Chapter 444

"Nina, you alright?" Ophelia asked, guilt written all over her face.

The thin, long scratch on Nina's face looked quite alarming. She wondered if it would leave a scar.

Nina wiped the blood off her fingertip and said calmly, "I'm fine."

Michael, who had been standing nearby, stepped in. "Too many people here. Let's go inside and take care of it'"

Nina nodded.

Ophelia knew they had something to discuss, so she said she'd wait outside.

Once inside the lounge, Michael opened the first aid kit and laid out some cotton swabs and disinfectant on the table.

But Nina wasn't in a rush to treat her wound. Instead, she asked, "Is Richard in Silvercrest?"

Michael glanced at her, looking thoughtful. "You should take care of your wound first."

He then pulled out a tube of ointment from the first aid kit and handed it to her. "This is the best for scar removal. You should use it," he advised.

Nina took the ointment and replied, "I heard he's getting married."

Michael paused but didn't say anything.

Seeing Nina's calm demeanor made him feel really uneasy, but he had promised Richard not to spill the beans.

Until things were settled, no one could ensure what unexpected events might occur along the way.

Since Richard wanted to protect Nina, he couldn't let him down.

Michael's silence seemed like a helpless acknowledgment to Nina.

She tugged at the corner of her mouth, not sure if it pulled at the wound on her face, causing a burning pain.

"Thanks for the ointment," Nina said. "Could you pass a message to Richard for me?"

"Sure," Michael replied.

She smiled faintly, "I wish him a happy marriage."

Her smile stung Michael. Avoiding her gaze, he said, "I'll make sure he gets your message."

She said, "Thanks."

Nina didn't linger and turned to leave the lounge.

Nina and Ophelia left together.

Michael closed the lounge door and dialed Richard's number.

After hearing his account, Richard was silent for a moment and then said, "Michael, I need you to do something for me."

Michael said, "Go ahead."

Late at night, Nina was sleepless again.

She sat up in bed and leaned against the headboard, reading some documents.

Suddenly, there was a dull "thud" from the window.

The sound wasn't loud, but in the quiet of the night, it was particularly clear.

Nina was startled and immediately turned her head to look, her heart pounding.

After a moment, she put on her slippers, walked over, and opened the balcony door.

The balcony was very tranquil. She looked around carefully but saw nothing.

She leaned over the railing and looked down.

The garden lights below emitted a faint warm glow, exuding a sense of mystery in the tranquility.

She stared at the flower bed for a long time but saw no movement.

Nina felt a wave of disappointment wash over her.

At the same time, she thought to herself with a wry smile.

'Damn, what am I expecting? Hoping that jerk who's about to get married would suddenly show up in front of me. How stupid can I be?'

She lingered on the balcony for a while, until the night breeze chilled her to the bone, prompting her to step back inside.

With a heavy heart, she finally went back inside.

However, she couldn't focus on the documents at all.

Leaning against the soft pillow, Nina gently placed her palm on her lower abdomen and murmured, "Baby, what do you think your dad's reaction would be if he knew about you?"

If it were before, Richard would definitely be thrilled.

But now he was getting married. Would he still care about her and her child? What would her child mean to him then?

Raindrops began to patter against the window, and gradually, a light rain started to fall.

Nina turned to look at the rain outside the window and unknowingly fell asleep.

Two days later, Nina went to the hospital to pick up her folic acid and ran into Vilma.

Nina was at the hospital entrance, where a crowd had gathered.

Curious, she walked over and saw Vilma half-kneeling on the ground, clutching a man's leg tightly.

Nina drew closer for a better look; wasn't that man indeed Nathaniel?

Vilma was still in maternity clothes, with various medical reports scattered around her.

She was crying, "Nathaniel, let me explain. This is all a misunderstanding. It's the hospital's fault for misdiagnosing. You can't blame me."

Nathaniel glared down at her, his voice dripping with anger. "From the beginning of your pregnancy, you've been getting reports from small clinics."

"I asked why you didn't go to a proper hospital, and you said small clinics were more convenient. I never doubted you. And now, I figured out that you are feigning pregnancy."

Vilma clung to his leg, pleading, "I'm innocent. I didn't expect them to deceive me! Nathaniel, I'm still young. We can still have children. Give me another chance, and I promise to give you several sons!"

As more people gathered, Nathaniel looked around and saw Nina in the crowd.

Feeling ashamed, he kicked Vilma in the stomach and then got into his car and left.

Vilma clutched her stomach and curled up on the ground, trying to chase after him but unable to get up.

Seeing this, the crowd began to disperse.

A hospital security guard came over and told Vilma, "Miss, you need to move. You're blocking the exit, and other cars can't get out."

Vilma glared at him and snapped, "This is a public road, not your home! I'll sit here if I want. What are you gonna do about it?"

The security guard had seen his fair share of unreasonable people, but this was next level.

He was speechless. "Fine, fine. Sit here if you want. But don't blame me if you get run over by a car!"

Vilma, looking defiant, retorted, "Mind your own business!"

The security guard shook his head, thinking she was out of her mind, and walked away.

Vilma turned and saw Nina.

Her eyes narrowed as if she had just pieced something together. She stood up and glared at Nina. "I know! It must be you!"

Vilma's paranoia was acting up again! Nina turned to leave, but Vilma suddenly rushed over.

Afraid of hurting the baby, Nina instinctively took two steps back, her eyes wide with fear.

"You're not going anywhere!" Vilma spread her arms wide, blocking Nina's path like a madwoman. "It was you, wasn't it? It had to be you!"

From afar, Nina hadn't noticed, but now she saw that Vilma also had a long, thin scratch on her face.

It was even longer than Nina's, nearly reaching her ear.

"I kept it a secret so well, and today Nathaniel suddenly wanted to accompany me to the hospital for a check-up. I knew something was off. It must have been your scheme!"

Vilma's voice was sharp and accusing as she reached out to grab Nina, but Nina dodged, her heart pounding.

Vilma wasn't about to give up and lunged at her again, her face twisted with rage.

Nina didn't expect her to be so unhinged and stumbled back, her breath catching in her throat as she nearly lost her balance.

At that moment, a hand reached out from the side and gently wrapped around her waist.