People couldn’t just reap benefits from others without bearing the associated risks. Besides, it wasn’t hard to connect the dots–Maurice was the one who orchestrated her kidnapping.
And speaking of Maurice, wasn’t he widely known as Stephan’s archenemy?
Felicia paused, weighing her options. Despite everything, she decided to give Stephan a subtle warning.
“That day…”
Just as she was about to exin, a faint noise came through from Stephan’s side.
That soft, syrupy voice from earlier–the one that had answered her call previously–spoke again.
“Stephan, dinner’s ready.” Johanna gently pushed open the door. After she finished speaking, na mock she feigned surprise at seeing Stephan on the phone and quickly covered her mouth apology. Then, she tiptoed back out, closing the door quietly behind her.
Stephan barely spared the doorway a nce, but the icy sharpness in his eyes was unmistakable.
Felicia couldn’t see what was going on, but being interrupted like that made her lose any
inclination to continue the conversation<b>. </b>
“Stephan, you sound busy. I still have to dry my hair, so I’ll hang up now.”
She ended the call without waiting for a response. She plugged in her hairdryer and flipped if
<b>ΟΠ</b><b>. </b>
Stephan pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. Rising from the couch, he strode out of the ward.
In the adjacent VIP ward, Imogeny on the hospital bed, her face pale and gaunt. Her once soft features were sharp with exhaustion, her frailty apparent.
Her unfocused eyes stared nkly at the ceiling her hands gently cradling her stomach. She let out a soft sigh of relief only when she felt the reassuring curve of her baby bump.
Johanna had set up a table full of food, her voice gentle and coaxirig. “Imogen, don’t cry anymore. The baby’s safe, and that’s all that matters. You need to focus on resting and keeping yourself healthy<b>.</b>”
“How can I not think about it?<i>” </i>
Imogen’s reddened eyes brimmed with tears<b>. </b><b>“</b>I was nearly driven <b>to </b><b>a </b>miscarriage by my brother. How can I face Archie if something happens <b>to </b>our child?”
Johanna’s expression darkened briefly at the mention of Imogen’ste husband, but she
quickly stered on a smile, doing her best to offerforting words.
“Imogen, for what it’s worth, Stephan has been by your side every step of the way since you were admitted. He’s barely left the hospital and has been handlingpany affairs from here. He feels terrible about what happened.”
Her gaze flitted to the door, where a tall figure loomed silently. Pretending not to notice him, she tugged yfully at Imogen’s hand.
Imogen’s anger softened slightly. How could she stay mad? He was, after all, her only remaining family.
Seeing Imogen’s mood ease, Johanna smiled sweetly and lifted the lid of a simmering pot. A fragrant aroma wafted through the air.
“Imogen, I made some chicken noodle soup just for you. It smells amazing! Do you want me to feed you?
“I may be blind, but I’m not paralyzed,” Imogen replied, taking the spoon herself.
“Okay, I’ll let you enjoy it, then. I’ll wait for Stephan to join us.
As Johanna turned back to set the table, she finally acknowledged Stephan’s entrance. His presence dominated the ward due to his barely restrained fury.
“Stephan…” Johanna’s voice faltered as she instinctively stepped back
She quickly tried to exin herself, her tone soft and apologetic, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you earlier… And about that call this afternoon, I didn’t mean to overstep.”
Her voice was barely a whisper, but Imogen wasn’t deaf. She heard everything, and her head. turned toward them with a snap.
“What call? What happened?”
“It’s nothing, Imogen. Please don’t worry about it,” Johanna replied hesitantly,
Imogen’s temper red, and she mmed the spoon back into her bowl. Soup sshed onto the table, but <b>she </b>didn’t care. novelbin
“Tell me what happened! Now!”
“Imogen, please calm down,” Johanna urged, feigning concern as her voice dropped to a <b>pleading </b>tone. “You need to think about the baby“