Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

There was chaos over at St. Mary's Hospital. Someone had messed with their water system, resulting in a mass poisoning that knocked everyone in
the psychiatric ward out cold. Even Claire's bodyguards, who had grabbed a bite at the cafeteria, were found slumped over in a deep sleep.
The drug used was a powerful psychoactive one. It didn't knock people out instantly. Instead, after eating and drinking, everyone just felt sluggish and
eventually slipped into an unconscious state. By the time Teddy showed up, the whole place was like a scene from a zombie movie—everyone was
out.
But the real kicker? Claire was missing. Her room was empty, and the security cameras had been tampered with. Clearly, this was a well-thought-out
plan.

Connor was stumped about who could be behind this. A nagging feeling of dread crept over him. He turned to the hotel manager and said, "Cancel
tonight's event." Connor wasn't about to gamble with any risks, but that uneasy feeling wouldn't quit. He had dismantled Claire’s inner circle—so how
could she pull this off? It was obvious this was planned and not something she could do solo. What or who was backing her?
There wasn't time to dwell on it. Instinctively, Connor thought of Chloe, then remembered she was still resting at St. Peter’s Cathedral. He needed to
get back to her, pronto. Only with Chloe near could he feel any sense of calm.
Since the news of Claire’s disappearance, it was like a dark pit had opened inside him, growing with a fear he couldn’t name. As Connor headed out,
he tried calling Chloe, but her phone kept ringing with no answer.
Just ten minutes earlier...
When Chloe woke up, Cassie was the only one by her side. Chloe sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Cassie, what's up?"
Cassie explained, "Your husband went on ahead to the Eldridge Hotel. He saw you were sleeping and wanted you to catch some extra Z's, so he left
you be."
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Cassie got up to see who it was. A middle-aged guy in a suit stood there. "Ms. Chloe, I'm Jim from
the car service. Mr. Connor asked me to drive you and Diana over to the Eldridge Hotel once you were up."
Chloe and Cassie hopped into the car. Inside, they found the wedding car decked out with flowers and gifts, leaving just one seat free. Jim suggested,
"Diana can ride in the car behind us. Isaac is driving it."
Cassie hesitated for a moment, but with Chloe's nudge and seeing the lack of space, she agreed to take the car behind.
It wasn’t just Chloe’s car that hit the road; a whole convoy did. But Chloe’s car was at the front of the pack. As they drove, Chloe gazed out the
window, but soon, she got a weird vibe.

The car picked up speed, weaving through traffic and leaving the convoy trailing. Going into a city tunnel, Chloe felt especially on edge. This wasn’t
the way to the Eldridge Hotel.
She looked at the driver, Jim, through the rearview mirror. "Isn't this the wrong way to the Eldridge Hotel?"
Jim replied casually, "Taking a shortcut, Ms. Chloe. No worries." But Chloe's heart was pounding.