Chapter 536

Claire nodded, voicing her concern, "I see that Leo is quite fond of that kid, Oscar. We finally went through with the surgery for the kid; we can't let Oscar get in touch with Leo anymore. He's got Leo completely wrapped around his finger."

"With all those bodyguards around, and after the surgery, plus his asthma, there's no way he can escape."

Ishara wasn't worried about keeping Oscar under control and squinted as she turned around. "I told you to have someone keep a close eye on Winnie. What was she up to today?"

"She visited the hospital named after your father, and then it looks like she reached out to the executives at her company, Lymington. Additionally, Melanie booked a conference room at a hotel. It appears she's planning to host a meeting with the top brass from her company tomorrow," Claire reported.

A smirk formed on Ishara's lips. "As long as she's out of Lawrence's sight, that's our chance to make a move. A meeting, you say? They'll have to have lunch at some point, won't they?"

Claire understood what Ishara meant.

The following day, Olivia met Nelson, the manager and several other executives from Triton Jewelry at the airport at ten in the morning.

Winnie, along with Melanie, went to the legal department of the Rodriguez family's conglomerate to pay the remaining three hundred million dollars for the golf course land purchase, as well as the ten million dollars for Carlos's medical expenses, which Lawrence covered.

By the time Lawrence got the news, he had just returned from a subsidiary company, and Winnie had already finished her business and quickly left the Rodriguez family's offices.

He frowned slightly, a shadow cast over his handsome face, reproaching Bryan, "She shouldn't be running around, especially in this scorching heat. Couldn't the legal department from the Rodriguez group take the initiative to meet her?"

"Mr. Rodriguez, Ms. Winnie declined my offer. She doesn't want to have any private dealings with you," Bryan responded, clearly frustrated with himself.

Lawrence's mood darkened, and he took off his suit jacket, sinking into his executive chair. "Do you think she's upset that Ishara and I spent that night together?"

Bryan felt that Winnie had become indifferent to Lawrence as if her heart had turn into a stone.

However, since Lawrence seemed keen on that idea, Bryan comforted him, "Perhaps she is. If Ms. Winnie is angry, it means deep down, she's still bothered by your infidelity."

"Does that mean she might still care about me?" Lawrence looked up, his eyes revealed a profound thirst for knowledge.

Bryan sighed softly, sensing the cautious longing from Lawrence, a feeling that even he couldn't ignore.

Winnie's disdain and indifference were equally palpable.

Bryan touched his nose. "Mr. Rodriguez, perhaps you should give Ms. Winnie some personal space. If she doesn't want to see you, both professionally and personally, you shouldn't press her into it."

Lawrence rubbed his brow, wondering if he had indeed been too intrusive. Lately, every encounter ended in an argument.

Perhaps it was true. Her pregnancy might be making her moody, and the sight of him just irked her.

"Keep a discrete eye on her business dealings and help out where you can without making a fuss. Also, keep tabs on the Blanchet family corporation and that Patrick's movements. Inform me immediately if anything comes up."

Bryan acknowledged, noting Lawrence's reddened eyes. The Rodriguez family corporation's issues had been weighing heavily on him.

However, Winnie's compassion for Lawrence seemed to have faded.

Bryan questioned, "Should we still send her lunch with Security? It seems Ms. Winnie arranged a meeting at a hotel for Triton's executives. She probably won't dine alone."

The memory of her throwing the insulated container in the trash in front of him that morning darkened Lawrence's thoughts. "Send it. Even if she doesn't eat, make sure Olivia keeps her from drinking."

Meanwhile, at the business hotel, at one in the afternoon, Winnie successfully held a meeting with Triton Jewelry's senior executives, led by Nelson. They unanimously agreed to convert the golf course into a manufacturing plant for Triton Jewelry. Winnie was elated.

They also finalized the date for Triton's relocation to Trento City and the temporary office space they would rent.

After the meeting, they enjoyed a meal in the hotel's banquet hall.

Nelson and the others had to rush back to their Lymington office after eating.

Olivia hurried over to Winnie with concern. "My mom's old illness flared up, and I need to make a trip back to Lymington today. I can ride back with Mr. Nelson. I'll sort out some family matters, and I'll be back in about a week."

"Is it serious?" Winnie asked. "Go take care of it, and don't worry about how long you stay. I've got Mia covered. By the way, could you check on Melissa when you have a moment?"

"You said you treat Lawrence's mom like your own," Olivia teased.

"It's not about him. I need to know how Melissa's spine is doing."

"Lawrence surely keeps a close eye on his mother's health."

"I'm a bit worried about you. Once I go back, there will be no one left to keep you company. Can you manage alone with the kids?"

Winnie pulled out her phone. "There's a male bodyguard at the house. If you're concerned, I can hire a nanny right now to look after the kids."

"Good. Then you can focus on your work, and you've got Melanie to help you out there."

Satisfied with the arrangements, Olivia finished her meal and left with Nelson for the airport, heading back to Lymington.

After settling her hotel bill, Winnie was about to depart when a sudden, intense pain struck her upper abdomen.

She halted in her tracks, then rushed to the restroom, where she was immediately overcome by nausea.

What ensued was a relentless onslaught of vomiting and diarrhea.

In the corner of the hotel banquet hall, a shadowy figure moved to a dark spot and made a call, "As per your instructions, I added something to Ms. Winnie's dish. She's having severe vomiting and diarrhea."

The call ended abruptly.

Winnie emerged from the restroom feeling weak. She wondered whether it was the lunch that had made her ill or if her stomach condition hadn't fully healed.

Despite trying dry needling to alleviate her symptoms, no relief came.

Winnie left the hotel and drove to the nearby hospital.

In the emergency department, a doctor attended to Winnie, conducting a brief examination. Following this, the doctor recommended a blood test to assess her white cell count.

Winnie nodded her agreement.

After drawing blood from her arm, the doctor asked, "If it's an inflammation of the stomach, we suggest IV therapy with an anti-inflammatory. Ms. Winnie, do you have any conditions that would prevent you from taking antibiotics?"

Winnie considered for a moment. She wasn't allergic to antibiotics. "I'm usually healthy, no contraindications. I can take antibiotics."

The doctor gave her a long look, nodded, and walked away.

After a few minutes, the doctor entered an office.

Holding the test results, he looked towards the slender girl by the window. "Leo, the test results are in. This woman is indeed pregnant, roughly fifteen days along, with stable HCG levels. However, she's unaware of it as she even mentioned she's fit for antibiotics."

Ishara squinted her eyes sharply, then turned to Leo.

Leo fidgeted, the weight of unease bearing down on him, but he managed a nod. "I know what I have to do."