Chapter 574 Competing for the Daughter
Brooklyn sped towards Aucester Hospital, her car barely stopping as she jumped out and headed for the entrance. Before she even stepped inside, she overheard the nurses gossiping.
"Can you believe that woman? She's claiming to be some big shot? Didn't her husband already fall from grace? She's got no shame!"
Another nurse chimed in, "Yeah, I've never seen someone so shameless. She ditched her daughter and husband to marry some old, ugly guy, and now she's back trying to take her daughter. It's disgraceful."
"I heard her ex-husband is friends with Dr. Mitchell here at the hospital. I doubt she won't get anything out of this."
"Exactly. When they divorced, her daughter was initially given to her, but when the girl got sick, she handed her back to her ex-husband. Now that the girl is better, and she wants her back? That's ridiculous!"
Brooklyn knew they were talking about Peregrine's ex-wife. She remembered Peregrine mentioning that his ex-wife initially had custody of their daughter.
Ignoring the gossip, Brooklyn strode quickly up the steps, her long legs wrapped in jeans, moving swiftly. She pressed the elevator button, and as the doors opened, a crowd rushed out. She didn't have time to go to her office and headed straight to the inpatient department.
At the VIP ward, she saw nurses and doctors arguing with Peregrine's ex-wife. Among the crowd, she heard a little girl crying. Brooklyn frowned and looked inside, spotting the haughty woman at the center of the commotion.
The woman was dressed provocatively in a hot pink dress, carrying the latest Hermès purse, and wearing a sparkling diamond necklace. Her hair was meticulously styled.
Marc was already in custody, but his father remained untouched.
Marc's father held significant influence in Aqua Vista City, and this woman was using his name to throw her weight around.
"You have no right to take Sofia!" Brooklyn's cold, aloof voice cut through the noise. She pushed through the crowd, standing directly in front of the woman in red, her height giving her an imposing presence.
The woman narrowed her eyes, "You must be Brooklyn? The woman Sebastian loves? What? You think you can threaten me with your status? My husband is close friends with Sebastian's father. You'd better not mess with me."
She emphasized "close friends" with a proud tone.
"You're mistaken. I'm not just Sebastian's wife; I'm also a doctor here. Leave immediately!" Brooklyn snapped.
"Brooklyn, I advise you to be sensible. No matter how powerful Sebastian is, he still listens to his father. Do you think he'd turn against his own father for you? Don't be arrogant with me!"
Brooklyn's lips curled into a cold smile. "Miss, Sebastian's relationship with his father is none of your business. But I can tell you this: Marc is enjoying his meals in prison, and it won't be long before you join him."
"Brooklyn, you overestimate yourself! You clearly don't understand many things. I pity you!"
As the argument continued, Arabella received a call from Peregrine. He had just finished tracking Lawrence's overseas accounts and saw numerous missed calls. He quickly called back, learned about the situation, and rushed to Aucester Hospital.
"Dr. Warner, don't let Sofia leave with her."
"Don't worry, Sofia isn't going anywhere. Dr. Mitchell is handling it."
Benedict had also returned to the hospital. Hearing the commotion, he frowned, "What's going on? Why are you all shouting outside Sofia's ward? If her condition worsens, who will take responsibility? You? Or you?"
He pointed directly at the woman in red, recognizing her resemblance to Sofia and realizing she must be Peregrine's ex-wife.
She snorted, "You're setting a bad example for Sofia, making her learn bad behavior. Can you take responsibility for that?"
Brooklyn and Benedict noticed the men in black suits behind the woman, clearly her bodyguards. No wonder the doctors and nurses were hesitant to confront her.
Brooklyn and Benedict exchanged a glance. Brooklyn smirked, "Miss, Sofia is crying inside. If you're really her mother, you should be able to calm her down. If you can't, then you're just a kidnapper. Get out."
The nurses and doctors echoed, "Yeah, if you're her mother, you should be able to stop her crying. If you can't, leave and let us do our job!"
The woman in red scoffed and walked into the ward. She sat by Sofia's bed, gently stroking her forehead, "Sofia, I'm here to take you home. Let's go, okay? Don't cry. I'll take you to eat something nice, buy you new clothes, and take you to the amusement park. Wouldn't you like that?"
Despite the tempting offers, Sofia remained unmoved. She looked at the heavily made-up woman with fear, as if seeing a monster instead of her mother.
In a soft, tearful voice, she turned to Brooklyn, "Dr. Mitchell, I don't want to go with her. I want to stay here and wait for Daddy."
Hearing Sofia, Brooklyn quickly entered the room, scooping Sofia into her arms. Sofia clung to her like a lifeline, refusing to let go.
Brooklyn gently reassured her, "Sofia, don't be scared. I'm here. We're not going anywhere. We'll wait for your daddy, okay?"
Sofia nodded, her head resting against Brooklyn's chest, "Okay, we'll wait for Daddy."
Just then, Peregrine's voice boomed from the doorway, "Dione Saunders! What are you doing here? You're not taking Sofia from me!"
Dione Saunders turned, shocked to see Peregrine. Their eyes met, and she saw the man who once commanded the financial world, now standing firm and resolute.
She had never loved him, only the success and wealth he represented. When his fortunes fell, so did her affection.
Peregrine felt a wave of emotions seeing his ex-wife. He had imagined their reunion many times, but never like this.
With a bitter smile, he said, "Dione, get out!"
His voice was cold and detached, filled with disgust for the woman he once loved deeply, now the source of his greatest pain.
Sofia, seeing her father, reached out to him, "Daddy, Daddy, you're here! The bad woman wants to take me. Make her go away."
Dione's face twisted with anger at Sofia's words. She smoothed her hair and glared at Peregrine, "Don't forget, the divorce agreement clearly states Sofia's custody is mine!"
Brooklyn calmly replied, "Ms. Saunders, the agreement might say that, but there's something called an appeal and a tool called the law. Given the current situation, you're unfit to care for Sofia."
Peregrine added firmly, "Dione, I'll file for custody. Expect a lawsuit."
Dione laughed mockingly, "Peregrine, with your current status, you think you can win against me? Ridiculous!"
Brooklyn raised an eyebrow, "Oh, we'll see. I'll support Mr. Holloway's case fully, until you're left with nothing. Ms. Saunders, whether it's money or connections, bring it on."
Benedict and Arabella exchanged knowing smiles. Arabella waved dismissively, "Ms. Saunders, leave. Don't pollute our air."
Brooklyn pointed to the exit, "Not showing you out."
Realizing she was outmatched, Dione huffed and stomped out, her heels clicking sharply on the floor.
She turned to Sofia, her eyes devoid of any maternal warmth, "Sofia, I'll take you one day. Don't forget how I used to love you. I'll take care of you."
Peregrine shielded Sofia, "Let go!"
"Loser! You should've died in the financial crash!" Dione cursed.
Brooklyn frowned, "Jake, call security. Get all the guards here. We've got a madwoman on the loose."
Dione snarled, "Brooklyn, you'll regret humiliating me today."
"Get out! Now!"
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