Chapter 328
When His Eyes Opened
Elliot took his leave after dinner.
He wanted to drop by the hospital to see Shea.
The other Foster family members also left soon after.
Once Rosalie retired to her room, Cole opened up the door to Zoeâs room.
Zoe had been staying at the old mansion since her pregnancy became public.
âYouâre amazing, Doctor Sanford!â Cole exclaimed after he entered the room and shut the door behind
him. âYou actually managed to handle someone as difficult as my uncle! Should I start calling you Aunt
Zoe soon?â
The smile Zoe wore was elegant and calm as she said, âOf course. Once weâre engaged, I would be
his fiance. Whatâs the difference between a fiance and a wife?â
âCongratulations! Itâs justâ¦â Cole said as a look of concern appeared on his face. âIs there a way to
make sure my uncle doesnât suspect the baby youâre carrying? After all, we have to depend on the kid
to get my uncleâs inheritance!â
Zoeâs face changed as she said, âThereâs no way Iâm letting this child live!â
A wave of gloom washed over Coleâs face.
âThe moment this child is born, your uncle will definitely insist on a paternity test,â Zoe said coldly. âIf
the results show that the baby isnât his, heâll surely break up with me! Youâd be done for, too!â
Coleâs lips trembled as he said, âThatâs why Iâm asking if thereâs a way to change the results on the
paternity test.â
âThere isnât! Unless he lets me carry out the test! He wonât let me do that! Heâs always been wary of me
and searching for other doctors that can help Shea⦠Heâll kick me to the curb once he manages to find
someone else,â Zoe said as her emotions ran wild.
Cole patted her on the shoulder and said, âHe hasnât found anyone else, right? You really are amazing,
Doctor Sanford! Both surgeries were successes. Itâs no wonder my uncle would change his mind and
agree to get engaged to you. I would marry you if it were me.â
Zoe was startled back to reality.
She shoved Coleâs hand away, then glared at him with a look of disgust and snapped, âGet out if
thereâs nothing else! Donât come into my room ever again!â
âOkay⦠You said you didnât want to keep the baby, so how do you plan on getting rid of it?â Cole asked
as he gazed at Zoeâs protruding belly with complicated emotions.
âYouâll find out when it happens!â
Zoe was setting up her chess pieces.
The next day, the news of the upcoming engagement between Elliot Foster and Zoe Sanford spread
through the entire Avonsville.
Even the date was confirmed. The engagement party was to be held in two weeks.
The news became an instant viral hit online.
Mike was having breakfast while scrolling through the news.
âDo you think Elliotâs using the news of his engagement to help draw negative attention away from us?â
he mocked. âNot as many people are badmouthing us today.â
Avery was peeling a hard-boiled egg.
The expression on her face was unfazed as she said, âDo you think a problem that our company can
solve using money is worth the attention of the president of Sterling Group? He can go public about his
relationship whenever he wants. Donât mind other peopleâs business.â
âFine. Weâre losing quite a lot this time!â Mike said as he put his phone down, then took a sip of milk.
âWe have to use up all the money we made from Elliot for the refunds.â
Avery took a bite of the egg, chewed slowly, then said, âMoney isnât as important as our reputation.â
Mike gazed deeply at her, then said, âYou donât seem affected by the news of Elliotâs
engagement at all. Are you really fine with this? Heâs the man that you used to be deeply in love with!â
âItâs all in the past. Why bring it up again?â Avery finished her breakfast, then got up and said, âIâm
going to Bridgedale today to talk to Bohmer Holdings about our next collaboration.â
âHey! When did you book the tickets? You didnât tell me anything⦠Are you fleeing the country
because you canât handle the news of Elliotâs engagement?â Mike teased.
Avery showed the email with her flight ticket on it to him and said, âI booked the flight last night. Do you
think I found out last night that theyâre announcing their engagement today?â
âOkay! How long will you be gone?â Mike said as he walked her to the front door.
âIâm not sure. Iâll come back as soon as I can. Nobodyâs watching the kids, after all. Iâm worried.â
âItâs fine if you want to spend some time abroad. Iâll make sure to take care of the kids.â
Mike felt that the current atmosphere in the country was too hostile for Avery.
On the one end was social media trolls insisting that she leave Aryadelle, and on the other end
was the news of her ex husbandâs engagement.
The mere thought of it was suffocating.
That night, Ben invited Elliot out for drinks. Elliot refused with a frown and said, âIâm going to see Shea
after this.â