Joy was utterly shocked, her voice trembling with panic. "Selena? Are you alright? I''m so sorry, I shouldn''t have bbered on like that..."


    As she spoke, she pped herself hard, leaving a distinct imprint of her fingers on her pale cheek.


    Selena barely had the strength to reply. The pain was excruciating, and she felt a warm trickle running down her leg.


    It was blood...


    Having been through childbirth before, she realized she was going intobor early. She took deep breaths to calm herself and called out for Ava.


    Ava rushed over the moment she heard her name, equally taken aback. Everything seemed perfectly fine just moments ago, so what had gone wrong?


    Luckily, everything was prepped and ready. The family driver was on call around the clock, so despite her nerves, Ava managed to take charge and handle things smoothly.


    Selena was whisked away to the hospital.


    Being a major shareholder, she received top priority and was swiftly escorted to the delivery room.


    Dr. Carrillo had been scheduled to deliver her baby, but with the emergency at hand, the hospital''s leading obstetrician had to step in.


    Selena''s face was drained of color from the pain, and she was fading in and out of consciousness. Ava stayed by her side, holding her hand and cheering her on.


    "Ma''am, hang in there. I''m right here with you!"


    She insisted on apanying Selena into the delivery room.


    The doctor initially resisted, but Ava stood her ground, and not wanting to upset a major shareholder, the doctor relented, allowing her to change into scrubs and join them.


    ...


    Meanwhile, over at the Bet family estate, a small soiree was in full swing. Carolina had a keen eye for collecting rare and valuable paintings, and her collection was impressive. She was hosting a private viewing at her residence. She invited eligible young women from their social circle.


    Everyone knew Carolina''s real motive wasn''t just to unt her art collection. It was to find the perfect match for her son.


    She had never been fond of her former daughter-inw, Selena, and she made no secret of it.


    When Josh was alive, she couldn''t meddle. But now that Josh had passed and Everett and Selena had gone their separate ways, Carolina saw this as her chance to find more suitable match for Everett, rather than leave it up to him to pick someone she wouldn''t approve of.


    In the intimate gallery, the young women were all dressed to the nines, creating a lovely sight.


    Carolina was quite pleased. She


    nced at Everett''s handsome face and said with a serene smile,


    "Everett, if any of them catch your eye, just let me know."


    Everett loungedzily on the sofa, his long legs elegantly crossed, his dark eyes giving nothing away.


    He remained silent, and just as Carolina was about to press further, Alex hurried


    over.


    First, she greeted Carolina politely, then leaned in to whisper urgently in Everett''s


    ear.


    "Mr. Everett, Mrs. Bet has gone intobor unexpectedly, and things aren''t looking good. She might faceplications. Do you want to go to her?"


    Everett''s gaze turned icy, but he showed no signs of moving.


    Despite Alex''s attempt to keep her voice low Carolina overheard. She shot Everett a look and advised, "She''s having your child. At a time like this, she''d want you by her side. Go see her."


    His dark eyes shifted to his mother.


    He gave a slight, indifferent smile and said, "No need."


    Carolina let out a coldugh. "You''re just as cold-hearted as your father."


    Everett''s expression didn''t change as he bluntly called out her pretense, "Isn''t this what you wanted?"