Chapter 252: Her Final Gambit Failed Spectacularly

When her final gambit failed spectacularly, Paige Lawson finally retreated in defeat.

She stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door with enough force to rattle the walls.

At dawn the next day, Mrs. Palmer had just finished washing up when ear-splitting shrieks erupted upstairs.

"Someone help! I need to go to the hospital!"

The housekeeper's eye twitched. Unlike last time's panic, she remained eerily calm.

With practiced ease, she dialed the chauffeur. "Mr. Alden, our patient is having another episode."

"On my way," came the driver's bored response.

Next, Mrs. Palmer called Catherine Holloway. "Madam, the situation is—"

The entire operation flowed like a well-rehearsed play.

In the hospital corridor, Catherine's expression could freeze hell over.

The doctor delivered the usual spiel. "Just get more rest."

Catherine finally snapped, barging into the VIP ward. "Do you think this is your private clinic? You practically live here!"

"Is your head just for decoration?"

"If you can't even handle a simple pregnancy, you're utterly useless!"

Her mind flashed to Clara Whitmore's composed demeanor during crises. That girl never caused elders unnecessary worry.

But this creature on the hospital bed? Louder than cicadas, more annoying than fleas!

Turning molehills into mountains, acting like the universe revolved around her—

Disgusting.

Paige ignored the tirade, treating it as background noise.

The day after discharge, she pulled the same stunt.

Initially, Catherine would answer the calls. Eventually, she told Mrs. Palmer:

"Handle it. Don't bother me."

Mrs. Palmer: "..."

This household runs on my back alone!

Catherine finally found peace.

Let the drama queen exhaust someone else.

* * *

May 3rd, Sloane Bennett's birthday gala.

Clara's meticulously planned gift arrived right on schedule.

The "Eternal Galaxy" blue diamond necklace—Sloane's ultimate fantasy piece, designed by Chelsea Shaw.

This jewelry sensation went viral after appearing in Princess Diaries, becoming near-impossible to acquire.

Clara had pulled strings to procure it from Belgium through backchannels.

"Put it on me now!" Sloane squealed, spinning around. "Even the boutiques said it's sold out worldwide!"

Her off-shoulder mermaid dress, sprinkled with celestial embroidery, became transcendent with the necklace.

Breathtaking.

* * *

On the terrace of an exclusive club, Catherine enjoyed afternoon tea with her socialite circle.

Free from Paige's theatrics, she'd never felt more rejuvenated.

Sometimes she wondered: Was preserving this pregnancy truly worth it?