Chapter 99
"Sterry, what does this mean?" Gloria stared at Sterling, hurt evident in her eyes.
Sterling's expression remained neutral. "Just a routine pre-wedding procedure. The examination will be good for the baby too."
"Are you doubting me?" Gloria's voice cracked with emotion. "You think I'm lying? Even if I were, my mother certainly wouldn't be."
Sterling said nothing.
"Mr. Lancaster means that an examination can rule out hereditary diseases and ensure healthy development," Blake interjected smoothly. "Pre-marital medical checks are quite standard."
Gloria's eyes flickered uncertainly as Blake continued, "To be safe, I recommend using one of the Lancaster Group's hospitals. I'll speak with the doctors to ensure they're thorough."
Gloria nervously clenched her fingers. Even she wasn't naive enough to miss Sterling's true intentions.
This wasn't about wedding procedures—he was verifying her pregnancy. Even his quick agreement to marriage had been calculated.
He'd known all along what this dinner was about.
"Ms. Brown?" Blake prompted.
Desperately suppressing her panic, Gloria accepted the medical report. "Fine, I'll schedule an examination soon."
Blake glanced at his boss, and seeing no indication Sterling wished to speak further, excused himself and returned to the car.
Sterling remained standing where he was.
"Is there something else?" Gloria asked nervously.
Sterling's gaze sharpened. "That night, why were you in my room?"
"I..." Gloria's mouth opened reflexively, but no words emerged.
Why had she been in Sterling's room? She'd asked herself this repeatedly but couldn't fabricate a plausible explanation.
Any reason she could concoct wouldn't convince even herself, let alone Sterling.
"I was drunk and accidentally went to the wrong room," she finally managed, forcing the words out.
Sterling studied her for several seconds. "Is that so? I see."
Gloria kept her head down, avoiding his penetrating gaze.
"Your father wants a quick wedding. Take care of the medical examination promptly," Sterling said. "Blake can accompany you if you need."
"That won't be necessary!" Gloria refused without hesitation. "I can handle it myself."
Sterling said nothing more and returned to his car.
As the vehicle pulled away, Henry emerged from the shadows.
Gloria jumped when she turned and saw her brother. "Henry? When did you get here?"
Henry eyed the document in her hand. "Sterling wants you to get a medical examination?"
Something in his tone made Gloria uneasy.
Since returning to the Brown family, Henry had been exceptionally indulgent toward his sister. Gloria adored him, even more than their parents.
But ever since he'd seen her with Willow, Gloria sensed something had changed in him.
"Yes," she replied, adopting a wounded expression and lowering her eyes, hoping Henry would defend her as he always had.
After a moment's consideration, Henry said, "A pre-wedding examination isn't a bad idea. You should do it."
Gloria's last hope crumbled. "I know," she murmured, pressing her lips together.
Henry stepped closer. "Glo, since you were little, I've always helped you fix your mistakes. That hasn't changed."
His tone gave Gloria the unsettling impression that he knew something.
"I know, Henry. You've always been the best to me," Gloria said, keeping her head down.
Henry patted her head. "But first, you need to tell me exactly what trouble you've gotten yourself into."
Gloria forced a smile. "I'm not a troublesome child anymore."
When she didn't elaborate, Henry didn't press further. Instead, he took Sterling's medical report from her hand.
"Sexual function—normal? And here we thought he might be impotent," Henry said, reverting to his carefree manner as he flipped through the report while heading back inside.
Gloria remained outside, collecting herself before following him into the villa.
---
During the drive back to his apartment, Blake glanced at Sterling through the rearview mirror.
"Mr. Lancaster, if Ms. Brown's examination confirms she's pregnant, will you marry her?"
He sensed that even with proof of pregnancy, his boss might not believe Gloria—even if she could somehow prove she was the woman from that night.
"If she can prove the child is mine," Sterling replied, his voice low.
Blake understood. The timing of Gloria's pregnancy announcements seemed suspicious, and her demeanor was telling—she showed no joy about carrying Sterling's child, only nervousness and apprehension.
It was as if the baby were merely a tool to force a marriage.
Having reached his own conclusions, Blake asked no further questions.
Sterling arrived at his apartment late that night. Just as he was preparing for bed, he received a message from Henry.
[When do you plan to explain?] Henry asked.
Sterling raised an eyebrow and replied, [You might not like my answer.]
He knew how much Henry doted on his long-lost sister. When Gloria first returned, she naively offended a powerful CEO's daughter.
Even after learning Gloria was at fault, Henry had defended her and driven that corporation out of Majestic City.
He did have some principles, though. After resolving the incident, he sent Gloria abroad for two years to reflect on her behavior.
Since her return, to prevent further trouble, Henry rarely allowed her to appear alone at major events.
This explained why Sterling wasn't familiar with his friend's sister.
After a few seconds of silence, Henry sent another message: [I'd still like to hear your explanation. I've known you longer than I've known her.]
This response surprised Sterling.
He smiled slightly. [Let's wait a bit longer.]
Henry didn't press the issue. A moment later, he sent a photo—the cover of Sterling's medical report.
Henry: [If you don't explain, this might find its way online. Your call.]
Sterling had no response.