Chapter 140 Accused of Being a Murderer
Benjamin really was a sweet college kid. I hoped he could keep his pure and simple nature even after he graduated and entered the real world. Though, that was probably going to be tough.
What I didn’t expect was that my meeting
ecting with Be
Benjamin would later cause a bit of a storm.
Late that night, my uncle and I rehamed safely to Storland, Charles came to pick us up. He dropped me off at my place first before driving my uncle home.
As I unlocked my door, I glanced across the hall. Rowan wasn’t here yet. Given that Ashley was in such a bad state she needed hospitalization, he must be with her.
I didn’t think too much about it. After freshening up, I went straight to bed.
The next morning at work, I learned about Ashley’s situation from a furious Linds
“Ivory, you’re so cruel!” Linda pointed a finger at me, her eyes bloodshot with anger. “If anything happens to Ashley, you’ll go to he
“What’s this about? What happened to her?” I frowned, confused by her outburst.
“Don’t you know she has a heart condition? You kept agitating her, and now she’s in the ICU, fighting for her life! Don’t you feel responsible? Linda yelled.
Our colleagues exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to intervene.
Ashley had a heart condition? That was news to me!
“What kind of heart condition? Tell me,” I asked calmly,
“she.” Linda seemed to remember something and hesitated for a few seconds. Then, she continued, “She has a severe congenital heart defect and can’t handle stress. You kept agitating her, so you’re basically a murderer!”
I kept my expression neutral. “I never knew she had a heart condition, and I never went out of my way to upset her. If you want to blame someone, blame her for always trying to make herself the center of attention around me.”
Linda was furious and screamed, “Ivory, are you even human? How can you be so ruthless? You’re so croel!”
Ignoring her, I picked up my phone and sent a message to Benjamin. “Does Ashley have a heart condition?”
Benjamin replied quickly, “It’s a minor issue. She takes medication and can’t do strenuous activities, but she was fine when we were together.”
So, a minor heart condition. Nothing that should land her in the ICU.
I didn’t respond to Benjamin and went back to work
But Linda wouldn’t let it go. She suddenly grabbed my arm and shoved me with unexpected force.
She’s a bit heavier than me and stronger too. If Charles hadn’t shown up just then and pulled me behind him, she might have knocked me over.
“Linda!” Charles called out sharply, his tone full of warning. “We’re at work. What do you think you’re doing?”
Linda glared at me, “Mr. Sadler, your cousin caused Ashley to have a heart attack! Doesn’t she need to take responsibility?”
Charles seemed surprised by Linda’s closeness to Ashley. He glanced at me, then said coldly, “Wasn’t it Ashley who first caused tvory’s divorce?”
Linda’s chest heaved, clearly struggling to accept what Charles said about Ashley. Suddenly, she tore off her work tag.
Given how long she had worked under Charles, it was clear how much she cared about Ashley to resign in a fit of anger.
But I didn’t understand–was it just because Ashley looked like her deceased sister?
“Go to the Human Resources Department and handle your resignation with them on your own.” Charles was also angry and didn’t seem interested in stopping her.
I felt a twinge of guilt. This mess started because of me. If I hadn’t joined the company, Linda wouldn’t have resigned.
Linda stormed out, and Charles called me into his office
“Charles, I’m sorry,” I said, genuinely apologetic
“Linda was too impulsive in this matter. Physical altercations during work hours are unacceptable.” Charles sighed. He rubbed his temples, looking weary.
“Is it really necessary for her to resign?” asked
thad to admit that Linda was good at her job, and losing her would be a setback for the company.
Churles shook his head. “No. I’ll talk to her. Ivory, you need to manage your workplace relationships better, okay?”
Chapter 140 Fainting
After leaving Charles‘ office with a heavy heart, couldn’t focus all day. As soon as work ended, Irished home. To my surprise, van was walling downstairs.
“Why are youbere 1 asked in surprise.
