Chapter 9

The next morning, just as Kayla was getting ready to resume talks with Jeremy about the business collaboration, her phone rang. The call was from the care facility.

Her grandmother had suddenly relapsed and had been rushed to the emergency room.

By the time Kayla got there, the crisis had passed and her grandmother's condition was stable.

She turned to the doctor, her voice tense. "Dr.Crawford, you mentioned before that my grandmother was improving. How did things go downhill so fast?"

Adair Crawford replied honestly,"Yesterday, your stepmother and sister came to visit. I'm not sure what they said, but shortly after they left, her condition worsened. And..."

A chill ran down Kayla's spine. "And what?"

"They canceled her upcoming treatment and requested a refund for the unused portion of the fees." Kayla's face hardened Zoe had already mentioned they wouldn't continue covering the expenses-and now they were backing out completely

She said firmly, "My grandmother's treatment must continue without interruption. Dr. Crawford, please keep monitoring her closely. I'll handle the payments myself"

Adair gave a respectful nod. "Understood."

Inside the hospital room, the elderly woman lay unconscious, her skin ashen and drawn.

Kayla sat beside her, cradling her grandmother's frail hand,her chest tight with emotion.

"I won't let anything happen to you,Grandma.If Zoe and her mother want to play dirty, they're going to pay for it."

By nightfall, her grandmother stirred awake and managed to drink a little soup.

Kayla remained at her side, chatting with her until her grandmother drifted off to sleep. Then she quietly left the facility.

Once outside, she called the Coopers. The housekeeper answered, informing her that Zoe and her mother were out attending a banquet at a private club

Kayla asked for the location, thanked the woman curtly, and headed there without delay.

Hollowlyn Club was one of Trark's most exclusive venues

At the front desk, she introduced herself as a friend of Zoe's. The staff told her the private room number without question

The lavish interior spoke volumes; this was a place where the wealthy came to indulge

As Kayla reached the hallway leading to the private suite, she spotted Zoe just steps from the door

"Zoe, don't take another step."

Kayla closed the distance in a few long strides and yanked Zoe aside by the arm.

Zoe, draped in an elegant evening gown and polished makeup, stood frozen in disbelief. "Kayla? What are you doing here?"

"You showed up at the care facility yesterday, said God knows what, and left my grandmother so distressed she fell ill. This ends now."

Zoe curled her lips into a sneer. "That's it? I thought something serious had happened. Honestly, that old woman's been clinging to life for too long.Instead of wasting money on her, why not let her die peacefully at home?"

Before she could finish, Kayla struck her with a sharp slap across the face.

The slap sent Zoe reeling into the doorframe, her cheek flaring crimson in seconds.

Zoe shrieked, livid. "You hit me!"

Kayla flexed her wrist and scoffed."You earned it."

Zoe glared at her with hatred. "You're just like your mother-vile and shameless. No wonder Dad left you If not for the two of you, Cooper Group would still be ours. You've always been a curse."

When Kayla lifted her hand again, Zoe lunged for the door,shoved it open,and bolted inside.

Her voice turned into a pitiful wail. "Kayla,stop! Don't hit me again-we're family!"

Kayla was caught off guard by her abrupt change in behavior but followed her into the room nonetheless.

She was taken aback when everyone inside turned their attention toward her. At the head of the table sat a man whose presence commanded attention-refined, magnetic, and radiating power. The moment their eyes met, Kayla's breath caught in her throat.

She hadn't expected to find Jeremy here.

The table overflowed with elegantly prepared dishes,with Zoe and her mother, Amaya Cooper, seated close by.

So they had come for Jeremy's banquet?

Amaya looked startled as her eyes fell on Kayla Without hesitation,she pulled Zoe into her arms, her tone dripping with concern. "Zoe, what happened,sweetheart?"

Still in tears, Zoe stole a glance at the man at the table before she spoke in a voice thick with emotion."I saw Kayla in the hallway. She slapped me and accused me of hurting her grandmother. But I didn't do anything! She wouldn't even let me explain. I'm so heartbroken."

Amaya turned to Kayla, feigning gentleness. "Kayla, if something's wrong, we should talk things through.Violence never solves anything."

Kayla took in the insincere show put on by Amaya and Zoe, her stomach turning with a sudden surge of nausea.

Pregnancy had sharpened her senses, leaving her emotionally raw and physically fragile, and the heavy scent of food in the room only worsened her nausea.