Having a bigger belly than last week cause Hailee struggled to get out of bed. She picked up Vincent's white shirt he wore yesterday and draped it around her body like a robe to inhale his scent—her way not to miss her husband so much.

  Hailee walked toward the lounge chair facing the window. She sat down and leaned back; her eyes wandered throughout the city. Her gaze narrowed at the gloomy sky as complicated feelings lingered in her chest, messing up her head.

  She contemplates…


  As of now, she is the richest woman in the world. She was lying on top of gold bars, diamonds, and other precious gemstones. She also has trillions in her Swiss account that won't harm her easily, even if several of their subsidiary companies went close.

  Aside from that, she had the royal family's influence throughout the world when she needed their backing. However, despite everything in her hands, her life is not perfect. Something that others always think she has no trouble with, ignoring the fact that her enemies would be of the same power as they have.

  It was impossible to achieve no matter how she wanted a low-key profile. And so, if she could not have a simple life, then at least she tried to live peacefully.

  But why?

  Why don't they stop targeting her?

  Now they are causing trouble for Vincent's company and her in-laws. It looks like they won't stop declaring war against her.

  'Then I will give it to them!' Hailee sneered in her heart as anger filled her chest. 'I have all the power and money to bring down every person involved in that organization. I won't stop until I do not find their master. I will…'

  Hailee felt terrified with all the thoughts in her head. The faces of her grannies appeared in her mind. She reached her forehead and massaged both of her temples.

  The older ladies in her family raised her to be a well-mannered young lady. What was running in her head was the opposite of her upbringing.

  They always told her to be a kindhearted person, reminding her that there is no superiority and inferiority but equality.

  If others do not think the same way, then it does not mean she would follow their manners or compete. There is no wrong with protecting one's dignity, but one must handle oneself very well.

  Her older ladies are refined women. Not only that, they were compassionate to others.

  However….

  'I want to know why they want to kill everyone dear to me, even the innocent children inside my womb.' She mused.

  'Grannies, I'm sorry if I have to go against your counsel. Please forgive me if I have to ignore all of your teachings.'

  Hailee was praying when a faint knock caught her ears. Then the door was pushed open.

  "Hailee?" Hilda took long strides toward her daughter-in-law. "Mrs. Brown told me you are not feeling well."

  Hailee looked up and smiled at her mom-in-law, whose face was filled with concern.

  "Good morning, mom." Hailee greeted Hilda. She knew immediately that Mrs. Brown, who reported to her mom-in-law regarding her vital recordings last night. It would indicate and save on the gadget that her pulse had been abnormal the entire night.

  "Do you want me to accompany you tonight?" Hilda sighed with relief to see Hailee in a better mood. However, she knew it would be the same in the following nights, so she queried.

  Hailee was delighted to have such a mom-in-law. She smiled and nodded as she said, "I would love to, mom. Thank you."

  When Mrs. Brown brought over the meals, Hilda had breakfast with Hailee. She poured her a glass of warm milk and served her a plate of fruits.

  Mrs. Brown summoned two nannies to prepare Hailee's bath. After breakfast, she soaked in the warm tub for fifteen minutes. She inhaled the pleasant fragrance of the flowers mixed into her bath, improving her mood a little more.

  The two nannies scrub her body after a certain period. When she was done with the bath, they helped her stand on her feet and were very attentive to assisting her in getting out of the tub.

  One nanny draped a bathrobe on her shoulders and tied the belt carefully. They also help her dry her hair and get dressed.

  Hailee is wearing a white maternity gown. She applied light makeup and let her hair rest on her back. Mrs. Brown and a few nannies escorted her toward the twentieth floor.

  "Empress!" James quickly jumped to his feet when they noticed her entering the room.

  Andre also got up and rushed to her side. "Are you sure to continue the lunch meeting?"

  His face was full of worry when he asked her this. Hailee chuckled and felt blissful about how the people surrounding her were very concerned. It is why she works hard to show them she is brave.

  "I am alright. I missed having a good meal and a pleasant talk with the team."

  Andre understood. He smiled and patted Hailee's head. 'She really is a completely mature woman now.'

  "Let's take a seat," he suggested afterward.

  "Okay, thanks."

  Andre helped Hailee take a seat on the lounge chair. Then, Mrs. Brown placed a blanket from her baby bump down to her feet.

  "Just call us if you need anything, Mrs. Shen."

  "Alright. Thank you, Mrs. Brown." Hailee thanked the older lady with a warm smile on her face.

  Mrs. Brown walked toward the door and closed it slowly. Now that they were left alone, the smile on Hailee's lips disappeared instantly, and she asked the two men seated on the couch from both sides of her lounge.

  "Did the assassins talk already?"

  Andre and James look at each other, surprised when she suddenly becomes serious. Hailee wore a solemn expression that gave them cold on their backs.

  "None of the assassins saw their Master's face yet, but Samuel Miller. The only information we got from them was that man hiding inside Lamandi Palace. We confirmed it's real as Samuel Miller kept traveling back and forth between V Country and T Country in the passing months. Just recently, he visited Lamandi Palace."

  "I see…" Hailee placed her left elbow on the armrest and rested her head on her palm. As she went on, there was a firmness in her tone. "It only means they were using Liam until they could suck him dry with the power and resources he had in his hands."

  Andre and James shared a knowing look once again. The inexplicable aura emanating from Hailee's body was apparent as if the woman speaking was a different person.

  "Undoubtedly, it was the fact, Empress," James concurred, throwing a knowing look at Andre.

  "King Lamandi is on his deathbed. It was the information my men had gathered outside Lamandi Palace." Andre told Hailee.

  Hearing this, she responded.

  "That man obviously put everyone inside his palm. When the king dies, the throne will be empty. Then, it's perfect for him to place a puppet on the seat to appear on the surface, but it was him who would manipulate every person in V Country Parliament. Like what he did to Liam, he is able to make that guy follow him."

  Hailee is correct. Andre and James couldn't agree more. Shun also believes that Liam only became a puppet of that man.

  "What can we do to prevent that? Liam is locked up, and he cannot earn his freedom with his crime. There is no other direct descendant but Liam." James wondered. 'Unless a distant relative sat on the throne.'

  Hailee also had already thought about this matter. "Andre, James… We need to save King Lamandi."

  "What!?" James exclaimed, shocked by Hailee's request, which likely sounded an order. "Empress, saving King Lamandi means we are declaring war against V Country!"