Mag-log inThomas continued, "It took you a full year of knowing Sharon to earn her trust, Julliard. It only took me one month. From now on, unless she sees proof of my betrayal with her own eyes, no one else is going to convince her to doubt me again. "Thank you for stepping in and helping smooth the way, more than once. I have to say, you really are my lucky charm. If I hadn't lost my memory, I might start to wonder if I'd saved your life at some point in the past — otherwise why would you keep giving me such perfectly timed assistance, every single time I needed it?"Julliard was so furious he nearly choked on his own breath. Two schemes now, and he'd gained nothing from either — while handing Thomas a divine assist both times!Remembering how Sharon had just personally fed Thomas, worrying the porridge might not suit his taste and going out to buy fresh porridge herself, Julliard felt a jealousy so intense it bordered on madness. If Thomas hadn't come along to wreck everything, all of tha
Julliard had been hospitalized before too, from saving Sharon — but aside from visiting him often, she'd never once stayed to actually take care of him. In all the time he'd known her, he'd never seen her personally nurse anyone like this.Julliard's handsome face nearly twisted out of his control.Hearing the commotion, Sharon turned toward the door."Julliard?" She looked a little surprised. "What are you doing here?"Julliard drew a quiet breath, forcing his emotions steady. He managed a faint smile. "I heard Thomas was hospitalized, so I came to check on him — and to get my arm looked at again while I'm at it."He was deliberately reminding Sharon that his arm still hadn't healed from saving them.Sharon glanced at his arm. "It's been this long, and your arm still hasn't healed?" She thought it over. "Should I bring in a specialist to take a look? It'd be a shame if it scarred."A flicker of satisfaction rose in Julliard, seeing Sharon's attention finally shift back to him.
Julliard decided he would definitely drive away guys like Jamie and Thomas, who harbored "intentions" toward Sharon. From now on, Sharon's safety would be his to protect.By Julliard's calculations, Sharon should have just about wrapped up dealing with the Thomas situation by now. She was probably in a low mood right about now. Asking her out at a time like this, comforting her after she'd just been betrayed, would only bring them closer.With that in mind, Julliard called Sharon.The phone rang for a long while before she picked up."Julliard, is something wrong?"His voice came out low and gentle. "Sharon, are you free tomorrow? I'd like to take you out to dinner.""I'm sorry, Julliard," Sharon said apologetically, "I'll be at the hospital taking care of Thomas these next few days. I'm afraid I won't have time to go out with you."Julliard's smile froze. "Taking care of Thomas? Why would you be taking care of him? Didn't he already leave?"Sharon sighed. "Julliard, I forgot t
Those two Ferrero relatives were nowhere near a match for Thomas. If he hadn't gone missing for half a year, giving them room to breathe and find an opening, the head-of-family seat would have already been his for the taking.Once they'd finished discussing the Ferrero family matters, Liam hesitated, then asked, "Since you let Miss McKinzie find out you'd been wronged, why not have Meredith point the finger straight at Julliard?"Thomas leaned back lazily against the sofa. "Julliard's methods might be mediocre, but he's careful. He changes the number he uses to contact Meredith every time, and he always uses a voice changer when he talks to her — precisely so that if she ever gets exposed, she can't drag him down with her. "Everything Meredith did to frame me, she did on her own; Julliard only gave advice, never any real help. He's already covered himself. If Meredith accused Julliard without any solid proof, it would only hurt her own credibility — Sharon would just assume she was
But naturally, once everything with Meredith had happened, Thomas's treatment had been put on hold."You've got nothing scheduled tomorrow?" Sharon asked."Nothing," Thomas said."Then I'll set up your treatment appointment for tomorrow. That work for you?"Thomas nodded. "That's fine."...Not long after Thomas finished showering, someone knocked on his door.He opened it to find Liam standing there with Meredith beside him."Mr. Ferrero," Liam said, "I brought Meredith over."Meredith glanced up at Thomas, then dropped her eyes in fright, not daring to meet his gaze. She said, low and deferential, "Mr… Mr. Ferrero."Thomas let the two of them in and asked Meredith, "Did Sharon believe it?""She believed it," Meredith said.Thomas turned to Liam. "Are the rest of the traces cleaned up?""All cleaned up," Liam reported. "Even Julliard won't find a single clue."There'd been nothing coincidental about Wendy running into Meredith at that restaurant — the whole thing had bee
Thomas's voice was unreadable. "Sharon, you don't have to comfort me. I really am not that important, am I? You don't need to blame yourself, and you don't need to feel sorry. "Maybe I was just born someone people don't warm to. That's not your fault. If anything, I'm the one who's sorry — for making you put up with someone you dislike for so long."Remembering how easily she'd doubted him, even outright decided he was the culprit, Sharon felt her guilt deepen.She drew a deep breath. "I don't dislike you."Sharon knew that whatever she said now would sound like an excuse."Thomas," she said, "this is my fault. I promise from now on I won't jump to conclusions based on assumptions. I won't doubt you so easily again."Meredith's plan hadn't been flawless — it had plenty of holes. The fact that Sharon had been so quick to believe Thomas was the mole really showed that, deep down, she'd never fully let go of her doubts and reservations about him. She hadn't trusted him as completel
Carter arrived to find only Julliard standing there, holding Theo in his arms. Sharon was nowhere to be seen.He hurried forward. "Julliard, Theo's out of the fire now. Where's Sharon?"Julliard pressed his lips into a thin line, his expression tight. "Sharon said Thomas is here. She insisted on f
Sharon paused, her hand still clutching the map."It's so late… he should be resting by now."Julliard's voice carried a faint reproach. "Resting? Theo was kidnapped because of him. How could he possibly sleep?"Carter, meanwhile, had long abandoned the thought of sending Thomas to check on Theo.
Breakfast was the only meal she had shared with Thomas for the day.She hadn't been around for lunch, and Liam had kept him company instead—but in the end, Thomas hadn't eaten anything.Liam, as his friend, had already done more than enough by bringing the food. Sharon couldn't possibly expect him
Julliard spoke again, "Sharon, Theo's condition is serious. You take him to the hospital first. I'll stay here and wait for Thomas.""You're injured," Sharon said. "You should go with Theo instead."She hesitated. Letting two wounded people head off alone didn't sit right with her. After a brief p