“O you how about Ashley’s heartendition?” an asked.
I nodded, “Yes, but don’t know the details”
“I do. Let’s go upstates and talk,” he replied.
Imediately led on upstairs. As Funlocked my door, the door across the hall openedton, Cernice stepped out with a trash bag and paused, clearly surprised to see bean and me together.
“an, you and Ms. Sadler..arence trailed off and hesired.
have something to das with her,” Iwn replied smoothly.
Inodded to Clarence and then brought han inside, closing the door behind us.
Once seated on the sofa, hangot straight to the point. “Ashley is in a hospital where a colleague of mine works. He’s a cardiothoracic surgeon and mentioned Ashley’s case to
I listened quietly
“Ashley has acongenital heart condition and needs a transplant it’s complicated. Once she’s stable, Rowan plans to take her to a hospital in another country, Dalloria. She might have to wait for a human heart transplant or possibly get an artificial heart.”
My mind was blank. The sudden revelation of Ashley’s severe heart condition felt surreal
How could this have come up out of cashere?
Could this be Bowen’s hidden burden?
But no, Ashley’s heart dozas wasn’t lowan’s Lault. He wasn’t responsible for it.
If he was doing this, it just meant he really cared about Ashley and didn’t want anything bad to happen to her.
Suddenly, a wave of dariness washed across me. My vision blurred, and Ivan’s voice seemed to come from far away.
“Nory? Are you okay?!
Then, Lostconsciousness.
“She’s fourteen weeks pregnant, but it’s not going well Her HCG levels are low, and the fetus is developing slowly. This fainting spell was likely due to tatique and emotional stress
Islowly woke to the sound of voices found myself in a pale pink hospital room with an IV in my hand, dripping slowly.
wn had sent away the doctor and now stood by my bedside. He silently watched me with his strikingly cold and beautiful eyes.
“Nan.“1 spoke, my voice a bit homse
“Yeah,” he responded softly. “You’re pregnant it’s Rowan’s, right?”
I was already in the hospital, and there was no way to hide it. So, I nodded.
“Why didn’t you tell him?” There was a hint of emotion on hon’s face. “You’re carrying his child while he’s with another woman. Are you that open–minded?”
1 smiled bitterly. “I found out after the dicece. There was no need to say anything. I want this child but don’t want to be with Rowan anymore. It doesn’t conflict”
Ivan grew angry. “If you don’t want to be with him, why keep his child? Have you thought about what’s best for yourself or the child? Achillin‘ toy! It’s a lide. You’l be a single
“I know. I’ve thought it through. I won’t regret it.” Though I felt a pang of panke at my secter being exposed, 1 quickly regained my composure.
Tren took out his phone and showed me a photo: “Take a good look”
The picture showed two hands tightly clasped, one with an TV on the back.
The caption was heartwarming, “Mr. Payne, as long as I have you by my side, I have the courage to face anything”
There was no need to guess who had posted this.
it www.Ashley.
My heart winged, a dull ache settling in. Perhaps because, at this moment, my child’s father was tenderly suppecting another woman.
“Her condition has improved today. In a couple of days, she’ll be going to hospital in Dallots for the transplant surgery.” Ivan pot away his phone and asked, “Are you sure you Want to face the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth alone?
My hand clenched slowly, and uses pricked my eyes. It all like there was a heavy stone pressing on my chest, making it hard to breathe had been a long time since I had properly, so instinctively held back the tears.
My voire choked up as I said, “Did you ever think about what would happen i lost this child? Could I still get pregnant?
Iwan frage. There was shock in his eyes, then disbeliel. “What?”
Thad thought about getting an abortion before. The doctors had subtly warned me that, given my physical condition, it would be very difficult to conceive again if I lost this child. I would only get pregnant again if twww.exceptionally lucky
“Thái might be the only child I’ll have in my lifetime Tran’t lose her. Took a deep both, unable to control a ter slipping from the core of my eye
int a moment then, he reached up to wipe are the tears my eyes and sighed deeply.
