Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 228

Once inside the master bedroom, he gently placed Stella on the sofa and knelt in front of her.

"Stella, look at me. Who hurt your arm?"

Stella's eyes darted around the room, and she shrank back, trying to hide in his embrace.

Seeing the pure terror radiating from her, Alaric hugged her tight, speaking in the softest tone he could muster.

"Don't be scared. Daddy's got you. No one is ever going to hurt you while I'm here. Now, tell me, who did this?"

Stella finally whispered.

"I can't tell. If I do, Daddy will leave me. Daddy will die."

Alaric's jaw tightened in fury. He cupped her tiny face.

"Who told you that?"

Stella blinked, her gaze disturbingly blank.

"Mommy told me."

Alaric frowned, a cold knot forming in his stomach.

"Which Mommy? Ivy?"

Stella didn't nod, didn't answer, and didn't deny it.

When Alaric tried to press further, Stella suddenly burst into tears.

Sobbing, she buried her face in his neck and whimpered.

"Daddy, please don't leave me! I'm so scared."

Alaric felt as though a blade had been shoved into his chest.

He rocked her gently, his mind racing through what she had just said.

Ivy hadn't even been near Stella for the past two days; there was no way she could have brainwashed the child.

So it was Elena.

Alaric grabbed his phone and dialed Leo's number.

"What did you find out about the incident with Stella at Metropolitan General?"

"Nothing conclusive yet, Boss," Leo replied. "The security cameras were undergoing an upgrade that day, and barely anyone saw her. It's incredibly difficult to pin down the culprit."

"Find a way. Cross-reference every single person on that floor during that timeframe. There has to be a trail."

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