Elliot took his leave after dinner.
He wanted to drop by the hospital to see Shea.
The other Foster family members also left soon after.
Once Rosalie retired to her room, Cole opened up the door to Zoe’s room.
Zoe had been staying at the old mansion since her pregnancy became public.
“You’re amazing, Doctor Sanford!” Cole exclaimed after he entered the room and shut the door behind
him. “You actually managed to handle someone as difficult as my uncle! Should I start calling you Aunt
Zoe soon?”
The smile Zoe wore was elegant and calm as she said, “Of course. Once we’re engaged, I would be
his fiance. What’s the difference between a fiance and a wife?”
“Congratulations! It’s just…” Cole said as a look of concern appeared on his face. “Is there a way to
make sure my uncle doesn’t suspect the baby you’re carrying? After all, we have to depend on the kid
to get my uncle’s inheritance!”
Zoe’s face changed as she said, “There’s no way I’m letting this child live!”
A wave of gloom washed over Cole’s face.
“The moment this child is born, your uncle will definitely insist on a paternity test,” Zoe said coldly. “If
the results show that the baby isn’t his, he’ll surely break up with me! You’d be done for, too!”
Cole’s lips trembled as he said, “That’s why I’m asking if there’s a way to change the results on the
paternity test.”
“There isn’t! Unless he lets me carry out the test! He won’t let me do that! He’s always been wary of me
and searching for other doctors that can help Shea… He’ll kick me to the curb once he manages to find
someone else,” Zoe said as her emotions ran wild.
Cole patted her on the shoulder and said, “He hasn’t found anyone else, right? You really are amazing,
Doctor Sanford! Both surgeries were successes. It’s no wonder my uncle would change his mind and
agree to get engaged to you. I would marry you if it were me.”
Zoe was startled back to reality.
She shoved Cole’s hand away, then glared at him with a look of disgust and snapped, “Get out if
there’s nothing else! Don’t come into my room ever again!”
“Okay… You said you didn’t want to keep the baby, so how do you plan on getting rid of it?” Cole asked
as he gazed at Zoe’s protruding belly with complicated emotions.
“You’ll find out when it happens!”
Zoe was setting up her chess pieces.
The next day, the news of the upcoming engagement between Elliot Foster and Zoe Sanford spread
through the entire Avonsville.
Even the date was confirmed. The engagement party was to be held in two weeks.
The news became an instant viral hit online.
Mike was having breakfast while scrolling through the news.
“Do you think Elliot’s using the news of his engagement to help draw negative attention away from us?”
he mocked. “Not as many people are badmouthing us today.”
Avery was peeling a hard-boiled egg.
The expression on her face was unfazed as she said, “Do you think a problem that our company can
solve using money is worth the attention of the president of Sterling Group? He can go public about his
relationship whenever he wants. Don’t mind other people’s business.”
“Fine. We’re losing quite a lot this time!” Mike said as he put his phone down, then took a sip of milk.
“We have to use up all the money we made from Elliot for the refunds.”
Avery took a bite of the egg, chewed slowly, then said, “Money isn’t as important as our reputation.”
Mike gazed deeply at her, then said, “You don’t seem affected by the news of Elliot’s
engagement at all. Are you really fine with this? He’s the man that you used to be deeply in love with!”
“It’s all in the past. Why bring it up again?” Avery finished her breakfast, then got up and said, “I’m
going to Bridgedale today to talk to Bohmer Holdings about our next collaboration.”
“Hey! When did you book the tickets? You didn’t tell me anything… Are you fleeing the country
because you can’t handle the news of Elliot’s engagement?” Mike teased.
Avery showed the email with her flight ticket on it to him and said, “I booked the flight last night. Do you
think I found out last night that they’re announcing their engagement today?”
“Okay! How long will you be gone?” Mike said as he walked her to the front door.
“I’m not sure. I’ll come back as soon as I can. Nobody’s watching the kids, after all. I’m worried.”
“It’s fine if you want to spend some time abroad. I’ll make sure to take care of the kids.”
Mike felt that the current atmosphere in the country was too hostile for Avery.
On the one end was social media trolls insisting that she leave Aryadelle, and on the other end
was the news of her ex husband’s engagement.
The mere thought of it was suffocating.
That night, Ben invited Elliot out for drinks. Elliot refused with a frown and said, “I’m going to see Shea
after this.”
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