Mr.Valentine!

Evelyn Ross shot to her feet.

She was about to speak.

But William Ashcroft rushed to the bedside first.

His voice choked with emotion. "Sophia? Sophia... can you hear me?"

His eyes were red.

Tears welled up.

Evelyn pressed her lips together.

She stared intently at Sophia Ashcroft.

Sophia's eyeballs moved slightly.

But then stopped again.

As if she had fallen back into a deep sleep.

Evelyn frowned.

William grew more frantic. "Sophia? Wake up..."

He kept calling her name.

Evelyn sensed something was wrong.

She stepped forward.

William had already pressed the call button.

A doctor entered quickly.

Seeing the standoff with bodyguards outside, the doctor was startled.

But quickly regained composure.

"What happened?"

William explained urgently. "My wife's eyes moved. She seemed to be waking up, but she didn't."

The doctor checked the time.

A nurse whispered a reminder. "The patient fainted from extreme agitation. She should have woken up within half an hour. It's been forty minutes now..."

The doctor immediately ordered. "Run a full examination."

Medical staff began bustling around.

Outside the room.

Alexander Vance frowned deeply.

He took out his phone.

Texted Thomas Watson: [Summon all neurologists in San Francisco. Now!]

After sending the message.

He remained guarding the door.

Isabella Ashcroft grew anxious.

She looked at Marcus Valentine.

Marcus seemed convinced by Alexander's arguments.

He didn't call for more bodyguards.

Just craned his neck, waiting for results.

The door was open.

They could clearly hear the conversation inside.

Isabella bit her lip.

This couldn't continue.

Marcus represented the Valentine family from New York.

The only one who could oppose Alexander Vance.

If even he switched sides...

How could she compete with Evelyn?

Isabella's eyes darted.

She suddenly rushed toward the room. "Mom! How is my mom?"

Black-clad bodyguards easily stopped her.

Isabella struggled violently.

The bodyguard's arm was like a steel vise.

She couldn't break free.

This was the effect Isabella wanted.

She turned abruptly.

Dropped to her knees with a thud before Alexander.

Everyone was stunned.

Isabella cried out. "Uncle! Please let me in! That's my mother... What's wrong with my mom? Why hasn't she woken up? Uncle, I know I've treated Evelyn poorly. I was wrong. I'll kowtow to her, okay? Please!"

Tears streaked her face.

Julian Evans felt a pang of pity.

He couldn't help speaking up. "Uncle! The Vance family answers to you, but you can't be this domineering! Mrs. Ashcroft is Isabella's mother! Isabella has the right to go in!"

Marcus also frowned. "Alexander Vance, let her in."

No matter the relationship between Mrs. Ashcroft and Evelyn.

Isabella was her daughter.

Mrs. Ashcroft would surely want to see Isabella while critically ill!

Alexander glanced into the room.

Evelyn had already heard the argument.

Isabella's crying was irritating.

She turned and glared at Isabella. "You can come in. But if I hear one more sob, I'll personally throw you out the window."

Isabella immediately fell silent.

The bodyguards outside hesitated for a moment.

Remembering Alexander's concessions today.

They immediately stepped aside.

Isabella finally entered the room.

Marcus looked at Alexander. "If Evelyn hadn't spoken, you really wouldn't let Mrs. Ashcroft's own daughter in? Alexander Vance, you're too tyrannical! Let me tell you, Mrs. Ashcroft is an old acquaintance of my third uncle. With me here, I won't allow you to bully her!"

Alexander ignored him.

Julian looked into the room.

Isabella swayed unsteadily.

She had knelt too hard.

Her knees must be in agony.

She bent over to rub them after just a few steps.

They were definitely bruised.

Julian said to Alexander, "Uncle, even if you won't consider my feelings, you should treat her better for the sake of the Vance blood in her belly!"

Alexander's eyes turned cold.

Isabella was carrying Liam Lowell's child.

He and Evelyn knew this perfectly well.

Evelyn hadn't exposed it to avoid trouble.

But Alexander said coldly, "Are you sure it's Vance blood?"

Julian immediately frowned. "Uncle, what do you mean? I know what I did. The child Isabella is carrying is mine!"

Alexander sneered. "I suggest you get checked. Don't be oblivious while wearing horns."

Julian refused to believe it. "Isabella is the Ashcroft family's young lady. She's not some promiscuous woman. She's never been in a relationship her whole life. I'm the only one in her heart. If it's not mine, whose could it be? Uncle, you've been married to Evelyn for two years with no news. Could it be you're... incapable?"

Alexander looked at him coldly.

Julian cowered, muttering, "My mother said I must protect Isabella's child at all costs. You don't have children of your own, so you look down on mine... She guessed right!"

Alexander said mockingly, "Whether the child is yours is none of my business. Just a friendly reminder. The conception was before the wedding, right? Are you sure she only had you?"

Julian froze.

His tone uncertain but stubborn. "Of course! I'm sure!"

"Suit yourself."

Alexander tossed out these two words.

He walked into the room and stood by Evelyn's side.

Julian tried to follow.

He was stopped again by the black-clad bodyguards.

Inside the room.

The doctor finished the examination.

The attending physician frowned. "The patient's condition is very strange. She should have woken up by now, but remains unconscious. All her vitals are normal. This prolonged unconsciousness without cause is very rare..."

Evelyn grew anxious immediately.

Alexander took her hand. "I've already had Thomas summon all the neurologists in San Francisco. Mrs. Ashcroft will be fine."

Evelyn nodded.

Outside, Marcus was bewildered.

Wasn't Mrs. Ashcroft supposed to be fine?

Why couldn't she wake up?

He began to panic.

His phone suddenly rang.

Marcus looked down.

It was a call from his third uncle.

He was startled and quickly answered. "Third Uncle..."

"Which room?"

A deep, mature voice came through.

Marcus reported the room number.

He was confused. "You know Mrs. Ashcroft is sick? Wait... how did you know?"

He definitely hadn't told his third uncle.

Then he remembered some of the bodyguards with him were his third uncle's men.

Marcus understood.

He asked further, "Are you coming to San Francisco? You should bring some specialists from New York... Mrs. Ashcroft's condition isn't good."

The voice on the other end immediately became urgent. "How bad?"

"Still unconscious." Marcus heard a car horn through the phone. Hesitantly, he asked, "You're already on the way? Where are you?"

"At the hospital entrance."

The cold voice carried a hint of unease.