Chapter 539

"How could you terminate the anesthesiologist without resolving the issue first?" Winnie was incredulous. The situation reeked of suspicion.

She continued to demand, "Give me the name of that anesthesiologist. I want to settle this matter privately with him."

"We apologize," the Director said, a look of discomfort on his face. "The truth is, after realizing the error, he ran off during a shift change.

"We had no choice but to terminate his contract.

"As he was a temporary staff member, it's not easy to track down his information immediately.

"If you insist on pursuing this, you might have to wait a while."

It seemed like the perfect excuse indeed. Winnie realized that she wouldn't be able to track down that anesthesiologist now. Moreover, she had inexplicably undergone a full anesthesia endoscopy.

Fortunately, the examination results revealed nothing more serious than chronic gastritis and ulcers. Though concerning, it was a relief compared to the fears that had plagued her mind.

Despite the unsettling circumstances surrounding her procedure, at least there was some clarity regarding her health.

The emergency room doctor stepped forward. "Ms. Winnie, there's no need to worry. The endoscopy hasn't caused any harm to your body.

"It's also ruled out any diseases like tumors.

"If you're still feeling discomfort in your stomach, I can prescribe you medication and an IV infusion right now."

"No need," Winnie said, clutching her stomach. Maybe it was the entire afternoon's ordeal. She could hardly pinpoint how much her stomach hurt anymore.

Every other part of her felt even more uncomfortable, exhausted, and weak.

She guessed the effects of the anesthesia were still lingering.

"I demand the hospital continue to investigate the anesthesiologist. This is a medical incident, and I won't let it go just like that," Winnie said coldly before leaving the hospital.

Exhausted, she picked up several herbal remedies from a nearby pharmacy.

It was already dark outside.

Winnie pulled out her phone, intending to call Melanie for a ride, only to find several missed back-to-back calls from Lawrence

She hesitated, decided not to return the calls, and deleted the call history.

Eventually, she gathered her strength and drove herself back to the Chesterfield Villas.

Outside the fourth villa, the lights were on.

As Winnie got out of the car, she saw Sidney waiting at the door, a picture of anxiety.

"Mommy, where did you go?" Sidney came running over, out of breath and worried, hugging her and looking her up and down.

"I wasn't feeling well, so I went to the hospital. The checkup took longer than expected, but I'm okay now."

"I tried calling you, and you didn't answer. Aunt Olivia had to go back to Lymington, and there was no one with you. I was really worried. Are you sure you're alright? You look a bit pale."

Sidney held onto her cold fingertips. "Your hands are freezing!"

"I had a sudden stomach ache this afternoon."

"No wonder I felt uneasy for a while earlier. My heart was racing. I didn't know why, but I felt so sad and worried about you," Sidney murmured.

Standing at the shoe rack, Winnie froze. "Sidney, when did you feel uneasy?"

"Around four o'clock."

Four o'clock. That was when she was unconscious under general anesthesia. In her dreams, she saw Oscar.

Sidney had always claimed to have some sort of telepathic connection with Oscar. The thought of it stirred emotions within Winnie, but despite searching every corner of the hospital, Oscar remained elusive.

Winnie knew that Ishara was too meticulous to hide Oscar in any ordinary hospital. Someday soon, she resolved to take Sidney to another hospital; perhaps his supposed telepathic abilities would provide some insight.

"Winnie!"

The sudden, deep voice broke through her thoughts.

Lawrence brought his car to a screeching halt outside her villa, descended, and strode over with urgency, grabbing her arm forcefully. "I've been trying to call you. Why didn't you answer?"

Winnie reluctantly turned around, dwarfed by his imposing height, which blocked the light from above.

His chiseled features took on a forbidding intensity that felt chilling. "You disappeared from my radar for four hours this afternoon. Where were you? Sidney couldn't reach you either. What were you doing?"

Winnie looked up at him, her eyes filled with a cool, stinging bitterness.

She loathed this uninvited presence, his interrogative demeanor.

"I disappear for four hours, and that's abnormal to you? Lawrence, by what right do you surveil and incessantly control my life?"

"I didn't mean it like that. I was just concerned," he insisted, his grip tightening on her slender arm.

Winnie winced in pain. Her delicate skin could not bear his ungentle strength.

The turmoil at the hospital, dreaming of Oscar, the stomach flu, all the discomfort came rushing back.

Her mood was already sour, and the last thing she wanted was to face his accusations.

In that instant, anger bubbled up, clouding her judgment. "Why would I ever need your concern?" she snapped, losing her composure.

"Do you really need to press me like this?" Winnie snapped.

"It's simply your need for control, isn't it? You can't bear to see me forming a bond with Rock, can you?"

If you dare to keep tabs on me again, I'll sue you."

"Where on earth have you been? You look terrible." Lawrence ignored her rage, scrutinizing her closely with a blend of stubbornness and concern. "What's wrong?"

"I had the stomach flu and went to the hospital. Are you happy now?" Winnie shoved him away.

However, Lawrence stood firm.

"What?" Lawrence's eyes flickered with unease as he examined her from head to toe. "You had the stomach flu and didn't tell me? With Olivia not around, the least you could do is let me know you're sick. Which hospital did you go to? What did the tests say? Did you get any medication?"

"It's over now. I just ate something bad and didn't get any prescriptions. Now, please leave," Winnie said dismissively.

"Your complexion is off." Lawrence observed sharply, a twinge of anxiety in his heart. Her lips were so pale. Lawrence was afraid the test might affect the baby.

He pulled her close, holding her gently. "I'm worried. Let's go to the Rodriguez family hospital for a more thorough checkup."

He was mainly eager to see how her pregnancy was holding up, whether the stomach flu had compromised it.

"I'm not going."

Lawrence softened his voice, coaxing her, "It's just to be safe. You've been weak lately."

"I've already had an endoscopy. What more do you want me to do?" she asked, looking up at him, her eyes steadily cooling. "Tell me, what other tests do I need? Do you know my body better than I do? What exactly do you want me to do?"

Her questions were tinged with exasperation.

Lawrence was momentarily speechless, his eyes harboring a deep undercurrent. "Just some routine checks. Just listen to me, will you?"

He tried to sweep her up in his arms.

"I said no, stop pushing me!" This time, Winnie's stubbornness was fully provoked.

She resented his overbearing control and his disregard for her wishes.

"I'm tired now. I want to rest. Please leave.

"I don't want the food you've brought.

"And I don't understand why you're suddenly concerned about my health.

"But let me tell you, it's too late."

He froze, at a loss for words, realizing he couldn't torment her further. She was pregnant and shouldn't get upset.