- 5 hours ago
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On the baby monitor, the EKG monitor stretched into a glaring flat line.
00:05Beep.
00:07My name is Ava Reed.
00:1037th minute into my shift as the Winslow family's infant nurse,
00:13the little princess died in my arms.
00:16I forced myself to steady my breathing and organize the situation.
00:22So Lillian, the only girl in five generations of Winslow family,
00:26the pride and joy of the entire family,
00:28also the sole heir written into a hundred billion dollar trust,
00:32just died on my watch?
00:34The private pediatrician, Dr. Black, knelt beside the crib, his voice trembling.
00:39Mr. Winslow, Miss Lillian suffered acute respiratory failure.
00:44I'm afraid there is no point in respitation.
00:47Instantly, more than a dozen guns were leveled at me.
00:50A bodyguard barked.
00:51Put Miss Lillian down. Hands up.
00:53The patriarch, Ethan Winslow, stared at me with bloodshot murderous eyes.
00:58Ava Reed.
01:00Before something happened to my daughter, the last person holding her was you.
01:04The security screen on the wall suddenly flared to life.
01:07In the footage, I carried Lillian into the nursery.
01:10The image flickered, and somehow an empty syringe appeared in my hand.
01:14My head buzzed.
01:15That wasn't me.
01:16I never touched that thing.
01:17Someone framed me.
01:18But the bodyguards had already found a matching syringe and half a bottle of medication in my nursing bag.
01:24My name label was stuck to the opening of the bag.
01:26Her fiercely protective eldest, Oliver, stepped forward, his voice as cold as ice.
01:32Witnesses, surveillance, and drugs are all here.
01:34What else do you want to say?
01:36Her second brother, Nolan, raised his arm, pressing his gun barrel an inch closer.
01:41If anything happens to Lillian, you will not leave here today.
01:47Mrs. Winslow, Grace, fanted on the spot.
01:49Ethan caught his wife, but he did not look at me again.
01:52Lock down the estate.
01:53Before calling the police, keep her under guard.
01:56The moment he finished speaking, a tiny babyly shriek exploded in my mind.
02:00I'm not dead!
02:01I looked down sharply.
02:03Lillian in my arms was clearly motionless, but that voice was still cursing in my head.
02:07That woman in the white dress, her perfume is toxic.
02:11And that doctor, he just shut off the ventilation system.
02:14Carry me outside for air, quickly!
02:17Any later and these idiots will really get me killed!
02:20Cold sweat instantly broke out across my back.
02:23The woman in the white dress stood beside Ethan.
02:25Monica Hall, Ethan's special assistant of three years,
02:28and the only non-family member with unrestricted access to the estate's main house.
02:33The scent of perfume on her was very strong, and she was still slowly approaching.
02:36I shouted,
02:37Miss Monica, don't come any closer!
02:39Ava, I know you're afraid to take responsibility.
02:43But Lillian is already like this.
02:45You cannot keep disturbing her.
02:46As she spoke, she took another step toward me.
02:49A sweet, cloying fragrance assaulted my senses.
02:51The baby voice in my arms screamed instantly.
02:54Get back!
02:54If she comes any closer, I really will stop breathing!
02:58Holding Lillian, I abruptly retreated.
03:00Everyone, calm down!
03:01Lillian can still be saved!
03:03Monica paused, and tears immediately fell.
03:06Ethan, did you see that?
03:08She's guilty!
03:10Dr. Black snapped.
03:11Take the child back!
03:12Two bodyguards approached at the same time, staring at their weapons.
03:15I suddenly noticed that the bodyguard on the left was not aiming at me.
03:20He was aiming at Lillian in my arms.
03:23Lillian screamed in my mind.
03:25The one on the left!
03:26There's a voice in his earpiece!
03:30The next second, I immediately roared.
03:33The one on the left, his gun is aimed at the baby!
03:36Nolan, restrain him!
03:37Then, I rolled to the floor with Lillian in my arms.
03:41A gunshot exploded.
03:42The bullet grazed my shoulder, sending a searing pain tearing through my flesh.
03:47The glass liquor cabinet behind my shattered, showering down on us like rain.
03:51I immediately shielded Lillian.
03:53Grace screamed.
03:54Oliver roared.
03:55Who told you to fire?!
03:57That bodyguard tried to raise his hand again.
03:59I did not wait for anyone to react.
04:00Holding Lillian tight, I turned and slammed toward the terrace door.
04:03Nolan blocked my way.
04:04I crashed into his shoulder.
04:05So hard, my vision went black with pain.
04:07He instinctively reached out to Stady me.
04:09But I used his strength to lunge for the door handle.
04:11Move!
04:12She needs air!
04:14Monica screamed and threw herself toward Grace as if to protect her.
04:18But in passing, she knocked over the aromatherapy burner on the coffee table.
04:22Sweet smoke rolled with the hot air and rushed into my face.
04:25Lillian's inner voice broke off for a beat.
04:27We could not stay in this room.
04:29Behind me was the terrace.
04:31Below was the lawn in front of the main house.
04:32From a height of one and a half floors, would jump and kill me?
04:35But in my arms was a six-week-old baby.
04:37Lillian's voice had grown so faint it was nearly breaking.
04:40Save me.
04:41I saw another gun aiming at me from the shadow.
04:43I gripped my teeth and wrapped her inside my own coat.
04:46Threw it!
04:47Here goes nothing!
04:49Before the second gunshot, I climbed over the railing and jumped with her in my arms.
04:54The wind split roared in my ears.
04:56I hit the lawn first with my back and shoulder.
04:59The impact nearly knocking the wind out of me.
05:04Lillian was protected tightly against my chest.
05:07She did not fall.
05:08I did not let go.
05:09The cold wind on the lawn was like knives.
05:11But at last, it scattered that clothing fragrance.
05:14Lillian took a very soft breath in my mind.
05:16I can breathe now.
05:18My vision darkened, and blood from my shoulder dripped down my sleeve.
05:22On the terrace, Oliver had already tackled the bodyguard he fired.
05:25Nolan seized his gun and punched him in the face.
05:28Who bought you?
05:30The bodyguard refused to speak, but his ear pass was still lit.
05:33A lowered male voice came through it.
05:34Finish her.
05:35Nolan's expression changed sharply.
05:37My heart sank.
05:38Before I could climb up from the grass, the tool door on the left suddenly sprang open.
05:43A bodyguard in the Winslow family's black uniform rushed out.
05:46His cap pulled low.
05:47He was not holding an emergency blanket.
05:49It was a second gun.
05:50At the end of the driveway, blinding high beams suddenly flared.
05:53A black patrol car rammed through half of the iron gate and charged straight toward the lawn.
05:57This was not rescue.
05:59It was a hit.
