She paid no mind to calling a doctor for Adele, her thoughts consumed by a different matter.

She wasn't supposed to be discharged from the hospital so soon, but her unease about last night's events drove her to hasten the discharge formalities to find Holden.

Little did she expect to encounter Ariana here.

What a persistent woman! Sadie bitterly mused, disregarding the incessant cries of Adele beside her.

One of the security personnel cast a concerned glance at Adele, his worry escaping his features as he inquired, “Miss Pierre, should we summon a doctor for the young Miss?"

However, Sadie remained aloof and untouched by the guard's query.

Instead, she posed a question of her own, her tone indifferent yet inquisitive.

"How did that woman manage to appear here just now?"

The guard's response was succinct.

"She conducted an interview downstairs. Her child suffered a scald, and Mr. Fredrick brought the child here to tend his wounds. She came to pick up her child.”

These words caused Sadie's heart to falter momentarily.

Swiftly, she pressed, her words swift and sharp, "Did Mr. Fredrick encounter her?"

"No," the guard clarified, his tone grave, "Mr. Fredrick was called to an impromptu meeting and left earlier."

The relief that washed over Sadie was palpable, her composure returning, accentuated by a fleeting smile.

"There's no need to inform Mr. Fredrick about this incident," she advised.

The guard looked puzzled and said seriously, "But Mr. Fredrick instructed us to keep an eye on things."

"He tasked you with safeguarding Adele, not with surveillance. Mr. Fredrick's calendar is brimming with commitments, sparing him the need for trifles of this sort. Leave it be," asserted Sadie, her lips curving into a smile tinged with a note of caution, her gaze flickering towards the guard.

“Devote your energy to your assigned duties. Should you dare to exceed those bounds, bear in mind, I retain the right to relieve you of your post at any instant."

Her warning resonated clearly as she extended a covert offering, sliding a stack of bills from her purse into the guard's hand.

A soft chuckle followed, accompanied by her words.