Under the heiress facade

Hera took a redeye to the border airport and then rushed to Evergreen Hospital. She arrived by midday the next day.

At Catherine's bedside, Everly Pierce, her neighbor, watched over her.

Catherine lay unconscious with her head swathed in white bandages. She was wearing an oxygen mask over her face and with an IV drip bag hanging beside her. "What happened?"

Hera entered the room, concern etched on her face.

"Hera, you're back," Everly said with relief.

She clutched Hera's hand eagerly.

"Hurry. Come check on Mrs. Jones. She still hasn't regained consciousness."

Hera nodded. Her heart sank as she examined Catherine. There was a blood clot in her head-a vicious blow to an elderly woman.

"Who did this?"

voice tightened with

thumbprint. They demanded repayment, but Mrs. Jones had nothing to give. So, they knocked her

"Loan sharks?"

Hera frowned.

wondered how Catherine could have gotten involved with loan sharks. After all, Catherine received tens of thousands of dollars in

back from the Everett residence.

return in three days. And they said that if we don't come up with five million, they will start cutting

went to report it, but the local police brushed it off as a matter of debt. But Mrs. Jones

brought her back, it's been one disaster after another," declared a deep, resonant voice from

man with a weathered complexion. He was

Everly's elder

the most isolated part of Willowbrook Village. When Catherine

exceptional medical skills

it Giselle Everett?" Hera said the

one. I can't fathom why Mrs. Jones brought her back. Giselle received free medical care, food,