The True Heiress's Return

Chapter 28

"Where is Lonely Bird Walter's cold, husky voice echoed, snapping everyone back to reality. Yvette

ette couldn't tear her eyes away from Walter's striking profile interly captivated. Dale's smile grew even more obsequious. "Mr. Lopez, we didn't expect your esteemed presence. I apologize for the lack of proper reception" As he spoke, Dale turned gleefully toward the space behind him Dr. Lonely Bird is right over His words trailed off, and the smile smile on his face froze. The spot where Lonely Bird had just been standing was now empty- Lonely Bind had vanished without a trace. Walter's piercing gaze locked onto Dale. "Over where?"

Under Walter's stare, Dale's heart pounded in fear, his smile fading into an expression of near panic. "Mr. Lopez, Dr. Lonely Bird was just here a moment ago, everyone saw... The other doctors, catching Dale's desperate warning glance, quickly echoed, "Yes, yes, that's right. None of them dared to look Walter in the eve

Walter had earned a fearsome reputation, one that had once dominated all of Crescentville. After his legs were paralyzed, his temper had only grown more unpredictable and volatile.

And now, this towering figure at the apex of Crescentville's elite had suddenly appeared at the hospital, no doubt searching for the clusive Lonely Bird. But Lonely Bird had slipped away in the blink of an eye-enough to send chills down the doctors spines. Yvette, feigning nonchalance, remarked, "Dr. Lonely Bird was right here before Mr. Lopez stepped out of the elevator. Could it be that upon seeing Mr. Lopez, Dr. Lonely Bird left in a hurry?"

Jessie quickly caught on, adding fuel to the fire. "Exactly! We were just having a conversation, and now she has disappeared. Maybe that so-called famous doctor is all talk-afraid of not being able to cure Mr. Lopez and fled at the last minute..." Before she could finish her sentence, a sharp glare cut through the air, as though an invisible hand had wrapped around Jessie's throat.

Though the Sm Smith family had clawed d their way into the fringes of high society after a windfall, Jessie had spent most of her life as a rural woman. That deep-rooted rudeness and timidity were impossible to shake.

Subconsciously, she felt her courage crumble under the icy weight of Walter's gaze, nearly biting her own tongue in the process. She hurried to backtrack. "Or maybe Dr. Lonely Bird had something urgent to attend to and left in a rush without saying goodbye!" Walter's jaw clenched, and he ordered Brian, "Lonely Bird has just left. Lock down the hospital. Search every inch if you have to. Just find that person."

Yes,

sir!" Brian moved quickly to execute the order

By the emergency stairwell, Shakira swiftly removed her coat, rolling it into a ball before tossing it into a nondescript trash bin in the corner. Moving quickly, she descended several flights of stairs before turning toward an elevator.

on the ground floor, a

silently in her heart and turned around, offering a soft smile to the tall man approaching her. She feigned surprise. "Brian, what

aside, revealing Walter's devilishly handsonfe but intimidating face. Shakira's smile deepened, her eyes bright with

good, especially after Lonely Bird had seemingly vanished. His expression was dark, and he ignored Shakira's attempt

Then.

shiver of electricity shot through her, nearly causing Shakira to yelp. She hugged her arm protectively, staring at Walter in disbelief. "What are you doing?" Walter's deep eyes fixated on her. "Wearing a mask and sweating-why are you at the

beat.

you keeping tabs on me now? I'm just here

certificate?" 'Walter was confused.

done. I need it before classes start. And for some reason, the hospital is packed today, so I had

over

of tests she had just completed to Walter. Walter glanced at it, his frown deepening before relaxing slightly. "What am I thinking? Do I seriously suspect that Shakira could be Lonely Bird? The thought itself seemed ridiculous, even to

"Mr. Lopez, we found what seems to be Lonely Bird's discarded clothes in a trash can on the thirteenth floor. However, the hospital's surveillance had a half-minute glitch-someone likely tampered with

of frustration in his voice. "Mr. Lopez, just give me a little more time." Lonely Bird

I is already gone.

won't help,

lowered his head.

at Shakira.

she silently complied. It

downstairs to see off the Nelson family, happened to witness the scene. She stood at a distance, watching Shakira's back, her brows furrowed. Yvette, what are you looking at?" Rebecca asked curiously. "Nothing. It must be Mr. Lopez's maid," Yvette shook her head. Why

shutting down the hospital to