Why did Rita start to feel unwell after drinking coffee?

Something was definitely wrong with that drink.

But the coffee was delivered by Hubert... and he wouldn't harm Rita.

Unless... Someone else sent it. Someone using his name.

But who?

Her thoughts spun. Then, one name popped into her mind: Kaia —-Hubert's fiancée.

Tilda remembered that Kaia had once sent thugs to threaten Rita.

But Rita hadn't flinched—hadn't backed down or walked away from Hubert. She'd continued seeing him, as bold as ever.

So now, maybe Kaia had stopped warning and started retaliating.

Tilda's arms prickled with a chill at the thought.

If Kaia had truly crossed that line, then Rita might have lost her voice.

She might never sing again.

Tilda wanted to feel sorry for Rita. But truthfully... she didn't. Not even a little.

Rita brought this on herself.

If she hadn't been so greedy-if she'd walked away the moment she discovered Hubert was engaged-she wouldn't be lying in a hospital bed now.

Tilda pulled out her phone and dialed Corrine.

Upon learning of Rita's situation, Corrine's voice brimmed with glee. "Tilda, I was just about to call you. Hubert messaged me about it. Can you guess who is behind this?"

Tilda's eyes twinkled, the corners of her mouth curling. "I think we both know."

Corrine replied, "Kaia, right?" "Yep. She's the only one who makes sense."

Corrine clicked her tongue in awe. "That woman's ruthless! But honestly? I kind of like it. Serves Rita right. She needed to be brought down a peg, and Kaia did it with flair."

Tilda thought the same thing. She let out a quiet laugh. "Now that Rita's had her wake-up call, it's time Hubert makes his exit."

Corrine nodded. "Got it. I'll have him back away little by little. Let the drama die down."

At the hospital, Rita had been wheeled into the operating room in a blur of flashing lights and murmured urgency.

Sloane stood in the corridor, waiting for the surgery to finish.