Chapter 330

In the master bedroom at Mooncrest Manor, Evelyn had collapsed into bed the moment she returned at dawn, exhausted from the long flight.

Lily rushed to her mother's side, clutching her hand with tiny fingers. "Mommy! Wake up! It's important!" she cried, her voice trembling with urgency.

Evelyn stirred, blinking against the sunlight filtering through the curtains. The sound of her daughter's distress pulled her from sleep.

"Sophia says she's dying, Mommy! You have to help her!" Lily pleaded, tears welling in her big, round eyes.

The words jolted Evelyn fully awake.

She sat up, her gaze landing on Sophia standing quietly beside Lily.

Evelyn inhaled sharply, ready to refuse—but what came out instead was, "Why do you think you're dying, Sophia?"

Mrs. Whitaker cut in before Sophia could answer. "She hasn't been the same since the surgery. No energy, always tired... It's like she's fading away."

"Has she been to the hospital?" Evelyn asked, rubbing her temple.

Mrs. Whitaker shook her head. "Dr. Montgomery said it's normal recovery fatigue. Just needs rest."

"But you don't believe that."

Mrs. Whitaker hesitated. "I trust the doctors, but... seeing her like this breaks my heart."

"Then take her to the hospital!" Evelyn exhaled sharply. "If you can bring her here, why not take her for a proper checkup?"

"I can't," Mrs. Whitaker admitted, wringing her hands. "Dr. Montgomery would be furious if I went behind her back."

"And you think Dominic won't be furious that you came to me?"

"Sophia wanted to see you. Please, Miss Thorne. If you take her, Mr. Blackwood won't blame anyone."

Evelyn clenched her jaw.

Mrs. Whitaker was using her as a shield—avoiding Dominic and Zoe's wrath by making Evelyn the one to intervene.

"Please," Mrs. Whitaker begged, bowing her head.

Lily tugged at Evelyn's sleeve. "Mommy, help her! She wasn't like this before. What if she really dies?"

"Lily, you—"

"I'm not being mean! She's sad and sick!" Lily's lower lip quivered, her eyes red.

Evelyn surrendered.

After dropping Lily and Henry off at school, she drove Sophia and Mrs. Whitaker to St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

"Did you bring any ID, Sophia?"

Sophia shook her head.

"Do you remember your ID number?"

"Sophia doesn't have any identification, Miss Thorne," Mrs. Whitaker answered quietly.

Evelyn froze.

That wasn't possible.

Every citizen in Eldermere had documentation—even orphans.

Why didn't Sophia?

She didn't press further. Mrs. Whitaker wouldn't tell her the truth anyway.

Then, from the backseat, Sophia murmured, "I think you were the one who did my surgery, Evelyn."

Evelyn caught Mrs. Whitaker's shocked expression in the rearview mirror.

"It wasn't me," Evelyn denied instantly. "I'm just taking you for one checkup, Sophia. If anything else happens, go to Dominic. Understand?"

Mrs. Whitaker picked up on Evelyn's sharp tone and quickly nodded. "Of course, Miss Thorne. I won't trouble you again."

"Good." Evelyn tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

Mrs. Whitaker lowered her eyes. "Thank you."