Chapter 574

"That's impossible. The news reported the Bennett Estate's fire suppression system failed, but their family built their fortune on construction. How could they make such an amateur error?"

"Even though the Bennett family escaped unharmed, the property damage must be catastrophic. This will undoubtedly raise doubts about their construction standards." "Could this be corporate sabotage? But that's too extreme! If the firefighters hadn't arrived when they did, the entire family could've perished."

As they debated, Julian burst into the room, his face pale with panic.

"We have a problem! Sophia is gone!"

"What?" Claire shot upright despite her injuries. "Explain!"

"I just completed the discharge paperwork and went to collect Sophia. But the nurse said someone claiming to be her father took her hours ago. They presented a birth certificate, so the nurse released her!"

Claire's expression turned glacial.

Her mind raced. "It has to be Lucas. He must have secretly obtained Sophia's birth documents and used them to kidnap her!"

Claire's hands trembled. Lucas had been conspicuously absent these past few days, making her believe he might have moved on.

She never anticipated he'd resort to stealing their daughter right from the hospital.

Claire immediately grabbed her phone and dialed Lucas's number.

No answer.

Tears burned her eyes. She'd barely held Sophia since the birth. One fleeting glimpse before they whisked the baby to NICU. Now Lucas had vanished with her without explanation.

"That's my child, my flesh and blood! I nearly died bringing her into this world!" she whispered fiercely.

Evelyn recognized Claire's escalating distress and moved to calm her.

"Claire, you must stay calm. Your fractures haven't healed. Lucas wouldn't harm Sophia. She's his daughter too."

"He took her for DNA testing!" Claire bit her lip until it bled, her voice shaking with fury.

She feared once the results confirmed paternity, Lucas would have legal grounds to keep Sophia permanently.

"We're divorced," Claire spat bitterly. "I endured this pregnancy alone. Why can't he just let me go?"

Julian couldn't bear Claire's anguish. "I'll find him! I'll bring Sophia back!"

"Julian, stop!" Claire commanded sharply. "The Bennett family isn't some ordinary household. Charging in there would be suicide."

Lucas commanded vast resources while Julian was just a medical student. Storming the Bennett estate would get him arrested at best.

Claire inhaled deeply, forcing composure.

"Evelyn's right. Sophia is Lucas's child too. He won't hurt her. This is just another manipulation tactic. We'll wait. Let him show his hand first."

Evelyn and Julian helped Claire return home.

Claire barely touched her lunch, and Evelyn understood - a mother's heart remains with her child. Retrieving her phone, Evelyn called Alexander. Alexander was reviewing contracts when his phone vibrated. Seeing Evelyn's name, he answered instantly. "Evelyn?" "Alexander, what's Lucas playing at? Why would he take Sophia without warning?"

Alexander's stunned silence confirmed his ignorance of the situation.