Chapter 33 Clearing the Wrongful Accusation
Emily pushed down her emotions. "Alex had good intentions too. Grandma, don't be upset. He probably just didn't think about your feelings for a moment."
"Good intentions? I think he's up to no good!" The old lady snorted, then picked up her spoon again to take a sip of the sweet soup. Only then did her brow relax a bit. "You're the only one still speaking up for him. If he really had a conscience, he wouldn't let you suffer like this."
Emily just smiled, adding another soft pastry to her grandmother's plate. "Your favorite date paste cake, low sugar and low calorie. Try it."
Just as she had calmed her grandmother down, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from Rachel.
Emily saw there was a photo attached.
She opened it to see Grace wearing a white dress with that familiar sapphire brooch pinned to her chest.
At that moment, she was nestled against Alex's side, smiling sweetly and innocently.
The caption read. [Guess whose birthday gift this is? Whatever Grace wants, Grace gets!]
There were also several voice messages following it. She didn't need to guess to know it was Rachel running her mouth.
Emily glanced at it and put her phone back in her pocket, feeling completely unmoved.
Grace's showing off had long stopped bothering her.
After dinner and filming a short video with her grandmother, Emily returned to her room to focus on her career.
She opened her computer, organized the design drafts she had finished, and sent them all to Sophia.
Before long, her phone suddenly showed a transfer notification.
Six figures—quite a substantial income.
Emily's lips curved slightly upward.
At this rate, she'd earn even more in Paris, enough for her and the baby to live on for quite a while.
With financial security, she felt more at ease.
The phone suddenly rang.
Emily was tidying up her desk and answered casually, "Hello?"
"Miss Johnson? Your scheduled ultrasound is at 2 PM. Please arrive half an hour early."
Emily remembered she had booked an ultrasound. "Okay, I'll come right away."
She was just under two months pregnant now, the perfect time to see the gestational sac and heartbeat. She took a deep breath, grabbed her bag, and headed out.
Alex wasn't around, which made it convenient for her to get the checkup.
To avoid the Baker family, she had specifically chosen a private hospital. It was very reliable, with one-on-one service and a great experience.
Half an hour later.
There weren't many people at the hospital, and Emily's turn came quickly.
The nurse glanced over. "Lift up your shirt and lie down on the bed. Don't be nervous."
Emily quickly put down her bag, clutching her phone tightly, ready to take photos at any moment.
The doctor moved the probe across her lower abdomen, and a tiny something appeared clearly on the screen. "This is the gestational sac, very clear. The baby is healthy too. The sac is developing normally. Listen, this is the heartbeat."
With that, the doctor smiled and turned on the speaker.
A clear, strong "thump thump" sound came through the device, very rhythmic, like a small drum beating softly.
Emily felt her own heart resonate with it. Looking at that tiny life on the screen, her eyes inexplicably welled up. "Thank you, doctor. Can I... can I look at it more closely?"
This was her baby, her most precious connection in this world.
Seeing her excitement, the doctor spoke gently. "Don't get too worked up. Staying calm is good for the baby too. Just maintain a balanced diet and come for regular checkups."
With that, she enlarged the image on the screen a bit more.
Emily nodded and wiped away her tears as she took a photo.
Even after leaving the ultrasound room, she couldn't stop the corners of her mouth from turning up. She carefully placed the two checkup reports in her bag.
Emily breathed in the fresh air outside. "Baby, in just over half a month, Mommy will take you to Paris. Very soon, just wait a little longer."
She pressed her lips together and turned to leave the hospital entrance. But she had barely taken a few steps when her phone rang.
The caller ID showed Matthew.
Emily answered without hesitation. "Hello, Matthew?"
"Emily, I have good news for you." Matthew's warm voice carried barely concealed joy.
"What is it?" Emily was startled.
Matthew's voice was full of smiles. "Your father's case has been resolved. He's been exonerated and can be released today."
Emily trembled, hardly believing her ears. "Matthew, what did you say? My dad... he can come out?"
"When have I ever lied to you?" Matthew's voice became even clearer. "The evidence is complete. They're processing the paperwork now."
Overwhelming joy instantly flooded Emily.
Tears spilled from her eyes again as the heavy burden on her heart finally lifted. "Okay, thank you Matthew. Where are you? I'll come right away."
She was about to hail a taxi.
But before she could, Matthew's steady, strong voice came through again. "Don't trouble yourself. Weren't you not feeling well a couple days ago? I'll come pick you up. Just send me your location. Uncle Andrew needs to stop by the company, so his assistant can drive him back."
He always thought things through carefully, so Emily had no worries.
After a moment's hesitation, she slowly looked up. "I'm at the hospital on Maple Street . It's hard to park there, so I'll wait for you at the intersection."
"Hospital?" Matthew frowned, asking with concern. "Are you sick?"
Emily laughed. "No, I just came for a checkup."
Matthew was silent for a moment on the other end, though it was unclear whether he believed her. "Okay, we'll talk when I see you."
"Okay!" Emily hung up, feeling more relaxed than ever before.
Within twenty minutes, a white car stopped in front of her.
The next second, Matthew quickly got out and immediately took her arm, asking with concern. "Are you okay? What's wrong? Why didn't you tell me? I could have come with you!"
Emily didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She was about to say she wasn't that fragile.
But Matthew's eyes were too serious, so she let him help her to the passenger seat. "Matthew, really, you don't need to do this. I'm fine."
"Your face is so pale, don't be stubborn." Matthew's movements were as gentle as if handling fragile treasure. "Let me help you into the car."
Emily had no choice but to get in.
And this entire scene was witnessed from a black Cayenne waiting at the red light across the street.
Alex had originally been taking Grace to a restaurant, but he hadn't expected to see this.
He had just left, and she immediately called Matthew?
What were the two of them doing at the hospital?
Alex's brow furrowed, and he felt inexplicably irritated.
His deep eyes reflected that slender figure getting into the passenger seat. His fingers suddenly gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles turning white, and the atmosphere around him became frighteningly oppressive.