Chapter 154
72 Million USD
Victoria Roscente's face turned pale with fury.
She had never met someone so skilled at twisting the truth.
"You're the one causing trouble, and now you blame me? Keep spouting nonsense, and I won't be polite!"
"Go ahead! Try to kill me today—"
"Martha!" Victoria trembled with rage. "Call Ethan Roscente immediately! Tell him to get over here now!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The phone rang for a long time before it was answered.
Ethan's voice was cold. "What is it?"
"Young master, your mother requests your presence at the hospital."
"I'm busy."
"But... ma'am and Miss Isabella are having a terrible argument."
"Oh."
Martha was stunned.
Ethan's tone grew even colder. "Tell Victoria she insisted on keeping this child. Now that there's trouble, she can handle it herself. Don't bother me."
The call disconnected.
Attempts to call back went straight to voicemail.
"Ma'am, the young master said..."
Victoria pressed urgently, "What did he say?"
Martha forced herself to repeat it. "He said you created this mess, so you solve it. He wants no part of it."
Victoria's vision darkened.
Just then, Isabella Langley let out a piercing, agonized scream.
It was a hundred times more tortured than when she was being hit.
The hospital room descended into chaos.
A doctor rushed in. "The patient's condition is critical! Emergency procedures! All family members, out!"
Victoria's heart clenched.
Could the baby really be lost?
She regretted her earlier impulsiveness.
Half an hour later, the doctor emerged.
Victoria rushed forward. "Doctor, how is my grandson?"
The doctor frowned. "The fetus is stable for now. But the mother cannot endure any further stress. Next time, not even a miracle might save it."
Victoria exhaled in profound relief. "Thank you, Doctor. I'll be careful."
Amelia Roscente arrived in a hurry.
She had learned what happened from Martha.
She couldn't help muttering under her breath, "After all that drama, it's still fine. She's got nine lives..."
Victoria glanced toward the room. "Tiffany, help me with the discharge paperwork."
"Discharge? Didn't the doctor say you need to stay a few more days?"
"My grandson was almost lost! How can I stay here? I'm moving to the Beverly Hills mansion. I need to keep an eye on that troublemaker myself!"
Amelia was shocked. "Mom, are you insane? To wait on her? Like a servant?"
This was completely unlike Victoria.
Her obsession with a grandson was understandable.
But Amelia couldn't believe she would humble herself like this.
"What's really going on? Why are you so set on keeping this child?"
Victoria narrowed her eyes. "Remember your grandfather's will? The New Street Venture Capital Fund shares are to be redistributed in ten years."
"Vaguely. What does that have to do with Isabella Langley?"
"Silly girl, the New Street project's value has multiplied dozens of times. The second and third branches are eyeing it greedily. The distribution is per capita. Our branch is at the biggest disadvantage. But if your brother has a child, that child counts as a share."
"I'm pinning all my hopes on this child. Isabella's belly holds 72 million USD."
Amelia was stunned. "72 million USD?"
Victoria smiled and nodded.
Inside the room, Isabella heard every word clearly.
The soundproofing in the VIP room was terrible.
She gently touched her abdomen.
72 million USD...
How much money was that...
...
After Isabella was discharged, Victoria personally attended to her.
For the first two days, Isabella was extremely cautious.
She watched her diet and kept her emotions steady, terrified something might happen to the baby.
But she soon realized Victoria was bending over backwards for her.
Anything she wanted, she got. She was treated like royalty.
Ethan never returned.
He didn't answer calls or messages.
His disgust for Isabella had reached its peak.
Isabella stopped trying.
With the child came 72 million USD. Ethan's heart was no longer important.
Days passed.
Isabella's belly gradually swelled.
But she was never one to be content.
As soon as she felt a little better, she started causing trouble again.
"Aunt Victoria, I'm going for my check-up. I'd like the chicken soup you make when I get back."
Isabella stood at the door, her smile sweet.
Victoria sat on the sofa without looking up. "Have the cook make it."
"You misheard." Isabella's tone hardened. "I said you should make the chicken soup."
Victoria frowned.
Her eyes swept over Isabella's stomach. She swallowed her anger. "Fine. I'll make it."
"Thank you, Auntie."
The soup was just ready when Isabella returned from her check-up.
Victoria placed a bowl on the table. "Drink."
She served herself a bowl too.
It did smell more fragrant than the cook's.
"Aunt Victoria, are you pregnant too?" Isabella asked suddenly.
Victoria nearly choked on her soup.