Chapter 512

Leo said, "Merely a toddler, no matter how sharp he is, he's completely in my control."

With Claire's support, Ishara slowly sat up and curved her pale lips into a faint smile. "I have no doubt about your hypnotism skills. When the time is right, operate on his brain, dumb him down and turn him into my little toy."

Leo didn't respond. In reality, Oscar was not only exceptionally intelligent but also quite charming. In the early days of confinement, Leo almost starved the boy yet he showed a remarkable intuition and demonstrated an innate medical talent far beyond his years. Leo took a liking to intelligent people especially those who were smart from a young age.

The child possessed a captivating way with words, endearing Leo more and more. Recently, Leo discovered that he was finding it increasingly difficult to muster the will to cause any harm to the boy.

"Leo, do you have any objections to my decision?" Ishara noticed his momentary silence, her gaze swept over him.

"No worries at all," Leo swiftly reassured. "Everything will be executed according to your instructions, Ms. Ishara. That child won't have a smooth journey. Making him foolish and silly is just a surgical procedure away." Leo pondered to himself, finding it somewhat regrettable.

Ishara's smile faded as she pinched a handkerchief between her fingers, giving another instruction. "This vial of spinal fluid must be kept secret. Until I decide to donate it to Melissa, no one must know it exists."

Leo acknowledged, "Yes."

Claire frowned slightly and said, "Ms. Ishara, today Leo was at the Blanchet family's villa. You mentioned Lawrence might be tracking you. Do you think could he discover Leo?"

Ishara narrowed her eyes. She had anticipated such a situation in her head. With a sly grin, she said, "Leo has been part of the Trento City Hospital staff for years, frequently serving as my attending physician. There's no way Lawrence could be aware that Leo now works in my lab. How long has Lawrence been in Trento City? He lacks the influence to uncover what happened in the past."

Claire thought it over and agreed.

Ishara narrowed her eyes and reiterated to Leo, "You've got to uphold your public image as a doctor at the hospital. If anyone starts snooping around, keep your cool. Refrain from visiting the child for the next few days."

Leo nodded.

Rubbing her temples, Ishara said, "After extracting spinal fluid, how long will my recovery take? I need some health supplements and ovulation stimulants too. I'm planning on getting pregnant soon and can't afford any setbacks with my health."

Leo paused, a sudden realization dawned on him as to why Ishara was in such a hurry to extract the spinal fluid. He swiftly jotted down a prescription and with Claire covering for him, he slipped away from the Blanchet family estate.

On the other end, Ishara had just settled back into bed, grimaced slightly from the lingering pain of the anesthesia as her phone buzzed.

She glanced at the caller ID, her expression darkened for momentarily before answering with a cool tone. "Hello?"

"Ishara, thanks to your support, I successfully returned to Trento City," chimed a woman's voice, laced with amusement. "The Ordelia family holds your sponsorship in high regard. If there's anything I can help you with, feel free to reach out."

Ishara's eyes narrowed, a shadow of unease passing through her. She had a hunch this woman might spell trouble.

The next morning, Melanie stormed into Winnie's hospital room with bombshell news that shocked Winnie out of her grogginess.

"Winnie, Patrick went to Blanchet Corporation yesterday afternoon after your great-uncle had an incident. He had to step in to manage the company's crisis temporarily. I think Mom and Grandma's decision was justified.

"However, the real shock happened at the shareholder's meeting this morning. Patrick proposed that Ishara join the Blanchet family which will leverage her 12% share of Blanchet stocks, declaring her the successor. With the support of Patrick and a few key shareholders coupled with Eleanor persuading the others on the side, the majority actually agreed."

Winnie's composure vanished in an instant, her breaths coming fast and hard.

Melanie's face twisted with envy. "Do you realize what this means? From today on, Ishara becomes Blanchet's heiress, the future female CEO. I can't figure it out. Patrick has always been so fond of Ishara but why would he risk his own interests to help Ishara and Eleanor secure their position within the Blanchet family? What's in it for him?"

Winnie's brow creased, her stomach twisting with increased discomfort. Melanie's question mirrored her own uncertainties. She concentrated intently. "You've mentioned several times how exceptionally kind Patrick has been to Ishara, even since they were children, haven't you?"

Melanie recalled. "Well, out of all three nieces, Patrick always favored Ishara the most ever since they were little."

Dad has collapsed and Winnie couldn't believe that Patrick had no ambition to take the opportunity for himself. Even after being paralyzed for numerous years, he seemed to lack the desire to take over the Blanchet family empire. Now was the ideal moment for him to sideline Eleanor and her daughter. However, he promptly threw his support behind Ishara, declaring her as his successor with Paul's approval.

He, Eleanor, and Ishara. They almost portrayed the image of an idyllic family. The notion of them being a family caught Winnie off guard but without such a connection, there would be no cause for Patrick to hold Ishara in such high esteem. Furthermore, just the day before, Winnie had observed the peculiar tension between Eleanor and Patrick.

Winnie's face turned ghostly pale. If this was the case, Eleanor must have plotted it for a long time. She has deceived Carlos, kept him in the dark and he had to live in her grand illusion for over two decades.

The three of them had now seized everything Carlos held dear. The next step would be to take over the Blanchet corporation and sadly, Patricia, Paul's own flesh and blood, was oblivious to it all.

Winnie felt a chilling sense of dread and anger. She was cast out of the Blanchet family, powerless. She couldn't do anything for her comatose father.

A sense of helplessness and heartache engulfed her, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

"Winnie, I understand you're distressed. With Carlos unable to speak, Patrick is susceptible to manipulation by Ishara, causing chaos in the company. However, don't let it compromise your well-being," Melanie expressed, observing Winnie curled up in pain, clutching her stomach.

"It's not anger, it's sorrow for Dad." Winnie took deep breaths. She had been groggy since last night. She threw off the blankets and got out of bed. "I need to see Dad. Is he settled in okay?"

Melanie nodded. "I checked on him when I arrived. He's in the ICU and no one is allowed in. There were guards lining up outside even your aunt was prevented from entering last night. She left in a huff and hasn't come back since."

That brought a sense of relief, at the very least. Ensuring Carlos's safety was of utmost importance. Winnie didn't have time to ponder who had arranged the security as she started for the door.

Standing at the entrance of the hospital room was a commanding and towering presence. Lawrence donned a sleek black suit, exuding a formal and formidable air. His long legs were visible through the fabric, emphasized by the crispness of his buttoned-up white shirt and a tightly knotted black tie, contributing to his overall air of profound mystery.

He looked as if he'd just stepped out of a boardroom meeting. He strode in with an urgency that somehow wasn't chaotic, as though he had rushed over just in time.

The striking sharpness of his handsome features failed to dispel the icy aura enveloping him. His captivating deep-set eyes, impossible to ignore, carried hints of red, suggesting a weariness that spoke of restless nights.

Their eyes met and Winnie coldly averted her gaze, reddened from her emotion. Lawrence entered, his eyes were shaded, and his lips formed a tight line as he held an insulated container in his grasp.

He fixed his gaze on her. With a voice both firm and gentle, he broke the silence and said, "I brought you some soup. Are you hungry? Have some first."

His voice washed over her head, enveloping her in his overwhelming presence but Winnie's eyes wanted none of it.

"Melanie, get him out!" Winnie exclaimed, turning away agitatedly.

Lawrence didn't flinch, his piercing gaze briefly shifted to Melanie.

It was Melanie who retreated from the room, overcame by Lawrence's daunting aura.