The Maid Slapped the Billionaire's Fiancée in Front of 300 Guests—Then He Walked In and Asked One Question That Silenced Everyone 2 / Chapter 37 / 65

Chapter 37 - THE DOCTOR SAID THERE WERE TWO BABIES—THEN THE HOSPITAL REVEALED A BIRTH NOBODY HAD RECORDED

The first police vehicles arrived at Hawthorne Villa eleven minutes after the gunshot.
By then, the unidentified cars had disappeared into the wooded roads surrounding the estate. Nobody had been injured, but the shattered camera and damaged gate made one thing unmistakable: whoever had come wanted to frighten Naomi Cross into silence.

Sofia stood inside the library while federal investigators photographed the medical case.

Naomi sat opposite her, pale and exhausted.

Daniel remained beside the fireplace. Marcus was speaking with hospital security, while Lily waited with her independent advocate in the adjoining room.

Sofia leaned forward.

"You said there was another baby."

Naomi nodded.

"Yes."

"Where?"

"I don't know."

Sofia's patience tightened.

"Then tell me what you do know."

Naomi folded her hands.

"Two embryos were involved in the final transfer. One was registered under Lily's file. The other was recorded under a separate research designation."

"What designation?"

"MERIDIAN G-4B."

Daniel frowned.

"Generation Four, subject B?"

"Correct."

"And the first?"

"G-4A."

Sofia stared at her.

"You're saying someone created two embryos."

"Two were documented. I cannot confirm that either was implanted with the consent of the genetic contributors."

Marcus entered.

"The hospital confirms one newborn girl was delivered through artificial gestation. They have no record of a second birth."

Naomi shook her head.

"Because the second transfer occurred before delivery."

Sofia felt sick.

"Someone removed a developing fetus from medical supervision?"

"Yes."

"Alive?"

Naomi's eyes filled.

"That was the last condition recorded."

Daniel crossed the room.

"Who authorized it?"

Naomi looked down.

"The order carried Charles Hawthorne's authorization code."

Silence.

Sofia stared.

"Charles has been dead for twelve years."

"I know."

"Then someone used his identity."

"Yes."

Marcus's phone vibrated.

He read the message.

His expression changed.

"St. Catherine's has suspended two employees pending investigation."

"Names?" Daniel asked.

"Dr. Helen Ward and technician Paul Mercer."

Isabella, who had entered quietly, stiffened.

"Mercer?"

Sofia turned.

"Mom?"

Isabella gripped the doorway.

"Paul Mercer was Evelyn's nephew."

Naomi looked up sharply.

"No."

Sofia frowned.

"What?"

Naomi whispered, "Paul Mercer isn't a technician."

Daniel approached.

"Then who is he?"

"He was the director of the original embryo storage facility."

Marcus immediately called the hospital again.

Nobody answered his first call.

Or his second.

On the third attempt, a frightened administrator picked up.

Dr. Helen Ward had vanished.

Paul Mercer had disappeared with her.

And the storage room containing the original Generation Four records had been emptied.

Sofia closed her eyes.

For eighteen months, she had believed the family's nightmare was finally becoming history. The trials were progressing. Victims were receiving compensation. Lily was attending school. Daniel and David were building a relationship.

Now someone had reached into the future and stolen another child's identity before that child could even be born.

Lily appeared in the doorway.

"Stop keeping me outside."

Sofia turned.

"Lily—"

"No."

The girl approached Naomi.

"If there's another baby, I want to know."

Naomi looked toward the advocate.

The woman nodded gently.

"You can tell her what is known, without presenting speculation as fact."

Naomi explained the two records.