The elegant Hart Estate stood in silence beneath the afternoon sun.
Inside the grand library, Eleanor Hart remained seated, her fingers still resting on the faded photograph of herself and Isabella.
Her heart had not settled since the butler's words.
"Someone is asking about Isabella."
She carefully placed the photograph back into an old wooden box before closing the lid.
"Show him in."
"Yes, Madam."
A moment later...
The library doors opened.
The visitor stepped inside.
He was dressed in a dark gray suit, his expression calm but unreadable.
Eleanor studied him carefully.
"I don't believe we've met."
The man smiled politely.
"No."
"But I've heard a great deal about you."
"And you are?"
"My name is Victor Hayes."
It wasn't his real name.
But Eleanor had no way of knowing that.
She gestured toward the chair opposite her.
"Please."
Victor sat.
"I'll be direct."
"I'm looking for information about a woman named Isabella."
Eleanor's face remained perfectly composed.
"I'm afraid I can't help you."
Victor wasn't discouraged.
"That's interesting."
"Because several records suggest you knew her."
Eleanor folded her hands calmly.
"I've met many people during my lifetime."
"I don't remember every name."
Victor reached into his briefcase and placed the faded archive record on the table.
"The archives remember."
Eleanor glanced at the paper.
Her expression never changed.
"I see."
"But this proves nothing."
Victor leaned forward.
"Who was she?"
Eleanor looked directly into his eyes.
"A kind young woman."
"Nothing more."
Victor waited.
She said nothing else.
The silence became almost unbearable.
Finally...
Victor smiled faintly.
"You're very loyal."
Eleanor answered quietly,
"Some promises deserve loyalty."
Victor slowly stood.
"I appreciate your time."
As he reached the door, he paused.
"Oh..."
"I almost forgot."
"I attended the Heritage Foundation Gala."
Eleanor's heartbeat quickened.
"I saw Mr. Aaron Steel dancing with a young woman."
He turned just enough to watch Eleanor's reaction.
"Celina Bakers."
For the briefest fraction of a second...
Eleanor's fingers tightened against the armrest.
Victor noticed.
That tiny movement...
Was all he needed.
Without another word, he left.
Several minutes later...
The front door closed behind him.
Only then did Eleanor release the breath she had been holding.
Her longtime butler stepped into the library.
"Madam..."
"Should I be concerned?"
Eleanor looked toward the garden.
"Yes."
"For the first time in many years..."
"Someone is asking the right questions."
Meanwhile...
Steel Medical Center was filled with its usual afternoon activity.
Celina pushed a supply cart down the pediatric hallway, greeting everyone she passed with her warm smile.
Daniel waved excitedly from his room.
"Miss Celina!"
"I finished another airplane!"
She laughed.
"Already?"
"This one flies even farther."
Aaron happened to be walking past with James.
Daniel ran into the hallway holding the paper airplane.
"Mr. Steel!"
"Catch!"
He threw it.
The airplane soared gracefully through the air.
Aaron caught it with one hand once again.
The children erupted into cheers.
Daniel laughed.
"See? I told everyone you never miss."
Aaron smiled.
"I think you're giving me too much credit."
Celina watched them, unable to hide her smile.
James leaned closer to Aaron.
"I've never seen you spend this much time in pediatrics."
Aaron looked at the children.
"They deserve attention."
James chuckled.
"And Miss Bakers?"
Aaron glanced at Celina, who was helping another little patient pick up crayons from the floor.
After a brief pause, he answered honestly.
"She reminds me why this hospital exists."
James smiled quietly.
That answer told him everything.
Across town...
Victor sat inside the silver sedan.
He picked up his phone.
"The meeting is over."
The cold voice answered immediately.
"And?"
"Eleanor denied everything."
"But..."
Victor smiled slightly.
"She reacted when I mentioned Celina."
Silence.
Then...
"I expected as much."
Victor frowned.
"So Celina is connected?"
The voice remained calm.
"I don't deal in guesses."
"I deal in facts."
"Keep watching."
"Someone else will make a mistake."
The call ended.
Victor looked through the windshield toward Steel Medical Center in the distance.
His eyes settled on the hospital.
Then...
On the people entering and leaving.
Sooner or later...
Someone would reveal the truth.
And when they did...
Everything would change.