Chapter 4 Inspection

Emma's body instantly froze in place. The gazes around her—some curious, some malicious—all turned toward her at once.

She quickly shook her head and brought out the excuse she'd prepared long ago.

"No, I've had a bad stomach lately, not feeling well. When I'm hungry, I get dizzy and nauseous."

But this explanation couldn't fool Marcus.

His gaze was deep and sharp, as if trying to find any flaw in Emma's story.

Emma knew Marcus was suspicious, so she pulled out a hospital visit record from her bag.

Mary had specially forged this, worried that Marcus would suspect Emma.

She'd even stamped it with the hospital's official seal to make it look real.

"This is the diagnosis result. I just finished the checkup this afternoon. The doctor said it's because of irregular eating habits, and I just need to take good care of myself."

Emma tried to stay calm, carefully watching Marcus's reaction.

He just casually glanced at the document, his brow slightly furrowed, but said nothing.

Just when Emma thought she could get away with it, Evelyn covered her mouth and pretended to be shocked.

"So stomach problems can cause vomiting? This is the first time I've heard of it. Isn't that the same as pregnancy symptoms? Emma, you can't be careless about this kind of thing. Maybe you should check at a few more hospitals? Just in case they got it wrong."

Evelyn held Marcus's arm and shot Emma a challenging look.

Emma choked, instantly understanding that Evelyn was saying this on purpose to make Marcus suspect her.

If she wasn't pregnant, Evelyn could be completely at ease.

If she was, with Marcus's methods, the baby definitely wouldn't survive.

Either way, it was advantageous for Evelyn.

Emma gripped her purse tightly and said calmly, "No way. How could the hospital make a mistake? Evelyn, you're overthinking it. The hospital wouldn't allow that to happen."

But Evelyn showed a sly smile, then tilted her head and said, "But I saw you at the obstetrics department a few days ago."

Emma's heart jumped. It must have been when she went to the hospital with Mary for the checkup.

"Evelyn, I was with Mary. Are you so sure I was the one getting checked? And your mind is really dirty—what does going to obstetrics prove?" Emma finished speaking and calmly met her gaze.

Seeing Emma being stubborn, Evelyn wanted to continue, but Marcus interrupted her.

With one look from him, the onlookers scattered.

"Enough. Let's go, back to the estate. Emma, stop making a fool of yourself here. I'm not interested in dealing with family matters in front of outsiders."

Emma naturally refused. Why would she follow them back to that estate?

To keep watching Marcus and Evelyn being all lovey-dovey?

Besides, Marcus wasn't easy to fool—he must be starting to suspect her too.

If she'd known this would happen, she shouldn't have agreed to come to this party with Marcus!

"I'm not going back. Marcus, isn't it better if I live outside?"

Emma spoke while backing toward the door, trying to sneak away.

"Emma!" Marcus probably felt his authority was being challenged.

He called out through gritted teeth, "Stop!"

The long-term oppression made Emma resist this voice. Instinctively, she wanted to speed up and run out!

Just as she reached the door, the footsteps behind her got closer.

He lost his patience, stepped forward, picked Emma up in one motion, and put her in the car.

"Drive, back to Dawn Blossom Estate." He impatiently ordered the driver, then threatened Emma.

"Emma, don't play any tricks under my nose. Go back and do your duty as my adopted daughter, take care of Evelyn. If you dare run out again, don't blame me for being heartless."

Emma was so scared she trembled and couldn't say anything in protest.

The car quickly disappeared down the road.

Emma sat in the front seat and through the mirror saw Evelyn's wild eyes.

She raised her eyebrows slightly at Emma, as if declaring her victory.

Emma rolled her eyes at her and stopped looking at what was happening in the back. Returning to Dawn Blossom Estate, the facilities were still so familiar, but everything had changed.

Emma had the servants send dinner to her room, then dragged her tired body upstairs.

Lying in bed, thinking back on Marcus's actions, Emma couldn't figure out what he wanted anymore.

But a new problem had appeared.

Staying here was never safe. Many servants were watching her. Getting the baby safely born didn't seem very feasible.

Emma suddenly had an idea: leave this city.

She'd heard Harborview City was a good place—beautiful scenery, pleasant climate year-round, suitable for pregnancy.

Emma touched her still-flat belly and said softly to the baby inside, "Baby, don't be afraid. Mommy will protect you."

Lying in bed, she drifted off to sleep.

Suddenly, the room was filled with a cacophony of sounds, jolting Emma awake.

The bedroom door had somehow opened.

Marcus stood silently by her bed. The dim light highlighted his sharp, imposing features, and his deep blue eyes seemed to hide a beast ready to devour anyone at any moment.

Emma broke out in a cold sweat, all sleepiness gone, and stammered, "What are you doing?"

Marcus simply replied with one word: "Checkup."

A doctor walked in from outside to examine Emma.

Just as she was about to struggle and escape, two bodyguards suddenly appeared at the door.

Then Marcus's voice sounded in her ear, "Cooperate."

Emma fell back onto the bed, a sense of helplessness rising from her feet to her head.

Her heart completely died. The doctor was Marcus's personal physician, named Luna Cooper.

A year ago, Luna had encountered some danger and had her arms slashed—you could even see the bones inside. She refused to go to the hospital, and Emma, feeling sorry for her, had taken care of her for a while.

Watching Luna reach for her wrist, Emma steeled herself, rolled her eyes back, pretended to faint, and collapsed onto the bed.

"What's going on?" Marcus's voice was displeased. He roughly grabbed Emma's hand, trying to pull her up from the bed. The rough movement hurt so much Emma gasped, but she had to force herself not to make a sound.

Fortunately, Luna quickly stopped Marcus.

"Mr. Donovan, Emma has fainted. If you do this, something bad will happen."

Hearing this, Marcus finally let go of Emma's hand, and Emma breathed a sigh of relief.

"Check her first."

"Yes."

Soon, Luna finished the examination.

Marcus asked in a low voice, "Is she pregnant?"

Emma knew it—Marcus had never stopped suspecting her.

Her heart grew uneasy again, nervously straining her ears, hoping Luna's examination would have some flaw.

"Mr. Donovan, Emma just has some anemia and gastritis. She's not pregnant, but her health isn't good and needs proper care."

Before Luna finished speaking, Marcus stormed out, slamming the door.

Only then did Emma open her eyes, her anxious heart finally settling down.

Luna walked over to Emma and handed her a bottle of folic acid supplements. "Emma, you can't hide your pregnancy for long. You'd better think about what to do."

"I know. Thank you for today."

If she hadn't covered for her, Emma would already be at the hospital by now.

Luna just smiled and said, "Compared to what you did for me, this small thing is nothing."