“Her marriage, and her unborn child, give her more than enough leverage over Noah. He has a strong sense of responsibility, and he and Cynthia share a history. If I''m right, Cynthia''s goal is to force Nic and Karina out of the country," Bet guessed.


    Having Nic in the country would constantly disrupt Noah and Cynthia''s lives. Given Noah''s personality, he would never be able topletely ignore his biological daughter.


    So, by sending Nic abroad, the distance would limit what Noah could do to mostly just providing financial support. As for emotional bonds, they tend to fade with distance and time. Once Cynthia''s baby is born, Noah''s attention will naturally shift to the new child.


    Honestly, Bet didn''t think it was a bad idea for Karina and Nic to go abroad. As long as they weren''t being manipted by members of the White family, Karina could be a good mother, and Nic wouldn''t be led astray.


    It would also save the Thompson family a lot of trouble. As the future heir, all Bet wanted was a stable and harmonious family.


    "Do you think she''ll get her way?" Yvonne asked again.


    "The Cynthia I know doesn''t make moves she''s not confident about," Bet replied.


    Yvonne listened, shrugged nonchntly, and remarked, "Cynthia lives such a tiring life."


    Scheming for her marriage, manipting her man, and continuing to plot even while pregnant.


    Bet just smiled faintly and reached out, affectionately stroking Yvonne''s hair.


    He would never let his woman have to work that hard.


    "Did you bring your prenatal records? Our appointment with Dr. Powell is at ten," Bet said, changing the subject.


    "Mhm." Yvonne picked up the booklet from the coffee table, and they left together.


    They drove to the maternity hospital, arriving at nine-thirty in the morning, half an hour early.


    Dr. Powell had just finished her rounds on the obstetrics ward and was ready to see Yvonne.


    Yvonne was scheduled for a Down syndrome screening. Dr. Powell wrote out the order and had the head nurse take them to the phlebotomy room on the first floor.


    Bet stayed by Yvonne''s side as they followed the head nurse. Just as they stepped out of the office, they heard the faint sound of crying from down the hallway.


    Crying was normal in an obstetrics and gynecology department; babies were born every day, and a few cries were par for the course.


    But this was the sound of an adult crying. It was distant and not entirely clear, but they could still make out the suppressed grief in the sound.


    The head nurse sighed. "Let''s go around and take the other elevator down. There''s probably still a crowd by the operating room, and its best we don''t run into them."


    "Did something happen?" Yvonne asked instinctively.


    "A maternity patient was rushed to the ER this morning. Amniotic fluid embolism. They couldn''t save her Sigh, the baby was just born and already lost its mother. The family outside the operating


    s, crying


    their hearts out," the head nurse said, shaking her head.


    The mother had carried the baby to full term, and all her prenatal check-ups had been normal. When her family brought her in that morning, everyone was beaming with joy.


    The whole family was eagerly awaiting the new arrival, and the father was glowing with the anticipation of bing a father.


    Before his wife was wheeled into the delivery room, he held her hand and kissed her cheek.


    Then, the baby was born. A nurse brought out a healthy


    eight and a half-pound baby boy The father carefully took the baby into his arms, so moved he was on the verge of tears.


    The baby''s grandparents on both sides crowded around, the whole family overjoyed.