06:00Holding Lillian, I rolled behind a stone flower bed.
06:03The first shot hit the grass where I had just been lying, splashing mud all over my face.
06:08The second shot shattered the bronze lamp beside the flower bed.
06:12Sparks flying past Lillian's swaddling.
06:14Linen was crying in my head, nearly out of breath.
06:17Don't go to the fountain.
06:19There's medicine in the mist too.
06:20I forced myself to change direction.
06:22My knee hit the gravel path and blood immediately surged out.
06:26The patrol car's headlights pressed so hard against my eyes that I could barely open them.
06:32A black-bloved hand extended from the window.
06:40The muzzle rose again.
06:41On the terrace, Grace screamed,
06:43Ethan!
06:44Ethan grabbed a bronze ornament by the fireplace and smashed it toward the courtyard alarm button outside the terrace.
06:50A pulsing alarm instantly tore through the state.
06:52Ola vaulted directly over the terrace.
06:54He stumbled when he landed but still lunged toward the greenhouse bodyguard.
06:57Nolan did not chase the car.
06:59He crouched, picked up the gun he had seized, and shot out the patrol car's front line tire.
07:02The car's nose jerked sideways, scraping past the flower bed before crashing into the low wall at the edge of
07:06the lawn.
07:07The low wall split open and the sprinkler pipe came behind it first.
07:09Fine, white mist blasted out, covering half the lawn.
07:12Lydian's voice was urgent and weak.
07:14It's not water.
07:15Something is mixed into the mist too.
07:17Go!
07:17I crawled backward with her in my arms, the wound on my shoulder burning where grass scraped it.
07:23The ground was too slippery.
07:24Just as I pushed myself up, I fell back again.
07:27The person in the black car fired again through the mist.
07:29The bullet hit the flower bed, and stone fragments cut my face.
07:34I pressed Lydian into my arms and covered her with my whole body.
07:38Halfway over, Oliver choked once on the mist, but still threw himself forward and kicked the greenhouse bodyguard's wrist away.
07:46The gun slid across the ground.
07:49Nolan shouted,
07:50Turn off the sprinklers!
07:52No one moved.
07:53The guards eyed each other warily, unsure of who they could trust.
07:56Ethan yanked the earpiece off the nearest bodyguard and crushed it underfoot.
08:02From now on, anyone who reaches for their earpiece is an accomplice.
08:06The driver opened the door and ran.
08:09Ethan said coldly,
08:12Lock it down.
08:13Two newly arrived security guards were about to pursue him when Nolan barked,
08:18Remove your earpexes first, put your guns on the ground, then move.
08:25No one dared take another step.
08:26Grace pushed away the person supporting her and stumbled toward the lawn.
08:30Monica reached to pull her, but her fingertips moved toward the alarm bracelet on Grace's wrist.
08:35Grace flung her hand away, her voice cold.
08:37Do not touch me.
08:38Monica froze in place, tears still hanging on her face.
08:42Ethan stood at the edge of the terrace, his voice squeezed through his teeth.
08:45Hold him down.
08:46Disarm and recheck every bodyguard.
08:47The bodyguard who had been tackled was finally pinned with his arms twisted behind him.
08:51A very thin silver chip slid out from his sleeve.
08:54Nolan picked it up with a tissue and did not let anyone touch it.
08:57Don't rush the interrogation, he said.
08:59First find out who changed his post.
09:01Oliver held the greenhouse bodyguard down, his face frighteningly dark.
09:05The man had something in his mouth, one cheek bulging.
09:07He was trying to kill himself to silence the lead.
09:09I looked down and saw the black stiletto on my foot.
09:11Without thinking, I held Lillian tight with one arm,
09:13whipped off my stiletto with my other hand,
09:15and smashed it hard into the bodyguard's face.
09:18The thin heel struck his jaw.
09:20A white pill rolled into the grass.
09:21He wanted to die and swallow the clue with him.
09:24Dr. Black rushed to the edge of the terrace, his expression ugly.
09:27She jumped from a height.
09:28The baby may have secondary injuries.
09:30Give the child to me.
09:32I crawled back half a step with Lillian.
09:35Do not touch her.
09:37Black snapped.
09:37You already dropped her once.
09:39Do you still want to kill her?
09:40I raised my head and looked at Ethan.
09:43She is still alive.
09:44Give me 30 seconds.
09:46If she is not breathing after 30 seconds,
09:48you can deal with me however you wish.
09:51Murderous fury churned in Ethan's eyes.
09:53He looked at the blood on my shoulder,
09:55then at Lillian's curled little hand.
09:58Start the timer.
10:0030 seconds.
10:02The 30-second countdown had just begun
10:04when Dr. Black pulled a syringe from the emergency kit.
10:08Since she says the child can still be saved,
10:10we administer an epinephrine shot immediately.
10:13I stared at that syringe, my entire body going cold.
10:16Lillian screamed in my head.
10:17Don't let him inject me.
10:19There's something on the needle.
10:21Black had already rushed down to the lawn
10:23and reached out to hold Lillian's tiny arm.
10:25Without thinking, I raised my hand
10:26and knocked over his medication tray.
10:28Glass ampoules shattered across the ground.
10:30One rolled to my foot,
10:31half of its label torn off.
10:32Noah reacted quickly
10:33and covered the shards with sterile gauze.
10:36Black moved his foot to crush it.
10:40I grabbed the emergency kit and hurled it at him.
10:44The lash burst open,
10:45scattering gauze, scissors, and medicine bottles.
10:50Ethan's gaze finally fell on the unlabeled ampoule.
10:53Black's neck instantly tightened.
10:55He did not explain.
10:56He only said,
10:57Emergency drugs are always urgent.
10:59But his hand was still reaching toward the broken glass.
11:01Nolan stepped on his sleeve.
11:03Try touching it again.
11:05Black's face turned livid.
11:06Are you insane?
11:07I stood in front of Lillian,
11:08my voice trembling but my feet unmoving.
11:10You just pronounced her dead a minute ago.
11:12Now you are suddenly desperate to inject her.
11:15Dr. Black,
11:16do you want to save her?
11:17Or do you want her never to wake up?
11:20Monica's face went white
11:21and she immediately began to cry.
11:23Ava, stop talking nonsense.
11:26Wasn't the medicine found in your nursing bag enough?
11:29As soon as she finished,
11:31a bodyguard held a sealed bag in front of Ethan.
11:33Inside were not only syringes,
11:38There was also a freshly printed medication record.
11:41My name was in the signature field.
11:42My throat tightened.
11:44Someone had arranged this too perfectly.
11:46Even to me,
11:46it looked as if I were the murderer.
11:48Just then a young doctor in the corner suddenly spoke.
11:50The signature is wrong.
11:52Everyone looked over.
