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?"

tightened with

sharks barged in with an IOU bearing Mrs. Jones' thumbprint. They demanded repayment, but Mrs. Jones had nothing to give. So,

"Loan sharks?"

Hera frowned.

wondered how Catherine could have gotten involved with loan sharks. After all, Catherine received

given Catherine a card with two million dollars when she brought Giselle back from the Everett residence. That should have been more than enough to cover their necessities

to return in three days. And they said that if we don't come up with five

Jones was always so careful with her money. How could she owe such a huge amount?" Everly's voice

since Mrs. Jones brought her back, it's been one disaster after another," declared

man with a weathered complexion. He was holding a bag of takeout,

Everly's elder

isolated part of Willowbrook Village. When Catherine and Hera fled to Willowbrook Village years ago, they were

medical skills eventually won over the villagers, and they allowed Hera and Catherine to settle

Hera

can't fathom why Mrs. Jones brought her back.