To many people, this also explained why Shin had been willing to sign such an unfair contract that practically handed his assets over to Yeri.
To the public, this explanation was far more feasible and believable than the possibility that Yeri was simply a prodigy in programming.
After all, a hidden pregnancy was sensational. A genius programmer was merely reality, and people had always preferred gossip over the truth.
---
The next day, the Keir Clan was already in an uproar, not only because of the rumor that Yeri was pregnant but also because of the matter involving Hadi.
Initially, his temporary disownment had merely been a way to appease Shin. Once things settled down, they could simply wave their hands and declare that everything was in the past. After all, Hadi still carried Keir blood.
However, his attempt to harm Yeri had only widened the rift. If word got out, it would bring shame to the Keir surname.
On the other hand, Shin was well aware that they had never been serious about disowning Hadi.
So, with a wave of his hand as well, news of Hadi's temporary disownment was made public causing the media to dig into this matter.
Such a prominent family publicly disowning one of its members was no small matter. Just what crime had Hadi committed for even the Keirs to reject him?
Naturally, Shin didn't leave behind the people in that VIP room, especially Hadi's friends.
Their families were already clamoring to discuss a private settlement, hoping to defuse the matter.
But which elite family doesn't have an Achilles' heel?
Shin simply leaked information useful to their family rivals and gave netizens something to stir up regarding the atrocities committed by Hadi's friends.
It was time for them to experience what it felt like to be harassed and dissected by the public.
Venice wasn't about to be left behind.
She immediately rode the wave of publicity, appearing in a livestream while tearfully portraying herself as one of Hadi's victims. She also didn't hesitate to heavily imply the relationship between Hadi and Calin.
That same day, she personally went to seek out Marianne Vega.
Marianne had only recently been discharged from the hospital after her accident and had already returned to work.
When she heard that someone named Venice Zhi was looking for her, she agreed to meet her in her office.
"Hello. I didn't know you were a surgeon. I hope I'm not disturbing you," Venice said awkwardly.
Marianne studied her carefully.
As she had suspected, she truly didn't recognize her at all.
"It's fine. I also wanted to meet you, but I've been too busy lately after taking leave because of the accident."
Venice didn't waste any time and quickly got to the point. After all, this was a criminal case that could very likely send her to prison.
"Could you tell me the details?" Marianne asked.
Venice smiled bitterly and began recounting everything, starting about her relationship with Hadi, how Jade had caused her miscarriage, and how Hadi had changed afterward and wanted to break up with her.
Eventually, the two of them had argued in the fire-exit stairwell.
"So you see, Miss Vega, there's really no reason for me to harm you. I don't know what your relationship with Calin is, but I can tell that you don't know me either."
Marianne felt another dull ache in her head.
Perhaps it was a lingering side effect from the accident.
Clenching her hands, she asked quietly, "Did you see Calin push me?"
Venice hesitated, having been used as a scapegoat, she couldn't have been more eager to nod her head.
However, she had already given an official statement to the police. She couldn't say one thing now and another later.
"No. By the time I came down the stairs, you were already unconscious. But believe it or not, Calin looked guilty as sin at the time." Her expression darkened. "Hadi, that disgusting dog, was so eager to comfort her. The two of them were practically on the same page. Not only could he get rid of me, but Calin could walk away unscathed."
Marianne remained silent, her gaze unconsciously drifted toward the window.
Even now, she still wasn't certain whether she had fallen by accident or had been pushed.
Nevertheless, no matter how much she wanted to deceive herself, between Calin and Venice, it was Calin who had a reason to harm her.
"Miss Vega, I didn't come here for any other reason. I just hope you're a conscientious person and won't allow an innocent person to suffer for what the real culprit should pay for." Venice suddenly stood, looking slightly anxious.
Marianne smiled faintly.
"To be honest, I still don't know whether my fall was an accident or not. But I'm not malicious enough to point fingers at someone without evidence."
The two chatted a little longer before Venice finally left.
However, no sooner had the office door closed than it swung open once more.
Seeing who it was, Marianne froze before quietly averting her gaze.
Memories surfaced uncontrollably.
The hallway.
The way he had firmly admitted that he had only dated her because she had accidentally overheard something she shouldn't have.
