They left the police station, the night air cool and refreshing. As they walked towards their car, Liam’s phone rang, the sound cutting through the quiet of the night. He pulled out his phone and saw it was Sarah, his secretary.
“Liam, we have a lead on Project Phoenix,” Sarah said, her voice laced with urgency. “I think I know who stole the information and leaked it to Russo.”
Liam felt a wave of relief wash over him. This was the news he had been waiting for. He had been struggling to find the source of the leak, and now it seemed that he was finally getting closer to the truth.
“Tell me everything, Sarah,” Liam said, his voice filled with urgency.
Sarah went on to explain that she had discovered a pattern in the emails and communication logs of one of their senior engineers, a man named Mark Henderson. Henderson had been working on Project Phoenix and had access to all of the confidential information. Sarah had also found evidence that he had been secretly communicating with someone who worked for Russo.
“I’m going to check it out, Liam,” Sarah said. “But I think this is it. I think we’ve found our leak.”
Liam nodded, his heart racing with anticipation. He couldn’t wait to confront Henderson and get to the bottom of everything.
“Good work, Sarah,” Liam said, his voice filled with gratitude. “I’m on my way to the office now.”
He hung up the phone and turned to Isabelle, who was standing beside him, a mixture of worry and curiosity on her face.
“I need to go to the office,” Liam said, his voice firm. “Sarah just called, she found a lead on Project Phoenix.”
Isabelle nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Liam’s work was everything to him, and he wouldn’t rest until he found out who was responsible for the leak.
“I’ll be fine,” Isabelle said, her voice soft. “Go and take care of things.”
Liam pulled her close and kissed her gently on the forehead. “Be careful, Isabelle,” he whispered. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
He kissed her on her head, a lingering kiss filled with love and concern. Then, he turned and walked towards his car, his mind already racing with thoughts of Henderson and Russo.
Isabelle watched him go, her heart filled with a mixture of worry and pride. She knew he was always driven, always ambitious. But she also knew that he was capable of great love and devotion.
As Liam drove away, Isabelle turned and walked towards their penthouse apartment. She entered the foyer, the grand space echoing with the soft click of her heels. As she made her way towards the elevator, she realized that Penelope was back.
Penelope, their talkative, middle-aged maid, had been visiting her family for the past few weeks. Isabelle was always happy to see her back. Penelope was like a second mother to her, always ready with a kind word and a warm smile.
“Penelope! I’m so glad you’re back,” Isabelle said, her voice filled with genuine warmth.
Penelope beamed, her face radiating joy. “And I’m glad to be back, Miss Isabelle. You wouldn’t believe the stories I have to tell you!”
The two women sat down in the living room, Penelope regaling Isabelle with stories of her family, her laughter echoing through the room. Isabelle listened with rapt attention, her heart warmed by Penelope’s enthusiasm.
As Penelope was in the middle of a story about her granddaughter, Isabelle’s phone rang. She excused herself and answered the call, her heart sinking as she heard a voice she didn’t recognize.
“Miss Isabelle, I’m calling from St. Jude’s hospital,” the voice said, its tone somber. “Mr. Liam Callahan was just brought in. He was involved in a car accident. He’s been very seriously injured.”
Isabelle’s breath hitched in her throat. Her mind raced, trying to comprehend what she had just heard. Liam, her Liam, who had been with her just moments ago, was now in the hospital, critically injured.
“What happened?” she asked, her voice shaking.
The voice on the other end of the line explained that Liam had been driving home from his office when he had been involved in a head-on collision. The other driver was reportedly intoxicated.
“I need to get to the hospital,” Isabelle said her voice barely a whisper.
“Of course, Miss Isabelle,” the voice said. “The address is …”
As the voice on the other end of the phone gave her the address of the hospital, Isabelle stood frozen, her body trembling with shock and disbelief. Liam had been with her just moments ago. They had been talking about Project Phoenix. He had kissed her goodbye and promised to be back soon.
Now, he was lying in a hospital bed, his life hanging in the balance.
Her mind reeled, trying to make sense of it all. She looked at Penelope, her face pale and drawn.
“Penelope, I need to get to the hospital,” Isabelle said, her voice breaking. “Liam…he’s been in an accident.”
Penelope’s face contorted with concern. She reached out and took Isabelle’s hand, her touch comforting.
“Oh, honey,” she said, her voice filled with sympathy. “I’m so sorry. I hope the young CEO recovers.”
Isabelle nodded, feeling the ground beneath her feet begin to shake. She grabbed her car keys and raced out of the apartment, her mind clouded with fear and uncertainty.
Liam was in the hospital. And she had to get to him.
The journey to the hospital felt like an eternity. Every mile, every red light, seemed to stretch on forever. Isabelle gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white.
She couldn’t lose him. She couldn’t. Not now.
As she finally pulled into the hospital parking lot, her heart pounding in her chest, she felt a cold wave of dread wash over her. She had been with him moments ago. Now, he was in this sterile, impersonal place, fighting for his life.
And she had no idea what the future held…