Then Emily began crying from the nursery.
Lily immediately turned toward the sound.
Adrian watched her disappear down the hallway.
He realized that the woman who had once feared becoming attached to another person's child had already become the most important person in his daughter's life.
And he was beginning to fall in love with her.
But the battle for Emily had only just begun.
The custody hearing was scheduled for the following Monday.
Adrian's legal team worked around the clock to prepare their defense.
They collected medical records, employment documents, security footage, and statements from the people who had witnessed Lily caring for Emily.
But Eleanor had powerful connections.
She had spent decades building relationships with influential lawyers, politicians, and business leaders.
And she was determined not to lose.
Victoria, meanwhile, was working behind the scenes.
She had contacted a journalist and provided information suggesting that Lily had deliberately entered Adrian's life to obtain money.
The story appeared online with a sensational headline.
MYSTERY HOUSEKEEPER WINS THE HEART OF BILLIONAIRE'S BABY — BUT WHAT DOES SHE REALLY WANT?
The article included photographs of Lily arriving at the mansion and holding Emily.
It also mentioned Sophie's death and the financial trust established by Catherine.
Lily read the article in disbelief.
They had turned her daughter's death into gossip.
She threw her phone onto the bed.
Sarah entered the room.
"Miss Lily?"
Lily wiped her eyes.
"Have you seen it?"
Sarah nodded.
"Don't pay attention to those people."
"They're writing about Sophie, Sarah. They're using her memory to make me look like a gold digger."
Sarah sat beside her.
"Anyone who knew you would never believe those lies."
Lily shook her head.
"Sometimes the truth doesn't matter when people have already decided what they want to believe."
The following morning, Adrian received an unexpected visit from Victoria.
She entered his office without waiting for permission.
"We need to talk."
Adrian didn't look up.
"Leave."
"You're making a mistake."
"That's enough, Victoria."
She placed a folder on his desk.
"Look at this."
Adrian opened it.
Inside were photographs of Lily meeting a lawyer outside a café.
There were also copies of financial documents relating to Catherine's trust.
"What is this?"
"Proof that Lily has been communicating with lawyers about your family money."
Adrian looked up.
"She has every right to understand the trust Catherine left her."
Victoria smiled coldly.
"You're defending her again."
"Because she has done nothing wrong."
Victoria leaned forward.
"Do you really think a woman like her belongs in your world?"
Adrian stood.
"Get out of my office."
Victoria's expression hardened.
"You're going to regret choosing her."
After she left, Adrian instructed his lawyers to investigate every document.
They quickly discovered that the photographs were genuine but misleading.
Lily had met the lawyer to discuss Catherine's trust, not Adrian's fortune.
The financial documents had been taken from an old legal file and edited to remove important details.
But before Adrian could confront Victoria, another crisis occurred.
At around noon, Lily took Emily into the garden.
The little girl had been restless, so Lily wanted to let her enjoy the fresh air.
She placed Emily in her stroller and walked along the flower beds.
Then she heard a voice behind her.
"Miss Bennett."
She turned.
A man wearing a dark jacket approached.
"Can I help you?"
He showed her an official-looking document.
"I'm here to escort you to the family court for questioning."
Lily frowned.
"Why?"
"There's been a new complaint regarding the child's welfare."
Lily immediately called Adrian.
But the man insisted that she accompany him.
Within minutes, another vehicle arrived.
Emily began crying.
Lily refused to leave her.
"She's not going anywhere without me."
The man looked uncomfortable.
"Miss Bennett, please cooperate."
Lily held Emily close.
"Call my employer. He will confirm everything."
But the situation quickly became chaotic.
A security guard approached, followed by two police officers who had been called to the property.
After reviewing the documents, the officers informed Lily that she was required to answer questions concerning the complaint.
They also arranged for Emily to be returned to the mansion under Sarah's supervision.
Lily kissed the baby's forehead.
"Don't be afraid, sweetheart. I'll be back."
Emily reached for her.
Her tiny fingers caught Lily's sleeve.
It was one of the most painful moments of Lily's life.
At the station, she learned that Eleanor had filed a formal complaint alleging that Lily had violated the terms of her employment and attempted to remove Emily from the mansion.
The accusation was false.
But the complaint had been carefully prepared.
Lily was questioned for several hours before being released pending further investigation.
When Adrian arrived, she was sitting alone in a small waiting room.
He rushed toward her.
"Lily!"
She stood up.
"Adrian..."
He embraced her.
"I'm sorry. I should have been there."
Lily began crying.
"They took Emily away from me."
"She's safe. Sarah is with her."
"I want to go home."
He held her tighter.
"Then let's go home."
But when they arrived at the mansion, Sarah was waiting at the entrance.
Her face was pale.
"Mr. Adrian..."
"What happened?"
"Emily has been taken."
Adrian froze.
"Taken where?"
"Mrs. Eleanor came with a court-appointed representative. They presented an emergency guardianship order."
Lily felt her knees weaken.
"What?"
Sarah began crying.
"They said Emily had to stay with her grandmother until the hearing."
Adrian immediately called his lawyer.
"Find out who signed that order. I want it challenged tonight."
But his lawyer's response was devastating.
"Sir, the order is legally enforceable until the hearing. We cannot simply reverse it."
Adrian looked toward the nursery.
Emily's toys were scattered across the floor.
Her little blanket remained on the crib.
But the baby was gone.