The True Heiress's Return

"Where is Lonely Bird Walter's cold, husky voice echoed, snapping everyone back to reality. Yvette

ette couldn't tear her eyes away from Walter's striking profile interly captivated. Dale's smile grew even more obsequious. "Mr. Lopez, we didn't expect your esteemed presence. I apologize for the lack of proper reception" As he spoke, Dale turned gleefully toward the space behind him Dr. Lonely Bird is right over His words trailed off, and the smile smile on his face froze. The spot where Lonely Bird had just been standing was now empty- Lonely Bind had vanished without a trace. Walter's piercing gaze locked onto Dale. "Over where?"

Under Walter's stare, Dale's heart pounded in fear, his smile fading into an expression of near panic. "Mr. Lopez, Dr. Lonely Bird was just here a moment ago, everyone saw... The other doctors, catching Dale's desperate warning glance, quickly echoed, "Yes, yes, that's right. None of them dared to look Walter in the eve

Walter had earned a fearsome reputation, one that had once dominated all of Crescentville. After his legs were paralyzed, his temper had only grown more unpredictable and volatile.

And now, this towering figure at the apex of Crescentville's elite had suddenly appeared at the hospital, no doubt searching for the clusive Lonely Bird. But Lonely Bird had slipped away in the blink of an eye-enough to send chills down the doctors spines. Yvette, feigning nonchalance, remarked, "Dr. Lonely Bird was right here before Mr. Lopez stepped out of the elevator. Could it be that upon seeing Mr. Lopez, Dr. Lonely Bird left in a hurry?"

Jessie quickly caught on, adding fuel to the fire. "Exactly! We were just having a conversation, and now she has disappeared. Maybe that so-called famous doctor is all talk-afraid of not being able to cure Mr. Lopez and fled at the last minute..." Before she could finish her sentence, a sharp glare cut through the air, as though an invisible hand had wrapped around Jessie's throat.

Though the Sm Smith family had clawed d their way into the fringes of high society after a windfall, Jessie had spent most of her life as a rural woman. That deep-rooted rudeness and timidity were impossible to shake.

Subconsciously, she felt her courage crumble under the icy weight of Walter's gaze, nearly biting her own tongue in the process. She hurried to backtrack. "Or maybe Dr. Lonely Bird had something urgent to attend to and left in a rush without saying goodbye!" Walter's jaw clenched, and he ordered Brian, "Lonely Bird has just left. Lock down the hospital. Search every inch if you have to. Just find that person."

Yes,

sir!" Brian moved quickly to execute the order

By the emergency stairwell, Shakira swiftly removed her coat, rolling it into a ball before tossing it into a nondescript trash bin in the corner. Moving quickly, she descended several flights of stairs before turning toward an elevator.

But as she joined the crowd heading out on the ground floor, a voice suddenly called out from behind her. "Ms. Nelson?"

Shakira cursed silently in her heart and turned around, offering a soft smile to the tall man approaching her. She feigned surprise. "Brian, what a coincidence!

The sound of mechanical wheels echoed as Brian stepped aside, revealing Walter's devilishly handsonfe but intimidating face. Shakira's smile deepened, her eyes bright with mischief. "Mr. Lopez, what a coincidence for you, too. 08:29 uu.

Walter's mood was far from good, especially after Lonely Bird had seemingly vanished. His expression was dark, and he ignored Shakira's attempt to flatter him. "What are you doing here?

Then.

en. Walter seemed to be lost in thought, his eyes scrutinizing her with suspicion. Noticing the faint marks on her face, which was left by the mask, Walter suddenly reached out, his long fingers lightly brushing against the inside of her arm. A shiver of electricity shot through her, nearly causing Shakira to yelp. She hugged her arm protectively, staring at Walter in disbelief. "What are you doing?" Walter's deep eyes fixated on her. "Wearing a mask and sweating-why are you at the hospital?" Shakira's heart skipped a

beat.

How could he notice so much detail?' She pouted, muttering, "Why? Are you keeping tabs on me now? I'm just here for a health certificate."

certificate?" 'Walter was confused.

Alnea "A health certific "Yes. Didn't you know? I need one to enroll in college I only just found out, so I rushed over to get the tests done. I need it before classes start. And for some reason, the hospital is packed today, so I had to run all over the place for the tests because the elevators were taking too long, Shakira explained. As she spoke, she handed

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the checklist of tests she had just completed to Walter. Walter glanced at it, his frown deepening before relaxing slightly. "What am I thinking? Do I seriously suspect that Shakira could be Lonely Bird? The thought itself seemed ridiculous, even to Walter.

At that moment, Brian leaned in and quietly reported, "Mr. Lopez, we found what seems to be Lonely Bird's discarded clothes in a trash can on the thirteenth floor. However, the hospital's surveillance had a half-minute glitch-someone likely tampered with it." Walter's expression turned even darker. "Stop the search. Let's go back

Brian clenched his fists, a trace of frustration in his voice. "Mr. Lopez, just give me a little more time." Lonely Bird is

I is already gone.

Staying at the hospital won't help, Walter's command was firm. "We're leaving

Brian lowered his head. "Understood."

Walter cast a glance at Shakira. "You're coming with me."

Shakira opened her mouth to protest, but seeing the cold expression on his face, she silently complied. It was clear that failing to catch Lonely Bird had left him truly upset. Without a

another word, Shakira stepped forward and quietly pushed Walter's wheelchair. At that moment, Yvette, who had come downstairs to see off the Nelson family, happened to witness the scene. She stood at a distance, watching Shakira's back, her brows furrowed. Yvette, what are you looking at?" Rebecca asked curiously. "Nothing. It must be Mr. Lopez's maid," Yvette shook her head. Why do I feel that the figure resembles Shakira? It's impossible. How can Shakira be with Mr. Lopez?"

Rebecca's face darkened. She thought back to Walter's dramatic entrance, shutting down the hospital to search for Lonely Bird without even greeting her. His blatant disregard had annoyed her.

"Why are you bothering yourself with that disrespectful man?" Rebecca asked.

Yvette replied meekly, "Mom, doesn't Shakira have a marriage agreement with Mr. Lopez?"

"We only have one baby girl in this family, and that's you. You don't have to care about Shakira like this. Mentioning Shakira only made Rebecca more displeased.

Yvette bit her lip gently, as if wanting to say something, but hesitated, not wanting to upset Rebecca further. Rebecca patted her hand, offering some comforting words before leaving with Mitchell. After reluctantly watching them go, Yvette turned back. As she made her way inside, Jessie, who had quietly followed her. hurried over.

Yvette instinctively took a step back, glancing around nervously. Let's talk in the ward."

Seeing her daughter act distant and pretend not to know her, Jessie felt a sharp pang in her heart, remembering the hurtful words Shakira had said.

Jessie pulled a button from her pocket. "Today's check-up almost gave you away. You should keep this on you."

Yvette frowned in disgust. "What is this?"

Jessie lowered her voice, "I bumped into her at the hospital earlier, and I twisted this button off her clothes. Just keep it with you to ward off bad luck, alright?"