After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 36

Flora started to protest, "She had nothing to—"

"Yes!" Louisa cut her off, meeting Caden's gaze with unflinching resolve. "I did send her. Mr. Price, isn't it? Your Price Group and the Young Group are evenly matched—taking them on wouldn't be easy. But destroying me? That should be child's play."

Her lips curved in a cold smile, as though daring him to try.

Caden bristled at the deliberate provocation.

Louisa turned to George, her voice dropping to steel. "I can't control what others do, but know this—if you move against Flora or the Young Group, I will never forgive you. Not in this lifetime."

George remained silent.

He hadn't actually intended to retaliate against Flora; it had been an empty threat born of frustration.

Seeing Louisa's ghostly pallor and trembling frame, he stepped toward her. "Enough of this. You look unwell. Let me take you back."

"That won't be necessary."

She reached for Sadie and Flora, one on each side. "We're leaving."

"Damn right we are," they answered in unison.

The three women departed like a storm—swift and leaving destruction in their wake.

In the wreckage of his office, George pressed his fingers against his throbbing temples.

Caden's face darkened with outrage. "Mr. Capulet, she's merely your secretary. Are you really going to let her humiliate my sister in front of me?"

Vivian continued her theatrical sobbing, the sound grating on George's already frayed nerves.

He helped her to her feet with practiced tenderness.

"Flora has always been... impulsive," he told Caden. "Let's put this incident behind us. As for the distress Vivian suffered today—that's my responsibility. I'll make it up to her."

"You think a simple promise fixes this?" Caden snapped. "Vivian is our family's treasure!"

George's patience thinned. "What exactly do you want from me?"

As Caden opened his mouth to answer, Vivian slipped her arms around George's waist, nestling against him. "Caden, please," she whispered brokenly. "Don't blame George. It's not his fault."

Caden stared at his lovesick sister in exasperation before storming out.

After offering Vivian a few soothing words, George prepared to visit the hospital. He couldn't shake the image of Louisa's deathly pale face, the way she'd looked moments from collapse. He needed to know she was alright.

Vivian sensed his concern for Louisa and hatred burned through her veins. The woman had literally set a fire—how had she not perished in the flames?

Still, she masked her thoughts behind a mask of sweet understanding. "Go to her," she murmured. "I'll be waiting when you return."

George patted her head affectionately. "Good girl."

---

Louisa collapsed the moment they reached the hospital, slipping back into unconsciousness.

Sadie and Flora kept vigil at her bedside, their hearts breaking at the sight of her motionless form, her face as white as the sheets beneath her.

"I have to say it—you were reckless today," Sadie finally scolded. "Why didn't you tell us before charging off to confront George?"

"I was just so angry," Flora defended herself. "That bastard—what gives him the right to treat our Louisa this way?"

"What's done is done. Just promise you'll think before acting next time." Sadie sighed, changing the subject. "Louisa never mentions any family, and that husband of hers is worse than useless. Should we hire a professional caretaker for her?"

Flora shot her an indignant look. "Why hire someone when I'm right here? I can take care of her."

Sadie, who'd just taken a sip of water, sprayed it across the room.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Flora demanded.

Sadie couldn't help laughing, patting Flora's shoulder. "No offense, but you're hardly caretaker material. Louisa usually ends up taking care of you."

"I'm sitting right here, you know!"

"Okay, okay! Let's be practical," Sadie said, sobering. "I have court cases every day this week, and your studio keeps you busy. We should hire someone to watch her round the clock, and we'll visit whenever we can. What do you think?"

"I guess that makes sense," Flora reluctantly agreed.

Just then, the "worse than useless" husband himself appeared in the doorway.

"You two can go," George announced. "I'll take care of her."

"You?" Flora's lip curled in contempt.

George fixed her with an icy stare. "What's the problem? She's my wife."

As if he would abandon his own wife in her time of need.

Flora laughed outright. "So you remember she's your wife now? Would you dare admit that in public?"

George's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Flora, I've told you before—what happens between Louisa and me is none of your business."

"You—"

Flora's retort died as Sadie grabbed her arm. "That's enough. We're leaving."

She practically dragged Flora from the room.

Once in the hallway, Flora yanked her arm free. "What are you doing? We can't leave her alone with that monster! Who knows what he might do to hurt her again?"

"This is a hospital," Sadie reasoned. "He's not going to try anything here. Besides, they have issues that need resolving, and we're just in the way. This is between husband and wife."

"I hope you're right."

"Let's handle our work so we can free up more time to visit her, okay?"

---

Louisa slept deeply, oblivious to the drama unfolding around her hospital bed.

She didn't wake until nightfall.

When her eyes finally fluttered open, the room was shrouded in darkness, save for a single dim lamp. The sharp scent of antiseptic filled her nostrils, reminding her she was in the hospital.

She seemed to be spending a lot of time in medical facilities lately.

George immediately leaned forward. "You're awake. Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor?"

Louisa, unwilling to face him, simply closed her eyes again.

"Louisa!" George's voice deepened with frustration at her silent treatment. "Talk to me. What hurts?"