"Claire, you can't actually be planning to-"

"They want that night to be flawless," Claire responded quietly while watching the city lights rush past the window. Her tone carried a chill beneath its softness. "Then, as his former wife, I should bring them a gift they'll never forget."