Chapter 152

Chapter 152

The November chill was growing more biting, with the first snow arriving earlier than usual this year.

Indoors, the warmth was akin to spring, a stark contrast to the world outside.

A thin layer of mist clung to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Vincent’s slender and clean fingers gently brushed the window, revealing a corner of the nightscape.

He chuckled softly. “What do you think?”

Matthew pressed his lips together and uttered two words.

After receiving Vincent’s confirmation, his hand trembled as he held his phone.

A long silence followed. After listening to Vincent’s words, Matthew responded coldly, “I got it.”

After the call ended, Vincent lit a cigarette and quietly reflected on a series of events, unearthing a bold hypothesis that unraveled a shocking secret from

22 years ago.

He realized this was n

was not a coincidence, but a conspiracy.

After smoking two more cigarettes, Vincent finally formed a rough outline of his thoughts.

tray and went to the guest bathroom to shower. After drying his hair, he returned to the master bedroom

He stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray

As he watched Stephanie’s serene sleeping face, he saw traces of the Jimenez family in her features. His heart ached for her. He couldn’t help but pull her tightly into his arms

Meanwhile, Matthew repeatedly scrutinized the DNA test before he burst into laughter. “Finally found it, finally!”

Melvin glanced at his watch. “I’m wondering if we should announce this now. If people knew, they’d be too excited to sleep tonight.”

Matthew looked at him. “We’re not telling anyone else for now. Only you, me, and Vincent know.”

Melvin was puzzled. “Why?”

“Don’t you want to uncover the true mastermind behind the explosion on set and the recent kidnapping”” Matthew asked.

“What do you mean? The masterminds are either dead or caught, aren’t they?” Melvin sounded confused.

Matthew pressed his tongue against his molars. “We’ve been thinking too simply and underestimated that person.”

Melvin seemed to understand. “What’s our next move?”

In response, Matthew’s gaze fell on the report again and uttered, “Wait.”

Four days later, Abigail was moved from the ICU to a special care ward.

Laila stayed to care for her, while other relatives returned to Cutvine due to work and family commitments.

Wed, 5

Chapter 152

Since Laila also had to work, she needed to hire a caretaker.

Matilda applied for the job as a caretaker but was rejected due to her lack of expertise by Laila.

Determined, Matilda sought out a janitor she had contacted before. She offered the janitor 400 dollars, saying she wanted to experience life.

The janitor, pleased with the easy money, agreed readily.

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While a caretaker had ample opportunity to act and was allowed to be in the ward at all times, ajanitor could only enter in the morning and evening

Matilda found no chance to act for two days and grew increasingly frustrated under Megan’s constant pressure.

As Matilda cleaned the ward one morning, the caretaker went to the restroom. She thought that was the perfect chance to act on her plan.

Seizing the opportunity, she took out a white pill from her pocket. She walked to the bed, preparing to feed it to Abigail, Just then, the ward door swung

ореп.

Stephanie walked in. Shocked, Matilda’s pupils contracted and her hand trembled, causing the pill to fall and roll under the bed.

Her heart pounded, and she swallowed nervously, glancing at the bed before attempting to leave with her broom,

As she brushed past Stephanie, the latter stopped her. “Wait a moment.”

Matilda’s eyes darted around, her grip tightening on the broom.

“You look familiar,” Stephanie remarked.

Matilda clenched her teeth and lowered her voice. “I’m new here.”

Stephanie scrutinized her before smiling. “You resemble someone I know. Sorry, my

my mistake.”

“It’s fine,” Matilda replied, quickly exiting the ward. She retreated to the cleaning supply room and closed the door before leaning against it.

She thought, “I was so close, just a little more, and I would have succeeded. Stephanie, the d m n c h, is surely my nemesis! She even almost recognized me! But what about the pill? That’s the only one and it costs 20,000 dollars. Will Stephanie find out?’

Matilda could only hope no one noticed the pill until she could return at night to finish the job.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message. The text read: [Did you succeed?]