Emring thats lospital stay, that incheie hut to take more time off work. Thankfully, Charles envinced Linda to to the company, so I could avoidber let a while.
■ Chapter 140 Fainting
But Charles didn’t understand why I needed to be hospitalized again. After his persistent questioning, I told him about the pregnancy and the threat of miscarrying
“No, this is something you have to tell your parents!” Charles insisted, refusing to keep it from them. He believed pregnancy was a significant matter, especially when it involved a child with one’s ex–husband.
“I’ll tell them myself, but not now,” I replied immediately.
“Are you sure you’ll do it? Charles asked.
“Yes,” Laffirmed.
He only relented after getting my agreement.
After hanging up, I closed my eyes wearily I was trying to figure out how to broach the subject with my parents. After spending some time in the hospital, my condition stabilized, and I was discharged.
I couldn’t return to work right away. Charles urged me to rest properly and gave meastern reminder.
“Ivory, you must find the right time to tell your family about the pregnancy. If you keep delaying, I’ll tell them myself.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it myself, I replied to Charles.
Once Charles left, I went to my bedroom to lie down and rest. I felt physically and emotionally exhausted, even after my hospital stay. But for the sake of the child in my belly, I couldn’t just lie there–I needed to take care of myself.
Summoning my energy, I went online to order some groceries. I planned to cook simple and nutritious meals for myself. When the groceries arrived and I went to answer the door, I was surprised to findnot a delivery person but Ashley and Joy standing outside.
“Ivory, are these yours?”
Ashley’s face looked pale. After not seeing her for a few days, she seemed to have lost weight
She gestured towards the bags Joy was holding, who dropped them to the ground with an annoyed look at ine.
They were indeed my groceries. Perhaps Ashley had encountered the delivery person and brought them up herself. I didn’t need such enthusiasm from her, especially since she was supposed to be in the hospital due to her heart condition.
I picked up the bags and was about to close the door.
“Not even a thank you? What, cat got your tongue?” Joy snapped at me, clearly irritated.
“Joy, Ivory just got out of the hospital and isn’t feeling well. Don’t rile her up,” Ashley said. She made it sound as if she was being considerate of my health.
She knew about my hospitalization, but did she low about my pregnancy?
A nervous unease crept into my mind. However, Ashley quickly dispelled my suspicions with gentle advice. “Ivory, you’re alone in a foreign country. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Overworking yourself can harm your health ”
“Ashley, you’re too kind–hearted. Does someone like her really deserve your care? Joy muttered under her breath.
At that moment, the door opposite opened. Upon seeing Ashley and Joy with me, Clarence’s face briefly flashed with surprise and a hint of awkwardness.
“Clarence“” joy eagerly greeted him, her face lighting up with joy and her voice suddenly becoming sweet.
She seemed quite affectionate towards Clarence,
The awkwardness on Clarence’s face faded as he asked, “Why are you here? Ashley, weren’t you hospitalized? Why
Ashley blushed shyly, “I’m feeling better. Originally, I was planning to go directly to Dalloria for surgery. But the test results showed my condition needs to be stabilized a bit more before I can do that. So, Rowan asked me to come over here with him because his recent work focus is here.”
“He just wants you to be with him!” Joy interjected with a grin “You know how it is, it feels like an eternity when he doesn’t see you. If you’re not by his side, he’ll suffer from lovesickness!”
Joy glanced at me, clearly pleased with herself.
I wasn’t sure what she was so smug about. I was the one who wanted to divorce, and it wasn’t like Rowan had gotten together with her anyway. She was just a little follower
Ashley blushed even more, biting her lip without denying Joy’s words.
Clarence turned to me and asked, “Ms. Badler, did you just come back today? I heard you were hospitalized. Are you unwell?
Chapter 141 bleeding