Chapter 259

Stephanie’s heart pounded with panic, her gaze darting between the blinking cameras and Thea. Ignoring the cameras, she lunged at Thea. "It was you, wasn't it? You can't stand the thought of Oliver living with me, so you've gone to great lengths to endanger him! Miss Rowland, I know you despise me, but I beg you, whatever our issues, please don't involve Oliver. He is innocent."

In the doctor's hand, a steel ball still dripped with murky fluid. Thousands of live-stream comments flooded in, viewers sympathizing with Stephanie's apparent maternal devotion. The commentary escalated as more people joined in. "She may look proper, but who knew she'd be so ruthless? They always say these rich-family feuds are messy, but I never thought I'd see one firsthand." Another lamented, "She even targeted a child! So shameless. Stephanie, a respected celebrity, driven to such desperation. Such a poor mother." The crowd overwhelmingly sided with Stephanie.

Thea unwittingly became the scapegoat, labeled a malicious stepmother, as disgusted glares fell upon her.

"Nicolas, please, do something for Oliver's sake," Stephanie implored tearfully. Thea suspected Stephanie was a natural performer. The moment the cameras rolled, Stephanie adopted a delicate, victimized pose, subtly lacing her accusations into her words. "I understand Miss Rowland might see Oliver as an obstacle. I'm willing to leave Key Biscayne with Oliver, anything to ensure his safety."

Stephanie squarely pinned the blame on Thea, her accusations dripping with venom. Thea let out a short, cold laugh. "Ms. Ralap, do you have any logic? I don't even know where you live. How could I possibly bribe someone close to Oliver? Are you overestimating me, or underestimating Mr. Hendrix's staff?"

Nicolas's expression darkened, his gaze unreadable. Caught under his scrutiny, Stephanie faltered but held her ground. "Lately, the housekeeper's been acting strangely. She's been colluding with you, Miss Rowland."

Grinding her teeth, Stephanie dropped to her knees. "Miss Rowland, I beg you. Spare Oliver."

Moral outrage reached a fever pitch as accusations against Thea intensified. 'What is Stephanie trying to pull?' Thea wondered. Steel balls couldn't just appear in Oliver's food. 'Is she trying to shift the blame onto me?' Thea sensed something more was at play.

"Nicolas, I'm frightened" Stephanie's face shifted to fearful innocence, her voice soft and pleading. "Miss Rowland has malice toward Oliver, and keeping her around is a risk. I know your feelings for her are unique, but Oliver is my only family. Only if you send Miss Rowland to the police will I feel safe."

Stephanie wanted Thea to lose everything—her reputation, and her presence in Stephanie's life. Stephanie’s dramatic display of weakness—shaking shoulders, lowered body—was evident.

Stephanie’s online reputation was damaged, but she had a loyal fanbase. They flooded the live-stream, criticizing Thea relentlessly.

Thea ignored the online chaos; she only cared about Nicolas's decision. He didn't disappoint her.

"Get up," Nicolas's voice was low and hoarse. He didn't let Stephanie near him, instead asking Darwin to help her up. Even passersby noticed Nicolas’s unusual behavior. 'Why does it seem like Mr. Hendrix doesn't protect her as much as the legends say?' they wondered.

"Nicolas, I just beg Miss Rowland to let Oliver go. He won't withstand another attack," Stephanie's shoulders trembled. Her emotions were complex. She gambled on her brother's influence on Nicolas and Thea's ability to surpass her brother. Obviously, she lost.

"That should be your concern," Nicolas mocked, his lips curling. "You're related by blood, yet you're cruel. I've never seen anyone like you." Stephanie’s heart froze. Notifications popped up at the end of the corridor.

Even blurry surveillance footage showed Stephanie personally feeding Oliver the steel-ball-laced food. Oliver initially resisted, but Stephanie stopped him. "Oliver, remember what I taught you? Endure it… Once Thea is gone, the Hendrix family assets will be mine. This is the perfect time to take her down."

Stephanie didn't know their living room was monitored. The image showed her face twisted and dark, devoid of innocence. Nicolas had never trusted her. A chill ran down Stephanie’s spine.

Nicolas’s gaze turned colder. "Is this why you treat Oliver as your lifeline? Teaching him to lie? No wonder he's become so unscrupulous." Someone like Stephanie couldn't properly raise a child.

Stephanie panicked, cold sweat forming on her palms. Her explanations felt feeble.

Oliver was wheeled out. His expression on the hospital bed was gloomy, but his resemblance to Stephanie was undeniable.

The doctor exclaimed, "You're a cruel mother! Oliver is young and fragile. If this happens again, he'll die! You're his mother!"

Stephanie's flustered reaction didn't escape Thea, though Thea’s expression remained unchanged. "Doctor, don't worry. This won't happen again."

"Darwin, keep an eye on her. No contact with Oliver," Nicolas ordered, extinguishing the last of Stephanie’s hope. Even Oliver couldn't save her. "Nicolas… Oliver only has me," Stephanie insisted, but Nicolas didn't believe her. Oliver's sense of right and wrong was still developing. Allowing him more time with Stephanie would be irresponsible. "Nicolas, I'll take care of Oliver," Thea offered.

Oliver was transferred to a VIP ward. Thea was disturbed by the lack of color in his chubby face. Regardless of her feud with Stephanie, Oliver was innocent. Thea underestimated Oliver’s power. "Get lost!" Oliver opened his eyes, seeing only Thea. His tone was timid yet domineering.