CHAPTER 2: THE WOMAN WHO ALMOST STOLE A CHILD
Alexander read the prescription twice.
Then a third time.
His face remained expressionless, but the silence inside the cabin became unbearable.
The signature belonged to Celeste Laurent.
His fiancée.
The woman who had insisted Sophie was healthy enough to travel.
The woman who had personally handed the medicine to the nanny before they left New York.
The flight attendant swallowed nervously.
"The hospital tried calling several times after reviewing the bloodwork. They said the medication didn't match anything prescribed by Dr. Harris."
Alexander looked up.
"What medication was it?"
She handed him the bottle.
Estelle reached for it before he could.
She turned it over carefully.
The label looked authentic.
Too authentic.
"This isn't counterfeit," she said quietly.
Alexander frowned.
"No."
"It's worse."
She pointed to the dosage.
"This medicine is meant for adults recovering from surgery. Even a small amount could leave a toddler dangerously dehydrated."
Alexander's blood turned cold.
"Are you saying someone gave this to Sophie on purpose?"
Estelle didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she looked at the sleeping child.
"I don't know why."
"But I know it wasn't an accident."
The words landed like stones.
Alexander immediately contacted his security chief.
"I want every security camera from the house reviewed."
"And no one tells Celeste we've discovered this."
The answer came instantly.
"Yes, sir."
For the first time in years, Alexander felt something stronger than anger.
Fear.
Not for his fortune.
Not for his company.
For his daughter.
He looked toward Estelle.
A stranger who had accidentally boarded his jet.
Yet somehow...
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She was the only person Sophie trusted.
And perhaps the only person he could trust as well.