11:56He was Noah Brooks,
11:57a resident from Manhattan Children's Hospital
11:59who had accompanied the team.
12:00He removed his gloves and pointed at the record.
12:03The final stroke of Miss Ava's signature on her onboarding documents
12:07rises umward.
12:09This one falls downward.
12:11Also,
12:11the medication dosage uses the wrong unit.
12:14Black's expression changed sharply.
12:16Dr. Brooks,
12:17you had better know what you are saying.
12:19Noah pressed his lips together.
12:21I do.
12:22I also know that what the child needs most right now
12:24is to be away from the irritant source,
12:26kept ventilated,
12:27and have her vital signs confirmed.
12:29Grace grabbed Ethan's arm.
12:31Let him examine her.
12:32Ethan did not agree immediately,
12:33but Monica suddenly took a step forward.
12:35Ethan,
12:36you cannot let them delay.
12:38Lillian is already not breathing.
12:39The instant she came closer,
12:41Lillian's tiny voice sounded weakly again.
12:43White dress?
12:44Perfume.
12:48I suddenly raised my hand and pointed at her.
12:53She cannot come near.
12:54Monica's tedious felt and harder.
12:57You still want to bite me even now?
13:00I am only worried about Lillian.
13:02Nolan suddenly frowned.
13:03The perfume on you is indeed too strong.
13:06Monica's crying caught.
13:08Grace slowly turned her head,
13:10her gaze frighteningly cold.
13:12Step back.
13:13Monica's lips moved,
13:14but she no longer dared approach.
13:16Noah knelt to check the side of Lillian's neck.
13:18One second.
13:19Two seconds.
13:20Three seconds.
13:21His face grew paler and paler.
13:23Oliver's voice tightened.
13:25How is she?
13:25Noah suddenly raised his head.
13:27There is a pulse.
13:28Those three words struck the lawn like thunder.
13:32Grace covered her mouth,
13:33tears instantly rolling down.
13:34She's still alive!
13:37Ethan looked at Black.
13:39Black's whole body stiffened,
13:40but I did not relax,
13:41because Lillian spoke again in my mind.
13:43It's not the perfume bottle.
13:45The real thing is on her handkerchief.
13:48I suddenly looked at Monica.
13:49She was clutching a white silk here, Kish.
13:51Her knuckles were so white they looked ready to snap.
13:53Just then the siren of an ambulance burst into the estate.
13:56Noah picked up Lillian.
13:58She must be taken to the hospital immediately.
14:01Black intensively reached out to take her.
14:03I blocked him.
14:05Dr. Noah will take over the child.
14:07Black gritted his teeth.
14:09I am her private physician.
14:11I stared at him.
14:12And you nearly pronounced her dead just now.
14:15After two seconds of silence,
14:16Ethan spoke.
14:17Dr. Brooks,
14:18get in the ambulance.
14:19The corner of Black's mouth twitched hard.
14:20Monica suddenly grabbed the flower bed for support,
14:22her body going weak.
14:24Ethan, I don't feel well.
14:25This time,
14:26Ethan did not go over to support her.
14:27Grace did not look at her either.
14:29In the second before the ambulance doors closed,
14:31I looked back.
14:32Monica was looking at me too.
14:33There were still tears on her face,
14:35but her eyes were cold and dark,
14:37unlike anything living.
14:38At Manhattan Children's Hospital,
14:40Lillian was pushed directly into the neonatal intensive care unit.
14:43I had just tried to follow
14:45when two bodyguards pressed down on my shoulders.
14:47The police had arrived.
14:49Monica stood in the middle of the corridor,
14:51crying so hard she could barely stand.
14:53She almost threw Lillian from upstairs.
14:55She also knocked over Dr. Black's emergency injection.
15:00Ethan, I am truly afraid she will keep hurting the child.
15:04An officer looked at me.
15:06Miss Ava Reed,
15:08please cooperate with the investigation.
15:11Cold handcuffs touched my wrists.
15:13Oliver stepped in front of me.
15:15Wait!
15:17The officer frowned.
15:20Mr. Winslow has already called the police.
15:24Oliver looked at Ethan.
15:26Ethan's gaze rested on the NICU doors.
15:28His voice low and harcy.
15:30Do not cuff her yet.
15:32Before the child is out of danger,
15:34no one leaves.
15:35Monica's face changed for an instant.
15:38Grace suddenly spoke.
15:39Open her bag.
15:40Monica froze.
15:42What?
15:42Grace stared at her.
15:44If Ava's bag can be searched,
15:45why can't yours?
15:46The corridor instantly fell quiet.
15:49Oliver stepped forward directly.
15:50My mother told you to open it.
15:53Monica's eyes reddened further.
15:54Oliver, even you suspect me?
15:56Nolan said coldly.
15:57Right now, I suspect everyone.
15:59Especially the people who kept trying to get close to Lillian.
16:03Monica's fingers slowly tightened.
16:05A bodyguard stepped forward and took from her bag a De Pysse perfume bottle,
16:08a lipstick,
16:09and a folded white silk handkerchief.
16:11I stared at that handkerchief.
16:13Seal it.
16:14Monica suddenly looked at me.
16:15How do you know there is something wrong with the handkerchief?
16:17A dead silence fell over the room.
16:20My heart jumped.
16:21Grace slowly turned her head.
16:24Ava did not say there was something wrong with the handkerchief.
16:27Monica's lips trembled.
16:29I was only scared by her.
16:32From the beginning, she insisted I hurt Lillian.
16:35Now she won't even let go of a handkerchief I used.
16:38Nolan directly took a sealed bag.
16:40Then we tested.
16:40Monica suddenly reached out to snatch it.
16:42Oliver seized her wrist.
16:44Why are you so anxious?
16:45Monica's face changed completely.
16:46With her other hand,
16:47she suddenly grabbed the glass from the nurse's station and hurled it at my face.
16:51This is all your fault.
16:53If you had not interfered,
16:55she would have already...
16:56Before she finished,
16:57the glass flew past my temple.
16:59Blood instantly flowed down.
17:00Oliver was furious and slammed her against the wall.
17:03She would have already what?
17:05Monica was breathing rapidly,
17:07her eyes disordered.
17:09That is not what I meant.
17:11Holding my bleeding temple,
17:12I suddenly heard Lillian's weak voice in my mind.
17:16There is also a spray bottle in her pocket.
17:19Very small.
17:20Don't let her throw it away.
17:22I suddenly raised my head.
17:23Her coat pocket!
17:25Monica looked as if she had been struck by lightning
17:27and immediately reached for her pocket.
17:28Oliver was faster than she was.
17:30An extremely thin little spray bottle fell to the floor.
17:33Everyone in the corridor looked at it.
17:35Noah had just come out of the NUCU.
17:37When he saw the spray bottle,
17:38his expression sank.
