After Valentine's Day, the connection between Ondine and Seth had warmed considerably, shifting from the politeness of near-strangers to a subtle, simmering intimacy.The day after their date, Seth had flown back to Riverdale. He'd thrown himself into his work, cramming two weeks of tasks into five grueling days.Zeke was stunned. Was his boss trying to make Thorne Group the number one company in the world overnight?He soon found out why Seth was working himself to the bone.The moment his work was done, Seth was on the next flight to Boreal, claiming he needed to inspect the branch office. Updates are released by finḑnovel.netZeke scoffed inwardly. "Right, 'inspect the branch office.' Just say you want to go see your wife."When the executives at the Boreal branch heard their CEO was coming for another inspection, they were dumbfounded. "Excuse me? Didn't he just inspect us two weeks ago? Why is he back already? Can someone please explain what's going on?"...Seth wanted to surprise Ondine, so he hadn't told her he was coming. At ten-thirty that night, he arrived at the villa, weary from his travels.Zaria was lounging on the couch in the living room, scrolling through her phone. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw him. "Seth! What are you doing in Boreal?"He ignored her question, asking one of his own. "Where's Ondine?""She's not back yet," Zaria said. "She's usually home by now. I don't know what's keeping her tonight."A knot of worry tightened in Seth's chest. His first thought was that Yvaine's condition had worsened, and Ondine was staying at the hospital with her. He immediately called Yvaine's attending physician.The doctor assured him that Yvaine's condition was stable and that Ondine had left the hospital over an hour ago.Seth's brow furrowed slightly.If she wasn't at the hospital and she wasn't home, had something happened to her?His heart clenched, and a rare flicker of anxiety crossed his usually impassive features."What's wrong? Is Ondine not at the hospital?" Zaria asked."No." Seth was already walking toward the door, dialing Ondine's number.The phone rang a few times before it was abruptly disconnected.noveldramaSeth's stride faltered, a cold glint flashing in his eyes....In a private room at an upscale club, Ellis stared at Ondine, his eyes red and brimming with a storm of emotions.That afternoon, he'd learned from Melvin that Ondine had been heading toward Lustrous Medical Center. He'd driven there immediately, parking in the open-air lot across the street to wait for her.An hour earlier, just as Ondine had stepped out of the hospital, Ellis bad intercepted her. His emotions had surged, hiThis eyes instantly turning red, as he grabbed her wrist. "Ondine, I finally found you!" Ondine's back went rigid. She froze, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Ellis, what are you doing here?"A film of moisture clouded his eyes, the rims red with unshed tears. "Ondine," he murmured, "I've been looking for you for so long. I was going out of my mind."Ondine's lips tightened into a firm line, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. "Let's talk somewhere else."Seeing him in this state, she knew he wouldn't let her go until they had a proper conversation. She sighed inwardly. Hiding wasn't a long term solution. It was time to clear the air once and for all. She was the one who had been deceived and betrayed. What did she have to be afraid of? With all theterrible things he had done surely hewouldnt have the nerve to keep pestering her once she laid O everything bare.