Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 36: Shadows of Doubt

Lucien paced the hospital corridor, the quiet hum of fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. The unease gnawed at him, a dark undercurrent beneath the surface of his thoughts. Ivy was stable but still not awake, and every moment that passed without her opening her eyes felt like an eternity. He stopped by the large window overlooking the city, staring blankly at the skyline, the bustling life below so starkly different from the sterile, stifling air inside the hospital.

As he stood there, his phone buzzed in his pocket—a message from his assistant, alerting him to a situation back at Blackwood Enterprises. A hostile takeover attempt, one that had sprung out of nowhere. Lucien cursed under his breath. He had been prepared for challenges, but this? Now, of all times? He needed to be here with Ivy, not tangled in corporate warfare. His gaze drifted back to her room, the sight of her motionless figure tethered to machines fueling a deep frustration. He was torn between the woman he loved and the empire he’d built from the ground up, now under siege.

Lucien dialed his best friend, Nathan, the one person he trusted implicitly in times of crisis. The line connected, and Nathan’s steady voice greeted him. “Lucien, what’s going on? Your assistant said it was urgent.”

“It’s a mess, Nathan,” Lucien replied, his tone edged with frustration. “Someone’s making a move on Blackwood Enterprises—trying to destabilize us. I need you to get to the office, assess the situation, and keep everything under control until I get there.”

“Who’s behind it?” Nathan asked, his voice sharp with concern.

“I don’t know yet,” Lucien said, rubbing his temple. “But I’ve got a feeling it’s not a coincidence. Alessandra’s been causing trouble, and now this? It’s too convenient. Just… keep me posted on everything.”

Lucien hung up, his mind whirling with the implications. It wasn’t just about business—this felt personal. Alessandra’s sudden reappearance, Ivy’s mysterious illness, and now an attack on his company all at once. It was as if someone was playing a game, and Lucien was just now realizing he was a pawn in a much larger scheme. He clenched his fists, anger boiling beneath the surface. Whoever was behind this, they had made a grave mistake targeting Ivy and his business. Lucien Blackwood was not one to be toyed with.

Returning to Ivy’s room, Lucien sank into the chair beside her bed, his mind racing. He thought of all the times they’d spent together—the quiet dinners, the laughter, the way Ivy had always believed in him even when he doubted himself. He couldn’t lose her. Not now, not ever. His gaze softened as he watched her, the gentle rise and fall of her chest the only sign of life. Lucien reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. She looked so fragile, so unlike the fierce, determined woman he knew. He wished he could protect her from all of this, from the chaos swirling around them.

Suddenly, Ivy stirred, her eyelids fluttering. Lucien’s heart leapt in his chest, and he leaned closer, hoping she was waking up. But her movements were erratic, as if she were trapped in a nightmare. Her breath hitched, and Lucien could see the strain on her face.

“Ivy, it’s okay,” he whispered, squeezing her hand. “I’m here.”

But she didn’t respond, her expression tense, as if fighting some invisible force. Lucien’s pulse quickened. Something wasn’t right. He pressed the call button for the nurse, his mind racing. Ivy’s heart rate spiked on the monitor, the erratic beeping matching the sudden rush of adrenaline surging through Lucien’s veins. He didn’t know what was happening, but he could feel the danger creeping closer, like a shadow lurking just beyond the door.

The nurse rushed in, followed by a doctor who immediately checked Ivy’s vitals. “What’s happening?” Lucien demanded, his voice edged with fear.

The doctor frowned, adjusting the settings on the machine. “Her body’s reacting to something, but we’re not sure what. We need to run more tests.”

Lucien nodded, but his mind was already spiraling into dark possibilities. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just a medical issue—there was something deeper, something connected to the storm brewing around them. The timing was too perfect, the coincidences too many. Alessandra’s reentry into his life, the takeover attempt, and now Ivy’s unexplained condition. It all felt orchestrated, as if someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes, setting them up for a fall.

He pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts until he found the name he was looking for. Marcus Wilder. A private investigator Lucien had used in the past, discreet and ruthless. If anyone could dig up the truth, it was Marcus. Lucien quickly typed out a message, explaining the situation and requesting a full investigation into Alessandra and anyone else who might be involved. He couldn’t afford to leave any stone unturned. Whoever was behind this had gone too far, and Lucien was determined to bring them down.

As he sent the message, Lucien glanced back at Ivy. She had calmed slightly, but her expression was still troubled, her brow furrowed as if locked in some internal struggle. Lucien squeezed her hand again, his grip firm and reassuring. “We’re going to get through this, Ivy,” he murmured, more to himself than to her. “I promise you, I’m going to fix this. No one is going to hurt you again.”

The doctor finished adjusting the equipment and looked at Lucien with a mix of concern and professionalism. “We’ll monitor her closely and keep you updated,” he said, giving Lucien a reassuring pat on the shoulder before leaving the room.

Lucien nodded absently, his mind already a million miles away. He had a company to protect, a woman he loved fighting for her life, and enemies lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The pressure was mounting, but Lucien thrived under pressure. He had been through enough battles in the boardroom to know that sometimes the fiercest fights weren’t fought with contracts and negotiations, but with sheer will and determination.

As Lucien sat beside Ivy, he could feel the weight of the coming storm pressing down on him. There were too many unknowns, too many threats circling them like vultures. But Lucien was ready. Whoever was behind this would soon learn that when you came after Lucien Blackwood and those he cared about, you’d better be prepared for a war. He wasn’t just going to survive this—he was going to win, for Ivy, for their future, and for everything they had built together. And when he found out who was responsible, there would be no mercy.

Lucien leaned back in the chair, his gaze fixed on Ivy. The hospital room felt like a battlefield, and Lucien was prepared to fight to the last breath. He would uncover the truth, protect his company, and most importantly, keep Ivy safe. Because no matter what it took, he wasn’t going to lose the most important person in his life to someone else’s twisted game.