“Mrs. Du—”

“Ah…”

Xia Ziyu fell forward.

The bodyguards beside her reacted quickly, catching her before she hit the ground.

The paparazzi surrounding her scattered in chaos during the incident, some retreating while others pushed forward. In the confusion, something hard struck her abdomen, causing Xia Ziyu’s face to pale with pain.

“The baby, protect the baby.”

Xia Ziyu forgot about maintaining her dignified appearance and bent over to protect herself.

One bodyguard grabbed the collar of the paparazzo who had hit Xia Ziyu’s stomach, while two others quickly escorted her to the car. Even then, some bold paparazzi chased after the vehicle.

After that accident, what about the Fifth Madam’s unborn child?

They valued news over life.

They didn’t consider that if anything happened to Xia Ziyu’s baby, none of the paparazzi present would escape consequences.

Most clear-headed individuals quickly fled the scene.

The captured paparazzo was terrified.

“It wasn’t my fault, it wasn’t my fault, someone tripped me!”

“I’m not lying!”

The bodyguard dragged him like a dead dog, “Save that for Young Master Du. Right now, you’d better pray to the gods that the Fifth Madam is safe.”

The bodyguard wanted to pray too.

They were supposed to protect Xia Ziyu, yet something happened to her baby – they wouldn’t escape Du Chengrong’s punishment either.

Internally, he cursed Xia Ziyu – a pregnant woman should be resting at home, not seeking attention like this.

Being ambushed by paparazzi right after customs was strange too.

They had wanted to get Xia Ziyu to the car quickly, but she didn’t want unflattering photos taken, and being pregnant, she moved slowly, leading to the ambush… Was this accident intentional?

The paparazzo who hit her stomach was frightened, looking innocent and scared, but the bodyguard dared not release him.

They could only hope the Fifth Madam’s pregnancy was stable enough!

“Quick, to the hospital…”

Xia Ziyu sat in the car and bent over.

She had discovered her pregnancy before the New Year, already over a month along then. Now in late March, she was just over four months pregnant.

She wasn’t foolish enough to go out before the pregnancy was stable.

Only after confirming the pregnancy was secure and the doctor said her health was excellent did she decide to attend the club’s opening ceremony – the safest course would have been to give birth before pursuing other matters, but Xia Ziyu couldn’t wait. She still had several months until delivery, plus a few months of postpartum recovery – that would be over a year.

During such a long time, who knew how much of the family assets Du Zhaohui would acquire?

Or how far Xia Xiaolan’s company would develop.

And that Liu Fen, playing weak while harboring great ambitions!

Anxiety constantly accompanied Xia Ziyu. If she didn’t do something, she’d drive herself mad.

Her abdomen throbbed dully.

A warm flow was seeping out.

Xia Ziyu found herself praying to all the gods and Buddhas.

They rushed anxiously to the hospital.

When she got out of the car, the bodyguards noticed a small bloodstain on her lake-blue qipao and quickly draped a coat over her. The pursuing paparazzi were quick to photograph this scene.

After entering the hospital, Xia Ziyu didn’t come out, being admitted directly for pregnancy preservation.

Du Chengrong truly wasn’t in Hong Kong. Before he could return, newspapers were already speculating that Xia Ziyu might lose the baby – these paparazzi dared not write about their own role in the incident, instead criticizing the Fifth Madam for seeking attention while pregnant, traveling between mainland and Hong Kong in one day for a mainland golf club’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, saying such an itinerary was unsuitable for a pregnant woman.

The paparazzi knew what gossip-hungry citizens wanted to read, extensively promoting the golf club’s high standards.

Whether through their abilities or deliberate leaks from interested parties, they had figured out seventy to eighty percent of the golf club’s membership requirements.

“Billions in assets as an entry requirement, Fifth Madam receives VIP membership invitation.”

“When asked about Fourth Madam, Fifth Madam’s face darkens!”

“Panicked mistake leads to hospitalization for pregnancy preservation.”

Slap—

Liu Keying threw down the newspaper.

There had been bleeding on the way to the hospital.

While Hong Kong media speculated Xia Ziyu had already miscarried, Liu Keying knew she hadn’t.

Xia Ziyu was still in the hospital trying to save the pregnancy.

Liu Keying sneered: “I’ll teach her to love the spotlight! What golf club? Who does she think she is to represent the Du family at ribbon-cutting ceremonies?”

In truth, Liu Keying had done plenty of ribbon-cutting when she was in favor.

But those were mostly charity events, where she was invited for face and press coverage, while the organizers hoped for donations.

Commercial events were rare. Liu Keying held no position in the group, and even when she occasionally attended, it was as Du Chengrong’s companion… Never alone! If Xia Ziyu could represent Du Chengrong, what did that make her, who had been by Du Chengrong’s side for over a decade?

Liu Tianquan was as fat as a Buddha statue.

He hesitated endlessly before acting, but once he did, there was no turning back.

Getting rid of the flesh in Xia Ziyu’s belly had been Liu Tianquan and Liu Keying’s plan since the spring banquet.

They had been waiting for an opportunity.

Liu Keying watched Xia Ziyu’s every move, waiting for her to make arrogant mistakes.

She also watched Du Zhaohui’s every move, waiting for a chance to frame him.

Du Zhaohui was cautious now, keeping his distance from Xia Ziyu.

At this golf club opening ceremony, the two detestable people finally met… When Liu Keying heard that paparazzi throughout the city had mobilized to wait for Xia Ziyu at customs, she could no longer contain her anger.

Fortunately, her elder brother Liu Tianquan was sufficiently helpful this time, immediately arranging countermeasures.

Unfortunately, they hadn’t managed to make her lose the baby on the spot – this vixen was quite healthy.

“Young Master Du will surely return to Hong Kong when he gets the news. Once he’s back, we’ll have lost our chance. Brother, I can’t bear to give up this opportunity!”

The fat on Liu Tianquan’s face squeezed his eyes into slits, but couldn’t hide their fierce glint:

“How could we? Since we’ve started, I want her life!”

Liu Keying finally showed a satisfied smile:

“Then I’ll await the good news.”

…

The baby was temporarily safe.

Xia Ziyu lay in the hospital bed, terrified.

For about two minutes, she questioned whether she had been too hasty.

But with Du Zhaohui watching like a tiger and Xia Xiaolan showing off, how could she endure?

This wasn’t her fault, but others.

“Adding medicine for Mrs. Du.”

“Go ahead.”

A nurse passed careful inspection and was let in, giving Xia Ziyu a sweet smile.

“Are you feeling better, Mrs. Du? The doctor says your health is very good. After two more days of IV fluids, you can be discharged soon.”

Xia Ziyu had no mood to chat with the young nurse and responded perfunctorily before closing her eyes to rest. Bodyguards watched the door 24 hours a day, and Madam Sun accompanied her in the room – it was very safe here.

The nurse didn’t say more, efficiently adding the injection liquid to the IV bottle, smiled at the maid Madam Sun in the room, and then quietly left.

“Mrs. Du needs rest, try not to disturb her.”

Xia Ziyu felt her eyelids growing heavier.

The doctor had said she especially needed rest now, so feeling sleepy during the IV was normal.

But why was her abdomen hurting more and more?

Xia Ziyu was covered in sweat, her hands clutching the bedsheets.

“Mrs. Du? Mrs. Du?!”

Something seemed wrong. Madam Sun pressed the call button frantically, the guards rushed in along with two doctors. Xia Ziyu heard chaotic voices:

“Added medicine? No medicine was supposed to be added, Mrs. Du only had one bottle of medicine today…”