Chapter 427

At 11:15, Lawrence suddenly received a call from Dr. Moore in Lymington.

The man's expression changed drastically; his voice laced with concern. "Why did she suddenly start coughing up blood and go into shock?"

Dr. Moore recounted the situation helplessly, "Melissa seemed to be on the phone with Winnie when it happened..."

Winnie hid downstairs for two hours until Sidney's call came through. The little guy hadn't slept yet, clearly worried about his mother. After a good cry, Winnie had calmed down quite a bit.

Although her heart felt lifeless, her purpose in coming to Trento City extended beyond romance; she was here for her mother and to find Oscar. Consequently, she had no alternative but to establish herself here and couldn't contemplate leaving.

Eleanor and Ishara had given her a long-standing feeling of being schemed against. She knew that Ishara was not simple to deal with.

Now that her competitive spirit was aroused, she was determined to penetrate the Blanchet family, to clarify her mother's past and to seek revenge if there was any.

After washing her face with cold water, Winnie went upstairs to her room.

"Mummy! Did the people at Carlos's house bully you? I checked the most prestigious estate at Camellia Mount belongs to the Rodriguez family. Did you go to Camellia Mount, did you see Daddy?"

Sidney was like a little watchdog, anxiously waiting at the door for her.

Winnie paused, looking at her adorable son. Right, she still had her sons. They were the last barrier in her heart.

She hugged her child tightly, feeling exhausted yet unwilling to expose him to the truth about Lawrence and risk breaking his heart. Therefore, she chose to remain silent about her earlier interaction with Lawrence. Instead, she changed the topic and said, "Mummy is so hungry, Sidney. Would you like to have pizza with me?"

Winnie ordered two large pizzas with the nanny. Sidney was already full and watched his mother eat heartily. Sidney sensed that his mother wasn't happy as she forced food into her mouth.

Just as he was about to ask, Winnie's phone rang. "It's Daddy!" Sidney's eyes lit up with anticipation, and he helped her answer it.

Winnie's expression froze, too late to stop her son from answering the call. Before she could speak, Lawrence's stern voice came through, "Winnie, I'm the one who doesn't want you, so why involve my mother? Don't provoke her! Do you realize that because of what you said, she became so upset she coughed up blood and went into shock? She's desperate to come to Trento City to find you. You have no idea what she's going through; she's suffering from leukemia."

Winnie was stunned. She glanced at Sidney and ran to the bathroom with the last bit of strength she had, locking herself inside. Her heart, chilled to the bone, seemed to feel nothing no matter what he scolded.

He continued barraging her, "I can't believe your vindictiveness is so strong! Are you in Trento City just to get back at me? I have ways to make you unable to stay."

Before the man could continue scolding her, Winnie responded with a cold laugh, saying, "I didn't expect someone like you to be so shameless, even deceiving your own mother! You have another woman out there, yet you lack the courage to tell your mother? I don't understand why she's trying to deceive me and persuade me to go easy on you. I've been manipulated, but can't I show her the truth? I have nothing to hide from your mother, so don't accuse me unjustly. And one more thing, Lawrence, I'm staying in Trento City!"

After her tirade, Winnie stood there, petrified. No matter how much this man had hurt her, she wouldn't be surprised. But she hadn't expected her anger to trigger Melissa's medical emergency. She wondered what was going on.

Winnie felt a twinge of regret, then wondered why she should feel guilty at all.

Composing herself, she opened the bathroom door and collided with Sidney's pale face.

The child's pupils filled with a wave of incredulous anger as he asked, "Mummy, did Daddy find a new woman?"

"Sidney..." Winnie's eyes flickered with tears, and she reached out to him in panic.

The little guy was furious. "How could he do this? That jerk of a father, he dares to betray you? I never want to see him again! Mummy, you've been wronged! Don't be afraid, you still have me. And Oscar, I feel he's in Trento City..."

Sidney immediately hugged his mother, comforting her with all his might.

Winnie felt the warmth from her son's hug deeply. If Sidney's twin intuition could help find Oscar, it would be wonderful.

The next day, Carlos called Winnie. "Winnie, come home this afternoon. I've received an invitation. Tonight, at the Rodriguez family estate on the mountaintop, Mr. Rodriguez is hosting a welcome banquet for Lawrence. Ishara and Eleanor are going, so why don't you join me?"

Hearing that name, Winnie immediately declined, "Dad, I'd rather not go..."

"Winnie, listen to me." Carlos had his reasons as he spoke earnestly, "You are the Blanchet family's young lady, and I want to introduce you into the circle of nobility. It will help you establish yourself in Trento City, and it will make your entrance into the Blanchet family smoother. Besides, you're single now, without Lawrence, I'm also looking for another eligible bachelor for you. Just take a look at the other families at Camellia Mount..."

He was her father, after all. Ignoring his last teasing remark, Winnie knew he had her best interests at heart. Since she needed to establish herself in the Blanchet family, she had no choice but to go.

Just as Carlos hung up, a petulant voice piped up, "Uncle Carlos! Why are you letting a country girl attend? Aren't you afraid she'll embarrass us and lose the Blanchet family's face?"

"Who allowed you to eavesdrop? You're becoming more and more unruly!" Carlos turned and scolded, "And what country girl? You better learn to respect your cousin, or I won't hesitate to cancel your invitation tonight."

"Uncle Carlos..."

"Angela, stop being childish. Winnie is the Blanchet family's young lady, and I think it's good for Dad to take her," Ishara chimed in gently.

"Ishara, you actually speak up for that country girl, you really are naïve." Angela stomped her foot in frustration.

Ishara blinked innocently and said, "What need for schemes between sisters?"

Carlos softened his gaze at his daughter. "Ishara, you understand. Angela has been completely spoiled by her grandmother, narrow-minded..."

He glared at Angela, then turned to see Eleanor coming out, and took the opportunity to instruct, "Eleanor, are you buying a dress for Ishara? Also, buy a few dozen top-brand dresses for Winnie, and send them directly to her room."

"Of course, Carlos. Winnie is naturally beautiful, and both daughters of the Blanchet family will shine tonight," Eleanor agreed with a smile.

Carlos looked much happier and said, "I'll head to the office first."

Angela couldn't understand her aunt and Ishara's attitude and was about to speak- before she was suddenly aside by Ishara into the inner room.

Ishara sighed. "Angela, stop targeting Winnie. She's had it tough too. I heard she was married in Lymington and even had a child..."

"What?" Angela was utterly shocked. "She's had a child? Then she's nothing but damaged goods!"

Ishara gazed at her astonished expression and said, "Dad probably wants to find her a man, right? But Winnie's looks are a bit too striking; wherever she goes, others might not stand a chance."

Angela tightly clenched her fists; she had always seen Winnie as a vixen! If Winnie were to dress up for the event, Angela knew she would be overshadowed. She had heard that the young master of the Jenkins family would also attend tonight, and he was the one she secretly admired.