Chapter 49 Summary

Tony returned to his hotel after visiting Steven at the hospital. Steven was making progress in his recovery and was close to deciding which apartment to move into, although he hadn’t fully committed yet. Tony called Jennifer to catch up and update her on the situation. During the call, he explained Steven’s progress, the apartments he had found, and the one he had already leased for a year, confident Steven would choose it in the end.

Their discussion shifted to the recent unsettling incident involving the cryptic note found in Steven’s apartment: “The living delivers a warning; the dead will reveal the consequences of a warning ignored.” Tony explained how the note had triggered a violent reaction from Steven, requiring sedation, and how authorities were handling the case carefully. Jennifer expressed concern for both Steven and Tony, sparking a conversation about potential danger and Tony’s need to stay alert. Tony reassured her that he was prepared to protect himself and Steven while letting law enforcement handle the investigation, though he admitted frustration over having no leads.

The conversation also uncovered additional security measures Tony had put in place for his staff in Newport, showing the ripple effect the threat had triggered. Jennifer asked Tony to check in at least twice a day, and he agreed, adding a bit of humor to ease the tension. The call wrapped up on a reassuring, positive note, highlighting their strong bond and mutual concern for safety amid the ongoing threat to Steven and Tony.