With Connor’s phone in my hand, I take one last look while the medical staff work gets him comfortable in bed with an IV in his arm.  My heart aches seeing him like this, but there isn’t anything I can do.  I would be in the doctor’s way if I stayed.  Plus, I have promised the P.I. to get back to him later regarding the information that he has sent.  I take a deep breath before I turn towards the doctor.  “Doc, I’ll be down the hall working on some files.  If you need anything, let me know.  Okay.” The middle-aged man looks up at me and nods.  However, immediately turns his attention back to my husband.  I walk out of the room and down the hall into the next vacant bedroom.  As I sit down on the edge of the bed, I open Connor’s phone and look for the investigator’s messages.  Within seconds, I locate the various files and slowly go through the information.  My blood boils with each item I loo

As soon as I get everything I need to complete done, I reach for my phone. Ring…ring…ring…I don’t even let Ryan answer as I cut him off.  “Hey, did you look through all the information the P.I. has sent?”He sighs.  “Yeah, I did.  What are you planning on doing?”I shake my head and lean back against the chair.  “I haven’t had a clear mind to do anything.  I’ve been sick, but Deanna has been thinking and forming a plan with the help of Cliff and his family.  I have to admit, she is smart.  I don’t know if I would have thought of some things she did.”A soft chuckle spills from the phone.  “I’m sure she is.  Hey, did you see the news about the latest business awards?”I shake my head as my eyes roam back over to my laptop.  “No.  Is there something I need to know?”

My eyes lock with theirs.  I instantly start coughing and my eyes water as the champagne accidentally goes down my throat wrong.  Connor quickly takes my glass away from me and pats my back.  “Love, are you alright?  Did something happen?” I try to talk, but all I can manage is a grunt as I wave my hand back and forth in front of me.  Luckily, the press isn’t anywhere near.  This all I need right now is to end up on the front page of all the newspapers and websites for almost choking to death on a glass of champagne.  Dotty rushes to my side and gently pats my back.  “Do you need a glass of water?” My eyes continue to water as I shake my head.  Barbara and Cliff also step closer to me as their faces fill with concern.  Cliff softly asks, “Did you see something to make you choke?” My eyes widen as I continue to cough while my throat and lungs burn.  He says nothing e

I watch Deanna as she scans the table and the various name plates.  I also can’t help but to notice how her body tenses after she spots not only her parents but also my family’s name plate.  She knew this was going to happen.  This is part of our plan, but after last night, I realize that even though she talks like she is fine, she really isn’t.  On the outside, she may appear to be strong, but on the inside, she is still the neglected child who wishes to have her parents’ love. I lean towards her and gently kiss her cheek.  “Love, everything will be alright.  Don’t worry.”Her lower lip trembles as she takes a deep breath.  She slowly turns her head towards me and nods. My heart aches seeing the doubt swirling in her eyes. Ryan sits down next to me.  “It won’t be much longer now before the rest of our group will find the table.  Is everyon

I glance between Chet and Charles as Charles' last few words repeat in my head.  Call to action. I swallow the lump in my throat and keep my focus on Chet as the tension quietly builds between the two men. I gasp as he suddenly stands up and his legs shove his chair backward, and a loud screech slices through the air.  Steam almost whistles out of him as he snarls at the other man.  “This is outrageous.  I have…”As his face turns bright red, he clutches his hands into fists and abruptly turns and storms off through the crowd and out of the banquet hall. My eyes stare at the last spot I could see his back before he disappeared into the crowd.  What in the heck just happened? A crease forms along my forehead as I tilt my head. However, I know this isn’t done yet. ***As we walk into his office at WW Enterprises, Connor asks, “So, are you