Chapter 97
"The theme of the press conference will be the Sharp family's shocking scandal from seven years ago. I'll tell everyone how you tricked me into signing that surrogacy agreement with your honeyed words. I'll also tell everyone that Damian wasn't born to Bianca at all."
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Watch me. Ashley, let's analyze the consequences together."
"First, whether what happened seven years ago is true or false, once it goes public, the Sharp family will become the biggest joke in all of New Seashire. A century-old prestigious family maintaining their lineage through fraud and deception—how much face do you think the Sharp family will have left?"
"Second, Lucas, the CEO of Sharp Group. His marital status is currently the public's biggest interest. If the media reveals that he was deceived for seven whole years by his own mother and the woman in his bed, how many times do you think Sharp Group's stock will hit the limit down? And how will he explain himself to the board of directors?"
Lucas watched her analyze everything calmly, watched her words strike like daggers at the heart, watched her transform from a gentle mother into an indestructible warrior.
On the other end, only Ashley's heavy, furious breathing remained.
Juliana gave her a few seconds to process, then delivered her terms.
"Of course, I don't want it to come to that. After all, Lucas is innocent." She paused, her voice finally carrying a hint of humanity—though it felt more like poison wrapped in sugar. "As long as you return my son to me, safe and sound, I promise everything we've discussed today, all our secrets, will stay buried."
"This is the best deal you'll get. The Sharp family's reputation that you treasure so much stays intact. Your son's career and reputation stay protected."
"You... you vicious woman!"
Ashley finally exploded. "Fine! Just fine! Juliana, I really underestimated you!"
She'd thought Juliana was a lamb ready for slaughter. Turned out she was a mother wolf who'd already bared her fangs.
"The moment you took my son, I filed a police report. If he's missing for more than twenty-four hours, they'll open a case."
"I've also written a will, made many copies, and given them to people I trust. If anything happens to me or my child, the truth from seven years ago will spread across the internet at lightning speed. At that point, it won't just be a press conference—it'll be a criminal investigation."
"Taking the Sharp family down to hell with me doesn't seem like a bad deal."
"You... you..." Ashley was so furious she couldn't speak, only able to make gasping sounds like she might pass out any second.
Juliana didn't give her another chance.
"I'm giving you one day."
"Tomorrow at this time, if I don't see my son."
"You'll deal with the consequences."
She hung up immediately.
The strength she'd been forcing herself to maintain crumbled the instant the call ended.
Lucas said nothing, just pulled her tightly into his arms.
"Mom!"
Damian rushed over too, wrapping his arms around Juliana's legs. "Don't be scared, Mom! Dad will protect us!"
Leaning against Lucas's chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, looking down at her little son clutching her leg, Juliana's heart—suspended in mid-air for so long—finally began to settle.
She wasn't alone.
She had them.
In this war, she wasn't fighting by herself.
Just then, an urgent phone ring shattered the brief peace.
It was Lucas's phone.
He frowned as he answered. After hearing just one sentence, his expression darkened completely.
"I'll be right there."
He hung up and looked at Juliana. "My mother... her stomach cancer relapsed. She's being resuscitated."
Juliana's pupils contracted sharply.
Was it coincidence, or... had she caused this?
Lucas saw the wavering and guilt in her eyes. He tightened his arms, holding her closer.
"This isn't your fault. She has a history. It's a chronic condition."
He released her and turned to Paul. "Watch them. Don't let anyone near."
Then he gave Juliana a long look—his gaze holding reassurance, promise, and a trace of apology even he hadn't recognized.
"Wait for me."
With that, he strode out without looking back.
……
Outside the emergency room at the hospital, Lucas leaned against the cold wall. David stood beside him, trying several times to convince him to rest, only to be silenced by a single look.
Finally, the emergency room light went out.
The doctor emerged. "She's out of immediate danger, but the situation isn't optimistic. The patient's emotions can't withstand any more stress. Otherwise... even miracles won't help."
Ashley was transferred to intensive care.
When she woke, the first thing she saw was her son keeping vigil by her bed, bloodshot eyes, blue stubble on his chin.
Tears immediately filled her clouded eyes. Her withered hand grabbed Lucas desperately.
"Lucas..." Her voice was barely a whisper but filled with venom. "Promise me... break things off with that woman... or I'll... I'll die right now!"
As she spoke, she tried to pull out her IV in agitation.
Lucas expressionlessly held down her hand.
He'd waited a day and a night. What he got wasn't maternal warmth, but another threat.
He was exhausted.
"Why? Why can't you accept her?"
Ashley froze.
"I know everything. Damian and Matthew—they're both my sons. And Juliana was the person you personally chose back then."
He lifted his eyes, his deep gaze looking straight at his mother.
"You chose her yourself. And now you're telling me you don't approve?"
The color drained from Ashley's face in an instant.
She reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "I don't care! I'm completely incompatible with her! It's her or me! Me or her!"
The numbers on the monitoring equipment began jumping wildly.
Lucas watched her agonized, frenzied state. He knew nothing he said would help right now.
After she calmed down slightly, he spoke again, his tone devoid of emotion.
"Focus on recovering. I'll give you a satisfactory answer."
Ashley breathed heavily, looking at him with suspicious eyes.
Lucas said nothing more, just watched her silently.
Eventually, Ashley backed down.
Lucas walked out of the hospital room. He pulled out his phone to call Juliana. The screen had just lit up when a message popped up.
It was from Juliana.
[I can't reach David. He was supposed to come by today.]
Lucas's pupils contracted sharply.
David was his man—the only person he'd planted near his mother who could track Matty's whereabouts at any time.
And now he'd disappeared.