Isabella froze for a second.
A flash of panic crossed her face before she quickly masked it with innocence.
“Ethan, what are you talking about? I just got back from Northwood. I don’t know anything. What did Vanessa and Sophie do?”
She widened her eyes, pretending complete ignorance.
Ethan studied her carefully.
He searched her expression for any hint of deception.
After a moment, he let it go.
Sophia’s performance was as convincing as ever.
He sneered inwardly but kept his expression neutral.
“It’s nothing. You can go.”
Relieved, Sophia exhaled softly.
“Then get some rest. Good night.”
She walked out of the villa, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Outside, she immediately pulled out her phone and made a call.
The line connected, and a tearful voice answered.
“Miss Reed…” It was Vanessa.
Sophia’s voice turned icy, devoid of any warmth.
“Stop crying! Did you finish the job or not?”
“Miss Reed, I lost my position, and Sophie was taken away. I—”
“Fools!” Sophia snapped without mercy.
“You couldn’t even handle something this simple.”
Her fingers tightened around the phone, nails digging into her palm.
She had planned everything perfectly to ruin Isabella’s reputation, but Vanessa failed to execute properly.
Chastised, Vanessa stifled her sobs, reducing them to quiet sniffles.
“Enough! Stop your crying!” Sophia’s impatience was clear.
“Tears won’t fix this. Listen carefully to what you need to do next…”
She lowered her voice to a sinister whisper, outlining the next steps of her scheme.
As night deepened, streetlights cast Sophia’s shadow across the pavement, stretching it into a menacing shape.
She ended the call, her expression shifting back to calm composure, the picture of refined elegance.
Regaining her poise, she walked toward the car waiting roadside.
She needed rest; tomorrow promised another act in her elaborate play.
Sophia slid into the car, and the driver started the engine.
Meanwhile, in the hospital, stark white lights bathed Isabella in a pale glow, making her complexion seem almost ghostly.
Her hands gripped the bone marrow puncture report, knuckles turning white.
The doctor adjusted his glasses, his voice heavy.
“Miss Scott, your son’s condition is severe. He has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A bone marrow transplant is urgent at this stage.”
Isabella’s lips trembled, her voice barely a whisper.
“Doctor, is there really no other option?”
The doctor exhaled deeply.
“I’m afraid there is no viable alternative. We need a transplant, and the best chance for a match is the child’s biological father.”
“Biological father…” Isabella murmured the words, the realization hitting her like thunder, echoing in her mind.
Her heart clenched painfully, the ache radiating through her chest.
The child’s biological father was Ethan.
But she could never let him find out Liam was his son.
If Ethan knew Liam was his, based on his current attitude, Isabella feared he would take her son away.
With his upcoming marriage to Sophia, Liam would inevitably get caught in the crossfire.
As Isabella struggled to control her emotions, her voice came out hoarse.
“Doctor, is there any alternative besides the biological father?”
The doctor met her gaze, his eyes reflecting pity.
“We can search the bone marrow registry, though finding a match is less likely.”