Chapter 221

"Grandmother, I'm truly carrying the Kingsley heir." Isabella Winslow blinked her innocent doe eyes. "You can request a paternity test as soon as the baby is born."

Silence stretched for several seconds on the other end.

"Enough!" Madeline Kingsley's voice turned razor-sharp. "Evelyn just survived a car crash today, and you're already knocking on our door. Admit it—did you orchestrate the accident? How many people have you bribed? What kind of parents raise a viper like you?"

"Grandmother, I swear—"

The line went dead before Isabella could finish.

Madeline's trembling fingers blocked every contact from her old friend. She collapsed onto the bed, chest heaving.

It had to be Isabella. She'd corrupted Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Laurel, and now even her dearest confidante. That venomous woman had harmed Evelyn, endangered the Kingsley bloodline.

Tears soaked the pillow as the matriarch lay motionless.

Why such cruelty? Letting this monster carry a Kingsley child while Evelyn suffered...

What sin had their family committed to deserve this?

The hospital corridor felt like an icebox at midnight.

Lance Yeager sat frozen outside the ICU, elbows on knees, forehead pressed against clasped hands.

"Mr. Yeager, the company stock has hit the limit down. Should we proceed with your contingency plan?" A nervous executive whispered.

Lance lifted his head, voice raw. "Stabilize the shares at any cost. We wait for Winston to wake."

Though officially just an assistant, everyone knew Lance was the empire's true second-in-command.

News of Winston's accident had triggered instant market panic.

Without its titan, the conglomerate floundered. Lance shouldered the crushing burden alone.

He'd just ended hours of desperate calls. The Strauss relatives circled like vultures, eager to carve up the empire.

Lance mobilized every connection, exhausted every resource to survive this crisis.

He'd sworn to protect Winston's legacy—until the man opened his eyes.

Yet someone chose this moment to kick them while they were down.

"Mr. Yeager, what a surprise meeting here." Melissa Lee's stilettos clicked closer, her smile victorious.

"What do you want?" Lance's bloodshot eyes sharpened.

"Winston's condition seems dire. Rumor says his rivals are uniting against his companies." Melissa crouched to his eye level. "Imagine the scandal if your... relationship went public now."

Lance's fists clenched.

"Name your price." He forced calm.

The rules had changed. Before, they'd have silenced Melissa a hundred ways.

Now, even a whisper could collapse everything.

"Revoke my termination. Guarantee no further interference." She laid out terms. "We could've coexisted peacefully. Why crush an ant like me?"

Lance scoffed. "The Lee heiress obsessing over an editor position? Pathetic. What's your excuse for tormenting Evelyn?"

"You wouldn't understand!" Melissa's composure cracked. "If someone stole Winston from you, would you show mercy?"

"Winston chose me willingly. You?" Lance's gaze turned glacial. "No one owes you love."

"Spare me the moralizing!" Melissa jerked upright. "Let's see how high-and-mighty you act after tomorrow."

Lance darkened. "Is that a threat?"

"Why pretend now?" She looked down at him. "Is Evelyn Sinclair worth sacrificing Winston's empire?"

"You think this is about Evelyn?" Lance laughed coldly. "Maybe you simply crossed the wrong person."

Melissa wasn't listening. She straightened her blazer. "You have until 10 AM tomorrow. I trust you'll choose wisely."

That blurred embrace photo in her possession could destroy Winston if released now.

Surely Lance wouldn't stubbornly protect Evelyn...

Evelyn's eyes flew open in the dark hospital room.

Someone had been standing over her bed for a long time.

"Keep pretending to sleep, and I might just unplug your oxygen." Melissa's mocking voice slithered through the darkness.