Chapter 149

The doctor's face turned ashen. His fingers clenched the medical chart. "Are you insane? Playing with human lives?"

Lily Savigny scoffed. She pulled a wad of cash from her Chanel bag and slammed it on the desk. "Enough talk. Is this sufficient? I can add more."

"Get out!" The doctor slammed his fist on the table, his white coat trembling. "No amount of money will make me commit such an atrocity!"

The door slammed shut, cutting off Lily's shrill screams.

"Mom! Why did you stop me?" Lily stomped her Louboutin heels against the marble floor. "Who does that penniless doctor think he is?"

Sophia Durand leisurely reapplied her lipstick. "Patience. Houston has plenty of private clinics. Someone will take the job."

"But we're running out of time!" Lily clutched her silk skirt, her nails nearly piercing the fabric. "If Adrian realizes I'm not pregnant—"

Sophia snapped her compact shut. Her eyes turned icy. "Have you identified who leaked those photos?"

Lily froze. "It must be that bitch Stella! Who else would—"

"The Valois family." Sophia's voice was razor-sharp. "Victor mentioned Victor Valence from Valois Realty has been seen with Stella recently."

"Victor Valence?" Lily's pupils constricted. "The owner of Unique Jewelry?"

In the stairwell shadows, Stella Valentine clamped a hand over her mouth. Joy Fairsprene frantically gestured at her to silence the ringing phone.

"Stella?" Mr. Alistair's hoarse voice came through. "Where are you?"

She whispered, "At the hospital. Ran into Joy."

A weighted pause. When he spoke again, his voice trembled. "Don't wander off... I'll worry."

Stella watched Lily and Sophia disappear down the corridor. "They won't dare touch me now."

A sudden coughing fit erupted through the line, followed by clinking glass.

"You're sick?" Her chest tightened.

"It's nothing." His voice grew distant. "Stella, remember—no matter what happens—"

The call disconnected.

Stella stared at the darkened screen, her fingers numb. He'd never sounded so... off.

Joy grabbed her wrist. "Look!"

Through the railing gaps, they saw Lily and Sophia heading toward the VIP maternity wing. Sophia was on the phone, smirking.

"They're hunting for an underground clinic." Joy gritted her teeth. "Should we tell Adrian?"

Stella shook her head, eyes locked on her last unread text:

"8 PM. Rosewood Manor. Critical information."

Sender: Mr. Alistair.