Chapter 159

Tobin guided Verena toward the rear of the estate,where they were met by a spotless white building gleaming in the sunlight.

Stepping inside, Verena noticed it resembled an ordinary hospital-only here,the extravagance spoke of wealth poured in without hesitation.

In the spacious ward, a celebrated local physician-entrusted solely with the care of Maxton-was in the middle of a physical examination, while a nurse quietly refreshed the vases of flowers.

At Tobin's arrival, the doctor lifted his head and offered a polite nod. "Good day, Mr. Fairclough."

Tobin returned the courtesy before asking, "Dr. Smith,how is my father's condition today?"

Britton Smith gave a weary sigh and slowly shook his head."The same as always. No sign of improvement."

The weight of those words darkened Tobin's face,sorrow clouding his expression.

Sensing his despair, Verena discreetly squeezed his wrist, urging him to steady himself. He then said, "Dr.Smith, this is my girlfriend. I'd like her to spend some time talking with my father. Would you all step outside for a moment?"

It was a request that carried reason, and Britton found no grounds to object. He inclined his head. "We'll be right outside. If anything happens, Mr. Fairclough,simply use the call bell by the bed."

With that, he gestured to the nurses, and together they left the room.

Moments later, the door clicked softly shut.

Verena released Tobin's arm, turning to grab the nearby medical devices. "I need to perform a thorough examination on your father. Keep an eye on the door for me."

Obedient to her words, Tobin moved to the doorway,his anxious gaze never leaving her.

Verena slipped on a stethoscope, every line of her face marked by focus as she examined Maxton carefully.

Ten minutes later, she set the equipment back in place and gave Tobin a steady nod.

He rushed to her side, nerves straining his voice."Well? Can you cure him?" Verena's reply came with firm assurance. "I can."

Her tone lit a spark in him, a flicker of hope blazing into joy. He seized Maxton's hand with trembling excitement. "Dad, did you hear that? You'll wake up soon-you'll get better."

But Verena tempered his elation with calm words."Although your brother has momentarily set aside his doubts about me, he is a man who trusts no one. To guard against trouble, we must carry out the confidential procedure as soon as possible."

Tobin understood. Until his father truly awoke, nothing could be revealed to Erick.

He clasped Maxton's hand tighter, whispering with resolve, "Don't worry. It won't be long."

Not wishing to stir suspicion by lingering too long, the two concluded their visit and quietly left.

Meanwhile, in Shoildon, Stevie had arranged a swim with friends, but one by one they declined.Frustrated,he decided to swim alone. After a few laps, boredom crept in, and he climbed ashore.

Stretching out on a beach chair, he picked up his phone to tackle some overseas work.

No sooner had he unlocked it than a notification leapt across the screen.

The headline shouted, "The First Appearance of the Mysterious Girlfriend of Tobin Fairclough."

"Tobin Fairclough?" Stevie frowned,perplexed.

He had never met Tobin, but his reputation was familiar enough.

Wasn't he always painted by the press as a grieving widower, devoted to his late wife and untouched by romance?

Who could possibly change that tale?

Curiosity burning, Stevie tapped the article.

The images within nearly sent him tumbling from his chair.

He stared at the photos, his jaw slack with disbelief.

The woman leaning on Tobin-though masked and wearing sunglasses-bore a figure and mannerisms that were unmistakably known to him.

It was Verena.

The report even carried a short video, which Stevie played with trembling fingers.

There, a woman in sunglasses waved at Tobin, and he responded with endearment, calling her,"Sweetheart."

Stevie felt his world tilt. If the photos had left a sliver of doubt, the voice erased it.

Drawing in a sharp breath, he exclaimed, "Impossible!How could Isaac's wife be there?"

And worse-foreign media declared her Tobin's mysterious girlfriend.

Sensing something gravely amiss, Stevie wasted no time.He forwarded the news to Isaac and immediately called him.

The moment the call connected, his voice burst out in haste. "Quick! Look at the message I just sent!"

Isaac, baffled, asked, "What's going on?"

Nearly shouting,Stevie pressed, "Just check it! Your wife is being taken right under your nose!"

Isaac, unsettled, opened his laptop and clicked on Stevie's chat window.

A foreign tabloid article?

His brows drew together as he followed the link.

While Isaac kept silent, Stevie urged anxiously, "Did you see it? Did you?" Isaac's throat tightened, but his voice remained calm."Yes,I saw."

For a moment, Stevie was stunned-then burst out,"Are you serious? Your wife is holding another man's hand, being paraded as his girlfriend, and you sit there calm as a monk? Love must have blinded you."

A faint pang tugged at Isaac's heart as he stared at the photo,yet he held on to composure.He remembered Verena's words before her departure-she would need a false identity abroad.

Though confused, he chose to trust her.

"It's not what you imagine," he said softly. "Verena warned me beforehand. Her identity there is a mask,nothing more. I know this, so set your worries aside."

Stevie, however, couldn't fathom it. What man would watch quietly as his wife clung to another?

Skepticism laced his tone. "You're sure about that?Not just bewitched by love?"

Isaac allowed himself a faint smile. "I'm not the fool you take me for. I trust her."

With that, Stevie could only concede. "Fine. I've passed on the news. What happens next is between you two."

Isaac thanked him, and the call ended.

Silence wrapped around Isaac's office.

His eyes lingered on the photo, shadows flickering in their depth.

He turned his phone in his hand, weighing his thoughts,before finally making a call.

Verena had just stepped out of the Fairclough family's hospital when the device buzzed in her hand.

She glanced at the caller ID, her lips curvingfaintly,and then pressed to hang up.

Hearing the tone of disconnection, Isaac froze in disbelief, his brows furrowing.

As he reached to dial again, a message appeared on his screen. "I'm being watched right now and can't talk on the phone."

His tension eased slightly, and he typed back, "I saw the news report from abroad."

Verena marveled at how swiftly the press moved, yet she feared Isaac might stilI harbor unease.

Patiently,she explained, "Isaac, this is what I warned you about. I must pretend to be close to Tobin,fooling his brother in order to reach my goal." Meanwhile,Erick, noticing Tobin and his girlfriend had yet to return, walked toward the hospital at the back of the estate, suspicion stirring in him.

Crossing the back garden, he spotted them at last.

Tobin lingered behind, issuing orders to the servants,while the woman in front was busy on her phone,her eyes sharp and alert. She seemed different from the naive girl from earlier.

Even as she typed, Verena sensed someone approaching.

Without betraying it, she slipped the phone away and lifted her head.

A smile appeared on her face as she stepped forward,her tone almost eager. "Erick, are you here to visit your father as well?"

Erick ignored her question, his eyes narrowing as he sneered, "Don't act like we're close. My brother's interest is nothing more than a passing fancy. You'd better play the role of a companion and not dream of climbing into the Fairclough family."

Catching the edge in his words, Verena answered gently, "I assure you, I see things more clearly than you believe." His frown deepened, suspicion flashing in his gaze as though her mask had slipped.

When he was about to speak, Verena smiled ingratiatingly and added, "I know my place. I'm aware of the gulf between a companion and a wife. If what I seek can be gained easily with the title of a companion,why would I make life difficult by reaching for more?"