Chapter 211

Maria, exonerated, smirked at the Vanderbilts before settling down, Serena safe in her arms. Claire, however, squirmed. Lauren’s icy glare burned through her.

“Claire!” Lauren’s voice was venom.

Claire, usually arrogant, cowered. "Ma'am, it's… it's his fault!" she stammered, realizing her lies were useless. Her face, ghost-white, trembled.

Lauren, ignoring Claire’s pleas, addressed the officer. “Officer, is using a child as a shield a crime?”

The officer, clearly disgusted, mumbled about a civil matter. Claire breathed a sigh of relief, only to meet Dominick’s chilling gaze. Jail suddenly seemed preferable.

"Officer, we're done here," Dominick said smoothly. The officers hesitated, glancing at Claire. "We won't be breaking any laws," Dominick assured them, a walkie-talkie call swiftly ending their visit.

Dominick’s gaze hardened. "Take her out. Don't let her disturb anyone."

Two men roughly hauled Claire away. “Sir, I’m sorry!” she cried, her legs buckling. The onlookers watched, silent.

Dominick summoned Julian. “Give this to Mr. Young.”

Julian frowned. Victor Young, Dominick’s lawyer, was overkill for a civil suit against Claire. But Dominick’s choice was clear: Claire’s peaceful life was over, at least for the next five years. Dominick had kept his promise to the law, but prison might have been kinder.

Julian nodded grimly. He lacked sympathy for Claire. Fear and selfishness were understandable, but her lies were unforgivable.

Lauren, though upset, knew Dominick’s actions were best. Guilt gnawed at her. She’d hired Claire only because Grayson constantly asked for Paisley, who remained cold and distant.

Lauren glanced at Serena, resentment simmering. Paisley showered Sonny with attention, yet ignored Serena. "Poor Sonny," Lauren whispered, stroking Grayson's hand. "He just wanted his mother."

The doctor moved on to another patient, leaving Grayson unconscious from his injuries. Serena, only scratched, was safe. The unfairness stung.

Reginald patted Lauren’s shoulder. “Jonathan’s moving Sonny to a VIP room.” He looked at Serena, a sweet child with Paisley’s eyes. He wished she were his granddaughter.

Reginald, like Lauren, had considered reconciliation between Dominick and Paisley, but their estrangement, and the mystery surrounding Serena’s conception, had extinguished that hope.