"Mr. Holden, please don''t get mad. My husband is worried about Sophia. He truly cares about her. He''s been worried sick about her," Julia said.


    She pushed Ruby forward and added, "We''ll check on Sophia. I''ll leave Ruby here to keep youpany.


    "Ruby, you should talk to Mr. Holden and thank him for taking care of Sophia all this while."


    Julia held back her cough while speaking. Then, she pinched Ruby''s arm. Ruby winced in pain, but she didn''t dare make a sound. All she could do was murmur, "Okay."


    "Honey, let''s go see Sophia."


    Julia linked arms with Ivan, who was more than happy to leave. They walked past Marcus and Natalie and entered the hospital.


    The moment Julia and Ivan left, Ruby thought of running away. "Mr. Holden, please don''t take my mother''s words seriously. I''ll leave right away."


    Ruby was scared to death when she saw Natalie because Natalie had evidence of Julia''s affair.


    Back then, at the convent, Ruby had seen the pictures herself. She had no idea what Julia had said to Ivan, but he didn''t question her identity.


    However, lies were still lies.


    Ruby was terrified. Not only was she not an illegitimate child, she wasn''t even his biological daughter. She was an imposter!


    If Ivan ever found out that he had been raising someone else''s child, judging by his attitude toward Sophia, Ruby could predict how miserable her life would be.


    Therefore, she couldn''t afford to get on Natalie''s bad side.


    As for Marcus, since the start, he was someone that she couldn''t afford to mess with.


    Ruby turned around and bolted after finishin her words. She ran away quickly as if she was being chased by ghosts.


    "Let''s go inside," Natalie said calmly. "We shouldn''t let the Sinirs bother Sophia."


    "Alright."


    Both of them entered the hospital together. Surprisingly, Ivan didn''t cause a scene. He went straight to the doctor''s office to inquire about Sophia''s condition. Once he stepped out of the doctor''s office, his expression was grim. Julia just followed beside him, constantly covering her mouth with the handkerchief.


    Julia tried to suppress it but failed. From time to time, she would cough badly.


    Each cough caused Ivan''s face to flicker with disgust. He would even distance himself slightly.


    Naturally, Julia noticed. She had sent different people under different aliases to Goodwill Pharmacy to try to obtain the medicine, but to no avail.


    All Julia could do was take other medicines to ease her condition, but they barely alleviated her symptoms.


    Now that Natalie was standing in front of her, she was burning with frustration. However, she didn''t dare offend Natalie. Deep down, she was cussing Natalie out, but on the surface, she still maintained a respectful demeanor.


    "Ms. Walker, Mr. Holden, we''ve just spoken to the doctor about Sophia''s condition."


    Before Ivan could speak, Julia rushed forward. "Ms. Walker, this happened to Sophia at the Walker residence. Don''t you think you owe us an exnation?"


    She then turned to Marcus. "Mr. Holden, as Sophia''s long-time friend, how could you let something like this happen to her there?"


    "Excuse me, but what is your rtionship with Sophia?" Natalie stared at Julia calmly. "As far as I know, Sophia''s mother is Ms. Samantha ir. ording to legal records, her name is registered with Mr. Sinir. So, who are you?"


    Julia''s face turned pale upon hearing Natalie''s blunt questions, leaving her speechless for a moment. However, having been a mistress for many years, she was used to being shameless.


    Soon, she squeezed a smile and replied, "I''m Sophia''s stepmother Even though I didn''t legally marry her father, we''ve loved each other for many years. I''m a legitimate member of the Sinir family."


    "Is that so?" Natalieughed. "Mr. Sinir, are you certain that this woman is a part of the Sinir family?"


    Without hesitation, Ivan replied, "Of course. Jul has been with me since she was young. She even gave me?a daughter. We''ve been together for many years. Other than being unable to give her an official title, she''s practically Mrs. Sinir."


    "Tsk tsk." Natalie showed a look of disgust. "What a touching love story."


    "Ms. Walker, Mr. Holden, Ms. ir is here."


    Noah walked forward with Samantha. She was wearing a grey dress with a matching cardigan. She was just wearing ts and had no makeup on her face, making her look tired and aged.


    "Ms. ir, I''m Marcus." Marcus stepped forward and held Samantha. "Do you remember me?"


    Stepanie was in a daze, but she quickly regained rity. She nodded and said gently, "I do. Whenever Sophia visited me, she would tell me that you''ve been taking care of her. Thank you."


    "Don''t worry about it. This here is Natalie Walker. She has just recently reunited


    with the Walker family."


    "Ms. ir, nice to meet you."


    Natalie reached out her hand, and Samantha quickly shook her hand. "Ms. Walker, it''s a pleasure to meet you."


    "Samantha, who gave you permission to leave the convent?"


    A hint of anger shed across Ivan''s face. He strode forward and grabbed


    Samantha. "Did you forget what you promised me back then?"


    "Elijah," Marcus called out.


    "Yes, Mr. Holden."


    Elijah stepped forward and pushed Ivan away.


    "What do you think are you doing?" Elijah raised his voice, demanding, "What are


    you trying to do to thisdy under broad daylight?"


    "She''s my wife."


    "Oh, is that so? Then who is that mistress next to you?"


    Elijah shot back. He didn''t like what he had seen and heard, so he just spoke his mind.


    "Didn''t you say that besides an official title, she''s practically Mrs. Sinir? Now, you''re telling me you actually have another wife? I guess your love story isn''t that pure after all."


    Elijah paused before continuing, "You''re clinging onto two women. How shameless. You''re not that young anymore, yet you''re still fooling around. It''s disgusting."


    "Why you "


    This was the first time Ivan had been publicly humiliated.


    His expression shifted, but he couldn''t confront Marcus. Since he was also intimidated by Elijah''s imposing figure, he could only turn his anger to Samantha. "Samantha, get over here!"


    Samantha''s body trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes. However, she quickly suppressed her fear.


    "Ivan, I want a divorce."


    "A divorce? In your dreams! Don''t even think about it!" Ivan shouted in frustration.


    Samantha had expected this oue, but she didn''t freak out like she used to. She said calmly, "Fine. If you don''t divorce me, I want Sophia to cut all ties with you."