Chapter 342

Chapter 342

"I'm surprised, Paula. You're being so magnanimous—returning hatred with kindness!" I couldn't keep the emotion from my voice.

Honestly, Paula's health was my primary concern. Everything else seemed trivial in comparison.

Paula suddenly gave me that mysterious smile. Whenever that expression crossed her face, mischief was surely brewing.

"I agreed to get tested for compatibility, but that's all," she said slyly.

I processed her words, then my eyes widened. "Are you saying..."

Paula nodded with a knowing look. "Exactly what you're thinking. I'll get tested, but whether I actually donate or not? That decision remains mine."

If the test came back negative, that would be that. But if she matched and then refused to donate, Jason wouldn't take it lying down.

"Aren't you worried about provoking Jason?" I cautioned her. "When it comes to anything but Marlowe, he's not someone you want to cross."

Paula waved dismissively. "Please. What's he going to do to me? Besides, I know what I'm doing. If he wants something from me, he'll have to offer something in return."

"I still think you should back out completely. Why else would you have fainted?" I couldn't shake my concern.

Paula patted my hand reassuringly. "The doctors said I'm fine. Don't worry! But now I should start thinking—if I do end up donating bone marrow, what should I ask from Jason in return?"

"Your hand in marriage?" I recalled Paula's recent interest in pursuing Jason.

Paula made a face like she might be sick. "Absolutely not. Just imagine him constantly exhausting himself over Marlowe. If it's anything to do with Marlowe, I might have to step aside for her—even as his girlfriend. I'd end up resenting both of them. Do I look like someone who tolerates being second-best?"

"You see things clearly now. Remember this when you're looking for someone—find a person who puts you first. Otherwise, you'll be miserable."

I was hoping she'd take this advice to heart rather than just talking a good game.

Paula assured me repeatedly that she would never settle for less.

I still insisted that Casey perform a comprehensive health check before she proceeded with any compatibility testing. To my relief, Paula didn't argue with this.

However, she kept pressing me about what she should demand from Jason.

After thinking for a moment, I suggested, "Jason probably doesn't have anything you'd want. Maybe focus on Marlowe instead."

"Her? She has nothing—she's completely dependent on Jason. What could she possibly offer?" Paula asked skeptically.

I shared what I'd learned about the case today.

"She's self-centered. If her life depended on finding a matching donor, don't you think she might trade information for survival?"

I spoke with certainty. Though Marlowe didn't seem like a good person, Paula was still shocked when I suggested she might be the actual perpetrator.

"I never imagined she could be that ruthless! Why is Jason even trying to save someone like that? It makes sense now—she didn't take Hayes from the orphanage out of sibling love, but to ease her own conscience. No wonder she reacted so strangely when she discovered Hayes's talents and abilities."

Paula couldn't help but criticize.

"It's just a theory," I sighed. "Getting proof will be difficult, and getting her to confess would be nearly impossible."

Paula nodded in agreement. "If she is the killer, she'd never admit it. Even for a successful bone marrow transplant, would she really choose prison? Besides, we're not at that critical stage yet. We might have better luck focusing on Jason."

The leverage wasn't strong enough; Marlowe might not be tempted.

I suggested we could also help resolve the situation with the Owens family—helping both Marlowe and Jason, who'd been wanting to deal with them for some time.

Paula had developed a businesswoman's instinct for calculating risks and benefits. "Not worth it. The Owens family has considerable influence. If we fail to handle them properly, we'll get dragged down too."

Since she felt that way, I dropped the subject.

But we still needed a plan.

"Hayes is about to be taken by new adoptive parents. We need to find his real family before that happens."

I shared my suspicion with Paula: Hayes might not have been abandoned by his family at all—his disappearance might have been Marlowe's doing.

If true, Marlowe's crimes were truly heinous.

Paula had met Hayes several times. When he wasn't having an episode, he was a sweet child. His gentle nature and good looks made him all the more endearing.

Despite her tough exterior, Paula had the softest heart.

After considering for a moment, she said, "For Hayes's sake alone, I want to help."

My eyes lit up, and I couldn't help but thank her profusely. "Paula, thank you. I knew I could count on you."

"Stop it—your enthusiasm is too much. I'm just being charitable, building my good reputation. No need to thank me," she said, pretending to be disgusted by my sentimentality.

After our animated conversation, I remembered she had just fainted, so I suggested she rest while I went to get her some hot water.

Meanwhile, I called Casey to ask for his help with the medical examination.

Though he could be as sharp-tongued as Christopher at times, he took his patients seriously. Without much persuasion, he agreed to give Paula a thorough examination before allowing her to proceed with compatibility testing.

Paula was always restless. She had just regained consciousness, but she was already complaining about staying in the hospital for observation while waiting for Casey.

She tried looking innocent. "Melinda, I'm really fine. I hate the smell of hospitals. For my mental wellbeing, please let me leave. I can come back tomorrow for the tests."

She was also good at making excuses. "You know Colt at the Ellis Group is just waiting for an opportunity, right? I can't let him get ahead of me. Since I've chosen to fight for this position, I can't show any weakness!"

Eventually, I gave in. Her point about company politics was valid—if people thought she had health issues, it would affect the upcoming vote.

After confirming with the doctor that she was indeed stable, I processed her discharge papers.

As we were heading downstairs, I spotted a familiar figure in the distance.

If I'd been uncertain the first two times, this time I was positive—it was Bobby.

What was he doing here?

Paula's illness had been sudden, so Bobby couldn't have followed me. That meant he had his own reasons for being at the hospital.

Paula noticed my hesitation and followed my gaze to the man across the lobby.

She let out a contemptuous laugh. "With the way Bobby's burned himself out, I wouldn't be surprised if he's here for an STD. Honestly, after everything he's done, even if he got something serious, he'd have it coming."

It was the first time I'd seen such raw disgust on Paula's face.

"What garbage. Let's go before he ruins our day," I suggested, equally repulsed by the man.

Paula nodded and took my arm, ready to leave.

But then she suddenly stopped.

"What is it?"

"Melinda, look—isn't that Marlowe? Bobby's stopping her... could this have something to do with what happened back then? Let's follow them quietly and see what he wants from her."