Suddenly struck by a thought, he glanced around. "Where's my phone?"

With things not going well with Xavier, he needed to contact Brice immediately to inform him.

He wanted Brice to advocate on his behalf with Xavier. "Here it is," Georgia said, handing him the phone. "Help me get up."

“Okay.”

She then assisted him.

Propped against the bed, Ellis dialed Brice's number.

The phone rang several times before it was finally answered.

Ellis inquired with a smile, "Mr. Anderson, I hope I'm not interrupting—"

Brice's cold voice cut him off. "You are interrupting me, Ellis. If you have business matters to discuss, contact the company directly. Don't call me again."

The line then went dead.

Ellis sat frozen, the smile fading from his face. What did Brice mean?

Why the sudden shift in his tone?

What the hell just happened?

He stared at the phone, stunned, then quickly dialed again— but the call wouldn't go through.

Had Brice blocked him? His expression darkened. Something wasn't right.

Was Brice backing out of their arrangement after getting what he wanted?

Or worse-was Brice turning against him entirely?

After all, Tilda was Lyndon's wife. Was it possible that after sleeping with her, Brice planned to dangle their collaboration as a way to keep her close?

Or had things gone sideways? Had Tilda fought back and hurt Brice-was Brice lashing out at him because of it?

Damn it! He needed answers.

"Georgia, give me your phone," he snapped.

"Okay..." she said hesitantly, handing it over.

Ellis quickly punched in Brice's number.

The line connected. "Who's this?" Brice answered flatly.