Augustine wasn’t shocked. Deep down, he had always suspected this day would co. The person who had abandoned Anne all those years ago wasn’t going to let her quietly settle into the Granet family. Now, that mysterious person had finally beco active.
Nathan noticed the way Augustine’s features tightened, and his unease deepened. "I don’t believe it," he said, desperate. "Sothing is off. I’ll have the test done again."
Augustine didn’t flinch. "Do whatever you want," he said with an icy tone. "But I don’t want you here. Leave. I don’t want her upset by your face."
Nathan’s eyes flicked to Anne, still sleeping. He didn’t want to go. He wanted to be there when she opened her eyes, to apologize, to explain—but he knew Augustine was right. His presence might only make things worse.
"Alright, I’ll leave." He turned and walked out, closing the door softly behind him.
Augustine sat back down and reached for Anne’s hand, waiting patiently for her to wake up.
On the other side of the hospital...
gan moved quickly through the corridor, her face half hidden behind a mask, eyes sharp and watchful. She paused outside the genetics departnt, glanced around, then slipped quietly into the doctor’s office.
The doctor stiffened the mont he saw her. His attempt at a smile was shaky at best. "Madam, you didn’t need to co here. A phone call would have been enough. I would have updated you on everything."
"I needed to see for myself if everything was done perfectly," gan said coolly. "I heard she fainted."
"She did," the doctor confird. "Right outside my office. They rushed her to the ergency departnt. But that’s not the issue anymore." His tone shifted, growing tense. "It’s Mr. Nathan. He doesn’t believe in the report. He is talking about running new tests at another hospital. If that happens, this whole thing could blow up. If he finds out I falsified the data, my career is over. You need to protect ."
gan’s eyes darkened. Nathan’s persistence made no sense to her. Once, he had adored her, called her his little sister, always making her feel wanted. Now all his attention was focused on Anne.
What changed? Why was he so desperate to bring Anne to the family?
"I won’t let Anne into the Granet family," she muttered under her breath, her heart burning with indignation. "Ever. I have already faked a report. I’ll fake ten if I have to. Nathan will give up eventually."
The doctor didn’t look convinced, his expression calculating. "Look, I’m fifty-five. I want to retire, live out my days with my wife sowhere warm, far from this ss. If you can pay enough, I’ll disappear. No loose ends."
He smiled, lips thin and eyes glinting with greed.
gan stared at the man before her with an icy slit. He was greedy, smug, and dangerously calm – the kind of parasite that thrived on blackmail. The sooner she got rid of him, the better. "How much do you want?" she grunted.
His smile was slow, oily. "Not much. Just five million."
The number hit her like a slap. Her ears rang, and fury flared in her chest. "You have so nerve," she hissed, raising her hand, ready to strike him across the face.
But he moved faster. His fingers closed around her wrist, halting her mid-motion. His smile dropped as his tone turned razor-sharp. "The original report is still with ," he said in a warning tone. "One call to Nathan and everything unravels. He is still at the hospital, you know."
gan yanked her hand free, glaring daggers. "Are you threatening ? Do you even realize who you are talking to?"
He dipped his head in mock respect. "I would never dare, Madam." But the glint in his eyes betrayed him. He wasn’t afraid of her. He had the upper hand, and he knew she would fulfil all his demands. "I’m just offering you a way out. Pay , and I disappear. Five million. That’s all."
Her nostrils flared. There was no point in arguing. She needed to contain this ss quickly. With a sharp breath, she reached into her bag, pulled out a sleek black card, and slapped it into his palm. "There is five million on this. Take it and shut your mouth forever."
His grin stretched wide, eyes gleaming like a man who had just struck gold. He pocketed the card, bowing slightly. "You have my word."
gan stord out of the room. Her mind churned with frustration. Nathan was proving to be a relentless thorn in her side. If he repeated the test, she’d have to bribe another doctor. But what if the new one didn’t play along? The uncertainty gnawed at her nerves.
She clenched her fists. "Why has everything spiraled out of control like this?" she muttered bitterly.
Anne was becoming more than just an annoyance. She was a threat. As long as she was alive, she could co back to the family and reclaim her position.
"I need to deal with her permanently."
As she raced her mind, a na surfaced from the darker corners of her mory—Lorie. Slowly, a wicked smile curled across gan’s lips.
"That woman hates Anne with every fiber of her being," she murmured. "She’ll do anything to bring her down. She is exactly what I need."
gan dialed Lorie. The line rang for a long ti before a voice finally answered.
"It’s been a while," gan said smoothly. "We should et. I have a proposition for you, and I promise, it’ll be worth your while."
On the other end, Lorie’s fingers tensed around her phone. Her life had beco a bitter prison ever since that disastrous night. Once proud and bold, she was now reduced to scrubbing floors and washing dishes in Robert’s house.
He had threatened to throw her into the nightclub, and she had pleaded for another chance. And he had finally agreed, but on one condition. She had to serve him obediently.
She was done being humiliated. She saw gan as a key to her freedom. As long as gan could help her get out of this hell, she would do anything for her.
"I’ll co," Lorie said.
"Perfect. I’ll send you the address."
When the call ended, a new ssage had arrived with the eting location.
"I’m done living like this," Lorie whispered fiercely. "I’ll claw my way out."
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