Chapter 176

"So, the Imperial Financial Group is now under the control of this father and son?" Winnie was astonished by how swiftly things had changed and couldn't help but feel angry.

"Lawrence was rumored to be struggling with a mental illness, so the major shareholders definitely wouldn't reinstate him. It only took one meeting to remove him. After all, four hundred billion dollars in liquid assets are at stake in his hands..." Olivia couldn't help but close her mouth in disbelief.

Laura's eyes widened, and she immediately fell silent.

However, Winnie, fell into a melancholy, four hundred billion dollars... she contributed to his downfall today.

Without the Imperial Financial Group, he would lose everything. What would his future look like?

Winnie couldn't imagine the once respected figure had been reduced to nothingness. Could he accept his fate?

She was very worried about him, especially now that he had abruptly disappeared.

"The hospital, is it a hiding place? A collapsing state of mind?" Winnie wondered.

"Olivia, can you use your information network to find out where he went? His neurological disorder hasn't improved yet, and if he can't handle this stress, there's a risk of a relapse. I'm afraid that he'll be devastated..."

Olivia shook her head sadly, "I can't find out. Lawrence has gone to great lengths to keep it a secret, and it's not something I can uncover."

"Winnie, try not to worry too much. He's someone who has experienced storms before. Maybe he just needs a few days to calm down? But you mustn't go searching for him. Your current condition is even more concerning.' Laura said, her expression grim after reviewing the medical records.

Winnie knew that the bleeding in her stomach hadn't stopped, and she could hardly move.

'Let's wait. Lawrence is not the type to retreat in the face of difficulties. Maybe he is preparing other solutions.' Olivia tried to maintain an optimistic outlook.

Winnie also believed that he would never fall this easily.

All she could do was wait.

A week flew by, but there was still no news of Lawrence. It was as if he had vanished from the face of the Earth.

Olivia kept Winnie confined to the hospital room, focusing on nurturing the baby, leaving her in a daze.

Finally, regaining some mobility, when Winnie wanted to visit her mother, she found her mother's room sealed off, with no one allowed near.

Could this be Lawrence's doing?

Winnie speculated sadly, wondering where he could be.

In this past week, Alan had taken the spotlight, with news outlets extensively reporting on him becoming the new CEO of the Imperial Financial Group.

The Rodriguez family, Lymington's top family, had also made multiple appearances in the news.

Looking at Blake, Mabel, and Alan on the screen, just as Melissa had said, they were indeed a family of three.

Winnie couldn't fathom how Blake could be so ruthless towards his elder son and his original partner.

But on the eighth day, the glorious news of the Rodriguez family was suddenly overshadowed by another major financial announcement.

Island Electronics had gone public in a grand fashion!

Olivia had some knowledge about Island Electronics, "Oh my, isn't that Lymington's leading technology company, on par with Imperial Jewelry and the Kingdom Estates?"

"It's said that Island Electronics is very low-key and mysterious, but its market value is huge! Going public in New York, it's even surpassed Imperial, a global top 100 company! Island Electronics is directly challenging the most powerful technology companies in the world, and it's maddening that I've been trying to find out who its boss is for years," Olivia spoke casually as Winnie listened absentmindedly.

Olivia sneered, relishing in others' misfortune, "The news about Island Electronics has completely overshadowed Alan, he must be furious!"

"They produce the most cutting-edge smart chips globally. Nowadays, which machine, car, or electronic product doesn't require chips? It's clear that Island Electronics is becoming the top conglomerate in Lymington."

Seeing Olivia searching on her computer, Winnie took the opportunity to ask, "Olivia, is it possible that my cousin Lena's situation can be checked?"

Olivia slumped her shoulders, "I'm skilled in hacking, but I couldn't find anything related to Lawrence."

In these past few days, Winnie had asked Olivia to look for her cousin, but deep down, she knew that if Lawrence had kidnapped her, no one would be able to find her. She could only go and ask him personally.

Two more days passed.

That morning, as Winnie was changing her dressings, Olivia returned with breakfast. Suddenly, she said, "I went upstairs to find the doctor and saw someone entering Ms. Clark's critical care ward. It seems like they're going to transfer her back home. There are bodyguards surrounding her, I couldn't get in at all."

Winnie froze for a moment, then excitedly got up, "Does that mean he's back?"

Breathing heavily, Olivia nodded earnestly.

Winnie's eyes lit up with excitement. Just as she was about to swing her legs off the bed, her phone rang a few times. She glanced down and the name on the screen made her heart leap, her breath momentarily still: "Husband."

She still hadn't changed how she addressed him.

Her eyes moistened slightly, but she concealed her joy and answered cautiously, her voice trembling, "Lawrence, where are you? I've been so worried..."

But he didn't give her a chance to say much. "Come to Impression Cafe in Perugia City. There's a document that needs your signature."

His voice was lacked almost any emotion.

Winnie was taken aback, about to say something else, but Lawrence promptly hung up.

In that instant, his breath through the phone felt frigid and heartless.

In that moment, the coldness and indifference in his breath through the phone sent shivers down her spine...

Yet, she was still overjoyed. There was happiness in her heart knowing that he was willing to see her.

Regardless of what document she needed to sign, at least he was willing to meet her!

"Olivia, Lawrence wants to see me." Winnie said with a smile, quickly climbing out of the bed, somewhat flustered as she dressed. But she felt her face pale like a ghost, growing nervous. "Olivia, help me put on some light makeup. I don't want him to see me looking too worn out."

"You've already been through so much for this child."

Thinking about how Winnie hadn't moved for an entire week, Olivia's eyes filled with tenderness. She asked again, "He really contacted you? What do you think it's about?"

"I don't know, we'll see when we meet."

Taking a deep breath, Winnie walked out of the hospital room without pausing.

"Winnie, your love for him is truly intense," Olivia shook her head repeatedly behind her.

Outside the hospital, Winnie hailed a taxi. At six months pregnant, her belly was as large as if carrying twins.

She couldn't drive herself.

Suddenly, a Land Rover stopped in front of her. Winnie frowned and saw the car window roll down, revealing Alan's devilish face.

"Can't catch a cab? Allow me to give you a ride, Miss Anderson."

"Stay away from me!" Winnie's disdain for him grew even stronger.

Alan didn't miss the contempt in her eyes. He smirked, "I happened to pass by the hospital and wanted to talk to you."

"I won't talk to despicable people like you."

"Oh? Don't you want to know about your uncle? It won't take much of your time."

Winnie's gaze turned cold as she stared at him, but in the end, she got into his car.

Alan didn't drive far before stopping at a tea house by the roadside. He took her in, but Winnie refused to sit.

Alan raised an eyebrow and took out a card from his suit, throwing it in front of her. "I heard your uncle got a life sentence because of me," he sighed, shamelessly, "It's a bit unfortunate. I promised him a billion dollars. Here's the money for you. He helped me, although I tricked him. But he was really naive. I didn't expect him to kidnap Melissa."

"All this is caused by your wickedness and cunning! What are you pretending to be now?"

Winnie threw the card at him, her anger burning.