Chapter 70

"Nathan, I can take you there. I don't feel comfortable with you going alone." Adrian's gaze lingered on her rounded belly.

This was the future heir of the Valentine family.

Evelyn paused, shaking her head with a gentle smile. "Scarlett's emotional state is unstable. Stay with her. Someone's waiting for me downstairs, and Sophia will pick me up later."

She suddenly remembered something, fishing car keys from her bag and handing them to him. "My car's parked below. Don't forget to drive it back."

Adrian insisted on escorting her to the elevator, only turning away after the doors closed.

Watching the display confirm Evelyn's descent to the lobby, Adrian immediately summoned another elevator.

Isabella had already excused herself to return to the gala. As tonight's honored guest, her absence couldn't be prolonged.

Emerging from the hotel entrance, Evelyn spotted Theodore Lowell waiting by the curb.

"Excuse me, are you Natalie's father?" Her tone remained measured and polite.

Theodore recognized her instantly. "Ms. Roland, we've met before. Natalie's having an asthma attack—she's in terrible pain. Could you please come to the hospital?"

Evelyn nodded. "Let's assess the situation first."

Theodore personally opened the car door for her. Soon, two luxury vehicles vanished into the night.

When Adrian rushed outside, only endless streams of traffic greeted him.

Standing on the sidewalk, a shadow of loneliness flickered through his deep-set eyes.

As for Theodore seeking Isabella's sister? It hardly concerned him. The contract was signed, and Theodore's mercantile nature wouldn't risk breaching it lightly.

In the hospital room, Natalie writhed beneath an oxygen mask, her small frame curled in agony.

A team of doctors stood helplessly nearby.

Evelyn frowned at Theodore. "Natalie's been compliant with her medication. This sudden attack makes no sense."

Bewilderment creased Theodore's face. "I supervise her doses daily, yet she collapsed during dinner."

Approaching the bed, Evelyn carefully took Natalie's pulse. Her expression darkened moments later. "She hasn't been taking her medicine?"

"Impossible!" Theodore produced a pill bottle from his coat. "I watch her swallow them every time."

Accepting the container, Evelyn examined a tablet and paled. "These aren't her prescribed medication. Someone swapped them."

Theodore's eyes widened in shock. "How?"

He suddenly recalled leaving the bottle on the living room table for two days, merely reminding Natalie verbally.

Studying the suffering girl, Evelyn wondered: Who could be this cruel?

Retrieving a different vial from her purse, she administered one pill. "This is less potent but will provide temporary relief."

Theodore's eyes reddened, voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Ms. Roland."

Evelyn pointed to the original bottle. "Never take these again—they trigger asthma attacks."

A dangerous glint entered Theodore's gaze. Someone had dared target his daughter.

Evelyn's next words chilled him further: "Natalie's asthma likely stems from poisoning. She didn't have this condition as a child, did she?"