Chapter 374 Take Action
"Depends on how bad James's injuries are," Fiorello said. "I can bail her out, but the rest is on her."
Maggie found herself at a loss for words. James and Isabella's long-running feud had finally escalated to this point, and it was difficult to know how to intervene.
"You must be tired. Get some rest," Maggie said.
Feeling a twinge of sympathy for the worn-out man, Maggie settled into bed, feeling safe and protected with Fiorello nearby. Soon, she drifted off to sleep.
The next day, Fiorello went to work as usual. Before leaving, he reminded Maggie to stay home and rest.
Maggie didn't argue. Staying home was boring, but she knew she had to for the baby's sake. She could handle it for seven more months.
Fiorello, worried Maggie might get bored, texted Dulce to keep her company.
Dulce got the message and quickly headed to Cityhomes West to be with Maggie, while Arya took Adalia to school.
There was still no news about Susan's child. As Arya and Adalia left the apartment, they saw Susan coming back, looking a bit crazy.
Susan had been searching for her son all night. Her heels were blistered, her hair a mess, and her injured hand was in a cast.
When Susan saw Adalia, she stared at her.
Adalia got scared and hid behind Arya. "Grandma, I'm scared."
Susan used to look at Adalia like that when she wanted to hit her.
Arya was also scared of Susan's gaze. Susan's eyes were bloodshot and wild after a sleepless night.
"Don't be afraid," Arya said, pulling Adalia to her side and walking away from Susan.
Arya held Adalia tightly as they crossed the street to the kindergarten.
Susan followed them, staying behind. Arya quickened her pace with Adalia.
Arya dropped Adalia off at the kindergarten and told her, "I'll pick you up after school. Don't go with anyone else."
"Got it, Grandma," Adalia said, carrying her backpack and following the teacher into the classroom.
When Arya returned, Susan was still standing by the roadside, staring at her.
Feeling uneasy, Arya ignored her and walked towards the store.
Usually, after dropping off Adalia, she would buy groceries and then cook.
"Ms. Stark," a neighbor called out, "Going grocery shopping? Let's go together."
Having lived there for a while, Arya knew quite a few neighbors.
"Sure," Arya said, glad for the company. Susan following her was making her nervous.
The neighbor glanced at Susan and said sympathetically, "She brought this on herself. Playing cards and losing her child—this family is doomed."
"Yeah," Arya replied, "Playing cards is bad."
As they talked, Arya kept glancing back. Susan was still following, asking everyone she met, "Have you seen my son? He's wearing a black shirt."
The store was busy in the morning.
Arya bought some beef.
The neighbor asked, "Making a roast?"
Arya smiled, "Yeah, my daughter is pregnant. I'm making something nutritious for her."
"Your daughter is pregnant? Congrats," the neighbor said with a smile. "Your daughter is lucky. I've seen her husband; he's quite handsome."
Arya smiled, "Yeah, he's a good-looking guy. We're moving this weekend."
"Where to?" the neighbor asked, sighing. "It'll be hard to see you often. Why are you moving?"
"Fiorello bought a big villa. It's in Sunset Hills Estates. We can still keep in touch and visit each other. It's not too far."
The neighbor said enviously, "That's a fancy area. Fiorello must be doing well to afford a place there. What does he do?"
"He runs a company and does all sorts of things. I'm not too sure about the details."
The neighbor's praise made Arya feel proud, so she didn't hold back. "Fiorello is very capable. He makes good money and treats my daughter well. The villa is even in her name."
"You're very lucky. If your daughter has a son, that'll be even better."
"I'm hoping for a grandson too. It'll make her life even better."
Arya didn't prefer boys over girls, but she knew the Flores family might. Even if they said they liked girls, having a son would be better. Wealthy families always preferred sons for their successor.
The neighbor laughed, "If you want a son, I have some medicine. I gave it to my daughter-in-law, and she had two boys."
Arya was curious. "Really? What medicine? I'll give it to my daughter."
"I'll bring it to you later."
They chatted enthusiastically. The store was crowded, and Arya, engrossed in the conversation, didn't notice Susan following closely behind.
Susan heard every word.
Maggie was pregnant.
Adalia had only been adopted for a short time, and now Maggie was pregnant.
Susan's expression turned sinister, a hint of madness in her eyes.
Tommy went missing, and Maggie got pregnant. Susan was convinced Maggie had stolen Tommy's luck. It was Maggie's child that caused Tommy's disappearance.
This thought grew wildly in Susan's mind until she was certain Maggie was to blame.
The more Susan thought about it, the more obsessed and deranged she became. She stumbled back home and grabbed Alan, who had just returned from searching for their child all night.
"I'm telling you, it's Maggie's fault. The fortune teller said our son's fate is tied to Adalia's. When Adalia left, he went missing. Maggie, who adopted Adalia, got pregnant so quickly. It's Maggie's fault."
Susan rambled, "It's Maggie's fault. Her child caused our son's disappearance."
Alan asked, "Is Maggie really pregnant?"
"I heard it with my own ears. They fought us for Adalia and opposed us because they wanted to use Adalia to have a son. It must be that."
Susan said obsessively, "Alan, go get Adalia back. If Adalia returns, our son will come back. They're moving this weekend because they feel guilty. Otherwise, they wouldn't move."
Alan was influenced by Susan's words. He remembered that after adopting Adalia, they had a son. When Maggie adopted Adalia, she got pregnant, and Tommy went missing.
Alan's eyes widened, his fists clenched, and a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes. "It's Maggie's child that caused our son's disappearance."
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