17:42The nozzle has been modified.
17:44Dr. Black bluttered.
17:45Don't touch the evidence!
17:47Noah's move in paused,
17:48and he looked up at him.
17:50I haven't opened it yet.
17:52Black's face stiffened.
17:53The sound of a wheelchair rolling across the floor
17:55came from the end of the corridor.
17:57Jonathan Winslow was pushed over.
17:59The old man's face was pale,
18:01but his voice was cold as ice.
18:02Dr. Black,
18:04how did you know that was evidence?
18:06Sweat broke out on Black's forehead.
18:08I was only being cautious.
18:10Jonathan ignored him and turned to instruct the lawyer.
18:12Call the police.
18:13Seal everything.
18:15Test the perfume,
18:16the handkerchief,
18:17the spray bottle,
18:17and every medicine black touched today.
18:20Monica pressed a hand to her lower abdomen,
18:22tears rolling down at once.
18:24Ethan, I feel unwell right now.
18:26If you must suspect me,
18:27at least wait until my lawyer arrive.
18:29She no longer tried to snatch anything
18:31or loudly proclaim her innocence.
18:32She shrunk back into the position of victim.
18:35Grace looked at her lower abdomen,
18:36her voice without a trace of warmth.
18:39You said earlier that you were pregnant.
18:41This is a hospital.
18:42Test it now.
18:43Monica's expression finally changed for an instant.
18:46Ethan looked at her too.
18:47Where is the pregnancy report?
18:49Monica lowered her eyes.
18:50I did not have time for a formal examination yet.
18:54Nolan sneered.
18:56No examination?
18:57And you already used the child as a shield?
18:59Just then,
19:00Ethan's assistant hurried over
19:02with several pages of documents.
19:03Mr. Winslow, we found it.
19:05Miss Hale did go to a private clinic today,
19:07but she did not take any examination.
19:09She stayed in the lobby for seven minutes and left.
19:11Monica tightened her grip on her bag strap.
19:14I only felt unwell and went to consult.
19:17The assistant turned to the next page.
19:20The account that anonymously sent the perfume
19:22was paid through her supplementary card.
19:24Monica immediately raised her head.
19:26I am not the only one who uses that supplemental card.
19:29Anyone in the office could purchase things for me.
19:31She answered too quickly,
19:33so quickly that it sounded rehearsed.
19:35Jonathan did not look at her,
19:37only asked the assistant.
19:38Delivery address.
19:39Not the estate.
19:40A self-service locker in the East District.
19:42The pickup person wore a mask,
19:43but the temporary badge used
19:45belonged to Miss Hale's assistant.
19:46The corridor quieted.
19:47Monica's tears were still on her face,
19:49but her expression slowly withdrew.
19:52That only proves someone used my credentials.
19:53I request my lawyer be present.
19:55Grace did not argue with her.
19:57Fine.
19:58But the items are tested first.
20:00Noah walked over with the preliminary test report.
20:03The residual liquid on both the spray bottle
20:05and the handkerchief contains a high concentration
20:08of irritative extract.
20:09For an adult, it would only cause coughing.
20:11For a newborn with fragile lungs,
20:13it could trigger acute breath holding.
20:14Monica closed her eyes.
20:16When she opened them again,
20:17she was much calmer.
20:19That still doesn't prove I sprayed it.
20:20Dr. Black's face, however,
20:22was visibly paler.
20:23Jonathan looked at him.
20:25You knew Lillian was sensitive to irritating smells.
20:28Black's throat moved.
20:30She is my patient.
20:31Of course I knew.
20:33Then after the incident,
20:34why was your first reaction
20:36to investigate irritating sources
20:38but to declare her dead?
20:40Black did not answer immediately.
20:43Nolan grabbed him by the collar.
20:46Are you in this with her?
20:48Black harrily said,
20:50No.
20:52I only judged based on the situation at the time.
20:55I stood to the side,
20:56my forehead still bleeding.
20:58The baby voice in my mind was weak
21:00but still disgusted.
21:02He's lying.
21:03He knew I would be doing an accident
21:05from congenital lung disease.
21:07My heart tightened.
21:08I looked at Jonathan.
21:10Check his accounts
21:10and the medical record modification logs
21:12from the past week.
21:13Black suddenly looked at me.
21:14What right do you have to investigate me?
21:17I stared at him.
21:18The right that you were even more anxious
21:20than Monica just to now.
21:21Jonathan immediately ordered
21:22his assistant to investigate.
21:24Less than half an hour later,
21:26the result came.
21:27Dr. Black had received
21:28a large consulting fee last week.
21:30The payer was an offshore company.
21:32At the same time,
21:33an unsubmitted note had appeared
21:34in Lillian's electronic medical record.
21:36Congenital pulmonary development abnormality.
21:39High risk of sudden breath holding.
21:40That note had not been formally submitted.
21:43But after death,
21:44it would have been enough
21:45to serve as an explanation.
21:47The corridor went quiet again.
21:48Ethan's voice was low.
21:49Marcus.
21:50Marcus Winslow,
21:51Jonathan's younger brother,
21:52and the first person
21:53whose power was cut
21:55after Lillian entered the trust.
21:56When Monica heard that name,
21:58her eyelashes trembled lightly.
22:00Oliver immediately looked at her.
22:01Who told you to pick up the items?
22:03Monica did not answer.
22:04She only said,
22:06My lawyer is not in here.
22:07Jonathan raised a hand slightly.
22:08Send her to the police station.
22:10Before her lawyer arrives,
22:12she may remain silent.
22:13But all evidence,
22:14communications records,
22:15access logs,
22:16and accounts are to be sealed.
22:18When Monica was taken away,
22:19she no longer cried Ethan's name.
22:21She only turned back and looked at me.
22:24That look was very cold.
22:27As if telling me she had not lost yet.
22:30I finally released half a breath,
22:33but the baby voice in my mind
22:35was not relaxed.
22:36Ava,
22:37don't be happy yet.
22:39She is only the first layer.
22:43My heart thudded.
22:45The next second,
22:46a nurse hurried out of the NICU.
22:48Wilslow family,
22:49the child's condition is unstable again.
22:51The moment the NICU alarm sounded,
22:53everyone rushed over.
22:55Noah went in first.
22:56I was blocked outside the door
22:58and could only look at
22:58Lillian's tiny body
22:59through the glass.
23:01Her face had gone pale again.
23:03The voice in my mind
23:04came in broken fragments.
23:06Blanket.
23:07Don't use that blanket.
23:09I spun around and saw a nurse
23:10just picking up
23:11a pink baby blanket from the cart.
23:13Don't touch it!
23:14The nurse jumped.
23:15This is a clean blanket
23:17sent by the family.
