Chapter 321

Filip didn't know why he felt so despondent. He was simply overcome with sadness—sadder than he'd ever been. He had hated Lilian, but only after her death did he realize they were kindred spirits. A profound loneliness enveloped him, as if he were utterly alone in the world.

Cynthia stormed off, but soon afterward, Filip emerged from his room, refreshed and in clean, crisp clothes. He went straight to the nursery.

Pamela was surprised and relieved to see him. She thought, "Only Cynthia seems able to persuade him." The baby was just waking, and Pamela was holding him. Filip approached and said, "Let me hold him."

Pamela hadn't heard Filip speak for days. Despite being her son, she'd been extremely worried. Seeing him return to his normal self filled her with gratitude toward Cynthia, but also with regret.

Pamela placed the baby in Filip's arms. It was his first time holding the child. As he touched the baby's soft little body, he almost stopped breathing. This was his first time holding the baby since its birth. Filip's emotions were extremely complex.

Initially, he was terrified. He had considered this child a product of Satan, a demon, a flower blooming from hell—a sin born of his and Lilian's selfishness. If Lilian were alive, he could have shifted the blame to her, but she was gone, and he had to bear the consequences alone.

He gazed at the child. The baby was soft and cute, blinking large, bright eyes like stars in the night sky. In that moment, Filip was convinced. This child wasn't a product of Satan but an angel. Looking into those eyes, so reminiscent of Lilian's, Filip's eyes welled up.

He held the child as if holding the world's most precious treasure, even though he knew deep down that the baby was stolen.

Pamela noticed Filip's red eyes and knew instantly that he loved the child. "The baby doesn't have a registered name yet," she said. "You should give him one."

Filip looked up and said, "Let him take Lilian's last name, Sheppard, and call him Benjamin."

When Cynthia emerged, she received a call from Selena. Cynthia maintained a composed expression. She knew this call would come, but she hadn't expected it to take three days.

Cynthia answered, "What's the matter?"

"Cynthia, Shirley is in terrible shape. Come back and fix her bone. She's been waiting three days and nights and has learned her lesson."

Previously, Cynthia had used a special method to dislocate Shirley's bones. Shirley had been bedridden for three days and nights, unable to move, eat, or drink, feeling as if she'd been run over by a steamroller. All she could do was cry. Her voice was hoarse, and she was nearly exhausted. She'd been to several hospitals, but even orthopedic specialists were hesitant to act quickly. They described her condition as resulting from a unique traditional bone-setting technique. Shirley's entire skeleton had been dislocated, requiring a highly skilled professional to realign the bones. Any mistake could easily cause permanent disability.

Selena hadn't expected Cynthia to know about such things, nor did she know when Cynthia had learned them. But seeing Shirley's agony, she couldn't bear it.

Cynthia didn't waste words. "I'm coming."

Ten minutes later, Cynthia's car stopped in the Jones family villa's courtyard. Justin was on the sofa, watching stock news. Seeing Cynthia return, he grunted and turned away. Cynthia ignored him and went upstairs.

Annoyed, Justin stood and pointed at her back. "Cynthia, do you even consider me part of your life anymore?"

Cynthia went straight to Shirley's room. Selena was there, helping Shirley drink water.

Shirley took a sip. Regaining some strength, she began cursing. "Cynthia, I'm going to kill you. Someday. I'll kill you!"

Cynthia walked over slowly and said coldly, "Didn't you already try that once?"

The room fell silent. When Shirley looked at Cynthia, her eyes were filled with anger and fear. Selena was momentarily stunned. "Cynthia, what do you mean?"

Cynthia didn't elaborate. "It's nothing," she said calmly.

Shirley initially thought Cynthia had discovered something suspicious. But then she remembered Luke was dead, with no evidence remaining. Even if Cynthia claimed to know Luke and that Shirley had hired someone to kill her, Shirley could accuse Cynthia of slander.

"Cynthia, I won't let you off the hook."

Cynthia laughed. "You have a stubborn mouth. Looks like I came here for nothing."

She turned to leave. Selena didn't stop her, and Shirley rolled onto the floor.

"Cynthia, come back, please! It hurts too much, I can't take it. Please help me!"

Shirley tried to crawl, but her arms were too weak, and the pain was intense. She lay on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably and begging for mercy. She couldn't endure it any longer.

Cynthia smirked coldly and swiftly reset her dislocated bones.

Shirley could finally move. She quickly hid behind Selena, terrified of Cynthia, who could break her bones again if angered. Deep down, however, she still plotted Cynthia's elimination.

Entering the room, Cynthia noticed a gold-embossed invitation on Shirley's vanity. The design seemed familiar. She examined it more closely.

It was an invitation to the Queen's jewelry exhibition. The design was familiar because she had sketched it herself.

Cynthia reached for it, but Shirley was agitated. She snatched the invitation.

"Cynthia, what are you doing? This is an invitation to the Queen's jewelry exhibition. You better not mess it up."

Chapter 321 (continued)

Cynthia raised an eyebrow, a look of puzzlement on her face. "There are only five hundred invitations to the Queen's jewelry exhibition worldwide, and you managed to get one?"

A proud smile appeared on Shirley's face. "Cynthia, stop underestimating me. I was invited by the Queen, and you must be jealous!"

Shirley sneered mockingly. "Didn't you, as Jonathan's wife, receive an invitation? Seems like you're not that important as a member of the Bennett family!"