He wasn't the type to meddle in other people's business.

As Alex White often reminded himself, he held himself to the highest standards of professionalism-he couldn't tolerate mistakes, least of all his own.

Even though he and Matthew Ross had drifted apart since graduation, Alex still saw Matthew as someone cut from the same cloth. Matthew would never have allowed himself to make a critical error in diagnosis. The very idea was unthinkable.

That's why Alex couldn't believe what he'd heard. It simply wasn't possible—not for Matthew.

Naturally, he wanted to get to the bottom of it, which was why he'd followed Emily Blair to the hospital.

He kept thinking he ought to stop by the police station as well, just to see Matthew, maybe ask a few questions.

But at the heart of it all was Emily Blair.

Five years ago, Alex had watched Emily Blair hurt Isabella Austin, and the memory was as vivid as ever. He'd made up his mind then and there he would always stand by Isabella, and helping Emily Blair was out of the question.

The real problem was that Emily had come to him for help.

If anyone else had asked-even a stranger-he'd have gone to the police station that very day.

But Emily was the one who asked, and Alex simply couldn't agree. If he did, it would feel like betraying Isabella, and he couldn't do that.

So he hesitated.

"Isabella,” Alex called softly.

Isabella Austin turned away from the window, her voice gentle. "Yes?"

Alex's tone was just as calm. "Someone's asked me for a favor, and I'm not sure if I should help."

She smiled. "What kind of favor makes you so unsure? Tell me I'll listen."

Alex glanced at her, searching her expression, but hesitated.

He wasn't sure he should say it. If he did, he worried Isabella would read too much into it.

His expression made her laugh.

"Why are you so torn?" she teased. "Alex, do whatever you want—as long as it's not illegal, you have my support."

He hesitated. "But what if the person I'm helping-"

"Alex,” Isabella cut him off gently, "there's nothing more to say. Do what you think is right. You don't need my opinion. You're your own person."

Instead of feeling relieved, Alex felt a pang of guilt.

Isabella was always so good-generous, considerate, always knowing the right thing to say to everyone.

She was especially kind to him, always putting his needs first. And yet here he was, even entertaining the idea of helping Emily Blair.

The guilt twisted inside him, and his frown deepened.

"Alright," he managed. "I understand."

With that, Alex pushed aside any thought of visiting Matthew Ross at the police

station. There was no point in agonizing over it anymore.

Truthfully, he and Matthew hadn't kept in touch in ages.

They barely had any connection left.

Once he'd made up his mind, Alex felt lighter. He didn't bother explaining the whole situation to Isabella—he didn't want Emily Blair's name troubling her any further.

After leaving the competition venue, Emily Blair made a quick stop at her company. Black and White Rabbit's new game was about to launch, and the project team was working themselves to the bone-lights still blazing at eleven, even midnight.

With so much going on and Elizabeth Wilson away on business, Emily was left to make most of the big decisions herself. The daily workload was overwhelming. She often wished she could split herself in two.

By the time she stepped out of the office, it was already two in the morning. Exhausted, Emily rubbed her neck and headed out.

At this hour, her driver and assistant were both long gone, so she had no choice but to drive herself home.

She slid into her car, tossed her phone onto the passenger seat, and started the engine.

A message popped up on her phone. She picked it up and checked.

It was from Tristan Davis.

Emily tapped to open it and realized Tristan had sent her over a dozen messages in

the past two minutes, but she hadn't noticed.

Tristan Davis: [I'm back. Come pick me up.]

She didn't reply.

Five minutes later, another message from Tristan: [Hey, hey! I said I'm back.]