"Mr. Kingston Monica's health is deteriorating rapidly, and her time is limited."Andrew was taken aback by Evelyn's soft yet unwavering revelation. While he harbors a dislike for Monica because of the pain she caused Alice, he never wanted her life to end so tragically."Oh god gracious, how could that be?" Andrew uttered in stance."Monica's pregnancy has taken a dangerous turn, and it's doubtful she'll make it through delivery. Her medical prognosis suggests she might not survive after giving birth, as she'll be expending all her strength in the process." Samantha broke the somber silence with this grim account of Monica's condition."This is really distressing news. What about the baby then?" Andrew's voice was filled with grief and concern.He felt a deep sorrow for the unborn baby, knowing the pain of losing a mother. Although he was five when he lost his own mother, the thought of Monica's child becoming an orphan so soon after entering the world was heartbreakingly tragic."Th
Andrew, in a sharp and unforgiving tone, said, "Your hidden daughter, sheltered by your sister to keep your secret safe, It's no wonder you've shown Monica favoritism. She's your own flesh and blood, leaving Alice in the shadows."From the moment Alice let slip her family's tale in a drunken haze back in London, Andrew couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. This suspicion led him to instruct Vicky to unearth the whole truth, and the revelation about Barney was nothing short of shocking.Despite Sophie's attempts at blackmail, he knew he had to make a stand to safeguard it. If not, Alice's reputation could have been irreparably tarnished.Barney was astounded beyond words. The thought never crossed his mind that the secret he had hidden for so long would come to light in front of his son-in-law.His face went ashen as he posed the question in a shaky voice, "Did you confide in Alice about this?"If she becomes aware, it could signify the closing of the door on any chance
With a graceful gesture, Andrew invited Alice onto his opulent yacht, and their eyes met in astonishment at what lay before them.'I entrusted Vicky with prepping the yacht for the evening, and to my surprise, that troublemaker decked it out for a romantic and cozy rendezvous.'Andrew quietly swore at Vicky upon seeing the yacht adorned with opulent arrangements of fresh flowers. Cascades of roses, peonies, and orchids are nestled in crystal vases, their fragrance mingling with the salty sea air. Petals are scattered artfully all over, adding a touch of beauty."This is yours?" Alice questioned, awe evident in her eyes as she admired the lavish yacht.Would you like a tour of the yacht?" Andrew asked, his lips forming a warm smile.Though Alice found it enchanting, Andrew was still taken aback by the decoration, meticulously taking in every detail.The yacht is adorned with elegant ivory curtains that hang delicately, catching the sea breeze. It offered both privacy and a gentle, warm
Upon returning to her hometown after years away, Alice is flooded with nostalgic emotions.As she relocated to LA, she vowed to herself that New York was a chapter of her past she'd never revisit. She held true to her word, never accepting an outdoor shoot in the city. Today, however, she finally broke her promise and returned.While she had asked Andrew for some time to ponder over her decision, the idea of encountering her family or Monica again, let alone going back, was something she strongly resisted. It was the thought of Monica's unborn child that ultimately nudged her towards giving Monica one last opportunity to speak and attempt to persuade her to grant her wish."Is nostalgia hitting you?" Andrew questioned, seeing the twinkle in Alice's eyes as she peered out the window during landing."Hmm, a bit." Alice wiped the corners of her eyes.They exited the airport, locked in an embrace, and met with a barrage of Alice's fans requesting selfies, which slowly pushed Andrew away.