23:18I rushed over,
23:19snatched the blanket,
23:20and stuffed it directly
23:21into a sealed bag.
23:22Test it!
23:23The nurse frowned.
23:25Miss Ava,
23:26this does not follow procedure.
23:28Noah raised his head
23:29from inside the NICU.
23:30Do as she says.
23:32A few minutes later,
23:33security pulled up the footage.
23:34The person who delivered the blanket
23:36was not the Winslow family's
23:37household assistant.
23:38It was a man in
23:39hospital logistics uniform.
23:41After putting down the blanket,
23:42he quickly left
23:43through the fire exit.
23:45Oliver's face was ashen.
23:47Check the pass.
23:48The head of security
23:49soon returned,
23:50his voice tight.
23:51The temporary access authorization
23:52came from
23:53Mr. Marcus Winslow's
23:54law office.
23:55Grace closed her eyes.
23:56When she opened them again,
23:57her voice was frighteningly cold.
23:59They still have not stopped.
24:00I looked at Lillian
24:01in the incubator.
24:02She had just come back
24:03from the edge of death,
24:04only to be pushed
24:05toward it a second time.
24:07Nolan slammed a fist
24:08into the wall.
24:09I'll go find Marcus.
24:12Jonathan said
24:13in a deep voice,
24:14Stop.
24:15Nolan's eyes were red.
24:17Grandfather,
24:17he's trying to kill Lillian!
24:19That is exactly
24:20why you cannot
24:21rush out now.
24:22Jonathan looked at Ethan.
24:24Have both the lawyers
24:25and the police present.
24:27I want him to say it
24:28with his own mouth.
24:30Ethan nodded
24:31and immediately
24:31made the call.
24:32Ten minutes later,
24:33Marcus arrived.
24:34He wore a dark coat
24:35with a lawyer
24:36and a public relations
24:37sultan behind him.
24:38He did not look like
24:39he had come to a hospital.
24:40He looked like he had come
24:41to take over a company.
24:42He glanced at the MCU,
24:44then at me.
24:45This is the nurse?
24:46Grace stood in front of me.
24:48Stay away from her.
24:50Marcus smiled.
24:51Grace, I understand
24:52that you have lost
24:53your judgment.
24:54Postpartum.
24:55Shock.
24:56A critically ill child,
24:58all of those
24:58can make a person
24:59believe in absurd people.
25:01Grace said coldly,
25:03The absurd person
25:04saved my daughter twice.
25:06Marcus looked at Jonathan.
25:07Brother,
25:08do you believe her too?
25:09Jonathan did not answer.
25:10Marcus continued.
25:11A newly hired
25:12neonatal nurse
25:13can expose perfume,
25:14a handkerchief,
25:15a doctor,
25:15and a blanket
25:16all in one day.
25:16Don't you think
25:17that is too much
25:18of a coincidence?
25:19I understood.
25:19He wanted to turn me
25:20into the new suspect.
25:22Marcus looked at the police.
25:24I suggest investigating
25:26Ava Reed at the same time.
25:28She may have colluded
25:29with Monica
25:30to create a crisis,
25:32then played savior
25:33in order to extort
25:34a large reward
25:34from the Winslow family.
25:36Oliver snapped.
25:37The blood on her forehead
25:38was from Monica
25:39throwing something at her.
25:40Marcus said blandly,
25:42Staging the whole thing
25:43herself isn't out
25:44of the question.
25:45I clenched my hands.
25:46Lillian's voice
25:47suddenly came.
25:48Don't be afraid.
25:49Let him investigate.
25:50I raised my head
25:51and looked at Marcus.
25:53Fine.
25:54Everyone looked at me.
25:55I said,
25:56You can check my accounts,
25:57phone,
25:58employment records,
25:59and call logs.
26:02But please also check
26:03Mr. Marcus' law office,
26:05the temporary acts passes,
26:06the outsourced logistics,
26:08and the money
26:09Dr. Black received.
26:11The smile on Marcus' face
26:12faded slightly.
26:13Jonathan finally spoke.
26:15Investigate as she says.
26:17Marcus looked at him,
26:18his voice colder now.
26:19Brother,
26:20you would rather trust
26:21an outsider.
26:22Jonathan stared at him.
26:23Today,
26:24every outsider
26:24has been trying
26:25to save Lillian.
26:26It is the family
26:27who keeps hoping
26:28she will die.
26:29Marcus' expression
26:30frozen completely.
26:31At that moment,
26:32the lights in the hospital
26:33corridor suddenly flickered.
26:35Backup power started.
26:36In those brief
26:37three seconds,
26:38the NICU door lock
26:39beeped.
26:40I spun around.
26:41The door opened a crack.
26:43A gloved hand reached in,
26:44holding a transparent syringe.
26:46I practically threw
26:47myself at it.
26:48Before that hand
26:49reached into the incubator,
26:50I had already grabbed the wrist.
26:51Someone came in!
26:53The person struggled hard
26:54and the syringe fell to the floor.
26:55Noah rushed down inside
26:56and kicked the syringe away.
26:57Oliver and Nolan
26:58lunged at the same time
26:59and pitted the person
27:00to the ground.
27:00The mask was pulled off.
27:02It was a temporary care worker.
27:03Nolan tore off
27:04his name badge
27:05and sneered.
27:06You're assigned
27:07to the adult
27:08rehabilitation building.
27:09What are you doing
27:10in the new Tainal ICU?
27:12The man shook.
27:13I got lost.
27:15Noah picked up
27:16the syringe with gloves
27:17and glanced at the label.
27:18You went to the wrong room
27:20carrying unregistered medication?
27:22The lawyer behind Marcus
27:23immediately spoke.
27:24Let's not jump to conclusions
27:26before the lab results
27:27come back.
27:27Grace turned sharply to him.
27:29Then explain why
27:30this person used
27:30access authorization
27:31requested by your law office.
27:33The lawyer's face changed.
27:35Marcus, however,
27:37remained calm.
27:37My office requests
27:38many temporary access passes
27:40every day.
27:41It may have been misused.
27:43Jonathan sneered.
27:44Your things are always
27:45so easily misused.
27:48The police took
27:49the care worker
27:50away on the spot.
27:51Marcus did not
27:52stay any longer.
27:53He turned to leave.
27:54I had just released
27:55a breath
27:55when my phone
27:56suddenly vibrated.
27:59An unfamiliar number
28:01had sent a message.
28:02Leave the hospital.
28:03Otherwise,
28:03you will be the next one
28:05lying inside.
28:06A chill ran down
28:07my back.
28:07Lillian said
28:08very softly in my mind.
28:09He is getting anxious.
28:12I handed the message
28:13to Oliver.
28:14After reading it,
28:15his expression
28:15immediately dartened.
28:16I'll assign more people.
28:18I shook my head.
