Chapter 468

The Wilkinsons exchanged looks of disbelief and dismay. They hadn't even figured out how to deal with her, and now she was not only back but also pregnant. Pregnant with whose child? The mere thought made their heads spin. If it was her former brother-in-law's child, the Wilkinson family would face a level of disgrace unprecedented in its hundred-year history.

Marcia knew they favored Elissa and adopted a subservient tone. "I wasn't thinking straight. I know what I did was wrong, and I promise I'll turn over a new leaf..."

"Forget turning over a new leaf for a minute," Rex cut in coldly, getting straight to the point. "First, tell us whose baby it is."

Seeing her hesitate, Rex clicked his tongue. "Frank's?"

"..." Marcia lowered her head, saying nothing.

Rex raised an eyebrow and stood up, turning to Laurel. "Laurel, I have to get back to Vistapeak City for some business. I'll leave things here in your hands." His message was clear: he wanted to see this newfound sister for one second less than he had to.

Jesse also checked his watch and rose. "I should get going too. I have a senior management meeting at the branch office this afternoon."

Laurel just gave them a sidelong glance, not saying a word. To her surprise, Suzanne reappeared from the elevator, a maid carrying a small suitcase beside her. Laurel's brow twitched. "Mom, what are you doing?"

"It's about time I returned to Vistapeak City to continue my treatment." As she spoke, Suzanne's gaze drifted coolly over Marcia. A bitter taste filled her mouth.

Marcia saw her chance and tried to be helpful. "Mom, I studied some traditional medicine before. Would you like me to take a look?"

Suzanne was about to refuse, but then... she couldn't bring herself to be too harsh. Vera had turned out this way, and as her mother, she bore some of the

responsibility. She sighed. "That won't be necessary. You should stay here and keep your grandmother company."

Old Mrs. Wilkinson quickly waved her hands. "No, no, that's alright. I've been enjoying playi ridge lately. That eps me busy enough. I don't need Vera to keep me company."

One by one, the family members were either leaving for Vistapeak City or making it clear they didn't

need her around. The rejection inet

their words was palpable. Marcia suppressed her growing resentment and forced a gentle smile, turning to Maya. "Then... I'll keep you company, Maya."

"..." Maya had no idea what to make of the Wilkinsons' bizarre behavior but forced herself to agree. "Sure." Inside, she was thinking, *The last thing I need is to be accompanied by a low-life carrying her brother-in-law's child.*

After coming back from taking her medicine next door, Elissa opened her laptop and sent a batch of research data that could be publicly released to the PR department. But with netizens still in an uproar, anything the department posted was met with a barrage of hate.

"They look like a golden couple, but it turns out the only thing they have in common is a pair of black hearts!"

"We demand justice for the common people! Our families scraped together everything we had for this miracle drug, and it turns out to be a death sentence?"

"Didn't someone at the press conference ask about the relationship between this Elissa and Mr. Murphy? Turns out they're just a despicable couple of vultures feeding on people's misery!"

If Elissa hadn't personally reviewed the recent follow-up reports from patients who had bought the druge she might have started to believe them When her eyes fell on the phrase "despicable couple," she subconsciously glanced up at Rowan, who was working in the semi-open office area. He had stayed home from the Murphy Group headquarters, probably worried she would be affected by the online storm, and had been in back-to-back virtual meetings all morning.

He was in another one now. A pair of rimless glasses rested on the bridge of his nose. He wore a tailored black shirt with the top two buttons undone, the sleeves casually rolled up to reveal his strong forearms As he spoke, his long fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk. His expression was serious as he instructed the legal department to file lawsuits against the primary accounts spreading rumors. He looked every bit the "Satan in the flesh" the outside world made him

out to be.

Beside her, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she paused for a moment before answering. "Hello, Suzanne."

It was Suzanne Jensen. Last night's discovery that Marcia might be the Wilkinson's lost daughter had left Elissa with complicated feelings.