CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: FORCED TO UNDERGO AN ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION

Three years ago, Victoria Monroe and Julian Fordham had specifically consulted about IVF. At that time, her health was poor, and the doctor assessed that even if the embryo was successfully implanted in her body, there was a high risk of miscarriage.

Julian Fordham understood the process from egg retrieval to implantation in detail, knowing how painful it was for women.

If so much suffering ultimately resulted in a miscarriage, wouldn’t she be enduring the pain for nothing?

So, the plan had to be abandoned.

Now, in order to save the marriage, to create a bond between her and him, he would resort to using this plan again.

He was not afraid of whether she would miscarry, nor did he care how painful the egg retrieval process was.

As long as he could keep her, he was willing to pay any price!

Julian Fordham had not learned any lessons from past events.

He remained the same domineering man who wanted to control her life at will.

He used her grandmother to trick her into going to the hospital, intending to do an ultrasound to check her ovulation and confirm the maturity of the follicle for the next steps.

Her grandmother did not understand much, only hoping to see her pregnant before passing away.

If Victoria Monroe went onto the examination table, her pregnancy would be exposed, and knowing she was pregnant, Julian Fordham would not easily let go.

With every event, Julian Fordham had completely exhausted the feelings she had left for him.

Reaching this point, she no longer had any intention of reconciling with him.

Julian Fordham was no longer the academic idol who once loved her wholeheartedly. He had been consumed by desire, turning into a monster.

Under the banner of "love," he did everything that made her disgusted.

Victoria Monroe patiently explained, "Grandma, I just had an ultrasound a few days ago. Such examinations can’t be done frequently; they’ll harm the body."

Once her grandmother heard this, she immediately wanted to back down.

The doctor beside them adjusted his glasses and said, "Ultrasounds are non-invasive and radiation-free, which don’t affect the body, so Mrs. Fordham can rest assured."

"See, the doctor said so. Don’t worry, Julian wouldn’t harm you."

In a moment of urgency, Victoria Monroe almost revealed her divorce with Julian Fordham.

Thinking of her grandmother’s inability to bear the shock, if she knew the reason for the divorce was Julian Fordham finding another woman, she’d surely faint.

Even before they dated, she regarded Julian Fordham as half a grandson.

Victoria Monroe suppressed her emotions, "Grandma, I came specifically to accompany you to your examination today. I wouldn’t be at ease if you didn’t have the check-up."

With just a few words, she managed to coax her grandmother out the door.

She accompanied her grandmother for a blood draw, and the next item was an MRI. After helping her change, she watched as she went into the examination room.

Victoria Monroe still felt uneasy. This hospital was a private hospital under the Fordham Group.

Her grandmother had been having her check-ups here for the past two years. What if that lunatic really did something crazy?

Her grandmother’s check-up wasn’t finished yet, leaving now would raise suspicion.

After much consideration, Victoria Monroe thought of calling Mrs. Xu to accompany her. Coincidentally, Mrs. Xu and Rhys Hawthorne were near each other on her call list, and she accidentally dialed Rhys Hawthorne’s number in her flurry.

Victoria Monroe intended to hang up, but the call had already connected.

"Victoria..." Rhys Hawthorne’s voice suddenly stopped when he heard the sound from the other end of the phone.

Two people appeared in front of Victoria Monroe, "Ma’am, please don’t make it difficult for us. President Fordham instructed us to give you a thorough physical examination today. Please proceed."

"I’m not sick, and I don’t need any examination, get lost." Victoria Monroe bluntly refused.

"Ma’am, I’m sorry." The two men approached step by step.

Having filmed several martial arts movies, Victoria had some skills, and when the bodyguard’s hand reached for her, she quickly grabbed the man’s hand and executed an over-the-shoulder throw.

The two men were stunned, not expecting that Victoria Monroe, who appeared gentle and soft, could move so quickly and precisely.

Taking advantage of their shock, Victoria Monroe bolted towards the exit.

As she reached the lobby, Assistant Prescott was already waiting, pushing his glasses up with a respectful tone, "Ma’am, please don’t make it hard for me."

"Where is that bastard Julian Fordham?" Victoria Monroe cursed in anger.

"The boss will surely be thrilled to hear you want to see him." Assistant Prescott, having been by Julian Fordham’s side for many years, was unwavering as he stepped towards Victoria Monroe.

The bodyguards followed, gradually tightening their encirclement.

Victoria Monroe’s gaze fell on the cleaner, and she quickly ran over, throwing a trash can at Assistant Prescott and slipped into the safety passage.

She guessed that bodyguards would definitely be guarding downstairs, heading down would lead to capture. Victoria Monroe ran into one of the second-floor rooms.

Surrounded by skeletal specimens, she opened a wardrobe and hid inside.

Exhausted from the excessive physical exertion, she panted heavily.

Her body trembled endlessly as she stopped.

In the silence of the cabinet, Rhys Hawthorne’s voice echoed, "Are you okay?"

Realizing the call was still connected, Victoria Monroe clung to it like a lifeline, "Not good... Julian Fordham wants me to do an ultrasound. I think he’s checking the follicle development for IVF, Rhys, please help me..."

Confused and in a panic, Victoria Monroe truly didn’t know that Julian Fordham was such an authoritarian and obsessive man deep down.

She had prepared herself for a struggle with him; after all, eighteen years weren’t easy to cut off.

But she didn’t expect him not to fight over assets; he simply didn’t intend to let her leave!

In less than one week, he did countless things that were unimaginable and incomprehensible to her, to force her to come back.

Now, she felt not even a hint of old affection for him, only fear.

She didn’t know what methods Julian Fordham would use to keep her, and she was truly afraid of the child being discovered.

If her pregnancy was exposed, Julian Fordham would never allow her to have a miscarriage; he would ensure she brought it to term at all costs.

The day the child was born, she would be irrevocably tied to him.

She felt helpless as a child, and Rhys Hawthorne heard her muffled sobs. He furrowed his brows and said, "Wait for me."

Before disconnecting, he added, "Don’t cry, I’m here."

Afraid of being discovered, Victoria Monroe dared not make any noise and put her phone on silent.

They searched room by room and would soon find her.

Victoria Monroe clutched her phone tightly, tears silently streaming down her face.

Inside the cabinet, there was a skeleton specimen as well, but Victoria didn’t mind being scared, silently praying for Rhys Hawthorne to arrive quickly and for her not to be found so soon.

The sound of the door opening made her heart clench.

She pressed her hand firmly over her mouth, daring not to make a sound.

Tears silently soaked her fingers.

The moment she heard footsteps, Victoria Monroe knew she was done for.

The person who came in was Julian Fordham.

After eighteen years, she was too familiar with his footsteps.

Her body shivered uncontrollably.

Through the gap, she saw the suited man approaching, stopping only inches from her.

There was only a cabinet door between them.

Thump, thump, thump.

Victoria Monroe’s heart pounded uncontrollably.

Did he guess?

A slender finger landed on the doorknob, and Victoria Monroe’s heart tensed.