Anathea didn’t say a word.
Even though Natalie kneeled before her, bowing her head to admit her fault, Anathea felt neither joy nor satisfaction.
Her eyes were calm and still, without a flicker of emotion.
Frowning, Louie retorted, “Anathea suffered a miscarriage and massive bleeding, and you think a casual ‘it’s all my fault‘ can just make everything right?”
If it weren’t for this woman’s schemes, Anathea wouldn’t have gotten hurt. Gregory wouldn’t have been severely injured either. Natalie had caused every frustrating incident.
Even with her forehead pressed against the floor, Natalie could still feel Gregory’s cold, murderous gaze, as if he wanted to tear her apart piece by piece.
The moment Eleanor decided to abandon her, she no longer planned to help. Natalie had completely become a lost cause.
Natalie shut her bloodshot eyes and choked out, “I’m willing to give up all the resources and assets I have connected to the Sinclair family. Is that enough?”
Louie scoffed. “Those were never yours to begin with. You’re talking like you’re cutting off your own flesh.”
Natalie bit her lower lip until it bled but didn’t respond. Her body wobbled, then her eyes shut tight. The next second, she fainted, collapsing at Louie’s feet.
“What the fuck?” Louie jumped back to avoid her.
“Nat!” Eleanor hurried forward to catch her and anxiously called to the maids, “Call the doctor now!”
Chaos erupted in the hall. Several people carried the unconscious Natalie away from the room.
“Well, well, fainting at such a perfect moment,” Louie muttered with his arms crossed.
“What if she’d fainted before apologizing on her knees?” Adrian teased as he emerged from behind the screen.
“Then we’d splash cold water on her until she got down on her knees,” Gregory said coldly, but his eyes flickered cautiously toward Anathea.
Anathea showed no reaction.
Gregory braced himself against the table as he stood and slowly walked over to Anathea. He studied her silently.
Her face was still pale, her breathing was short, and she let out a soft cough.
Frowning deeply, Gregory tightened the blanket wrapped around her and ordered Martin to bring the car.
Louie and Adrian exchanged looks and wisely left.
Before leaving, Louie turned back and said to Gregory, “Don’t forget to come and get your stitches out.”
Gregory nodded.
“Oh, right.” Adrian glanced at Gregory with a smile. “Greg, this is the second time you’ve taken blood from my family’s blood bank. And you even took that rare blood type. I’m not running a charity here.”
For the first time, a flicker of emotion appeared in Anathea’s calm eyes.
“Okay, okay. Stop nagging,” Gregory shot back with a glare.
Adrian’s smile deepened as he was wheeled away by Louie.
Once they left, Xander immediately ran up to Anathea and asked in concern, “Mom, are you okay? Does it still hurt?”
1/2
Chapter 448
+25 BONUS
His eyes were still red from crying, and his voice sounded nasally. The worry in his eyes was all too real.
Anathea managed a faint smile. “I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt anymore
“But you lost so much blood. How can it not hurt?” Xander’s tears welled again. “I didn’t protect you or the baby. I’m sorry,
Mom.”
“You’ve done very well,” Anathea said, reaching out to gently stroke his hair. She hadn’t expected Xander to become the key to shattering Eleanor’s plan.
“Thank you, Xander,” she whispered.
Upon hearing that, Xander smiled through his tears. He reached his arms out to hug Anathea and nestled into her arms.
But before long, Gregory grabbed him by the collar and pulled him away. “Your great–grandma hasn’t seen you in a long time. She misses you. Go keep her company.”
