"Cherry's statement is no good anymore."
Whitney's gaze turned icy, her eyes shimmering like fragments of broken ice. "We underestimated her. She made her move early, not even sparing a child. Keep an eye on Cherry for now. If it was just hypnosis, it shouldn't be too serious.
Clearly, Elaine's return to Banyan City was part of a bigger plan. She's using Ashton as a starting point, aiming to stir up trouble and claw her way back into high society."
"In her dreams!" Tiana seethed, gripping Whitney's hand. "You mentioned we have other options, let's use them. Or we could just tell Parker to handle it!
And we shouldn't wait for Endora to change her testimony in jail. That witch needs to be stopped now."
Indeed.
Leaving Elaine in Banyan City after she dared to hypnotize Cherry was too dangerous. Who knows what else she might cook up among them, spreading lies and unrest, especially with Valerie still out of the picture...
Like a cancer, she had to be cut out.
Whitney stretched her neck, her voice cold and decisive. "Don't worry, I'll handle this. With Ashton in the way, we need to get rid of her quickly!"
The resolve in her eyes gave Tiana a sense of assurance. They were all good people, forced into this corner by a woman who wouldn't stop at anything, even kidnapping Cherry. She had it coming.
"Mommy, what are you whispering about?" Cherry's head popped up behind them, ever the inquisitive one, afraid of missing out on anything. "Are you talking about Daddy? He came to the hospital, didn't he? Why haven't I seen him?"
Whitney nudged Tiana, signaling her to calm her anger.
Tiana came back to reality, turning to look at her daughter's small face, closely observing her condition, worried about any lingering effects from the brief hypnosis.
Her thoughts darkened at the possibility of Elaine doing something more sinister to Cherry.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. "Whitney, it's getting late, and you've been run off your feet these past few days. Take a break, go do what you need to."
Whitney caught the hint.
Nodding, she replied, "Not in a rush. I want to see you and Parker settled first before I can rest easy."
"What's there to settle between him and me?" Tiana muttered, looking down. "Just go, leave me be."
Whitney's lips curved in a knowing smile, pulling gently at her. "Isn't it time for your ultrasound? Parker mentioned wanting to see his son. I'll go call him."
"Why should he butt in? Besides, who said it's going to be a son?"
Tiana grumbled, her cheeks flushing. But then, the blush faded as she lifted her head. "Whitney, do you think he really wants a son? What if it's not? Would he still accept the child?"
Whitney stared at her, exasperated, and gave her a light smack on the head.
"Ow! What was that for?" Tiana winced.
Whitney, slightly frustrated, said, "Where's that smart brain of yours that you use in hacking? Can't you see this clearly? Do you really think Parker is after a child or you?"
"I don't know." Tiana frowned, feeling wronged. "This morning at the Doonan family's, when he thought he lost his child, he looked like he could eat me alive. Now that he knows the baby's still here, he's all sweet talk.
Doesn't that show he's only after a son?"
Whitney sighed, trying to explain. "Parker made it clear to me. His anger was out of sorrow, not the desire for a child. If he wanted kids, plenty of women would line up to bear them for him.
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