The conversation flowed naturally from there, touching on market opportunities, regulatory challenges, the balance between innovation and safety. Lior found herself drawing connections between the business discussion and her medical knowledge, offering perspectives that seemed to genuinely interest both men.
"You know," Nakamura said as dessert was served, "we've been thinking about this partnership primarily in terms of manufacturing and distribution. But listening to Mrs. Pembroke tonight, I'm wondering if we're thinking too small."
"How so?" Lucien asked.
"Research and development. Real innovation, not just efficient production." Nakamura's eyes met Lior's. "What if part of this partnership involved funding medical research? Creating new technologies instead of just manufacturing existing ones?"
Lior felt excitement flutter in her chest. "That would be incredible. The biggest barrier to medical innovation isn't always the science - it's the funding and infrastructure to get from concept to patient."
"And the regulatory pathway," Chen added. "Having partners who understand both the medical and business sides would be invaluable."
Lucien was quiet beside her, but she could feel his attention like a physical presence. When she glanced at him, there was something in his expression she couldn't quite read.
"It's an interesting idea," he said finally. "Worth exploring."
The rest of the evening passed in productive discussion. By the time Chen and Nakamura were preparing to leave, the merger felt solid, and Lior's medical insights had genuinely impressed the partners.
"This has been wonderful," Chen said as they stood in the foyer. "Lior, I hope you know how valuable your perspective has been tonight."
"The pleasure was entirely mine. I hope we'll have many more opportunities to discuss these ideas."
"I'm certain we will." Nakamura shook hands with both of them. "Lucien, you've chosen well. In partnership and in marriage."
After the door closed behind them, Lior felt the adrenaline of the evening beginning to fade. They'd done it. The dinner had been a success, the merger was moving forward, and she'd contributed something meaningful.
"Well," she said, turning to Lucien. "That went better than expected."
He was watching her with an expression she couldn't decipher. "You were impressive tonigh."
"I was just being honest about what I know."
"Which is considerable." His voice carried something that might have been respect.
The words hung between them, and for a moment the usual tension shifted into something else. Something that felt less like performance and more like... partnership.
Before either could analyze the moment further, Lucien's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and his expression immediately hardened.
Marcus.
"I need to take this," he said, already lifting the phone. "Marcus."
"Sir, we have a situation. " Marcus's voice was tight with urgency. "It's about your mother in law."
Lucien's entire body went rigid. His eyes flicked to Lior, who was watching him with growing concern, then back to the wall.
"What exactly happened?"
"A woman approached Mrs. Atheria around seven-thirty PM. Mid-fifties, well-dressed, claimed to be a family friend. She told Elena some words that have agitated her."
Lucien turned abruptly and walked toward his study, lowering his voice. "What is Elena's condition?"
"Critical. The shock caused her blood pressure to spike dangerously. She's experiencing cardiac arrhythmia. They've moved her to cardiac monitoring and called for immediate intervention."
Lucien's jaw clenched. "Where is the woman?"
"We have her, sir. She's not talking yet, but security footage is clear. She came well prepared, I suspect it was done by them.She had specific financial documents, knew Elena's room number, even knew her treatment schedule."
Victoria Blackwell and Elizabeth Pembroke would have been a perfect mother and daughter than just allies.
Lucien could see Lior through the crack in the study door, pacing anxiously in the foyer. She knew something was wrong.
"I'll handle her later."
Lucien ended the call and stepped back into the foyer, where Lior was staring at him with mounting alarm.
"Something's wrong ?" she asked.
Before he could respond, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and went pale.
St. Mary's Hospital.
Her voice was barely steady.
"Ms. Atheria? This is Nurse Patterson from St. Mary's cardiac unit. I'm calling about your mother."
"Cardiac unit?" Lior's face drained of color. "What's wrong?"
"She was moved to cardiac monitoring earlier this evening. Her blood pressure spiked severely and we detected dangerous arrhythmia. The attending physician would like you to come in as soon as possible."
Lior gripped the phone with white knuckles. "Is she... how bad is it?"
"She's stable for now, but the stress reaction was significant. Given her cancer treatment history, we need to be very careful. Dr. Morrison is coordinating with the cardiac team."
"I'll be right there."
Lior hung up and stood frozen, staring at nothing.
"I must go now." she whispered.
"I'll drive you," he said immediately.
"We need to get to the hospital," he said.
The drive to St. Mary's was tense with unspoken accusations. Lior stared out the window while Lucien made rapid phone calls.
"What are you doing?" Lior asked quietly.
"Ensuring your mother gets the best possible care."
"Throwing money at the problem?"
"Using resources to save her life. There's a difference."
Inside the hospital, Lucien's efficiency was quietly devastating. Within minutes of their arrival, he'd spoken to the charge nurse, the attending physician, and hospital administration. Additional monitoring equipment appeared as if summoned. Dr. Reeves arrived despite the late hour, along with another specialist Lucien had contacted.
"Mrs. Pembroke?" Dr. Morrison approached them near the nurses' station. "I've been coordinating with the cardiac team. Your mother's cancer treatment makes her more vulnerable to stress-related cardiac events, but we're managing both aspects of her care."
"Can I see her?" Lior asked.
"Of course. She's awake but groggy from the medication. Try to keep things calm."
Dr. Reeves joined them, a distinguished man with kind eyes. "I've reviewed her case with Dr. Morrison. The stress-induced episode was serious, but we've stabilized her condition. Her vitals are improving."
Lior nodded gratefully and pushed open the door to room 314. Elena was lying in bed, connected to multiple monitors, looking fragile against the white sheets. But her eyes were alert when they focused on her daughter.
