Chapter 297

Nicole clenched her fists in anger. Winnie’s words had hit her right where it hurt. It was true—she’d been back with the White family for ages now, but the old man’s health had never improved, and he’d never hosted a homecoming party to officially announce to the world that she was Nicole, the White family’s rightful heir.

As things stood, she was nothing more than a figurehead—forever the princess in name, but never in power.

Fuming, Nicole realized she needed to talk to Jade. The sooner the old man publicly acknowledged her, the better.

But when Winnie called the police, Nicole’s bravado faltered. She’d thought Winnie and Alicia were just trying to scare her, but soon enough, officers from the university town precinct actually showed up and took her away.

Even as she was being led out, Nicole kept shouting, demanding someone call Clayton. But he wouldn’t answer.

Panicked, Nicole called Jade instead. “Sis, Alicia called the cops—she’s accusing me of slander. What do I do?”

Tears welled up in Nicole’s eyes.

“Where’s Clayton? Tell him to handle it,” Jade replied, sounding impatient. She was already swamped with business back in Harboridge City.

“He won’t pick up,” Nicole sobbed as she was ushered into the patrol car.

“I’ll call him myself.”

Jade hung up and immediately tried to reach Clayton, but he kept ignoring her calls.

Clayton knew Nicole had landed herself in trouble again. He played dumb, pretending not to have seen the calls. Worst case, he’d just claim he was in a meeting with his phone on silent later that evening.

Women like Nicole, he thought, could use a little lesson in humility.

...

Seaview General Hospital.

Easton had taken the day off to accompany Valery to her doctor’s appointment.

Marcus came along too, hobbling behind them like a grumpy old man.

Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)

“Dad, your leg’s bothering you. Why don’t you go sit over there and wait?” Easton suggested, noticing how out of character Marcus was today.

Normally, Marcus would never set foot in a crowded place like this—he was always self-conscious about his disability and hated public spaces, especially hospitals.

But today, Marcus was tagging along without complaint, acting unusually helpful. On any other day, he’d have started grumbling the minute they’d left the house.

“It’s fine. Your mom’s health comes first,” Marcus replied, all concern for his wife.

“He’s right—you should let your father stay,” Valery chimed in quickly, nervous about managing everything alone.

Maddox’s people had already greased the wheels at the hospital, forging medical records to make it look like Valery had cancer.

Easton shot Marcus and Valery a suspicious glance but said nothing.

“The lab results will be ready in about two hours,” a nurse told Easton.

He nodded, guiding Valery and Marcus to a waiting area.

Two hours later, Easton went to the self-service kiosk to collect the test results.

Valery fidgeted nervously. “Do you think our son will see through this? He knows so much about medicine...”

“Relax,” Marcus reassured her. “Maddox arranged for the chief of staff to handle it personally—he knows how to fake a medical file. You just focus on playing sick. Let them handle the rest.”

As long as Easton believed Valery was terminally ill, he’d do anything to save her. And the quickest way to make money was to return to the Lynch family and claim his inheritance.

The old man wanted Easton to take over—he’d be a fool to refuse.

Easton retrieved the report and scanned the results. The red-flagged numbers immediately caught his eye, and his expression darkened.

The blood levels were way too high... There was definitely something wrong.

Chapter 296 The Heiress Acts Mischievously, But Her Family Can Read Her Mind Chapter 347: Administering Drugs Switched Marriage The Coddled Little Wife Chapter 538: Unimaginable