Chapter 148

Stella dragged Joy through the hospital corridors until they reached the back garden, both gasping for breath.

"Your mom is seriously the sweetest," Joy panted, bracing her hands on her knees. "But her matchmaking energy rivals my dad's."

Stella gave her friend a grateful look. "Thanks for taking care of Mom, Joy."

"Please, she's like my dream mother," Joy waved it off. "Except for the constant attempts to set me up."

They settled on a bench, catching up. When Stella mentioned meeting Mr. Alistair, Joy's expression turned smug.

"Told you!" She wiggled her eyebrows triumphantly. "That man looks exactly like Adrian Roland. He stayed hidden because he knew you'd reject him. Now that the truth's out, you can call me Joy Sherlock."

"What about you and Julian—"

"Over!" Joy rolled her eyes dramatically. "I only got close to him to gather intel for you. Mission accomplished—this lady isn't putting up with his nonsense!"

Stella blinked. "What happened?"

"He made me fetch twenty coffees in one afternoon!" Joy stomped her foot. "And kept editing documents piecemeal just to mess with me!"

"Maybe he was—"

"Whatever!" Joy suddenly lowered her voice. "Oliver's situation got complicated."

"What's wrong?"

"All the paperwork was ready. Harry even agreed to a fake marriage to help." Joy sighed. "But Oliver refused the adoption. His autism symptoms might be worsening."

When Lily's pregnancy came up, Joy leaned in conspiratorially. "Stella, is Adrian unusually... you know..."

"Joy!"

"I'm just curious!" Joy grinned. "Lily was diagnosed infertile. This pregnancy makes zero scientific sense!"

Suddenly, Joy grabbed Stella's arm. "Look!"

Near the outpatient entrance, Sophia Durand and her daughter were heading toward the elevators.

"Let's follow them!" Joy tugged Stella excitedly. "I bet that pregnancy's fake!"

Inside the OB-GYN clinic on the fourth floor, Sophia slid a gold card across the desk.

"Doctor, this is yours if you can make my daughter test positive."

The physician shook her head. "Her body can't sustain a pregnancy."

"We don't need a live birth," Sophia smiled. "Just a positive test result."

"But—"

"As for the sperm source," Sophia whispered, "any donor will do."