28:20Right now,
28:21he wants to scare me away.
28:22Grace looked at me.
28:25You cannot take
28:26any more risks.
28:27I looked toward the NICU.
28:28Lillian lay in the incubator,
28:29her small hand pressed
28:30against the transparent wall.
28:33She clearly could do nothing,
28:35yet she had kept
28:35desperately warning me.
28:36I said,
28:37if I do nothing,
28:38he will keep going
28:38after Lillian.
28:39Ethan asked in a deep voice,
28:41What do you want to do?
28:43I took a deep breath.
28:44Make them think
28:44I am afraid.
28:46I will pretend
28:47to leave the hospital
28:47and draw the person out.
28:49Grace immediately refused.
28:50No!
28:51Oliver frowned too.
28:52Too dangerous.
28:53I looked at them.
28:54The threat isn't going anywhere.
28:56This time,
28:57I want it coming at me.
28:58The corridor was silent
28:59for two seconds.
29:01Grace suddenly held my hand.
29:04Come back alive.
29:06I nodded.
29:06Half an hour later,
29:07I changed out
29:08of the hospital coat
29:09and walked towards
29:09the underground parking
29:10garage with my bag.
29:13The bodyguards pulled back,
29:14almost too conspicuously,
29:16like they were putting on a show.
29:17As soon as I reached
29:18level B2,
29:19the headlights of a
29:20black business van lit up.
29:22The door opened.
29:23The person sitting inside
29:24was not Monica.
29:25It was a young woman
29:27wearing gold-rimmed glasses.
29:28She switched her phone
29:29to speaker,
29:30and Monica's voice
29:31came through.
29:34Ava, it's not too late
29:35to walk away.
29:36I stepped back
29:37half a space,
29:38my finger pressing
29:39the record button
29:40in my pocket.
29:41Weren't you already
29:42taken away?
29:43Monica laughed softly.
29:45My lawyer has arrived.
29:46Of course I have the right
29:47to contact relevant witnesses.
29:48She admitted nothing,
29:50nor did she mention
29:51Marcus again.
29:52She only said,
29:54You saved Lillian.
29:56The Winslow fam
29:57will be grateful to you
29:58for a while.
29:59But when they calm down,
30:00the first person
30:02they investigate
30:02will still be you.
30:04Your nursing bag,
30:05the medication record,
30:07the surveillance footage.
30:09Which one doesn't
30:10point to you?
30:11I said,
30:12So you want me
30:13to change my statement?
30:14The woman in the car
30:16held out a document,
30:17just stating that
30:18you were emotionally
30:19compromised at the time
30:20and cannot confirm
30:21the source of the
30:22handkerchief or spray bottle.
30:24Sign it,
30:25and you can leave
30:26New York safely.
30:28I did not take it.
30:29What if I don't sign?
30:30The other end was silent
30:32for half a second.
30:33Monica's voice lowered,
30:34Then you won't last tonight.
30:35Within 72 hours,
30:37the Winslow family
30:38will care about
30:38only one thing.
30:39My heart sank sharply.
30:40She knew about the 72 hours.
30:42That was not
30:43an activation trigger clause
30:44an assistant like
30:45Monica should know.
30:46Two men beside the car
30:47closed in on me.
30:48One reached out
30:49to grab my phone.
30:50I did not dodge.
30:51The moment his hand
30:52touched my sleeve,
30:53police lights suddenly flared
30:55at the parking bridge entrance.
30:56Oliver rushed out
30:57with the police.
30:58Stop it!
30:58The two men
30:59were immediately pinned down.
31:01The woman in the car's
31:02expression changed.
31:03The police seized the phone
31:04in her hand.
31:05The screen was still lit.
31:06The call had ended.
31:08But in the next second,
31:09a new message popped up.
31:11Plan B activated.
31:12ICU.
31:13My back went cold
31:14all at once.
31:16Oliver had just opened
31:18his mouth
31:18when his phone rang.
31:19He answered,
31:20and after listening
31:21for only one second,
31:22his face went deathly pale.
31:24What did you say?
31:25On the other end,
31:26Noah's voice was so urgent
31:27it almost cracked.
31:29Lillian isn't breathing.
31:30The monitor is flatlining.
31:31My head buzzed.
31:33Lillian was not speaking.
31:35There was no sound at all.
31:36I turned and rushed
31:37toward the elevator.
31:39Oliver followed behind me,
31:40his steps disordered.
31:42Impossible.
31:43Noah has been guarding her
31:45the whole time.
31:48Those agonizing seconds
31:49in the elevator
31:50felt suffocating.
31:53The moment the doors opened,
31:55racist sobs came
31:57from the corridor.
31:57I rushed to the NCU doors.
32:00On the monitor
32:01was a layering straight line.
32:03Noah was resuscitating inside.
32:06Ethan stood outside the glass.
32:07His fists clenched white.
32:10Grace had collapsed
32:10into a chair,
32:11looking completely drained.
32:13Marcus arrived in the corridor
32:15with his lawyer.
32:16He did not struggle
32:17or lose control.
32:19He did not even look
32:20at the NECU first.
32:22His gaze fell on the document
32:24in Jonathan's hand.
32:26Has the time of death
32:27been called?
32:28Jonathan slowly raised his eyes.
32:30I only said
32:31the monitor was flatlining.
32:33Marcus paused
32:34for an extremely brief instant.
32:36So brief that if I had not
32:37been watching him,
32:38I would almost have missed it.
32:39His lawyer immediately spoke.
32:40Mr. Winslow is only concerned
32:42about the child's condition.
32:43Jonathan ignored the lawyer.
32:45Are you concerned
32:46about the child
32:47or whether the trust amendment
32:49will be suspended?
32:51Marcus' expression was calm.
32:53Brother,
32:54now is not the time
32:56to fight over power.
32:57Just then,
32:58the police lead placed
32:59a sealed phone on the table.
33:01The phone intercepted
33:02in the parking garage
33:03just received a message.
33:04Plan B activated.
33:06I see you.
33:08Descending end
33:09used the temporary communications
33:10gateway of your law office.
33:13Marcus did not even look at it.
33:15My office handles
33:17hundreds of instructions
33:18every day.
33:21Someone misusing access
33:22does not mean
33:23I gave the order.
33:24He was too steady.
33:25So steady,
33:25it chilled the blood.
33:26I stood before the glass,
33:27my whole body icy.
33:28Just then,
33:29a very, very soft baby voice
33:30suddenly came through my mind.
33:31Ava,
33:32he's putting on quite the show.
33:33I raised my head sharply.
33:35The voice was not coming
33:36from the resuscitation bed.
33:37It was coming
33:38from the sterile room next door.
33:40I looked at Noah.
33:41Behind the glass,
33:42he lifted his eyes
33:43and gave me the slightest nod.
