The party at Vivian’s mansion was in full swing, but Austin stood apart from the crowd, staring up at the night sky with Sami beside him. “You know, you don’t get to see stars like this when you’re on death row,” Sami said, her voice soft. Austin turned to her. “That’s all over now, Sami.
”
Sami shook her head, her jaw tightening. “I’m never going to forget. And I’m never going to be able to forgive whoever sent me there. ”
Craig and Nancy walked in moments later, all smiles and Hawaiian leis, fresh from their trip to Honolulu.
Craig handed one to his daughter, Ali, who was already scheming. “So, have you heard anything about the lawsuit? ” Craig asked. Ali grinned.
“I spoke to Mike. He still thinks I’m suing him for money. ”
Nancy laughed. “Well, duh, Ali.
What else would you be suing him for? ”
“Love,” Ali said, her grin widening. “I told him I’d drag him and his whore girlfriend through the mud. ”
Craig exchanged a glance with Nancy.
“Easy, honey. Deep breaths. ”
But Ali wasn’t listening. She was already planning her trousseau shopping.
Across the room, Vivian was holding court, the picture of a dying woman seeking forgiveness. She took Victor’s hand, her eyes full of false tears. “I know I’ve made mistakes,” she said, her voice trembling. “But your happiness has always been foremost in my thoughts.
I just hope you can forgive me. ”
Kate, standing beside Victor, rolled her eyes. “What a crock. ”
Vivian gasped.
“I’m dying! Don’t you have any compassion? ”
Kate smiled coldly. “Then what’s taking you so long?
Why don’t you just croak and get it over with? ”
Vivian’s mask slipped for just a moment, then she turned to her nephew, Nicholas, who was watching the exchange with amusement. “So,” Nicholas said, approaching Kate at the bar, “you must be that nurse who helped Victor recover. I was hoping to see the witch who married him, but all the women here seem so attractive.
I guess she didn’t show her face. ”
Kate smiled. “There is a witch here tonight. Her name is Vivian.
”
Nicholas blinked. “Wait. You’re not the nurse? ”
“Actually, I am Kate.
Kate Roberts. ”
Nicholas’s eyes widened. “Well, you’re nothing like my aunt described you. ”
Kate smirked.
“And from the way Vivian described you, I expected a little boy in short pants. ”
Nicholas laughed. “I’m sorry for being so insulting. Can I make it up to you?
”
Before Kate could answer, Vivian approached Victor again, this time pulling Stefano aside. “I wasn’t going to bring this up,” Vivian whispered to Kate, loud enough for everyone to hear. “But why take the high road with a snake? Are you aware that Titan is on the brink of total disaster?
”
Kate scoffed. “That’s preposterous. ”
Vivian smiled. “One look at the books will tell Victor the truth.
I’m perfectly happy to fill the vacuum you’ve left with your mismanagement. ”
Kate’s voice turned cold. “Over my dead body. ”
Vivian laughed.
“No, over yours. Because you won’t be running a company from the grave—especially when you don’t own a single share of Titan stock. ”
Kate’s face went pale. “What?
”
“News flash, Kate,” Vivian said, her smile spreading. “Stefano has given me 49% of Titan as a gift to his dying wife. All I need is another tiny 2%, and you’ll be out—and I’ll be in. ”
Kate turned to Stefano, her eyes blazing.
“Is that true? You swore to me you would never do that. ”
Stefano just smiled. “Good evening, everyone.
”
The room fell silent as he made his way to the center, but Kate’s fury was barely contained. Meanwhile, in another corner, Mike was pulling Carrie aside. His face was tight, strained. “Carrie, you know how I feel about you,” Mike said, his voice low.
“If there was any other way…”
Carrie pulled her hand back. “Does this have something to do with Ali? ”
Mike flinched. “Why would you even ask that?
”
“When she came to your office earlier, you did something very strange,” Carrie said. “Instead of asking her to leave like you usually do, you asked me to leave. ”
Mike ran a hand through his hair. “She’s part of my staff.
There’s no sense in being rude to her. ”
Carrie narrowed her eyes. “I know you hate being with Ali. Now all of a sudden she’s your respected colleague?
I don’t buy it. ”
Mike’s voice sharpened. “I don’t appreciate being second-guessed. Ali and I were discussing hospital matters—and that is none of your business anymore.
”
Carrie’s face crumpled. “How can you treat me like this? ”
Mike’s jaw clenched. “I’ve told you my reasons.
”
Carrie’s voice broke. “You’re making me leave for my own good? ”
“That’s right. ”
“Mike, don’t do this.
”
But Mike turned away, his shoulders stiff. Later, Craig and Nancy cornered Mike near the buffet. “How was the second honeymoon? ” Mike asked, forcing a smile.
Craig wrapped an arm around Nancy. “Absolutely wonderful, thank you. It was more like our 22nd. ”
Nancy held out a lei.
“We brought you back a souvenir. Aloha. ”
Mike took it with a nod. “Thank you.
I’ll wear it in O. R. ”
Craig cocked his head. “Did we miss anything while we were away?
Any surgical breakthroughs, elopements, divorces? ”
Mike shook his head. “It’s been quiet. ”
Craig watched him walk away.
