It wasn''t long before Dr. Benjamin arrived to collect samples from Keaton and the


    fetus.


    "Dr. Benjamin," Winona said, "please take several samples and send them to differentbs for testing, just in case."


    Benjamin understood. "Got it!"


    Winona asked again, "Is there a way to keep her unconscious without harming the fetus? At least until the test results are back."


    She knew Beatrix would cause a scene the moment she woke up. It was better to just let her sleep.


    Once the results were in, then they could have it out.


    "I have a way," Elysia said.


    After Benjamin finished collecting the samples and left, Elysia used acupuncture to put Beatrix into a deep, peaceful sleep.


    Winona followed Benjamin out of the room and asked him for one of the fetal samples.


    She personally took the sample downstairs and found the boy.


    "Give this to your sister. She''ll know what to do. Hold onto it tightly and don''t mess this up. It''s very important to me."


    The boy nodded repeatedly. "Don''t worry, Ms. Newsom. I promise I''ll get it done perfectly."


    Winona smiled. "Go on, then."


    The boy couldn''t help but ask one more question. "Ms. Newsom, are you and Mr. Huber together?"


    Winona froze. "No, we''re not."


    "Then... does Mr. Huber have a thing for you?" the boy pressed.


    Winona didn''t know whether tough or cry. "What makes you think he likes me?"


    "He was so hostile towards me," the boy said. "It was obvious he sees me as a rival."


    Winona shook her head. "You''ve misunderstood. Today''s situation is...plicated. He doesn''t want outsiders to know what''s going on."


    After all, it involved Beatrix and a potential baby. It was an intensely private matter for both Keaton and the entire Huber family. Winona figured Keaton''s re was just about keeping secrets, not jealousy.


    *I know I can trust the boy, but Keaton doesn''t,* she thought.


    "Really?" the boy asked, only half-convinced.


    "Yes," Winona confirmed. "Now, stop letting your imagination run wild and get going.


    I''ll take you and your sister out to dinner sometime to thank you."


    The boy smiled. "Okay! I''m off then. Bye, Ms. Newsom."


    After he left, Winona let out a long sigh.


    *Keaton? Likes me? Hahahahaha...*


    *As if!*


    Winona pursed her lips, shook her head, and turned back toward the elevators.


    Now, all they could do was wait for the results. Even with a rush order, it would take several hours.


    And once those results were in, she was going to deal with Beatrix.


    Upstairs in the hospital room, Elysia had just finished checking Keaton''s pulse, confirming that there was nothing physically wrong with hing Other than being a bit weak from not eating, he was perfectly fine She


    could only suspect his vomiting was psychosomatic.


    Seeing Winona return, Elysia dragged her down to the hospital''s coffee shop.


    As they sat facing each other,


    Winona offered a cating smile "Let me get something to eat first, please. I was supposed to have snack at ten, and it''s already past eleven. I''m starving."


    Elysia nodded, gesturing for her to eat.


    Winona took a bite of cake. "Oh, this is delicious! You have to try some, Elysia."


    Elysia declined. "You have it. I''m not hungry."


    Winona took several more bites before asking, "Are you sure Keaton isn''t pregnant?"


    Elysia gave her a weary look. "I''m sure!"


    "Then it has to be sympathetic morning sickness," Winona dered. "The baby in Beatrix''s belly is his. I''d bet my life on it."


    Elysia was more concerned about her friend. "What''s really going on between you and Keaton?"


    Winona looked embarrassed. "We were drinking that night... things just got out of hand."


    Elysia was stunned. Tarquin had actually been right.


    "Did Keaton force himself on you?"


    "Actually... I jumped him first," Winona said honestly.


    Elysia was speechless. "..."


    Winona gave a sheepish grin. "That night, I just started thinking about everything with Zane Livingston, and I was feeling really down. After a few drinks just wanted to let loose.. Keaton just happened to be there,


    I slept with him."


    "...And were you hurt? Did he take advantage of you?" Elysia asked softly.