The Huber family''s staff didn''t know exactly what had happened, but you didn''t need to be Sherlock Holmes to see it:

    The boss was furious today. And not just your average mad-he was nuclear.

    Janelle heard themotion and rushed over.

    "I''ll go check on him. Please, let me in to see him," she pleaded.

    "You''re not going in either!" Richard barked.

    Janelle''s voice cracked as she cried, "What, you''re just going to leave him in there to rot?"

    "If he wants to rot in there, I won''t even give him the chance! Our family has always been respectable-how did we end up with such a screw-up for a son?”

    "If he refuses to marry Beatrix, then call the cops! Let theme and haul him off!"

    Janelle nearly copsed at those words, only staying upright because Elysia and Winona grabbed her arms just in time.

    Janelle sobbed, "You can''t do that! He''s your flesh and blood! If the police take him, he''s finished. His whole life-ruined!"

    Richard''s face was a stormy mix of red and pale.

    "He did something this monstrous-I ought to disown him!"

    "You... that''s not right. Even Winnie says it''s not right. Richard, we have to get the facts straight! Really look into this!"

    "Winnie?" Richard shot her a look she hadn''t expected. Winona froze for a second, then stammered, "Mr. Huber..."

    Tarquin quickly introduced her, "She''s Elysia''s best friend. Also a friend of

    Keaton''s. She was here when Jess called, so she came along."

    Richard studied her, his anger softening just a little as he remembered. "I know you. Nearly got yourself killed by that jerk. Poor girl."

    Winona gave an awkward smile. "Bad luck with men, I guess."

    Richard sighed heavily. "It''s the Livingstons who didn''t appreciate you. Surviving that, you''re bound for better things. Life has a way of evening out. You''ll be happy, just you wait."

    "Thank you, sir. And Keaton-he''s not like Zane. He''s not a jerk. He''d never... you know, force himself on someone."

    Richard exhaled, long and deep.

    He wasn''t a fool-he knew his son''s ws. Keaton was a flirt, sure, but he wasn''t evil. Assaulting Beatrix? No way.

    But the kid confessed. That was the real kick in the teeth.

    He was mad at his son for being reckless, but mostly, he was furious that Keaton

    was taking the me for something he couldn''t have done.

    Why would he do that?

    Just then, a maid sprinted in, panic written all over her face. "Sir! Something''s happened! Ms. Sutton the

    is threatening to kill herself i living room!"

    Richard and Janelle jumped, then bolted for the living room.

    Elysia and Winona exchanged a look, eyebrows knitted in worry, and hurried after them.

    Tarquin turned to the security

    guards, voice, low and urgent. "Go

    get a doctor for your young master, fast. If the boss fires you over this, I''ll find you another job. But if you don''t call the doctor right now, you''ll be out on the street tonight-no questions asked."

    The guards flinched. "We''ll call the doctor right away, sir!"

    Tarquin''s tone eased. "Good. And when Keaton''s better, I''ll make sure he takes care of you."

    With that, he hurried off to catch up with Elysia, heading for the main house.

    Seeing Elysia and Winona''s anxious faces, he said, "If she really wanted to kill herself, she''d be dead already. We wouldn''t have time to get there. Don''t panic."

    That actually made sense.

    Elysia felt a little better, but still pressed, "How''s Keaton doing?"

    "He''s not going to die. But he won''t be getting out of bed for a month.”

    Elysia''s eyes widened. "They beat him that badly?!"

    "Mr. Huber was really, really pissed."

    "But when I saw the video, Keaton didn''t seem like himself. Didn''t Mr. Huber notice?"

    Tarquin''s expression darkened. "Wait-you watched the video?!"