Hearing her father's words, Bella felt a storm brewing in her heart.
She widened her eyes and looked at her father, "You mean..."
"Whether it's true or not needs to be investigated," Jeffery said with a deep gaze.
Bella nodded with a grim expression, "I understand. I'll have someone look into it."
Kelly, however, was puzzled by the cryptic conversation between father and daughter.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand."
"You don't need to understand now. Once Bella investigates, you'll naturally know," Jeffery replied, not intending to explain further to his wife.
Bella returned to her room with a somber face, contacting her subordinates to investigate the matter.
The next day, Deanna woke up to find herself lying in her room.
She didn't need to think hard to know that Lance must have carried her back, which filled her heart with sweetness.
After a quick wash, she went out to make breakfast for the family.
As they were about to eat, there was a knock on the door.
Deanna opened it to see Lance standing tall and handsome outside. Even though she saw him every day, she couldn't help but be momentarily dazed.
Quickly regaining her composure, she asked in surprise, "Mr. Mercer, what brings you here so early?"
"I have something to discuss," Lance admitted with a nod.
Deanna immediately invited him into the apartment.
The two little ones greeted Lance enthusiastically, "Uncle, you're here!"
Even Old Ashley showed concern, "Mr. Mercer, have you had breakfast?"
"I have," Lance replied with a slight smile, nodding at Old Ashley and the children.
Deanna poured Lance a glass of water and asked, "What is it that you wanted to discuss, Mr. Mercer?"
"It's like this. Earlier, I had someone file a lawsuit against Bella in your name and demanded compensation. The compensation was received yesterday and should have been given to you, but since you were asleep, I brought it today."
With that, Lance took out a check for five million dollars from his suit pocket.
Deanna chuckled, "For such a small matter, you could have just informed me, and I would have come over. No need for you to make a special trip."
"It's no trouble. I had nothing planned for this morning anyway," Lance said with a gentle smile.
Seeing his smile made Deanna's cheeks flush with warmth. She shyly lowered her head and then noticed the amount on the check.
Five million dollars!
She widened her eyes in disbelief and looked at Lance, "Why so much?"
"I don't know either. Attorney Justin handled everything," Lance replied.
Although Lance said this, Deanna knew he must have had a hand in it but didn't want her to feel indebted.
Feeling deeply moved yet unsure of what to say, she could only express her gratitude with a heartfelt "Thank you."
Later that morning, after the children finished breakfast, Lance offered to take them to kindergarten on his way to work.
Meanwhile, Bella arrived at the hospital with her assistant.
Led by the assistant, she entered a private ward.
Inside, a middle-aged woman dressed in the Mercer family maid uniform was carefully tending to her son on the bed.
Her son had been diagnosed with kidney disease a year ago and needed a transplant surgery that was very costly. The post-operative care was also an astronomical expense.
Hearing the commotion at the door, both mother and son turned their heads to look.
The middle-aged woman recognized Bella from working at the Mercer family but was surprised to see her in the ward.
"Miss Cody, you..."
"Can we talk?" Bella interrupted before the woman could finish.
Perhaps fearing refusal, Bella glanced at the boy on the bed and smiled gently, "If you want to save your son, come with me."
With that, she turned and left.
After a moment of hesitation, the middle-aged woman couldn't help but follow.
On the balcony at the end of the hallway, Bella and the middle-aged woman stood face-to-face.
"Here's three million dollars. It's enough for your son's surgery and subsequent treatment," Bella said, handing over a bank card from her purse.
The middle-aged woman's face showed a mix of confusion and emotion.
She wasn't foolish and looked up at Bella to ask, "What does Miss Cody want me to do?"
"I don't need you to do anything. Just answer a few questions," Bella said bluntly.
Hearing this, the middle-aged woman visibly relaxed.
She took the bank card and asked, "What does Miss Cody want to know?"
"I want to know why there were changes in the Mercer family mansion and why Samantha and Lance are close to Deanna's children," Bella asked directly.