THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 852

Sally's voice trembled.

Though she already suspected the answer, she clung to a final, desperate sliver of hope.

Zach took a deep breath and met her gaze, speaking each word with heavy finality. "This is a difficult truth, Your Majesty, but I must be honest. If we cannot locate my master and begin the Golden Needle Channel Activation within the next six hours… Prince Hollis will not survive until morning."

It felt as though all the strength was ripped from Sally's body. She crumpled to the floor with a soft thud.

After a long moment, she looked up at Zach and asked, "So… so you're saying Hollis has less than a day to live?"

Less than a day…

Only less than a day!

How could she possibly accept such a reality?

Zach first nodded, then shook his head. "As long as we find my master within six hours, there's still a chance."

Sally broke down completely, sobbing. "But where did Dr. Oracle go? Why would she just disappear? D-did she give up on saving Hollis?"

Zach’s eyes narrowed. "Your Majesty, I can't promise much, but I can guarantee this: my master is not the kind of person who treats life lightly. She always honors her commitments. Someone must be deliberately preventing her from returning."

"Preventing her?" Sally's eyes sharpened. "Who would do that? Hollis's illness has been a closely guarded secret. No one is supposed to know!"

"No secret stays secret forever," Zach replied grimly. "In your estimation, Your Majesty, who stands to gain the most if something were to happen to Prince Hollis?"

Sally's head throbbed. She stumbled back a few steps, her mind reeling. Hollis had many cousins. According to the Valerium laws of succession, if Hollis were to die, any one of them could become the next crown prince.

Could it be them?

Zach steadied her with a hand on her arm, preventing her from fainting. "Your Majesty, we cannot afford to panic now. The Shadow Guard is conducting a full-scale search, and a public reward has been issued. I believe we will have news of my master soon."

Sally nodded, a cold fury beginning to burn through her grief. If she found out who was obstructing Dr. Oracle, she would make them pay a price in blood.

Celia, meanwhile, had driven all the way back to Palmer Castle.

Brock was waiting for her at the entrance.

As soon as he saw her car, he hurried over. "How did it go? Did Will agree to help get Miss Gonzales out?"

Celia shook her head, her voice laced with anger. "Will is a despicable scoundrel! He said he would help Freya, but only if she agreed to one condition."

"What condition?" Brock asked immediately.

"He wants Freya to be his girlfriend."

Hearing this, Brock frowned. Even he hadn't expected Will to take advantage of the situation so shamelessly. In his view, Will might have changed girlfriends frequently, but he had thought his character was fundamentally sound.

Celia pulled out her phone. "But it doesn't matter. I just saw Freya at the Royal Police Department. She gave me a phone number and told me to find a man named Zach. She said he could help her."

Zach was Prince Hollis's personal physician, so his office was close to the prince's chambers. The assistant reached the room in just a couple of minutes.

He pushed open the door and was immediately hit by the heavy, oppressive atmosphere. He approached Zach cautiously and whispered, "Mr. Zach, you have a phone call."

Zach glanced at him. "Who is it?"

The assistant shook his head. "I don't recognize the number."

Zach was in no mood to deal with random calls. He was about to say to hang up when the assistant added something that caught his attention.

"The call is coming through on your private line."

Zach had two numbers: a public one for work, and a private one. He had set different ringtones to distinguish between them.

Hearing it was his private line, Zach's expression changed instantly. "Quick, give me the phone."

Very few people had that number.

The assistant handed it over.

Zach brought the phone to his ear. "Hello, this is Zach."

He listened for a moment, and his face suddenly drained of color. "What? Okay, I understand! Thank you for calling and letting me know. I'll handle it immediately."