33:44I understood instantly.
33:46The one connected
33:47to the monitor
33:47was not Lillian.
33:48It was a medical training
33:50mannequin.
33:51The real Lillian
33:51had already been moved.
33:53The nurse pulled open
33:54the curtain of the sterile room.
33:56Lily lay inside,
33:57her little hand moving lightly.
34:00Grace covered her mouth,
34:01tears flooding out at once.
34:03The calm on Marcus' face
34:05finally cracked,
34:06only for one second,
34:07but it was enough.
34:09The police lead continued.
34:10The NECU access logs,
34:12the care worker statement,
34:13the offshore company payment,
34:15Black's forged medical record,
34:17and the phone
34:17from the parking garage
34:18have already formed
34:19a chain of evidence.
34:20You may continue
34:20to remain silent,
34:21but now you need
34:22to come with us.
34:23Marcus looked at Jonathan.
34:25Brother, are you really
34:26going to ruin my life
34:27over a newborn?
34:28Jonathan closed his eyes.
34:30When he opened them again,
34:31his voice was cold enough
34:33to hold no warmth.
34:34When you destroyed yourself,
34:36did you ever think
34:37she was only a child?
34:38Marcus still wanted
34:39to say something,
34:40but the police had already
34:41pressed down on his shoulder.
34:42Marcus Winslow,
34:43you are suspected
34:44of attempted murder,
34:45falsifying medical records,
34:46and conspiring to harm a minor.
34:48Please come with us.
34:51When Marcus was taken away,
34:52he did not look at Lillian again.
34:55He only looked at Jonathan.
34:56There was no remorse
34:57in his eyes.
34:59Only the cold hatred
35:01of someone who had lost power.
35:02After Marcus was taken away,
35:04Black's lawyer quickly applied
35:05for a plea bargain.
35:06Not because he had suddenly
35:08discovered his conscience,
35:09but because the police
35:10placed before him
35:10the payment records,
35:11forged medical files,
35:13unregistered medication,
35:14and fatality risk report,
35:15each item could send him
35:16to prison.
35:17He could only admit
35:17that he owed gambling debts.
35:19Marcus paid them off for him.
35:20The condition was that
35:21after something happened
35:22to Lillian,
35:22he would immediately produce
35:23a terminal prognosis
35:25for a congenital lung defect.
35:26Monica was responsible
35:27for approaching Lillian
35:28and using the modified
35:29spray bottle
35:30and liquid-soaked handkerchief
35:32to create the irritant source.
35:33If Lillian died on the spot,
35:35it would be congenital disease.
35:36If she did not die,
35:37Black would continue
35:38to use medical risk
35:39to block ventilation
35:40and emergency treatment.
35:41If she was saved
35:42and brought back to the hospital,
35:43Marcus had a second plan
35:44and a third.
35:45The blanket,
35:46the syringe,
35:47the nutritional supplement.
35:49None of it had been improvised.
35:51Every step was meant
35:52to ensure she did not
35:53survive 72 hours.
35:55After Grace heard everything,
35:56her fingers trembled badly.
35:58She walked to the outside
35:59of the sterile room
36:00and looked at Lillian
36:01through the glass.
36:02She is only six weeks old.
36:05Ethan stood beside her,
36:07his voice low and hornsy.
36:08I'm sorry.
36:09Grace did not look at him.
36:15Ethan,
36:16Monica was able
36:17to get close to my daughter
36:18because you gave her the access.
36:21Ethan was silent.
36:22Grace continued,
36:23I will not fight with you now.
36:26Lillian is not truly safe yet.
36:28But after she is discharged,
36:30the account between us
36:31should also be settled.
36:32Ethan said quietly,
36:33All right.
36:35I stood to the side,
36:37not sure whether
36:38I should step away.
36:39But Lillian whispered
36:41in my mind,
36:43Mom is so cool.
36:47I nearly failed
36:49to hold back a laugh.
36:51This little diva
36:52had just crawled back
36:53from the brink of death
36:54and still had the mood
36:56to comment.
36:57When the 72-hour countdown
36:58ended,
36:59Lillian's vital signs
37:01finally stabilized.
37:02Jonathan signed
37:03the new trust amendment
37:04on the spot.
37:06Lillian officially became
37:08the core beneficiary
37:09of the Winslow Family Trust.
37:11But the matter
37:12was not over.
37:14A nurse handed Grace
37:15a bottle of vitamins.
37:17Mrs. Winslow,
37:18these are the nutritional
37:20supplements you usually take.
37:22Grace was about
37:23to accept them.
37:24Lillian's voice
37:25suddenly exploded
37:26in my mind.
37:27Don't let Mommy
37:28take them!
37:29I grabbed Grace's hand.
37:31Everyone looked at me.
37:32Grace froze.
37:34Ava?
37:35I stared at the bottle.
37:37Who prepared this?
37:38The nurse said,
37:39Mrs. Winslow's
37:40private nutritionist
37:41sent it.
37:42It has always been
37:43this brand.
37:44Ethan's face changed.
37:45Seal it and test it.
37:47Grace's eyes
37:48slowly turned cold too.
37:52I have been taking these
37:53since late pregnancy.
37:56The test results
37:56came quickly.
37:57The ingredients
37:58in the bottle
37:58had been tampered with.
37:59The dosage was not fatal,
38:01but it could cause
38:02long-term insomnia,
38:03anxiety,
38:03and emotional instability.
38:05Its effects were
38:06especially obvious
38:06on postpartum women.
38:08Grace looked at the report
38:09and suddenly laughed once.
38:13So, I was not too fragile.
38:15They were trying all along
38:17to make me look
38:18like a hysterical woman.
38:19Jonathan's face
38:20was extremely ugly.
38:22The nutritionist's account
38:23was also connected
38:24to Marcus's people.
38:26Grace slowly straightened.
38:28From today on,
38:29every medicine,
38:30item, and food
38:31around Lillian
38:32must undergo
38:33double testing.
38:35She looked at Jonathan.
38:37I also want to enter
38:38the Trust Oversight Committee.
38:42Until Lillian comes of age,
38:44I will jointly
38:45supervise her rights.
38:47Jonathan looked at her
38:48for a long time.
38:49At last,
38:50he nodded.
38:52Agreed.
38:53Lillian clapped
38:54softly in my mind.
38:55Mom won!
38:56I lowered my head
38:57to look at her.
39:01The little thing
39:02still had her eyes closed
39:03and looked perfectly obedient.
39:04Who would have thought
39:05she was clearer headed
39:06than anyone?
39:07On the day Lillian
39:08was discharged,
39:09the Winslow family's
39:10private ward
39:11was packed outside.
39:12Police, lawyers,
39:13security,
39:14and doctors
39:14were all rushed
39:15off their feet.