"Can we please talk?" Sergei walked straight toward her. "Why are you suddenly avoiding me? You even sent me a message saying you want to break up. Marianne, how could you be so heartless? Is it because of all the scandals and problems my family is facing? Are you afraid you'll get dragged into it? Or is it because my company is on the verge of bankruptcy?"
Marianne was dumbfounded, her hands clenched into fists.
"I know it's my fault for not taking care of you lately, but can you be a little more magnanimous and less demanding? I can't believe you chose to leave when I'm at my lowest point. I'm starting to wonder whether your feelings for me were ever genuine, or if they were all superficial. Do you blame me because I'm not doing anything to help you with your case?" Sergei continued.
Marianne took a deep breath before interrupting in a voice barely above a whisper. "I heard you... in the hallway. What you said to Zoren Lin and Natalia Jie... I heard it."
Sergei paused, trying to remember. Then his expression turned grim and complicated.
"You can accuse me of many things, but what about you? Doesn't your conscience hurt? For the sake of your sister, you sacrificed yourself and dated someone you didn't love. Should I thank you for having such a big heart, or apologize for blocking your chance to chase your one true love?"
Sergei was momentarily stunned. This was the first time Marianne had spoken to him this way.
But seeing her reddened eyes, the hurt and grievance written across her face, he suddenly felt smug.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Will you stop jumping to conclusions?" He slammed the bouquet he was holding onto the table and grabbed her wrist. "I admit that I initially asked you to be my girlfriend because of the situation with Calin, but even in that short time we were together, I came to love you."
Marianne frowned and tried to pull her wrist away, but he held it tightly.
"Marianne, do you dare say you don't love me anymore? Not even a little bit? If you heard what I said back then, then you should've also heard when I said I was tired of cleaning up after my sister's mess."
Marianne stiffened, her heart slamming against her chest as though it were protesting against her mind. "You love me so you were eager to explain yourself to Natalia?"
Sergei's eyes narrowed, a hint of shrewdness flashing across his face before he quickly concealed it.
"I wasn't explaining myself to her, but to Zoren Lin. You witnessed how convinced he was that I was behind Allen's accident. I was afraid that after overhearing the conversation between Calin and me, you'd also be persuaded by him. So I ended up saying things in a way that could hurt you."
Marianne felt her head beginning to ache again. She had never been good with words, and at the moment, she really didn't want to deal with him.
"Sergei, if you're worried that I'll continue pursuing the case, then you can relax now. I plan to withdraw the matter since there isn't enough evidence. Just consider it my last consideration for Calin with the many lawsuits she's facing at present."
But Sergei only looked more exasperated as he yanked her closer. "Marianne Vega, can you stop being so difficult? I'm not here because of her. Why don't you believe me? In your heart, do you think I'm guilty of harming Allen? Is this your excuse to distance yourself from me?"
"Let go first, you're hurting me." Marianne swayed slightly from his pull. Combined with the throbbing headache, she was simply too confused to think clearly. "I'll think about it... just not now, okay?"
"Think about what?" Sergei snarled.
He could accept Natalia being distant toward him, but Marianne was different. She had always been by his side. She loved him so much that the thought of her suddenly leaving made him feel strangely unbalanced.
Just as Marianne opened her mouth to answer, the door swung open.
Holding a stack of folders, Zahn Neri paused upon entering.
His gaze shifted between the two of them, then to the bouquet of flowers on the table, before finally settling on his wristwatch.
"Sergei Ricci," he said coldly, "are you here as a patient? If not, discuss your private affairs after work hours."
Marianne immediately seized the opportunity to pull her hand free and take several steps back, composing herself. "Right. I have a patient scheduled for surgery in two hours. I need to prepare."
Sergei shot Zahn a displeased look before reluctantly turning to leave. At the doorway, he glanced back.
"I'll pick you up later."
Marianne refused, but Sergei either didn't hear her or pretended not to. He simply left.
Once only the two of them remained, Marianne immediately apologized to Zahn, promising it wouldn't happen again.
She had only recently returned from the branch hospital and didn't want another black mark on her record.
Zahn Neri simply placed the folders on her desk. "These are your patients' records. Review their insurance claims and clinical handovers."
Marianne nodded.
Just as he was about to leave, she couldn't help but call out.
"Uhm, Doctor Neri... if it were you, would you rather believe someone important to you or believe the facts?"
Zahn Neri, whose own relationship couldn't be more terrible and depressing "..."