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.

"Loan sharks?"

Hera frowned.

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

brought Giselle back from the Everett residence. That should have been more than enough to cover their necessities up in

that if we don't come up with five million,

as a matter of debt. But Mrs. Jones was always

be that woman! Ever since Mrs. Jones brought her back, it's been one disaster after

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

was Everly's

were young and had lived in the most isolated part of Willowbrook Village. When Catherine and Hera

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

Everett?" Hera said the

Mrs. Jones brought her back. Giselle received