With every ounce of strength, Adele tried to steady herself, her voice breaking.

"Mom, please!"

That seemed to appease Sadie, who waved a dismissive hand.

"Fine, get up."

She had her ways to make Adele miserable, and this method, being discreet, gave her a wicked sense of pleasure. It sure lifted her spirits.

But catching sight of Adele's exhausted face, Sadie was reminded of the day Adele had clung to Ariana. Her rage returned in a flash. She lightly tapped Adele's cheek, her tone dripping with malice.

“Always be good, alright? Parents only love good little girls. Otherwise, who knows, we might just leave you behind."

Adele stood there, a quivering mess, and couldn't muster a word.

Seeming satisfied with her little tirade, Sadie headed out, Adele in tow.

Soon after, a crew entered to spruce up the dressing room. Among them, a newbie stared wide-eyed at the luxurious dresses on the floor and the sparkling jewelry. She whispered, a touch of envy in her voice, "One of these necklaces could set me up for years."

Another cleaner, a seasoned one, warned her, "Eyes straight ahead.

This room's watched by cameras. One cleaner thought they could slack off and got caught. Lost their job."

Taking the hint, the new cleaner dove into her work, the earlier longing replaced by caution.

Holden made his way to West City with a document needing his signature. After he had scribbled his name on it, a nagging feeling made him pause. The thought of returning to Sadie wasn't appealing at the moment.

Digging in his pocket, he looked around. His eyes caught a glowing sign on the other side of the river: “Evergreen Apartments."

That name rang a bell. He racked his brain and remembered that the middle-aged owner of the tailor shop had mentioned it.

Eyeing the building, he told his driver, "You head back. I'll keep the car."

Once his driver was gone, Holden made his way across the river to the building.

He still had the exact address the man from the tailor shop had provided.

He stood in front of the apartment door, gathering his thoughts.