Darcy shook her head gently. "Don't act impulsively. Better watch how she plays her hand, then counter it." Jethro frowned. "I don't want her to spout nonsense in front of you again." Darcy's eyes sparkled with an idea. "Jethro, you said before that you suspect Annie is connected to that kidnapping case years ago. She had an accomplice, who is most likely still in the country. Once that accomplice knows she's back, they're bound to contact her." "Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. The question is when the accomplice will make contact." Darcy raised an eyebrow. "Then let's give Ms. Roby a little help. Make her famous. Once she's in the spotlight, her accomplice won't be able to miss the news of her return." Jethro paused, processing her words. "You mean...?" Darcy leaned in close, whispering her plan into his ear."But—" Jethro's face showed clear conflict. After a long moment, he made a decision. "Alright. We'll do it your way." Some malignant tumors had to be eradicated completely, or they would cause endless trouble. ... Annie lay bored and irritable in her hospital bed when Rowan pushed the door open. She glared at him venomously. "Get out!" Rowan, unfazed, cleared his throat. "Mr. Blackwood is here." Jethro, dressed in a sharp business suit, entered the room behind him. Annie's expression transformed instantly, a radiant smile blooming on her face. "Jethro! You came!" Jethro's gaze drifted to her bandaged foot. "How's your recovery?" Annie bit her lip. "Not well. The doctor says my emotional instability is hindering the healing."My emotions are unstable because you haven't been to see me." Jethro tipped a look at Rowan, and the latter bowed his head and left the room. Annie's smile widened. "I'm so glad you finally came to see me, Jethro. It means a lot." Jethro walked over and took a seat on the sofa. His deep-set eyes settled on her. "I heard you claim to have given birth to my child. Is that right?" Annie's smile faltered. Jethro continued, his tone flat, "Funny, I don't recall us ever doing anything like that." A faint, derisive smile touched his mouth. From the moment she told Darcy, Annie had prepared herself for this confrontation. So, faced with his questioning now, she felt no panic. "We were intimate," she said softly. "You just don't remember."Jethro's eyes narrowed. "Don't remember?" Annie's gaze grew distant, her fingers tightening on the bedsheet. A blush crept onto her cheeks. "Back then, your grandpa forced us to break up. You stood your ground and argued with him until you were livid. That night, I went with you to a bar to unwind. You—got wasted." Jethro let out a cold, dismissive sound. "Basic physiology—drunk guys can't get it up." "Normally, yes," Annie admitted, meeting his eyes. "But I used... special means." Jethro's expression turned to ice. A heavy silence descended upon the room. A trace of sadness slid through Annie's eyes. "I never meant to hide it from you. I didn't even know myself until I was abroad. When the doctor told me I was four months along, I was terrified. You know, after what happened with my father, my mental state shattered. My periods became irregular. I thought it was just a hormonal imbalance, never imagined... I was pregnant. "When I found out, I was shocked, but also happy. I wanted so badly to call you, to tell you we were going to have a baby. But then I remembered your words to me before I left. The accusations. I forced myself not to contact you. I'd rather you never know than hear your disgust, your coldness. So, I chose to have the baby in a foreign country and raise him alone." She paused, looking directly at Jethro with a self-deprecating smile. "It's okay, Jethro. It's fine if you don't want to acknowledge him. You can think of him as mine alone." "If that's the case," Jethro's voice was like ice water, "then why did you tell Darcy?" Annie gritted her teeth. So he really came to defend Darcy. "So, you came here today just to interrogate me?" Annie infused her voice with wounded indignation. "I gave birth to your child, and your first reaction isn't joy, but to ask why I told your current girlfriend! Jethro, I'm so disappointed in you!" Jethro let out a short, humorless laugh. "Having the child was your choice.""You—" Annie was left speechless with fury. For a fleeting second, she doubted her entire strategy. Using a child to pressure Jethro seemed utterly useless. But then, the very next moment, she heard him say— "Where is the child now? Can I see him?" Annie's eyes lit up. He does care. He cares about the child, and by extension, he still cares about me. "He's overseas," she said, feigning regret. "This trip was so sudden, I didn't have time to bring him." Jethro stood up from the sofa. "In that case, focus on recovering." He began to turn toward the door. Annie was stunned. So, he came specifically hoping to see the child in person? This unexpected twist sent a jolt of triumph through her. She quickly called out to stop him."Wait! Don't go yet. I have photos of him on my phone. W-would you like to see?" Jethro paused. "May I?" "Of course." Annie unlocked her phone, pulled up the photos she'd prepared, and handed it to him. "Here."