Seven days later, in the hospital setting, a nurse walked out of the operating room, cradling a tiny newborn and passing it into Alice's loving arms.With a radiant smile, she declared, "It's a baby girl," bringing immense happiness to the Kingston and Cooper families.Andrew's family was brimming with delight when they heard of Alice's choice to adopt the baby. They couldn't wait for Andrew and Alice to return with the little one.Upon hearing that Monica had been taken to the hospital, they swiftly flew to New York. Only a few hours had passed since their arrival, and they were already at the hospital.Alice was cradling the precious bundle, her eyes gleaming with adoration, while Andrew absorbed the scene with a twinkle in his eyes. Alice's joy was the wellspring of his high spirits.Their happiness was short-lived as a nurse suddenly rushed out, urgently requesting Alice's presence."Excuse me, Miss Alice Cooper; the patient wishes to see you one last time. She's running out of ti
"While we were in the hospital, Monica confided in me privately that Mason is desperately trying to locate her."Alice delivered the stunning revelation to Andrew, causing him to tense up and pinch the bridge of his nose in disbelief."What? What gotten into him out of the blue?""Monica wasn't in possession of the precise reason, but she speculates that he's interested in having the baby," Alice replied, her fingers fidgeting with unease."The baby? This just doesn't add up. Why the abrupt change of heart to wish for a child he abandoned even before she was born? Was Monica completely certain about this? Did he have any knowledge of the baby being in our care?"Andrew couldn't stop himself from firing off a barrage of questions, his agitation fueled by the shocking news of Mason's audacious moves."I'm not completely in the loop, but Monica relayed that a few days ago, she started getting a flurry of emails from Mason, inquiring about her location since she had blocked all his contac
"What leads you to believe he's unable to be a father anymore?" Alice's face contorted in confusion as she asked."In the accident, his reproductive system suffered irreversible damage, rendering him unable to father a child. This explains why he's so determined to find Monica and their baby. He had no knowledge of Monica's health, her demise, or the baby's whereabouts. If he discovers that the child is with us, being the biological father, he may make efforts to reclaim her, putting us at a disadvantage."Andrew shared the intelligence he'd obtained through his spy. A frigid breath escaped him as he stated, "Monica's assessment of him was accurate. He had no real concern, only a desire to take her baby."Alice stood up, her voice nervous yet determined. "This is utter nonsense! He can't just take my child away. She belongs with me. Monica entrusted me with her care after giving birth."Swiftly, she scooped the baby from the cradle, clutching her tightly against her chest, inadvertent
"I beg you, please, be mindful of your words about my baby," Alice choked out, tears cascading down her cheeks as she held the infant close as she sank onto the couch.In a swift motion, Andrew hurried to Alice, pulling her into a protective embrace and offering solace through gentle pats on her shoulder, while a concerned crowd formed around them."I sincerely apologize, ma'am, if I inadvertently caused you distress. My sole intention was to find the most effective solution for your issue, regardless of the approach," Vicky pleaded."The heartbreak of losing a child is unimaginable. I lived through it once, and I can't imagine enduring it again," Alice said, her voice filled with sorrow and sobs.Shock rippled through the room as they heard her speak. The hazy recollections of the day she experienced a miscarriage swirled in their minds, but none had any inkling of her pregnancy, let alone a connection with the unborn child. Today marked the first time they truly grasped the depth of
Listening to lawyer Jones's argument, Alice and Vicky held their heads. They were at a dead end when a sudden voice made them jump in surprise."Pardon the interruption, but I have evidence that exposes Mason Rex not only as a bad father but as a genuinely awful person," Andrew declared with a sense of outrage upon entering the courtroom.Alice and Vicky exchanged surprised glances before turning their attention to Andrew, whose expression was stern and his eyes blazed a fierce red. Even Mason and Jones were visibly shaken, captivated by the intensity emanating from his fiery gaze.The judge glared at him and massaged his temples. "What's going on here? Mr. Kingston, maintain order in the court or face removal. Defense counsel, enlighten us on this new development." His irritation heightened with the persistent interruptions.Vicky was completely in the dark about what Andrew was talking about, rendering him dumbfounded. He looked at Andrew and the judge with a zipped mouth, like a de
"I may not have singled out your name, but to the plaintiff's lawyer, your statement carried significant weight."Vicky's remark triggered laughter in the courtroom, leaving Jones feeling offended."Excuse me, we don't need to play a cheap trick when truth is our ally. Mr. Rex is Emma's biological father, and a parent needs no justification to reclaim their daughter.""Your honor, I earnestly implore the court to weigh Mr. Rex's blood relation to the child and render a decision in his favor. Allow an anguished father to reunite with his daughter."Jones, at this moment, had no recourse but to go to court, relying on Mason's biological fatherhood as the sole influential factor in tilting the case in their favor.Vicky sighed and shook his head, accustomed to Jones's theatrical displays and feigned emotions aimed at swaying the court."What if there's a legitimate reason?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow."What?""What if I propose that even a father like Mason may have a rationale fo