39:16Monica had been
39:17formally charged.
39:18Dr. Black's license
39:19had been suspended
39:20and the police
39:21were still tracing evidence
39:22of his payments
39:23and forged diagnosis.
39:25Marcus had been removed
39:26from the Trust Committee
39:27with every count
39:28of attempted murder
39:29and conspiracy
39:30still intact.
39:31Grace sat beside the crib
39:32and gently touched
39:33Lillian's little house.
39:35They all say
39:36she was lucky.
39:37I stood beside her.
39:39She was indeed lucky.
39:41The baby voice
39:42in my mind
39:42immediately gave
39:43a little huff.
39:44It wasn't luck.
39:45I know how to pick people.
39:47I nearly failed
39:48to hold back a laugh.
39:49Grace looked up at me.
39:50What is it?
39:51I immediately shook my head.
39:53Nothing.
39:54Limian is in very good
39:55condition today.
39:56Dr. Noah came in
39:57with the discharge
39:57connoquins.
39:59Her breathing is stable
40:00and her oxygen saturation
40:01is stable.
40:02As long as she strictly
40:04avoids irritating odors
40:05and comes for regular
40:06follow-ups,
40:07she will be fine.
40:08Grace nodded.
40:09Thank you for your hard work.
40:10Noah glanced at me
40:11and smiled.
40:13The person you should
40:14truly thank is Ava.
40:16If she had not insisted
40:17on taking the child
40:18to a ventilated area,
40:19the result would not
40:20be what it is now.
40:22The ward went quiet
40:23for a moment.
40:24Ethan stood at the door
40:25and said quietly,
40:26Ava.
40:26I turned.
40:29He placed a document
40:30before me.
40:31A long-term
40:32employment agreement.
40:33Name your price
40:34on the salary.
40:35There is also an apartment
40:36in Manhattan
40:37as a thank you gift.
40:38I looked down
40:39and my fingers
40:41nearly failed
40:42to hold steady.
40:45Lillian immediately
40:46shout in my head,
40:48steady.
40:51This is nothing.
40:53It's still far
40:54from the one billion dollars
40:56I promised you.
40:57I suppressed
40:58the corners of my mouth.
41:00Mr. Winslow,
41:01I can stay,
41:03but I have conditions.
41:05Ethan looked at me.
41:06Tell me.
41:07I listed them
41:08one by one.
41:09Everyone around Lillian
41:10must be screened again.
41:12Her doctors
41:13can no longer
41:13be appointed
41:14solely from inside
41:15the family.
41:16Everything she ingests,
41:17wears close to the body,
41:18or touches with her skin
41:20must be double-checked.
41:21No one may approach her
41:23alone without authorization.
41:25Nolan folded his arms
41:26and raised an eyebrow.
41:28Are you setting rules
41:30for our family?
41:30I looked at him.
41:32If you still want her
41:33to grow up safely,
41:34yes.
41:35After two seconds
41:36of silence,
41:37Nolan nodded.
41:38Anyone who doesn't listen,
41:39I will handle.
41:40Oliver placed a black card
41:42on the table.
41:42It was wrong of me
41:44to point a gun
41:44at you before.
41:46I looked at the card.
41:49Does your family
41:50always apologize
41:50this directly?
41:51Oliver's expression
41:52turned a little unnatural.
41:54For your trouble.
41:55Nolan took out
41:56a set of car keys.
41:57The car is yours.
41:59If you can't drive,
42:00that's fine.
42:00The driver is yours too.
42:02The things on the table
42:03piled up higher,
42:04and higher.
42:05As I looked at them,
42:06I suddenly felt
42:07a little daisy.
42:08Three days ago,
42:10I was only a newly hired
42:11new terrenal nurse.
42:12They had pointed guns at me.
42:14Certain I was the murderer
42:15who had killed Lillian.
42:17Three days later,
42:18cards, cars,
42:19a house, security,
42:20and trust
42:20were all placed before me.
42:22Grace came over
42:23and personally
42:23straightened my cuff.
42:24Ava, stay.
42:26Not as an ordinary nurse.
42:28As Lillian's guardian.
42:29I looked toward the crib.
42:31Lillian was staring at me
42:32with round eyes.
42:33His little hand waved.
42:35Her crisp baby voice
42:36rang in my mind.
42:37Say yes.
42:38Follow me,
42:39and you'll make money,
42:40get revenge,
42:41and have people
42:42backing you.
42:44At last, I laughed.
42:47All right, I will stay.
42:50Grace's eyes reddened slightly,
42:51and she gently hugged me.
42:54Ethan stood to the side
42:55and spoke solemnly.
42:56From today on,
42:57Ava's word is the rule
42:59around Lillian.
43:00The two brothers nodded too.
43:02Oliver said,
43:03If anyone crosses the line,
43:05I will be the first
43:06to stop them.
43:07Nolan said,
43:08If anyone dares touch her,
43:10I will make them regret it.
43:12Lillian hummed
43:13in satisfaction in my mind.
43:15Now that's more like it.
43:17If you had been
43:17disobedient earlier,
43:19I wouldn't have
43:20almost been sent away.
43:21I lowered my head
43:22and looked at her.
43:23You still owe me
43:24one billion dollars.
43:25Lillian grew as if
43:26she understood,
43:27but the baby voice
43:28in my mind
43:29was perfectly rightless.
43:30Put it on the tab.
43:31When I inherit the trust,
43:33I'll pay you back
43:33with interest.
43:36I could not help
43:37laughing out loud.
43:39This time,
43:40no one suspected me anymore.
43:42Grace smiled too.
43:43She really likes you.
43:45I gently held
43:47Lillian's little hand.
43:48I like her too.
43:51Outside the window,
43:52New York sunlight
43:53fell into the ward.
43:55Lillian lay in my arms,
43:56breathing steadily,
43:58her little face rosy.
44:00No poisonous perfume.
44:02No fake pregnancy.
44:04No doctor's lies.
44:07No murderous schemes
44:08hidden in the family trust.
44:10In this moment,
44:11she was only a little girl
44:12protected in everyone's arms,
44:13and I was no longer
44:15the nurse held at gunpoint,
44:16ready to be pushed out
44:17as a scapegoat at any time.
44:19I was the person
44:20she had chosen herself,
44:22and the only person
44:23who could hear her.
44:24Lillian gave a small yawn
44:26and said in my mind
44:27in her milky little voice,
44:28Ava, stop spacing!
44:29out!
44:30I am hungry!
44:31I lowered my head,
44:32straightened her tiny blanket,
44:34and picked up the bottle
44:35with a smile.
44:36Coming,
44:37my little creditor.
44:39I just grabbed a little bit
44:39in her eye,
44:39I always
44:42can also
44:42enjoy
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