It was from Megan. Seeing her messages or calls now brought immense pressure on Matilda.

She pressed her lips as she replied: [Not yet. I’ll try again tonight.]

Megan texted: [Hurry up, I hear those two are recovering well and could wake up anytime. The Hayes family’s future is in your hands.]

The text made Matilda feel the heavy burden and responsibility on her shoulders.

She replied: [Don’t worry. I’ll complete the task tonight.]

Matilda was brimming with confidence, unaware that Stephanie had picked up the pill from under the bed as soon as she left.

Stephanie examined the white pill thoughtfully and whispered instructions to the caretaker once the latter had returned

The caretaker, momentarily startled, apologized profusely and promised to watch Abigail closely

10:31 Wed, 5 Jun

Chapter 152

After checking on Abigail, Stephanie took the pill and found Melvin. “Can you help me analyze the ingredients of this pill?”

Melvin looked at her tenderly. “Of course. I’ll get a colleague from the lab to help.”

Stephanie smiled. “Thank you. And please, keep this confidential”

“No problem,” Melvin promised. “How about we have lunch together? I have a few academic questions I’d like to ask you.”

Stephanie nodded, feeling it would be rude to refuse him after asking for his help. “Sure.”

Melvin smiled. “I have a house call to make. See you at noon.”

“All right.” With that, Stephanie left Melvin’s office and headed to the ICU to check on Christina and Shonda.

Christina’s eyes had been rolling recently, indicating signs of regaining consciousness.

Meanwhile, Shonda’s fingers and toes moved.

When

Stephanie was about to give them another acupuncture, Shonda opened her eyes.

Surprised, Stephanie quickly checked on Shonda’s condition. “How are you feeling?”

Muddled, Shonda murmured, “Where am I?”

“You’re in the ICU. Welcome back, Shonda,” Stephanie said.

Shonda’s mind raced through her memories. Tears welled up as she recalled the car accident. “It hurts so much.”

“It won’t hurt anymore,” Stephanie reassured.

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Post-surgery drowsiness would soon take over, so Stephanie took advantage of Shonda’s brief wakefulness. “Why did Christie ask you to bring her the robot dog?”

Shonda pondered. “She said something was wrong with the robot dog and needed to be repaired and asked me to bring it to her. But I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it.”

Stephanie narrowed her eyes and thought, ‘Sure enough, it has something to do with the robot dog. There must be some secret in it.”

Only when Christina regained consciousness could the truth be known.

Soon, Shonda drifted back to sleep.

Two hours later, Stephanie received a call from Melvin. The analysis report was ready, and it was lunchtime, so they arranged to meet on the first floor of the outpatient building

you feel like eating?” Melvin asked.

“What do you

“Anything is fine, you decide,” Stephanie responded.

“Do you

like lobster? Melvin asked.

Stephanie nodded. “Sure.”

She hesitated to admit that she loved lobster.

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Chapter 152

“Let’s take my car. There’s a great lobster roll eatery on West Avenue,” Melvin

Stephanie’s eyes lit up. “Sounds good.”

They drove off together, and a discussion erupted among the nurses,

n suggested.

“Mr. Jimenez and Dr. Hayes? They make such a good couple,” a nurse exclaimed.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Dr. Hayds is engaged. She has a fiancé,” another nurse chimed in.

“Why is she having lunch with Mr. Jimenez, then? Shouldn’t she avoid such situations?” the first nurse retorted.

“You’re so bitter! Friends can have lunch together. Stop thinking the worst of people,” a third person piped up.

“Exactly! Stop jumping to conclusions. Don’t you have male friends?” some other nurse remarked.

Meanwhile, Nancy, who was at the hospital for a check-up, snapped a photo of them. “This promiscuous woman, how can she be worthy of Vincent?”

With gritted teeth, she sent the photo anonymously to Vincent.

She sneered, “Vincent, look how blind you are, getting cheated on right under your nose!”