Chapter 1979

No.1

Pregnant as she was, she could only plead, "Your own grandchild is in my womb. Don't do something you'll regret!"

"Ridiculous!" Madeline turned a deaf ear. "Get her to the examination room now!"

"Please cooperate, Mrs. Kingsley." Several bodyguards seized her arms, dragging her toward the scanning suite.

......

In the hospital room, Eleanor Kingsley suddenly spoke:

"Are you deaf or dead? That phone has been ringing forever."

Alexander Kingsley slowly opened his eyes, retrieving Evelyn's phone from beneath him.

No.2

A glance at the caller ID—"Wendy West."

No one he knew.

He tossed it aside.

"What is it?"

Eleanor smirked.

"Enjoying your fake nap? Developing a habit of intercepting your wife's calls?"

Mocking her son was second nature.

No.3

Alexander did look better.

Though his fever lingered, youth accelerated recovery.

Unfazed by her jab, he'd long abandoned pride around his mother.

"My being here is thanks to you," he said dryly. "Drugging your own son—what an exemplary mother."

"Please." Eleanor rolled her eyes. "You were coward enough to take a cold shower instead. Nearly gave yourself pneumonia."

Alexander sighed. "Mom, Evelyn is pregnant."

"Like I've never been?" she retorted.

No.4

He changed the subject. "Where is Evelyn? Where did Grandmother take her?"

"Wasn't she just outside?" Eleanor stood abruptly. "I'll check."

Two minutes later, she returned flustered.

"Evelyn's gone! Where are your bodyguards?"

Alexander was staring at the ringing phone again.

Wendy West was persistent.

His head snapped up. "She's not outside?"

No.5

"Checked the entire floor," Eleanor panted. "Call her—"

She broke off, staring at the phone in Alexander's hand.

Evelyn's phone was with him.

What a disaster!

......

"Grandmother, MRIs are unsafe in early pregnancy." Evelyn braced against the machine.

She wouldn't risk the child she'd fought so hard to conceive.

No.6

"The doctor said it's fine!" Madeline was immovable. "What disease are you hiding?"

"I'm not! Can't you listen to reason?"

"After the scan," Madeline waved dismissively. "Restrain her!"

"Grandmother, have you lost your mind?" Evelyn Sinclair's voice trembled.

Madeline Kingsley's face darkened instantly. "How dare you speak to me like that?" She pointed at Evelyn's abdomen. "If you're this insolent now, what would happen if you actually carried the Kingsley heir? Restrain her!"

"Be obedient, Evelyn." Madeline narrowed her eyes. "Don't force me to get rough."

Two burly security guards immediately stepped forward, gripping Evelyn's arms. One of them reached toward her stomach.

No.7

Evelyn's pupils contracted. Maternal instinct unleashed a surge of strength within her. She kicked the guard between the legs, wrenching free as he recoiled in pain, then bolted for the door.

"Stop her!" Madeline shrieked, positioning herself in front of the exit.

Without thinking, Evelyn swung her hand.

Slap!

The sharp sound echoed through the room.

At that moment, the door burst open. Evelyn's palm connected squarely with Madeline's cheek.