Paying no heed to Jason's question, Laurence asked, "Okay. I won't ask you where she is. Is she alive?" Jason replied, "I don't know. I don't have the answers." Laurence couldn't fire his gun at Jason like before, as he had reservations. Still, it wasn't as if there weren't other means he could use on Jason, but the image of Zoey hissing her hatred at him with tearful eyes haunted him. How couldn’t Laurence be affected by her hatred for him? Her opinion of him mattered a lot. Laurence was at breaking point and couldn't endure any more of her resentment. That was why he couldn't harm the people she cared about. Laurence's relationship with Zoey was like a broken mirror, its shards too sharp to be repaired. He tried to piece it back together, but the jagged edges only cut him deeper.The security detail dispersed at the wave of Laurence's hand. They walked out of the conference room and stood in the hallway outside the door. Laurence believed Sarah was still alive somewhere. If she
Zoey was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night, and things were not looking good. She may have to deliver her baby prematurely. Zoey hadn't always been in the best of health. Although she was not sickly, her health couldn't handle much stress. Jason scowled with furrowed brows as he waited in the hallway. After some time, a doctor wearing a medical mask emerged from the ward. "The mother isn't doing well. We need to keep her under observation for a while. We recommend an urgent Cesarean if her vitals don't improve." At least the surgery was the best chance of survival for the mother and the baby. Nothing else mattered more to Jason than his niece's life. He asked, "How risky is the surgery? Can you guarantee my niece's safety?" The doctor had thought the guy was the pregnant woman’s husband since he looked so young. It turned out he was her uncle. He replied, "We can't promise that because any surgery comes with risks. We’ll do everything we can to ensure the safety
"Does Laurence know you were hospitalized?"Zoey shook her head. She had never been one to initiate contact with Laurence. There was no way she could've told him about the incident. She couldn't wait for the day she’d never have to see his face again. Laurence had been messaging her for a few days now—only concise, to-the-point texts—but she never replied.Rose was puzzled. How odd for him to suddenly appear at the hospital when he hadn't been there for days. "Could he have fallen really sick?" she speculated bitterly. He showed no signs of sickness earlier, though. He was still his usual sullen, unsympathetic self. He paced so fast, almost like a shooting star in the sky. Even the doctors behind him struggled to keep up.Zoey lowered her head and said, "He does go for a physical checkup once a year."Additionally, the Scotts had their own family physician—they would catch even the tiniest change in their health early. Rose felt Laurence's name no longer ought to be mentioned in
Rose cursed herself internally for letting the cat out of the bag. Why did she have to be so talkative? What use was sarcasm in front of Laurence? He obviously did not care or sympathize.The messages Laurence sent Zoey the past two days had gone unanswered, and his calls suffered the same fate as she had blocked his number long ago. No wonder he hadn't seen her out and about the past couple of days–she had been in the hospital the whole time.To think, she hadn’t even bothered letting him know that she had been hospitalized. If it weren't for Rose, he would have remained completely clueless. He didn't care when the unborn child would be brought earthside. As long as it came out safe and sound. The timing didn't matter to him—it would just be the same as any other day. It was true, children are a hassle."She's here in the hospital?""I've said too much. Just pretend you didn't hear anything from me. It never had anything to do with you anyway. Just stay here and keep an eye on you
Sarah's most serious injury was not on her leg but her face. She flaunted a conspicuous scar that stretched across her left cheek. Although the wound had already scabbed over and had started to recover, the pink scar was still impossible to ignore.It was a devastating blow for a girl whose vanity formed a big part of her life—especially Sarah, who took pride in her looks. Since her hospital admission, she hadn't looked in the mirror. She couldn't bear seeing the prominent scar that now adorned her face.That day, she had been taken away by a taxi. Looking back now, she must have been set up. As soon as she got into the car, she began feeling drowsy and disoriented, and it wasn't until she noticed the scenery growing increasingly desolate did she realize that something was amiss. Sarah had no doubt those people were after her life that day. If she hadn't used her brains, she would have long sunk into the cement.Recalling the incident still sent shivers down her spine. Turning into
It all happened so suddenly.Zoey was pushed into the operating room. Her only option now was a Cesarean section. As the anesthesia kicked in, she drifted off drowsily, unconscious of her surroundings.Rose, scared and confused, paced back and forth by the entrance to the operating room. Taking a moment to calm down, she quickly called Jason to inform him about the surgery. After getting off the phone, she let out a heavy sigh. She clutched her phone tightly, debating whether to inform Zoey's mom. She recalled Janet’s poor health and feared the news would be a big blow to her. But something like this ought not to be kept secret.Rose fumbled around her contacts for Janet's number. It took her several attempts before she got through. Suppressing her trembling voice, she explained that Zoey was about to give birth. Janet still couldn't walk for long periods of time, but as she rushed to the hospital, that was the last of her concerns. This was a brand-new experience for Rose, and sh
Her daughter's hospitalization due to the risk of disfigurement did not hinder Jasmine's plans.She had long kept watch over the nurses in the department. She was certain at least one or two of them kept unspeakable secrets, and swapping babies would be a piece of cake for them. It was this young nurse's first time doing something such as this. She was so nervous she felt like she could empty her guts on the floor.The family members of the mother were all present at the hospital, and each one appeared more influential than the last. She couldn’t afford to provoke any one of them. She instantly regretted her foolishness and greed for some quick bucks.Her timidity looked like it was there to stay. When Jasmine approached her, it immediately spoke for her and expressed her change of mind.Jasmine didn't expect the nurse to be so spineless as to chicken out like this. Her face fell, and she dropped the pretense and niceties. "Who gave you permission to back out of something you agree
When the hospital director heard this, beads of cold sweat began forming on his forehead. Concealing the matter was possible, but it wouldn't change the fact that it was disgraceful."Well, I do understand, but ..." he trailed off. He was in a tight spot. If anyone were to discover anything, it wouldn't end well.Laurence cast a condescending gaze at the director. "Dr. Shipherd, what is stopping you? Feel free to speak up." His tone was gentle, but the words falling from his lips were like ice-cold spears piercing his heart.Dr. Smith wiped at the cold sweat on his forehead. "Once the child is out of the special care unit, we will arrange the paternity test as soon as possible."Yet, Laurence wasn't pleased about waiting. He had already depleted his patience and no longer wanted to brew with his resentment. The more he looked at the child, the more displeased he felt; it was enough to ruin his whole day."Looks to me like something is still stopping you, Dr. Smith."The hospital