Julio retreated to the side, lingering in the hallway with a face full of embarrassment. Inside the study, Elaine didn't waste a second. While maintaining her vocal performance to keep the guard outside at bay, her eyes scanned every inch of the desk for any shred of leverage against Tyson. As she rifled through his personal effects, her gaze landed on a heavy brass key ring attached to his belt. She remembered seeing a small, discreet floor safe hidden behind a mahogany panel in the corner of the room. The keyholes looked like a perfect match. Moving with practiced silence, she unclipped the keys from the unconscious Tyson. She hurried to the safe, her hands trembling slightly as she turned the key. With a soft click, the heavy door swung open to reveal stacks of aged manila envelopes. These weren't just standard business records; their worn edges and cryptic labels suggested they held years of Tyson’s darkest dealings. Elaine pulled them out one by one, her phone camera clicking rhythmically as she captured every page. Outside, Julio remained frozen, not daring to intrude. It was only after a long silence that he finally mustered the courage to knock again. "The doctor is almost here," he called out tentatively. Elaine’s heart hammered against her ribs. She shoved the documents back, locked the safe, and clipped the keys back onto Tyson's belt. She smoothed her hair and adjusted her clothes, putting on a look of flustered disarray before heading toward the door. As she stepped out, Julio caught a glimpse of her straightening her dress. Having served Tyson for years, he had never known his employer to be so... uninhibited. Despite the sliver of suspicion in his mind, he kept his head down and pushed past her into the study. Seeing Tyson slumped on the sofa, Julio hesitated. "Sir?" There was no response. Seeing Tyson in such a deep stupor, Julio simply assumed the "encounter" had been too exhausting. When the doctor arrived at the door, Julio stopped him. "Wait a moment. Now isn't a good time. Let him rest; we'll check him when he wakes up." "Very well," the doctor replied. "I'll wait downstairs." Morning light eventually filtered through the study windows. Tyson groaned, his eyes slowly fluttering open. A dull, throbbing ache hammered at his skull. He couldn't remember much—only that the headache had become unbearable before everything went black. Julio walked in carrying a fresh cup of black coffee. "The doctor was here last night, but you were in such a deep sleep that I told him to head back." "Mm." Tyson rubbed his temples, his voice raspy. "What time is it?""Seven o'clock, sir." Tyson’s internal biological clock was precise; seven was his usual hour. As long as he wasn't late for his meetings, it was fine. "I must have been more exhausted than I thought. Have the kitchen prepare breakfast. We have a meeting to attend." "Yes, sir." Julio turned to leave but hesitated at the door. "Should I ask Ms. Elaine to prepare it for you?" Tyson’s brow furrowed. He was naturally hyper-vigilant and found Julio’s tone strange. "Why bring her up out of the blue?" "Well... after how exhausted she must be from last night, I thought..." "Exhausted? What are you talking about?" Tyson’s frown deepened. He had fallen asleep early and had no idea what Julio was implying. Seeing Tyson’s genuine confusion, Julio found it difficult to speak. "Last night... you and Ms. Elaine were... in here..." Tyson’s sharp mind instantly connected the dots. His face turned a deathly shade of pale, then flared with rage. "What exactly did she do in my study last night?" Julio froze. Before he could even process the question, Tyson had already bolted out of the room. Julio followed right on his heels as Tyson slammed open the door to Elaine’s bedroom. It was empty. The bed was neatly made, and not a single personal item remained. Julio stood there, stunned. "I... I don't understand. She was..." Tyson didn't let him finish. He whirled around and delivered a stinging slap across Julio’s face. "You idiot!" Tyson hissed, his voice trembling with fury. "You were played by that woman!" "I'm sorry, sir... I truly thought you two were..." Julio lowered his head, unable to meet Tyson's eyes. "Find her!" Tyson roared. "Get our men on the streets! I want Elaine found immediately! Now!" "Yes, sir!" Julio didn't dare delay. He scrambled to his feet and began barking orders into his phone, mobilizing every Hayes family bodyguard in Westbrook. But just as Julio prepared to rush out the front gates, the heavy doors swung open. Elaine was standing right there on the threshold of the Hayes estate, looking perfectly composed.