“Nice shirt. ”
Nancy frowned. “Nice cover. He’s acting like everything’s so copacetic.
”
Craig’s eyes narrowed. “But he’s got to be a basket case inside. Maybe we should help him get in touch with his real feelings. ”
Nancy smiled slowly.
“What do you have in mind? ”
Craig smiled back. “I think one well-timed turn of the screw ought to help Mike lose his cool—not to mention his career as chief of staff. ”
Across the room, Austin was fidgeting near the door, checking his phone.
Sami approached him, her expression curious. “Austin, you seem restless. Is everything okay? ”
Austin looked up, startled.
“Yeah, I’m just waiting for someone. ”
Sami tilted her head. “A friend? ”
Austin hesitated.
“Something like that. ”
Sami’s eyes searched his face. “You’re thinking about Mike and Carrie, aren’t you? ”
Austin stiffened.
“What? ”
Sami smiled knowingly. “Don’t worry, I’m not psychic. I’m just good at reading people with broken hearts.
Why don’t you tell me about it? ”
Austin forced a smile. “It’s kind of personal. ”
Sami leaned in.
“I’m not being nosy. I’m a concerned friend. ”
Austin’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. “I need to take this.
Do you mind? ”
Sami’s smile faltered, but she nodded. “Of course not. ”
She watched him walk away, her mind racing.
She had her own plans after all—and she was determined to surprise him tonight by inviting Carrie to dinner. Meanwhile, Bo was leading Lili to a quiet corner. “If everything goes according to plan, I may have a surprise for you tonight. ”
Lili frowned.
“What surprise? Come on, don’t be mysterious. Tell me. ”
Bo glanced around, lowering his voice.
“We may find out who stole your art collection. ”
Lili’s eyes widened. “How? ”
“I’m working on it.
” He nodded toward Vivian, who was handing out paintings to guests. “Watch her. See how she reacts when she gives those away. ”
Gina, standing nearby, looked uncertain.
“All I’m saying is that examining the past could save John’s life—not to mention mine. ”
Bo turned to her. “I’m helping you on that. ”
Gina shook her head.
“By going after Stefano? That’s completely useless. ”
Bo smiled slowly. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.
”
Before she could press him further, John approached Marlena, his face full of earnest hope. “Doc,” John said, taking her hands, “I know the only way to defeat Stefano’s evil is through love. I’m sure once we get married, all this head stuff is going to go away. ”
Marlena shook her head gently.
“John, we’re not going anywhere. ”
John’s face fell. “But I promised Vivian and Bo. He’s got a lot riding on this gathering.
I was going to go change—you’ll tie my tie for me, right? ”
Marlena sighed. “Yeah. I’ll be right up.
”
John’s eyes were desperate. “You do believe me, don’t you? ”
Marlena didn’t answer. Back near the bar, Nicholas was still chatting with Kate, his charm on full display.
“I really am sorry for being so insulting. I do hope you’ll allow me to make it up to you. ”
Kate picked up her drink. “Well, I should get back to Victor before your aunt turns me into a gargoyle.
”
Nicholas laughed. “I’d like to see her try. ”
Across the room, Vivian was taking Victor’s arm again, leading him toward the center of the room. “Victor, I’m so full of remorse.
I just hope you’ll forgive me. ”
Kate appeared beside them, her voice sharp. “Oh, please. Give it a rest.
”
Vivian’s eyes flashed. “For God’s sake, I’m dying. Don’t you have any compassion? ”
Kate smiled.
“Then what’s taking you so long? ”
Vivian’s hand tightened on her cane. “I wasn’t going to bring this up, but since you insist on being so hostile—are you aware that Titan is on the brink of total disaster? ”
Kate rolled her eyes.
“I told you, that’s preposterous. ”
Vivian’s smile grew. “Well, one look at the books will tell Victor the truth. But never mind.
I’m perfectly happy to fill the vacuum you’ve left with your mismanagement. ”
Kate’s voice turned ice cold. “Over my dead body. ”
Vivian laughed.
“No, no, my dear. Over yours—because you won’t be running a company from the grave, especially when you don’t own a single share of Titan stock. ”
Kate stepped closer. “And you do?
You’re a dying woman, Vivian. You don’t even have a stake in this. ”
Vivian’s eyes sparkled. “News flash, Kate—Stefano has given me 49% of Titan as a gift to his dying wife.
All I have to do is get my hands on another tiny 2%, and you’ll be out on the street. ”
Kate’s face went pale. She turned to Stefano, who was watching the exchange with a smirk. “Is this true?
” Kate demanded. “You swore to me you would never give her your shares. ”
Stefano shrugged gently. “A dying woman’s last wish, Kate.
How could I refuse? ”
Kate’s hands shook. “You—you lying son of a—! ”
Before she could finish, Bo stepped forward.
“I think we’ve all had enough drama for one night, don’t you? ”
But Vivian wasn’t finished. She looked at Kate, her smile triumphant. “Oh, this is just the beginning, my dear.
Just the beginning. ”
Kate stared at her, her heart pounding. She had no idea yet what Vivian was truly capable of—or what she was planning next. And in the corner, Nicholas watched the whole exchange with a thoughtful smile.
His aunt was more dangerous than he’d ever realized. But so was Kate. The party was far from over.
