Chapter 16: Information about Her

The man standing before Matthew was the same one he had seen embracing Dolores the other day. Who else could possibly be the father of Dolores' baby but him?

Sampson felt an overwhelming sense of sympathy for Dolores and couldn't help but think that if she had reached out to him on the day of the car accident, she wouldn't be in such a dire situation now.

Upon seeing Sampson's expression, Matthew interpreted it as a sign of guilt.

Matthew sneered, "She's very young..."

"What do you know!" Sampson suddenly shouted.

His eyes were slightly red. He knew exactly what Matthew wanted to say. Matthew must have believed Dolores to be promiscuous, getting pregnant at such a young age. But Matthew had no idea about the hardships Dolores had endured.

Sampson glanced at Matthew's expensive suit, one that could pay an ordinary worker's salary for an entire year.

"You come from a powerful, wealthy family. Have you ever experienced poverty? Do you know what it feels like to have no money, no food? Have you ever felt overwhelming helplessness? You don't understand! You don't know what she has done to survive until now..."

Dolores grabbed Sampson's hand and shook her head, urging him to stop. She didn't need sympathy or pity from anyone. All she wanted was to survive and take good care of her mother and her baby.

"Take me to the hospital," Dolores pleaded, unable to bear the pain any longer.

"Okay." Sampson leaned over and cradled her in his arms.

As Matthew remained stunned by Sampson's words, Dolores felt a sense of unease. She spoke as if she too was surprised by Sampson's outburst.

"Sorry, I can't stop working. But I assure you, I won't tell anyone about it. I won't do anything to bring shame upon you or your family."

Matthew furrowed his brows. He looked at Dolores's face, unsure of what to feel.

No one understood Dolores's situation better than Sampson. Dolores trembled in Sampson's arms while conversing with Matthew.

Sampson carried her to the car and spoke gently, "Don't be afraid. There's no sign of blood. You'll be fine."

Sampson drove as quickly as possible towards the hospital.

Watching the car speed away, Matthew couldn't help but dwell on Sampson's words and wonder what kind of secret Dolores was keeping from him. Dolores had been acting strangely.

To uncover the truth, Matthew retrieved his cellphone and dialed Abbott's number. "I want you to look into Dolores for me."

"Any specific details?" Abbott inquired.

"Everything," Matthew responded before promptly ending the call.

"Matthew." Helen rushed out of the restaurant and immediately pulled him close. "Are you still angry with me for not allowing Dolores to join the company? I know I was wrong. I just love you too much..."

"No, let's go back."

There was a lack of emotion in Matthew's voice and expression, which left Helen feeling unsettled. She couldn't help but wonder whom he had just called.

*****

In the hospital, Dolores was wheeled into the operating room while Sampson anxiously waited outside. Restless, he kept peering through the small window into the operating room.

After about an hour, the door of the operating room swung open, and Dolores was carefully rolled out.

Sampson hurriedly stepped forward. "How is she?" he inquired.

The doctor removed their mask and offered a small smile. "Due to excessive strain, she was at risk of a miscarriage. Thankfully, she's stable now, but she needs ample rest. Otherwise, she may not be as fortunate next time."

"I understand," Sampson nodded, and he wheeled Dolores into the recovery ward.

Dolores gazed at Sampson with gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you for always being there for me," she expressed sincerely. She truly appreciated Sampson's unwavering support.

"It's okay as long as you're alright," Sampson replied, his customary gentle smile gracing his face.

"You paid my hospital bill for me. I'm sorry, I don't have the means to repay you yet," Dolores murmured, her lips dry and bitten.

"Forget about that for now. You need to focus on resting," Sampson reassured her.

Sampson didn't appreciate her treating him so formally, as if he were a complete stranger.

Entering the ward, Dolores looked at him. "Can you please call my mother to come and see me?" She didn't want to inconvenience Sampson any further.

Sampson surmised that Dolores missed Jessica. After all, when people felt vulnerable, they naturally yearned for their loved ones to be by their side.

He retrieved his cell phone and dialed Jessica's number, informing her that Dolores was in the hospital and requesting her presence.

Upon hearing this, Jessica panicked, "What's wrong with Lola?"

"She's okay. She just needs rest. She wants to see you," Sampson reassured her.

Relieved, Jessica rushed to the hospital as fast as she could.

Once Jessica arrived, Dolores urged Sampson to go home.

"Yes, I'm sorry for inconveniencing you," Jessica apologized sincerely.

"It's okay. I'll head back now and see you tomorrow," Sampson said, looking at Dolores. "Make sure to get plenty of rest."

"Thank you."

As soon as Sampson left, Jessica sat by Dolores' bedside and covered her with a quilt. "Do you want something to eat?"

Dolores shook her head, her complexion still pale and clammy.

Gazing at Dolores, Jessica's heart swelled with sorrow. "You could have had a bright future. But you dropped out of college because of me. And now..."

Thinking of the child growing inside Dolores' womb, Jessica's sadness became almost unbearable. "You said you got pregnant in A Country. Will our child look different from us?"

Jessica worried that the man Dolores had been with that night was a local.

"No matter what they look like, they're still my baby, your grandchild," Dolores responded, not wanting to dwell on that night. It wasn't a pleasant memory for her, after all.

"A Country?" Matthew had come to the hospital to visit Dolores. He had intended to knock on the door but overheard Jessica's conversation with Dolores, causing him to change his mind.

"Well, it doesn't matter how they look. They're still my grandchild," Jessica remarked, hoping to change the subject.

As long as Dolores was happy, Jessica was willing to support her and care for her. Jessica couldn't help but think that perhaps she and the baby were meant to be a family. After all, Dolores had become pregnant after just one night with that man.

Jessica gently touched Dolores' forehead, attempting to push away her own sorrow. "My Lola, you've suffered far too much because of me."

"So she decided to keep the baby?"

Dolores was becoming even more enigmatic to Matthew. He had witnessed her entering the operating room that day.

Observing Dolores and Jessica engrossed in conversation, Matthew didn't want to disturb them. He turned and walked away.

As he reached the hospital's entrance, his cellphone buzzed in his pocket. Retrieving it, he saw Abbott's name on the screen and answered the call.

"I've obtained the information on Dolores that you requested."