Outside the emergency room, Charles Chase leaned his tall frame against the cold wall, in the midst of an experience unlike anything he'd ever known.
The male doctor, who had just removed his mask, looked at him with a stern expression—coincidentally, the same doctor who had diagnosed Cecilia Ye’s pregnancy the last time.
Catching sight of Charles Chase’s nonchalant demeanor, the doctor grew even angrier. Last time, when his wife fainted, he hadn't even brought her in, and now, though he’d finally shown up, he'd let her walk in by herself only to faint at the hospital entrance.
What kind of husband does that? Handsome or not, scumbags come in all shapes and sizes.
The doctor yanked up his sleeves and demanded, "What’s wrong with you as a husband? Your wife’s been pregnant nearly two months, and you don’t care at all. Didn’t accompany her last time, and this time you let her come by herself."
Hearing the word 'pregnant,' Charles Chase’s brow furrowed as he looked up. Cecilia Ye’s pregnant? Wasn’t she in a contract marriage with Xavier Foster and about to divorce? What was going on here?
Seeing his confused look only made the doctor angrier. "What, you didn’t even know your wife was pregnant? Unbelievable. Husbands these days are so careless, it’s a wonder you remember to breathe."
Charles Chase ignored the doctor's tirade, replying coolly, "And her? Is she all right now?"
"All right? Far from it. Last time, I already said she was malnourished—her test results were all off. The baby’s safe for now, but if her emotions fluctuate like this again and you keep neglecting her, it could be very dangerous."
The doctor rolled his eyes and shoved a payment slip into his hand. "Go pay the bill."
Without a word, Charles Chase handed the slip to his driver, who, seeing his boss get thoroughly scolded without talking back, took the slip blankly and rushed off to pay.
One look and anyone could tell this was some young master from a wealthy family—probably a playboy, only caring about his own fun.
Such a delicate, gentle girl, and so young too. How did she end up with a husband like that?
Inside the ward, Cecilia Ye awoke, now dressed in fresh hospital clothes by the nurse.
She immediately spotted the doctor standing by the bed. Placing a hand anxiously over her abdomen, she had no idea how the baby was.
Struggling to sit up, the thought tore at her: if she’d lost this child, she didn’t dare imagine…
"Hey, hey, lie back!"
The doctor glanced down at her. "You young people never listen. I said last time: keep your mood stable, eat better. Your test results are worse than before—today was another close call."
Cecilia Ye’s eyes glistened with worry. Could it be… did she lose the baby?
"Doctor, my… is my baby still here?"
"Ah, I forgot to say—yes, the baby’s still there. But if things don’t change, it’ll be dangerous. And as for your husband, I already gave him an earful. These young dads really don’t take things seriously."
Relief and joy flooded Cecilia Ye’s heart upon hearing the baby was fine. That was all she cared about. She swore she’d never let anything happen to her child again.
Then she remembered: the doctor had mentioned the child’s father. She recalled it was the gentleman who’d helped bring her to the hospital. Did he tell Xavier Foster?
What would Xavier Foster do?
After all, he'd announced Vivian Belle as his beloved in front of everyone today—how could he possibly want her child?
Before Cecilia Ye could finish sorting out her thoughts, Charles Chase’s tall silhouette appeared in the doorway. The doctor sent him a fierce glare and left the room.
Looking at the man in front of her, Cecilia Ye felt a complex knot of emotions, tinged with embarrassment.
She was relieved it wasn't Xavier Foster, but meeting a stranger under such circumstances—especially one who'd gotten scolded by the doctor because of her—was awkward.
She spoke first, "I… I’m sorry, sir."
Only then did she realize she’d never even asked his name.
"I’m Charles Chase. I’ve had business dealings with President Foster in the past."
"Ah… I’m sorry, Mr. Chen, for letting the doctor misunderstand."
Charles Chase shook his head dismissively, chin slightly raised. "Do you… need me to inform President Foster?"
Cecilia Ye’s head shot up, her eyes wide and anxious. "No, please don’t tell him…"
She bit her pale lips, her voice nearly a whisper. "You saw tonight—he has someone he truly loves. I’ll raise this child myself. Please, just pretend you never knew."
"Mm." Charles Chase really wasn’t interested in getting involved; her request suited him just fine.
After a moment’s hesitation, Cecilia Ye twisted the white bedsheet in her fingers. "Could I ask you another favor?"
"What is it?"
Charles Chase didn’t know why he was being so patient. Normally, he’d have left long ago.
"Could you send a message to Zhiye for me? Just tell him I’m at a friend’s place."
She didn’t even have her phone, and she was afraid that if Xavier Foster tried to reach her, he might look into the hospital.
Though she knew, honestly, there was no way he’d spare a thought for her—he was far too busy with Vivian Belle.
Still, she couldn’t risk the slightest chance of Xavier Foster discovering the baby's existence.
Charles Chase agreed, got her name, and typed a message on his phone.
[Cecilia Ye is fine. I’ve taken her to a friend’s place.]
Showing her Xavier Foster’s brief reply, Charles Chase then left the hospital.
It was already close to eleven. The snow outside had stopped, the night bitingly cold. Having witnessed this little drama, Charles Chase found himself with a slightly lower opinion of Xavier Foster.
Still, everyone has private affairs. Whatever Xavier Foster was like in private wasn't his problem, as long as the business side was handled properly.
*
Xavier Foster arrived at the hospital and went straight to Dr. Zhao’s office.
The elderly doctor, his hair white, looked up and handed him a carefully prepared evaluation report.
"After thorough observation and assessment, Mr. Fu, I believe Miss Bai is mentally sound. She’s quite emotional, but everything is within normal parameters."
A chill radiated off Xavier Foster as he lightly held the thin report, his eyes lingering on the final word: "Normal."
Emotional, indeed.
He left the office and phoned Henry Hart.
"Find out where the people who hurt me and Vivian Belle that year are being held now."
Henry Hart paused in surprise. The Old Master had asked him to investigate not long ago, and sure enough, the whole situation was strange.
"President…"
The late-night hospital corridor was silent but for his footsteps echoing on the cold tiles. Sensing Henry Hart had more to say, Xavier Foster stopped by a floor-to-ceiling window.
"What is it?"
Henry Hart, who’d only gotten word that morning, said, "The Old Master had me look into this a while back. Turns out, there were two groups involved—the first group targeted you directly, but the motivations of the others are still unclear. Someone definitely tampered with things."
Outside, snow had begun falling again, thick and swirling. Streetlights cast a dim halo, and a few bundled-up people hunched against the cold as they left the hospital.
Xavier Foster tapped the window frame, his reflection cold and striking in the glass—a hint of tense, clenched teeth visible along his jaw.
"Get to the bottom of it. Report to me immediately when you’re done."
"Yes, sir."
He hung up. His hand fell to his side, and his thoughts drifted back to that year—a time when he’d overlooked far too many things.
After the accident, he’d spent ages in the hospital recovering from a concussion, and the next thing he’d seen was Vivian Belle, injured as well.
The company had just landed in his lap; all his energy had gone into keeping things afloat. Those responsible had been sent to prison—but what happened to them afterwards, he’d never checked.
Xavier Foster narrowed his eyes, a storm of emotions churning inside.
Vivian Belle, don’t let me find out you’re hiding something from me.