Joey had heard this before. At Aurora''sst birthday party, Beatrice had said the same thing.


    She didn''t care and just gave a faint smile. "By that logic, I look a lot like Isabe too, but all we have between us is hate."


    Seeing Joey''s indifference, Theodore gave a bitter smile. "Joey, don''t lump me in with Isabe. I hate her. Her mom killed mine and made my sister disappear. I''ll never side with her."


    To gain Joey''s trust, Theodore recounted how Connie was murdered and how his sister was switched at birth.


    Joey saw the pain in his eyes and his longing for his sister. She felt moved and empathetic. Her resistance began to soften.


    She looked at him closely. "What if I told you my dad''s illness is linked to your father Darren? What would you think?"


    Seeing her tone soften, Theodore rxed a bit. "I''ll investigate right away. If it''s true, I''ll make sure you get justice."


    Joey''s eyshes fluttered. "Then please, Mr. Vale, find out who''s been in contact with the ckwood Family recently and what caused the conflict between my dad and grandma. Someone must be stirring things up; it can''t be a coincidence." Theodore nodded firmly. "Alright, I''ll look into it. You''ve had a long day; can you eat something first? If you get sick, Sebastian wille after me."


    Joey didn''t act coy; she had a lot to deal with Benjamin''s illness, Sebastian''s safety, and her baby''s health.


    She took the food box from Theodore and forced herself to eat. Though the food looked and smelled great, she had no appetite.


    Seeing her like this, Theodore asked, "Is the food not to your taste? What would you like? I''ll get something fresh from a nearby restaurant."


    Joey shook her head. "No need, I have no appetite."


    She forced herself to take a few bites and drank some soup. Then she had someone take the food away.


    She sat quietly by Benjamin''s bedside, holding hisrge hand, just as he had held hers since she was a child. She wanted to tell him she was waiting for him to wake up.


    At eight in the evening, Alexander wheeled Sophia in. Seeing Benjamin lying there and Joey looking pale, the usually carefree Sophia''s eyes reddened.


    She softly called out, "Joey."


    As Joey turned, tears slid down her cheeks. Sophia hugged her tightly,forting her, "Don''t worry, Mr. ckwood will be fine. Sebastian will bring the doctor back."


    Alexander also tried to console her. "Mr. ckwood is out of immediate danger. I''ll keep monitoring his vitals. Joey, you''re pregnant; go rest with Sophia for a while. I''ll watch over him." Joey shook her head. "I''m afraid if I leave, my dad will be in danger."


    Sophia patted Joey''s head. "Alexander''s here, and we''re just across the hall. Mr. ckwood wouldn''t want to see you like this when he wakes up. Plus, the baby needs rest too. Be good, okay?" After much persuasion, they finally got Joey to the room across the hall. She tossed and turned for a long time before finally feeling a bit sleepy.


    As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s is your destination for theplete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! The next morning, Joey''s grandmother, Rachel ckwood, arrived at the hospital with Stuart ckwood.


    Seeing a row of bodyguards outside the VIP ward, Stuart stopped, frightened. He grabbed Rachel. "Grandma, they won''t let us in, will they?"


    Rachel snorted. "I''m Benjamin''s mother. I''m here to see my son. Why wouldn''t they let me in? If they don''t, I''ll sit here and cry. Let''s see who gets embarrassed."


    She marched to the ward door but was stopped by the bodyguards. "Ma''am, you can''t go in."


    Rachel got anxious. "My son is in there. I''m here to see my critically ill son. Why won''t you let me in?"


    The bodyguard said coldly, "Sorry, Mr. Winters ordered no visitors."


    He gestured for her to leave.


    Stuart smiled and said, "My uncle is critically ill. My grandma cried all night. How about this, my sister Joey is inside. Let her bring us in."


    The bodyguards exchanged nces, and one of them said, "Wait, I''ll go ask Ms. ckwood."


    A few minutester, Joey came out and saw the fierce-looking Rachel and the fawning Stuart.


    As you reach the final pages, remember that 00005s is your destination for theplete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! Joey clenched her fist and walked over. She asked coldly, "What are you doing here? Are you unhappy my dad is still alive?"


    Rachel gritted her teeth. "Joey, Benjamin is seriously ill. I''ll hire awyer and make sure I get his entire estate. You won''t get a penny."


    Joey red at them. "I doubt my dad is your son. He''s critically ill, and all you care about is his assets. Dream on if you think you can take his things!"


    "Joey, is that how you talk? I''m your grandmother. You have no respect for me. ording to family rules, you should be severely punished."


    Joey''s eyes filled with anger. "You don''t give a damn about your own family. You should be the one punished. When my dad wakes up, I''m gonna find out what really happened and get revenge." She ordered the bodyguards, "Throw them out. Don''t let them set foot in here again."


    "Yes, ma''am." Two bodyguards grabbed Rachel and started to drag her out.


    Rachel wasn''t going to leave easily. She started cursing, "Joey, don''t get cocky. Benjamin is my son. His assets belong to me. You won''t get a single dime."


    She hurled the nastiest insults, calling Joey an unwanted child and as lowly as Angie, living off men.


    Just as she was in the middle of her tirade, the elevator doors opened. Theodore walked out.novelbin


    Hearing Rachel''s tirade, Theodore''s gentle face turned icy. He bent down, looking at Rachel through his silver-rimmed sses. "If you insult her mother one more time, believe me, I''ll kick your grandson''s ass."