Chapter 190

Lucas's POV

I caught Jace just as his knees buckled outside the hospital room, my hand instinctively steadying his shoulder. His face was ashen, and worry gripped my chest.

"How are you holding up?" I asked, noting the telltale pallor of significant blood loss.

It took him several moments to respond, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm fine."

He was always downplaying everything. "How many units did you transfuse yesterday?"

"Not much." His evasiveness was both expected and frustrating.

I decided not to press further. "Let's get that forehead looked at."

He managed a slight nod, and I kept my hand on his elbow as we made our way to the doctor's office.

While the doctor cleaned and dressed his wound, I contemplated how to broach the subject. This situation demanded absolute clarity. "With everything that's happened to Eleanor," I began, keeping my voice measured, "I need you to understand that I have to stand with my aunt."

His silence prompted me to continue. "While Eleanor isn't directly responsible for this situation - it's more about the previous generation's... complications - she remains central to everything. And while I understand the complexity, we can't ignore the fact that my aunt had to watch her daughter struggle while another child - specifically, her husband's illegitimate daughter - lived in luxury. That's the betrayal at the core of this."

I watched as Jace absorbed my words, noting his slight nod. Still, I needed to be completely clear. "I'm not telling you to stay away from Eleanor. I'm saying that if you make this choice, you need to be prepared for everything it entails. And I... I can only stand with my aunt."

"Understood" He said calmly. It carried the weight of someone who knew exactly what they were walking into.

I glanced at his bandaged forehead, then checked my watch. "I should go. Serena's case requires my attention, and I can't divide my focus right now. Whatever you decide, I'll respect it."

"Luc." The gravity in his voice made me pause. "Thank you."

The sincerity in those two words warmed something in my chest. I squeezed his shoulder. "We're family. No need for thanks."

Back in my car, I leaned back against the seat, watching evening traffic crawl past the windows. A sigh escaped me as memories surfaced unbidden - Eleanor as a little girl, trailing after me through the mansion's corridors, her pigtails bouncing as she called out "Brother!" That tiny child who used to hide behind my legs at formal events had grown into...

The sharp ring of my phone cut through my reverie. I glanced at the screen, the familiar number pulling me back to present concerns.

"Mr. Harrington, we've uncovered several suspicious transfers from Star River Group's private financial accounts."

"Forward me the records."

"Right away, sir."

I hang up the phone, my mind already racing through the implications of the financial records just uncovered. The transfers to underground gambling accounts could be the break we need in Serena's case. Without hesitation, I dial her number.

"Found new evidence," I say, keeping my voice measured despite the urgency I feel.

"Oh?" Her response is brief, weighted with exhaustion. Through the line, I can picture her in her living room, surrounded by case files. The space feels emptier now without Eleanor's presence, though I push that thought aside.

"I'll come over to explain."

"Alright." She pauses, then adds, "Eleanor's phone is off. What kind of event requires a shutdown?"

My jaw tightens imperceptibly. Not yet. She can't know about Eleanor yet. "...We'll discuss that later."

Within thirty minutes, I'm at her door. The living room lights cast long shadows as I lay out the account records on her coffee table. Her eyes scan the documents intently, and I notice the slight tension in her shoulders.

"Your financial officer made multiple transfers to this account," I explain, tapping the paper. "Significant amounts. We've confirmed it's linked to an underground gambling operation." I watch her expression carefully as I continue. "These places are ruthless - broken bones, threats to family. Given the pattern, it's likely he fabricated these charges against you to cover gambling debts."

Serena nods slowly, her analytical mind already working. "So we have motive. But what about the source? Have you traced who's funding these accounts?"

"Multiple accounts involved. None connected to Nina Sinclair." I meet her gaze directly. "I'm investigating each one. There will be a trail."

"We're running out of time," she reminds me, concern edging into her voice.

"I'll handle it," I promise, meaning every word.

She shifts focus, surprising me with her next observation. "You know, Quinn mentioned the bank's camera was down when that card was opened. But we don't need the footage - we just need to prove I wasn't there. I already had my secretary secure the company surveillance footage from that day."

I feel a surge of admiration. This is why she's different - always finding angles others miss.

"Brilliant," I say simply, letting my appreciation show.

Serena's POV

I felt heat rising to my cheeks as Lucas spoke with that indulgent tone he usually reserved for children. Eager to shift away from this awkwardness, I steered the conversation back to his earlier comment. "You mentioned something about Eleanor earlier - what happened to her?"

I noticed how his expression darkened, the warmth draining from his features.

"I wasn't going to tell you, given your own precarious situation," he said carefully. "But I don't dare keep this from you." That word - 'dare' - left me speechless. He was still keeping score.

"Eleanor had an accident on set last night. She's in the hospital-"

"What?" I couldn't help interrupting.

"Don't worry," he continued, his voice steady. "Though the accident was serious, she's stable. There was some liver damage that caused significant bleeding, but she's regained consciousness. Barring complications, she should be discharged within a week."

Anger flared in my chest. "Why wasn't I told? I could have been there for her."

The thought of Eleanor, who had always been nothing but genuine with me, lying in a hospital bed while I sat here oblivious made my blood boil.

"There's more to the story," Lucas said, placing a restraining hand on my shoulder. "The blood loss meant she needed transfusions. That's when they discovered her blood type is AB."

"And?" I asked, my brow furrowing.

"Both my aunt Clara and her husband are type A."

The implications hit me like a physical blow. I stared at him, unable to process what this meant. As he detailed everything that had transpired the previous night, I fell into a stunned silence, imagining how devastated Eleanor must have been upon learning the truth.

"I'm going to the hospital," I declared, already rising to my feet.

"Serena." His hand caught mine.

I turned to him, fury evident in my expression. "Don't try to stop me."

"Are you really planning to stay out of this?" I demanded, meeting his gaze directly. Deep down, I knew his likely answer. From his position, he had no obligation to help Eleanor. Clara was his aunt, and given how she'd been deceived, he should rightfully share in her anger.

But I couldn't help the disappointment that welled up inside me. Eleanor wasn't just some pawn in a game - she was a real person. How could he be so coldly logical about this? Where was his compassion?