In the courtroom, Paul Rex brought to light a new revelation, a piece of knowledge shared among Alice, Andrew, and Vicky. Yet, their challenge lay in the absence of concrete proof to back up the information they possessed."Point duly noted, Your Honor. Mr. Mason Rex professed a profound love for his ex-wife and conveyed regret for the child. However, this revelation unveils a contradiction—indicating he was never genuinely inclined towards marriage or assuming responsibility for the child but was compelled to do so."Vicky's words stirred a reaction from Mason, who hastily stood up to defend himself. In response, Jones gestured for him to exercise caution and avoid actions that could prove unfavorable in the proceedings."What unfolded next, Mr. Rex?" Vicky shifted his focus back to Paul, encouraging him to pick up where he left off."I deeply regret coercing this troublemaker and hoping he would reform for the well-being of his wife and child. Sadly, my choice subjected the poor wom
Vicky vented his simmering rage over Mason's intricate web of lies about his relationship, a revelation that outpaced even the awareness of his legal representative."Your Honor, the accused asserts a lack of recollection regarding the breakup with Miss Cooper. Nonetheless, the truth emerges: he terminated the relationship upon her refusal to endorse his company as a brand ambassador. This is what he is not in a position to accept. Subsequent revelations exposed his infidelity during the course of their relationship.""Miss Cooper, left with no recourse, exposed his misconduct, resulting in the loss of his company. In retaliation, he targeted Miss Monica after their marriage, subjecting her to a tumultuous and distressing life."Vicky's statement was left incomplete as Jones abruptly rose and began applauding. Departing from his usual objections, he introduced a surprising and unconventional method of interruption that caught everyone off guard."Lawyer Jones, can you please put words
"Your honor, before we commence today's proceedings, Miss Cooper would like to make a request to the court," Vicky stated after bowing to the judge.Mason and his lawyer exchanged glances, and Jones threw them a look that said they were pulling the same stunt, but he made it clear it's not going to fly in court—different day, same old song.The judge gave a nod of approval, granting permission for the request.Alice sauntered up, taking her spot in front of the judge after shooting a quick nod. Feeling the weight of onlookers' stares, she nervously licked her lips, sensing the heat in the room.The seasoned stage and on-camera pro, unafraid in the limelight, is now grappling with stage fright for the first time. However, driven by her love for her daughter, she pushes through.Alice let out a deep breath, mustered her courage, and started speaking. "Your honor, during the previous session, Attorney Jones claimed I'm unfit as a mother for Emma, and even...""Your honor, objection. What
Alice and Andrew stepped out of the elevator onto the 52nd floor of the Royman Hotel that evening, ready to meet Mason. Thanks to Vicky's setup, the ball was in Mason's court."Sunny, any hunch on why Mason opted for our hotel meet-up instead of his office digs?" Alice queried as they strolled in."The thief thinks everybody steals. I reckon Mason Rex's a bit wary, fearing we might have some tricks up our sleeves for this meeting. So, he's strategically set it in our territory to clear his name if anything fishy happens," Andrew mused with a touch of suspicion.He read Mason's cunning mind like an open book."Hmm, you are right.""Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Kingston."Mason awaited them in Andrew's exclusive waiting lounge; spotting their entry, he rose, extending his hand for a shake. Andrew, a bit iffy, eventually gave it the nod."So spill it, Alice, what's the rush for this impromptu meeting? Worried that the verdict tomorrow will swing my way and your little angel, oops, I mean my darli
"Your honor, it's crucial to acknowledge that Miss Cooper opted to prioritize her public image over the well-being of the infant.""That's wrong......" Alice attempted to protest, but Jones kept firing questions with a booming voice. "Why'd you stroll out with the baby solo without giving a heads-up to your folks or security?""I went with Emma to the restroom, but she bolted unexpectedly while I was washing my hands. Despite my quick commands, being small and flickering, the little baby wouldn't listen, so I had to dash after her urgently, without alerting anyone to the sudden twist of events." Alice spilled the beans without holding back."Your honor, it's worth emphasizing that the defendant isn't just self-centered but also an inattentive mother, incapable of looking after a one-year-old child," Jones remarked, a broader smirk evident on his face.Once again, he slyly targeted Alice, preventing her from defending herself. "Miss Cooper, in the interview, did you really discuss a o
Alice and Andrew were stunned to see the director of Sunshine Orphanage appear as Mason's witness."Your honor, I'd like to point out that this woman is Mrs. Green, the director of Sunshine Orphanage—the entity the defendant manipulated to falsely assert her adoption of baby Emma. Yet, Director Green's statement provides a stark contrast," Mr. Jones explained.The judge peered over his glasses at the individuals before him and declared,
"I'm the poor man whose daughter you've absconded with, masquerading your adoption as a virtuous act. You're the very definition of an opportunist," Mason hissed, an insidious smirk creeping across his face."Your words hold no weight. She's my child, and you're nothing but a loathsome fraud and betrayer. I'll ensure the truth prevails in court."Alice couldn't contain herself when he claimed Emma as his own, but when she tried to object, Mason's unscrupulous grin remained unshaken.