Chapter 44 Hospital Drama

• My phone vibrated against the conference table. I glanced down, ready to dismiss it—board meetings were sacred at Halgate Group, something my father had drilled into me since childhood. But when Aria's name flashed across the screen, something cold slithered down my spine.
• Aria never called during work hours. Not without texting first.
• "Excuse me," I said, already standing. The board members exchanged glances as I stepped away from the table. "I need to take this."