"Lior," Elena's voice was weak but clear. "Thank goodness you're here."
"Mom, how are you feeling?"
Elena's eyes filled with sadness. "Someone came to see me tonight. A woman I'd never met. She told me you got married for money. Is it true?"
Lior's heart clenched. This was the moment she'd been dreading.
Lior felt the weight of decision crushing down on her. She could tell the truth and potentially devastate her recovering mother, or she could lie to protect them both.
She chose protection.
"Mom, that's not true." Lior moved to Elena's bedside, taking her hand gently. "Lucien and I fell in love. That woman, whoever she was, she was lying to you."
Elena searched her daughter's face desperately. "You're sure? You married him because you love him?"
"Yes, Mom. I love him." The lie came out smooth and convincing, even as it twisted in her chest.
"Then why didn't you tell me? Why did you keep your marriage secret?"
"Because I wanted to wait until after your surgery. I didn't want to overwhelm you with big news while you were focusing on getting better. I was planning to share everything once you were stronger."
Elena's face brightened with relief. "Really? You were going to tell me about your happiness?"
"Of course, Mom. You're the most important person in my life."
At that moment, there was a soft knock on the door. Lucien entered carrying an arrangement of white lilies - Elena's favorite flowers - and a basket of fresh fruit.
"Mrs. Atheria," he said, his voice warm with concern. "I came as soon as I heard you weren't feeling well."
Elena studied his face carefully as he approached the bed. Lucien's performance was flawless - the worried son-in-law, genuinely upset that someone had distressed his wife's mother.
"You didn't have to come so late," Elena said softly.
"Family comes first," Lucien replied, setting the flowers where Elena could see them. "I'm sorry someone upset you with lies about Lior and me."
"Lior says you love each other. That you married for love, not money."
Without hesitation, Lucien moved to Lior's side, his hand settling naturally on her shoulder. "Very much so. Your daughter is remarkable, Mrs. Atheria. I can't imagine my life without her."
The lie was delivered with such conviction that even Lior almost believed it.
"I brought Dr. Reeves to consult on your care," Lucien continued. "He's one of the best cardiac specialists in the city. Between him and Dr. Morrison, we'll make sure you recover completely."
Elena smiled for the first time since they'd arrived. "Thank you. That's very thoughtful."
"Anything for family," Lucien said simply.
They stayed for another twenty minutes, keeping the conversation light and reassuring. Elena's color improved, and her vital signs on the monitors gradually stabilized. By the time she drifted off to sleep, she seemed peaceful.
In the hallway outside, Lior finally allowed herself to breathe.
"Thank you," she said quietly to Lucien. "For the doctors, for the performance... for protecting her."
"We did what we had to do."
Lior nodded, but inside she felt the weight of the new lie she'd told. Now she'd have to maintain the fiction that she loved him, that their marriage was real, that she was genuinely happy.
The truth was becoming more complicated by the hour.
Lucien's phone buzzed. Marcus.
"Sir, I have updates on the situation."
"Go ahead."
"The woman who visited Mrs. Atheria is named Rebecca Walsh. She's a private investigator, hired through intermediaries. Professional, discreet, specializes in... sensitive family matters."
"Who hired her?"
"Still working on that, sir. But she had very specific information about your financial arrangements. Someone with inside knowledge provided those bank records."
Lucien glanced at Lior, who was still watching Elena through the window.
"Where is she now?"
"Secure location, waiting for you. She's indicated she might be willing to discuss her employer."
"I'll be there within the hour."
"One more thing, sir. Security footage shows she wasn't alone. Someone was watching from the parking garage while she made the visit. We're analyzing that now."
Lucien ended the call, his mind already shifting to what came next. Someone had orchestrated this attack on Elena deliberately, knowing exactly how to cause maximum damage.
"Lior," he said carefully. "I need to handle some business . I will give you answers "
She turned from the window. "Okay"
An hour later, in a nondescript warehouse in the industrial district, Lucien faced Rebecca Walsh across a metal table. She was exactly as Marcus had described - professional, composed, and clearly expensive.
"Mrs. Walsh," Lucien said quietly. "I think we need to have a conversation."
Rebecca met his gaze steadily. "Mr. Pembroke. I was wondering when you'd arrive."
"Then you know why I'm here."
"Your mother-in-law's unfortunate medical episode. I'm sorry that happened. It wasn't intended."
"But you knew it was a possibility when you showed her those bank records."
Rebecca was quiet for a moment. "I was hired to deliver specific information. The client was very clear about the details that needed to be shared."
"What client?"
"You know I can't reveal that information."
Lucien leaned forward slightly. "Mrs. Walsh, someone deliberately targeted a cancer patient to cause her maximum emotional distress. That same patient is now in cardiac monitoring because of information you provided. I'm not asking anymore."
Rebecca studied his face, clearly weighing her options. Finally, she spoke.
"The client was very concerned about your marriage, Mr. Pembroke. They felt Mrs. Atheria deserved to know the truth about her daughter's... arrangement."
"The truth according to whom?"
"According to bank records and medical payment schedules that were provided to me."
"Provided by whom?"
Rebecca was quiet again, clearly calculating.
"You have less than 10 hours to tell me everything, other wise don't blame for not warning you. " Lucien said finally."
As he left the warehouse, Lucien's phone rang. Dr. Reeves.
"Mr. Pembroke? Mrs. Atheria is stable and resting comfortably. Dr. Morrison and I have coordinated a treatment plan that accounts for both her cardiac response and cancer treatment schedule. She should make a full recovery."