Chapter 89

Connie, unaware of her daughter's fall, heard a thud. Looking back, she gasped, seeing Vanessa on the floor.

"Vanessa!!!" Connie cried, rushing to her. Kneeling, she shook Vanessa's body. "Vanessa, honey, please open your eyes, my love," Connie panicked. "I promise they won't do anything to you. Mama will always be by your side. Please open your eyes."

Vanessa's eyes remained closed, her lips slightly parted.

Connie turned to her husband. "Your daughter is dying. Won't you help?"

Eric glanced at Vanessa.

"And look what you've done!!!" Connie yelled at Ludacris. "You're all a bunch of jokers! She was fine, typing away, telling lies and defaming innocent people, and then she collapses when it's time to take responsibility?"

"Don't be insensitive! She's pregnant!!!" Connie said, returning to Vanessa. "Please wake up, sweetheart."

"Somebody call a doctor!!!" she shouted, but no one moved. Mary had left earlier, after letting Ludacris in.

The two security guards exchanged glances, unsure if Connie addressed them.

"This isn't the first time I've dealt with manipulative people," Ludacris said, pocketing a hand. "Pay for the damages, or see you in court tomorrow."

"I needn't remind you of the consequences if she doesn't appear, right?"

"Have a good day!" Ludacris left.

"What are you still doing? Get out of here!" Connie ordered the security guards, who immediately left.

Turning to her husband, Connie said, "Can't you show some sympathy? No matter what Vanessa did, you should defend her. You let that lawyer bully her?"

"You heard the lawyer. Vanessa was clearly sane when she messed up. She should face the consequences."

"And you believe this act?" He gestured to Vanessa. "This is probably what you'd do if you were sued." Connie sighed, running a hand through her hair.

Eric went to a small table, picked up a glass of water, and went to Connie. Her eyes followed him. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to get her to leave my house."

He sprinkled water on Vanessa's face.

Chapter 89

"What are you?" Connie began, but Vanessa coughed, regaining consciousness.

"There you go! I just saved you all from medical expenses."

Connie glared at her husband, then helped Vanessa sit up, hugging her as she coughed.

"It's fine, my love. I'm here to protect you. You don't need to be scared. The lawyer's gone."

Vanessa pulled away, noticing they were alone. Her eyes welled up. "Mama, where will we get that money?"

"Use the right words. What do you mean 'we'?" Eric interrupted, glaring.

"Of course it concerns us. We're a family. We can't let Hailey bully our daughter."

Eric shook his head. "This wouldn't have happened if Vanessa hadn't acted insanely. I don't have a dime."

Vanessa cried harder.

"I know you're angry, but we can't abandon her."

"I've abandoned a daughter before. I'll be fine without kids."

"Stop being brutal. This isn't about the money. You have connections. What would people say if your daughter went to jail? Aren't you embarrassed?"

"Who claims 800 billion? That's insane! I know you have friends in the judiciary. Ask them for help. My daughter mustn't go to jail."

"It's a pity you think I was joking. Yes, I have friends, but I'm not asking for favors."

"Then sell your cars, designer items, property, and jewelry."

Eric ignored Connie's glare. "Remember you all stole from the company? Now's the time to use that money."

"Mock us all you want, but don't run from your responsibility. 800,000 is a lot! Even selling everything, we can't raise 400!"

"Then turn yourselves in. Let the judge find an alternative sentence."

Connie shook her head. "No way my daughter's setting foot in that house. You do something."

"You'll be her accomplice if you help her escape. Vanessa did something terrible, and she'll face the consequences."

"You know Ludacris? He's the second-highest-paid attorney. He never loses. You should spend the night with your daughter; it might be your last."

Cole stared at Vanessa, shocked. He opened his mouth, but words failed him. He saw Vanessa staring intently, waiting for him to speak, but his mind was a mess.

"Ssigns of early pregnancy?"

Hailey nodded.

Cole looked down at her belly, then back at her face. Seeing tears in his eyes, she started crying too. "Youyouare youwe are having a baby?" he stammered. Despite his tears, he managed a smile.

Hailey shrugged. "I don't know. I could be. I've been having related symptoms."

Cole intertwined his hand with hers. "Tiredness, throwing up, bad taste in your mouth?"

She nodded.

Cole sighed deeply. "How do you feel?"

"I'm a mess!"

"Why?"

"It's how I feel."

"You're not happy? Does it feel too soon?" Cole asked.