Dennis's eyes widened, drool uncontrollably dripping from his mouth. He was so excited, babbling incessantly. Winona grabbed a towel from the bedside table, pressing it firmly against his mouth and nose. Her eyes blazed with a manic intensity as she held him down. Then, leaning close to his ear, she spoke in her usual tender voice, "Grandpa, why are you so worked up? Isn't this what you always wanted? You thought sending me to be Robert's mistress would benefit the Smith family, didn't you? Everyone says you've always been kind to me, but only I know your love and care were fake. All fake! You just wanted to use me to gain more advantages. You should be proud of me now! I'm pregnant with Robert's child, and he's so obsessed with me he can't leave my side. Victor is also under my control. Yulia thinks I'm carrying her grandchild, and she'll do anything to please me. Once I give birth, this baby will be the Carter family's darling, their only heir."

Winona released the towel. Dennis lay on the bed, barely conscious, clutching the sheets, glaring at her. Winona took two steps back, retrieved a compact from her handbag, and sat on the sofa to retouch her makeup, a smile still playing on her lips. Only Dennis's ragged breathing filled the ward. After finishing her makeup, she appeared charming once more. Dennis, lying there, lacked the strength to even twitch a finger; his breathing was almost imperceptible. Winona glanced at her watch—the timing was perfect. She pinched her arm hard, her eyes instantly reddening as tears welled up.

Approaching the bed with a feigned air of vulnerability and sadness, she tenderly took his hand. In the softest of tones, she spoke, each word dripping with malice: "Grandpa, I'm the one in the Smith family who most resembles you. My heart is as icy as yours. Rest easy, knowing your departure brings me true joy. Don't worry about anything. I vow to seize control of the Carter family. Oh, I almost forgot—my memory's been slipping lately—but my mother and brother absconded with all the Smith family's wealth and fled overseas. But rest assured, I will track them down and exact vengeance in your name. They will know no peace."

With a surge of remaining strength, Dennis swung his arm, pushing Winona to the ground. Just then, Robert and Victor entered, witnessing the scene. Both rushed to her aid, panicked. Winona lowered her eyes, appearing to be in great pain. She glanced at Robert, who stood slightly behind Victor, giving him a reassuring yet subtly flirtatious look. The look made Robert's heart skip a beat; he understood her unspoken message. Their relationship, if revealed, would be disastrous. The scandal of a father's involvement with his son's wife would ruin Robert's reputation. Since Winona wished to keep their affair secret, Robert complied. The excitement Winona brought into his life was unlike anything he'd ever experienced. He was enjoying life to the fullest, the affair particularly thrilling.

Meanwhile, Victor's concern centered on the baby Winona carried, not Winona herself. He feared this child might influence his grandfather's will. The baby was his bargaining chip; it had to be safe. He anxiously looked at Winona and asked, "Are you okay? Should we see a doctor?" Winona's red, tear-filled eyes made her appear pitiable.

She said, "I don't know what happened to Grandpa. He suddenly went mad, hitting me, pinching me, then pushing me to the floor. I just wanted to tell him he's going to be a great-grandfather. Why would he do this to me, Victor? Did I do anything wrong?" She sobbed, looking at Victor pleadingly, as if he were her entire world, fulfilling his need to feel in control.

Victor glared at the still-lying Dennis, ignoring Winona, and spat at him, cursing. Winona stood silently to the side, her head lowered, a chilling smile playing on her lips. Robert clearly disliked the closeness between Victor and Winona, keeping his distance with a stern expression. He said to Victor, "That's enough. He's Winona's grandfather, after all. Watch your mouth." His gaze softening considerably as he addressed Winona, he spoke gently, "Winona, if you're not feeling well, schedule a doctor's appointment. Or have our personal physician come. Your health is paramount." To prevent Victor's suspicion, he added, "You're carrying the Carter family's heir, so be cautious."

Winona nodded obediently, her voice sweet as she gazed softly at Robert. "No thanks, Daddy. I'm really fine." They exchanged a knowing smile, their shared understanding evident. Shyly, she lowered her head and leaned forward, revealing her cleavage. Seeing her shyness, Robert felt a strong desire for her. Victor, still cursing Dennis, failed to notice their exchange. Robert's gaze towards Winona was intensely intimate. He glanced at his watch; visiting hours were almost over. He didn't want to overstay. Winona looked sadly at Dennis before leaving the hospital with Robert and Victor.

In the Apex Urban University cafeteria, Bonnie, after waiting in line with anticipation, lifted a rib to her fork. She paused, glanced around, then carefully returned it to her tray. Within seconds, she repeated the action, lifting and lowering the rib repeatedly. Yvette, sitting opposite, raised her brow. "Is this rib annoying you?" she asked.

Bonnie nodded seriously, though unenthusiastically. "It's annoying me, Yve. Don't you think it's too perfect? Look at its round, plump shape, smell its natural aroma. With this tender, juicy, flavorful rib, honestly, who wouldn't be enchanted?"

Yvette pursed her lips, casually tilting her head. "Oh, then just eat it."

Bonnie stared at the rib with a pained expression and wailed, "I just can't!"

Yvette smiled helplessly, rubbing her temples. Bonnie had recently become obsessed with weight loss. "Why?" Yvette asked, her eyes half-closed.

Bonnie gulped, anticipating Yvette's less sympathetic side, and quickly explained, "I don't know what's happened, but I've gained over six pounds. I'm going on a diet. Starting today, unless I lose ten pounds, no more ribs."

Yvette speared some ribs and slipped them into Bonnie's mouth, silencing her. "Please eat. I'll give you a prescription later. Maintain your regular diet, and you'll likely lose weight in under a month without dieting."

Hearing this, Bonnie bit into the ribs, as if afraid they'd disappear. "Yve, you should have told me! Wait for me; I'm getting more!" She dashed off to the food counter. Yvette smiled gently. Her smile stunned those around her with its beauty.