Ivy,
I hope you don’t object to my sending you this at your work email address. It was the only contact I could find, since I never quite got the opportunity to get your phone number today.
It’s obvious to me that you and Cullen Sharpe have something going on and I don’t intend to interfere. But I did want to make you aware of something, because I don’t think it’s fair for you to be kept in the dark.
Especially not when it comes to you potentially risking your life…
This is a serious charge, and it’s very real. The man who wrote the attached email (see below) is a doctor from the hospital where Cullen Sharpe has worked as a neurosurgeon for the last decade.
Take it as you will. I only forward it along to you because I genuinely think you’re a sweet girl who’s in way over her head.
Be well, Ivy. If you ever need to talk, I’m here…
Begin Forwarded Message:
Xavier,
Good to hear from you. Things have been a little crazy, what with the new construction going up and all of the chaos it’s caused around the hospital.
But recently I’ve been occupied with darker matters.
New information has come to light about our old “friend” Mr. Sharpe. Needless to say, much of this is confidential…
The death of his patient has not quietly gone away as we’d all hoped it might.
Her family has gotten involved and they’re investigating—putting serious muscle behind their efforts. They’re convinced that her death was totally avoidable, and what’s more, that it wasn’t simply an innocent mistake by a tired surgeon.
Her parents have gotten wind of Sharpe’s romantic involvements with their daughter, and it seems they even gotten hold of the domestic violence charges against him.
It all boils down to a very big mess, a potential PR disaster for the hospital and perhaps a trip to prison for The Ice King if any of the allegations pan out.
You know that many of us who had direct knowledge of the situation were always suspicious, but politics and power have a way of dampening inquiry.
That seems to be changing. Her family is very determined and quite wealthy. I have a feeling our friend is about to find himself in very hot water indeed.
But maybe that’s what a murderer deserves.
Best,
Fred Martins, MD, Chief of Surgery, Boston City Hospital
Ivy read the email twice, her heart pounding, a headache blossoming instantly behind her eyes as the enormity of the message struck her full force.
The writer of the email—the chief of surgery no less—had actually referred to Cullen as a murderer.
She felt chills run up and down her spine and she grew colder and colder.
Her heart wanted to simply discount it all as rumor and gossip and innuendo. But then she remembered the way Cullen had reacted to receiving those court documents, and the strange conversation she’d overheard between him and that mystery woman in the early morning hours.
She didn’t know if any of these things related to one another, but Ivy had the horrible feeling that there might be truth to the email Xavier had sent her.
Tears sprang to her eyes and she spun in her chair, wanting to run to the restroom to have a private cry.
Only, blocking the entrance to her cubicle, was none other than Lucas. And from the look on his face, Ivy knew that he’d been standing there and reading over her shoulder.
“What are you doing?” she whispered. “Why are you always snooping around here? I’m going to report you.”
Lucas gave her a somber, calm look. “Ivy,” he said, “we need to have a serious talk.”
“I’m not saying shit to you. Now, move out of my way, Lucas.”
“It’s about Cullen.” He looked around and then lowered his voice. “He’s not what you think. You’re in grave danger.”
And that’s when her world truly began to spin out of control.
END OF BOOK 4
Part V
Threat (The Billionaire’s Rules, Book 5) by Kelly Favor
Lucas was standing in the entrance to Ivy’s cubicle, blocking her path out.
“Get away from me,” she warned him. She still couldn’t believe he’d had the nerve to read a private email by standing behind her like some creepy stalker.
Ivy was furious, her blood boiling at the invasion of her privacy. And then he’d used that moment to tell her that he knew something else bad about Cullen Sharpe.
As if anything he could tell her would shock her. She’d just read an email that accused the CEO of murder, and Lucas thought he could add something new to the mix?
Lucas spoke in a low, conspiratorial voice. “In five minutes, take your break and go outside. I’ll be waiting across the street by the hot dog vendor and we can talk.”
“You’re an idiot if you think I’m going anywhere with you, Lucas.”