Chapter 2

Lisbeth rushed to the hospital, colliding with Sebastian York in the hallway.

She finally voiced the question that had been weighing on her mind, "With your status, women would be lining up to marry you. Why choose me?"

Her face was disfigured, her career had plummeted, and she was a divorced mother.

Lisbeth wasn't insecure about these things, but as Leopold had pointed out—in everyone's eyes, her mother and Dennis were burdens, bottomless pits that could never be filled.

Yet Sebastian was the sole heir to the York Group, Sovereign City's business giant, and an internationally acclaimed actor.

His striking looks aside, every gesture exuded the elegance and authority that came from his privileged upbringing.

Objectively speaking, she wasn't his match.

To this day, she and Sebastian had only met three times.

The first was at an awards ceremony where they exchanged nothing more than a nod and a smile.

The second was when she discovered he was the highly compatible bone marrow donor for Dennis that the hospital registry had found. And on that very day, Sebastian had immediately named his condition—marriage!

How could she possibly believe this?

Sebastian frowned slightly. "My parents were huge fans of your film 'Song of Summer.' They're elderly now and in poor health. Marrying you would fulfill their wish."

Lisbeth had no choice in the matter. "Alright. However, I just finalized my divorce today and can't immediately marry you. I'll need a few days to get things in order."

Sebastian sighed with relief, quickly responding, "No problem!"

He had waited for years—what were a few more days?

With their agreement reached, they immediately went to the doctor's office to schedule the surgery.

Dennis was an acute leukemia patient, and with a suitable donor available, the doctor was eager to get him into surgery as soon as possible.

Sebastian was taken for pre-surgical tests to confirm the match, while Lisbeth headed to the main lobby.

Just after paying the fees, Lisbeth turned around to find herself surrounded by a wall of people. Camera lights flashed incessantly as microphones pushed toward her face.

"Ms. Whitaker, we heard that you found Mr. York to donate bone marrow to your son. Is this true?"

Before she could answer, several more microphones were thrust at her.

"Is there a secret relationship between you and Mr. York? The success rate for non-blood relative matches is extremely low. Could the child be Mr. York's illegitimate son?"

"Yesterday, your husband and Mr. York had an argument at the hospital. Was it because he discovered the child isn't biologically his?"

"Lisbeth, did you have an affair with Mr. York during your marriage and bear his child? Was it a momentary lapse of judgment or a premeditated plan?"

"Ms. Whitaker..."

Legitimate reporters and paparazzi blended together, each question more cutting than the last.

Lisbeth clenched her fists, glaring angrily at the media crowd. Clearly, they had come prepared. There was no question about who was behind this.

Elora and Leopold were willing to label Dennis as an illegitimate child just to smear her reputation? And they'd dragged Sebastian into it to maximize the scandal!

Lisbeth knew she needed to give a clear statement now, or the consequences would be unimaginable.

Suppressing her fury, she spoke firmly, "Before this, I had no relationship whatsoever with Mr. York! The father is my ex-husband Leopold Hearst. We can verify—"

But a thunderous shout from the back of the crowd cut her off, "Lisbeth! Even now, you're still trying to cover up the truth?!"

Half the media immediately swiveled toward the voice.

Leopold pushed through the crowd, coming to stand opposite Lisbeth. Elora, dressed in white, followed closely behind him.

Leopold addressed the media with methodical clarity, "When Lisbeth became pregnant, I was still unconscious from an explosion. How could an unconscious patient possibly impregnate a woman?"

Lisbeth frowned and tried to speak, but Leopold gave her no chance to defend herself.

"Moreover, out of consideration for the child who calls me 'Dad' and for our marriage, I quietly came to the hospital hoping against hope, to be tested as a donor. The result? I wasn't a match for that child at all!"

He paused dramatically. "But actor Sebastian York was a perfect match! What does that tell you?"

The reporters exchanged knowing glances. It suggested the rumors weren't unfounded—Lisbeth must have been having an affair with Sebastian all along!

The renowned actor, who had never been involved in a single scandal, had secretly been involved with a married woman, fathered an illegitimate child, and let the legal husband raise it?

The scene erupted into chaos. Questions became more pointed, mixed with mockery and condemnation.

Lisbeth tried desperately to explain until her voice grew hoarse, but no one listened.

They only wanted to know how long her improper relationship with Sebastian had lasted. Someone even asked how many times they had slept together.

Lisbeth continued explaining while backing away until she was cornered against the wall with nowhere to retreat.

She raised her eyes coldly toward Leopold and said bitterly, "You're really going all out to smear me, aren't you? Not even caring about your own reputation! What's the matter? We're already divorced—are you still afraid I'll cling to you?"

Her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Don't worry, I'm not as filthy and despicable as you think! I can love deeply and let go completely, but you shouldn't be throwing mud at Dennis! When your memory returns, you'll regret this!"