Female Novel
Chapter 648
This dude is overestimating me.
Those professional hitmen left behind by the ex-leader of Tarragon each had experienced countlessbattles. If they came at Bailey all at once, there would be no telling if she could hold them off.
How convenient for him to place all his hope in me. He must be delusional to expect me to wipe themout in one fell swoop. Wait a minute... We're not married yet. I'm not even his wife. Why must I clean uphis mess?
Seeing his sister's derisive visage, Zeke could somewhat guess what was on her mind. A chuckleescaped him. “As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. He's entrusted thismission to you because he believes in you. I guess this isn't all that bad, since you can now leave allyour worries behind. He didn't lose his memory. He's only been putting on a show to distract the enemy.By working together, you guys can get rid of your foes once and for all and live a peaceful life.”
Bailey harrumphed in response and had to admit that Zeke was right.
The first reason Artemis had sent her that piece of audio recording was so that she would lure out theforces behind Yvette, while the second reason was to relieve her of her worries.
He probably couldn't sit still anymore when he learned that Yvette had sent Bailey a video of themsharing the bed. Fearing that the woman he loved might be heartbroken, he was eager to prove that hewas not suffering from amnesia and that he would never be coerced into committing something asabsurd as that.
“Let's not talk about him. He's just a jerk. What's there to talk about? By the way, how's it going with
Julie? Haven't you already negotiated with the Hoffmans? What did they say? Are they planning torelease her?”
At the mention of Juliana, Zeke's smile gradually faded. He went quiet for a moment before revealing, “Ithreatened the Hoffmans, so I guess the baby will be safe for now. Even if they want to make a moveagainst the baby, they'll have to think twice about whether or not they can afford to step on theShurmers' toes.”
“They only promised to keep the baby but said nothing about letting Julie go, huh?” Bailey narrowedher eyes slightly and frowned.
Zeke, in turn, eyed her nonchalantly. Not a word came from him as an array of emotions crossed hisface.
After mulling it over for a while, Bailey came to the realization that the Hoffman family must be planningsomething else.
“They're worried that Julie might harbor vengeance after leaving the nest and then team up with you toexact revenge on the entire Hoffman family. After all, she knows their dark secrets. If she were to turnagainst the Hoffmans, it'd spell the end for them.”
A snort came from Zeke. “They intend to confine Juliana for eternity to make sure their family secretsnever go public and at the same time keep me on a short leash. My intuition tells me that they'll give inand consent to let the Shurmers raise the child after Juliana gives birth and only imprison Juliana.”
Bailey bobbed her head in return. An astute analysis indeed. That'll be the most probable outcome.
But... how can I let Julie's fate rest entirely on the Hoffmans' whims? Everything I've experienced allthese years would've been for nothing if I allow them to lead me by the nose and fail to protect my owndisciple.
Zeke added, “There's no need to rush. We'll see to the matters at Hallsbay before we think about whatto do with Juliana.”
“Don't fret, Zeke. She's my future sister-in-law, so I'll do whatever it takes to bring her back to you. TheHoffmans will need to go through us first to even consider detaining one of the Shurmers,” teasedBailey with a smirk playing on her lips.
Zeke shook his head with a smile.
I've really got to hand it to her. Her past experience must have been the reason she's able to adapt sofast to calling her disciple her sister-in-law. That's such a drastic transition, yet she's already acceptedit.
Sure enough, a person who had gone through a lot in life could remain composed no matter what cametheir way.
Bailey leaped up from the couch and paced toward the door. “I'm going to give Lionel his medicinaltreatment. You can carry on with your work.”
“Mm.”
After exiting the study, Bailey made a beeline for the ICU.
Lionel's condition had yet to become stable, which was why he had been in the ICU for the past fewdays.
The minute Bailey reached the stairs, Sammy came to her in a hurry.
“Ms. Jefferson, somebody's looking for you. She claims to be Shirley Gourd.”
Hearing that name made Bailey arch a brow.
That woman's here looking for me? But what for?
“Where's she now?”
Sammy inclined his head a fraction and said, “Right outside by the steps. I invited her to come inside,but she refused and told me to summon you instead.”
Bailey sneered at that. From her perspective, Shirley must loathe her to the core, thinking that she wasthe one who told Zeke and Waverly the truth about that night and made her lose everything she had. novelbin
If I'm not mistaken, she must've come to pick a fight with me, or rather, she's resorting to desperatemeasures and thinking of dragging me down with her.
Given that Waverly had completely forsaken Shirley, the baby in her womb was nothing more than anobject of ridicule. Shirley's dirty tricks were the least of Bailey's concerns under such circumstances.
“I'll head there now. Go to the study and tell Mr. Zeke that Ms. Gourd is here at our medical base.”
“Noted.”
Bailey then turned away and continued walking toward the stairs.
As soon as she got to the lobby on the ground floor, she could see Shirley standing outside amid thecold breeze.
That look on Shirley's face further affirmed Bailey's speculation.
This woman wants to mess with me and get me involved, huh? We'll see about that.
Raising a brow, she sauntered toward the entrance and uttered, “What brings you here, Ms. Gourd?Shouldn't you be focusing on your pregnancy at home? I told you before that in your case, you're notadvised to get out of bed. Otherwise, chances are you'll have a miscarriage.”
Shirley wheeled around and shot Bailey a menacing glare before she questioned through gritted teeth,“What grievance are you nursing against me, Bailey? Why did you sabotage me like that? That discipleof yours may be carrying Zeke's flesh and blood, but how's my baby any different? How could you ruinmy life and my happiness just to stand up for her? Aren't you afraid of karma biting back at you?”
“Are you sure you're pregnant with Zeke's child? Don't be too confident, young lady. Sometimes thetruth hurts. The Shurmers chose not to blow the whistle on you for the sake of the ties between the twofamilies. Heed my words—abort the baby and go back to the Gourd family. You still have a futureahead of you, so don't waste the best years of your life on a man who doesn't love you.” With her browquirked and her hands folded across her chest, Bailey lazily leaned against the door frame andregarded the woman in front of her with a half-smile.
Shirley could not get what Bailey was talking about.
How am I not pregnant with Zeke's baby?
Even though her tactic was a tad despicable, the sperm indeed originated from Zeke. There was noway anything could've gone wrong.
“Stop trying to scare me. I admit I've assumed my place in the family, and I've even stolen Zeke'ssperm for an IVF. Though my method may appear deplorable, my baby is Zeke's without a doubt. Youcan't deny that,” stated Shirley.
Bailey slowly straightened her back and approached the former.
Even if this woman hopes to play tricks on me, she doesn't have a chance to do so standing that faraway from me. I ought to inch closer to her and see what she has up her sleeve.
“My disciple's carrying Zeke's baby for sure. As for that unborn one in your tummy, you may want to doan amniotic fluid test. Who knows? Maybe it's really not Zeke's baby.”
Shirley's face was distorted with rage when she heard Bailey's assertion. Coincidentally, she spottedZeke and Waverly stepping outside from the corner of her eyes. Immediately, she locked Bailey's armand started screaming.