The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 159

Shattered Hope

Daniel stood before the large window of his study with his hands clasped behind his back.

The afternoon sun illuminated the profile of his face-casting sharp shadows that made his expression appear harder than usual.

Marcus stood several meters behind him with a tablet in hand and a tense expression.

“So, they’ve already assigned the inspection officers?”

Daniel spoke without turning around.

“Yes, Sir,” Marcus answered. “The appointed social worker is Ms. Claire Fontaine. And the independent physician is Dr. Ingrid Halvorsen.”

Daniel nodded, then settled into his chair with fingers interlaced in front of his chest.

“Claire Fontaine and Ingrid Halvorsen,” he repeated in a thoughtful tone. “What have you found on them?”

Marcus scrolled on the tablet and began reading in detail.

“Ms. Claire Fontaine, thirty-eight years old. Social worker with twelve years of experience in domestic welfare cases. Reputation as thorough but fair. No red flags in our background check. She will conduct a private interview with Mrs. Alina-without your presence or any other party who could influence the testimony.”

Daniel nodded while listening with full attention.

“Her track record in similar cases?” he asked in a sharp tone.

Marcus swiped the screen.

“She handled approximately forty-three domestic welfare cases in the last five years. Twenty-eight of them resulted in no intervention-subjects were declared safe and well-cared for. Fifteen cases resulted in various levels of intervention ranging from mandatory counseling to temporary removal from the environment.”

“So she doesn’t automatically assume abuse,” said Daniel in a satisfied tone. “She’s objective.”

“It appears so, Sir,” Marcus answered. “Professional reviewers say she’s very balanced-not too quick to conclude abuse but also not dismissive toward genuine concerns.”

Daniel gazed out the window with a calculating expression.

“And Dr. Halvorsen?”

Marcus read the next section in the same professional voice.

“Dr. Ingrid Halvorsen, forty-five years old. Psychiatrist specializing in trauma and women’s mental health. She also has a background in obstetrics consultation for high-risk pregnancies-specifically for patients with mental health complications during pregnancy.”

“Daniel raised an eyebrow slightly.

“So she’s an expert in exactly this type of case.”

“Yes, Sir,” Marcus answered. “Excellent reputation-highly respected in the medical community. Published several papers on perinatal mental health and the impact of stress on pregnancy outcomes. She’s also frequently called as an expert witness in custody cases involving pregnant women or new mothers.”

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Daniel fell silent for a moment, his fingers still interlaced with a thoughtful expression.

“Any connections to Richard Hayes or Adrian Lawson?”

Marcus shook his head.

“None that we could find, Sir. Dr. Halvorsen practices independently and has no affiliation with Adrian Lawson’s law firm or with Hayes Corporation. She’s a purely professional appointment from the court.”

Daniel nodded with subtle satisfaction.

“Good. So no obvious bias.”

He rose from his chair and walked to the large window overlooking the city with his hands behind his back-a posture that was very upright and authoritative.

“What approach does Dr. Halvorsen typically use in her assessments?” Daniel asked without turning around.

Marcus scrolled again on the tablet.

“Based on testimony from previous cases, Dr. Halvorsen is very patient-centered. She focuses on establishing trust with the subject before asking difficult questions. She’s also very attentive to non-verbal cues-body language, emotional responses, inconsistencies between words and behavior.”

Daniel smiled thinly-a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“So she’ll notice if Alina appears coached or intimidated.”

“Most likely, Sir,” Marcus answered carefully.

Daniel turned from the window with a smooth movement.

“How long do these assessments typically last?”

“For cases like this-a pregnant woman with allegations of isolation and potential abuse-usually between two to three hours total,” Marcus answered. “Ms. Fontaine will conduct the first interview, probably one to one and a half hours. Then Dr. Halvorsen will conduct the psychiatric evaluation, approximately one hour. They may also observe the living conditions and request to speak with household staff if deemed necessary.”

Daniel nodded with a calm expression, though there was something intense in his eyes.

“And when is their report due?”

“Within five days of the assessment, Sir. They will submit their findings to Judge Hartford who will review and decide whether further intervention is required.”

Daniel walked back to his desk and sat with a relaxed movement-too relaxed for a situation that should have

been stressful.

“Has the legal team prepared all the documentation?” he asked while opening his laptop.

“Yes, Sir,” Marcus answered. “All medical records from Dr. Ross have been compiled. A written statement regarding Mrs. Alina’s stable condition and appropriate prenatal care. Financial records showing ample resources for healthcare. Documentation from household staff about the daily routine and care Mrs. Alina receives.”

Daniel nodded while typing something on his laptop.

“Arrange for Dr. Ross to come tonight,” he ordered in a firm tone. “I want him to check Alina’s condition one

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more time before tomorrow’s examination. Make sure all vital signs are properly recorded. And make sure the medical records show proper continuity of care.”

“Understood, Sir. I’ll contact Dr. Ross now.”

“One more thing, Marcus,” said Daniel, fixing his gaze on his assistant with eyes that were suddenly very serious. “Make sure no one disturbs Alina tonight. No visitors. No phone calls. I want her focused and… calm for tomorrow.

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Marcus nodded with clear understanding.

“Understood, Sir. I’ll inform Mr. Harris to increase security and ensure Mrs. Alina’s privacy tonight.”

“Good.”

Daniel waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.

Marcus exited with quick steps, leaving Daniel alone in the study.

Daniel sat there for several moments-staring at the laptop screen with a thoughtful expression.

Claire Fontaine and Ingrid Halvorsen.

Professional. Experienced. Objective.

They wouldn’t be easy to manipulate.

But they also didn’t know the full story.

They didn’t know that Alina was his wife. That he loved her. That everything he did was to protect her.

They would come with assumptions-probably assumptions fed to them by Richard Hayes and Adrian Lawson about “abuse” and “control.”

But Daniel was confident that when they actually met Alina…

When they saw with their own eyes that she was well-cared for, medically supervised, and living in a comfortable

environment…

They would realize this wasn’t an abuse case.

This was just… a complicated marriage with a concerned father who was overreacting.

Daniel took the scotch from the small bar in the corner of the room. He poured with a precise movement- unhurried, very controlled.

He took a slow sip, letting the liquid burn down his throat as his mind worked rapidly.

The welfare inspection tomorrow was a complication.

But not a problem that couldn’t be handled.

Alina was already very fragile. Very broken. She would be easy to direct about what to say.

And if there was even the slightest doubt…

Daniel set the glass down with a soft click on the desk.

Well, there were ways to make sure Alina understood what was at stake.

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He walked out of the study with confident steps-heading toward Alina’s room on the upper floor.

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Alina sat in the chair near the window with her hands in her lap and her eyes staring blankly toward the drawn curtains.

Mrs. Helen had left several hours ago-after delivering the news about tomorrow’s welfare inspection.

Tomorrow.

That word echoed in Alina’s head with a mixture of the thinnest hope and overwhelming fear.

Tomorrow, a social worker and independent physician would come.

Tomorrow, Alina would have the chance to speak without Daniel watching.

Tomorrow, Alina might be free.

But…

Alina’s hands clenched tightly in her lap.

What would Alina say?

How would Alina explain all of this to strangers who didn’t know her situation?

How would Alina make them believe her?

And most frightening of all-

What would Daniel do if Alina told the truth?

The door opened suddenly.

Alina startled, her body tensing automatically.

Daniel entered with a casual stride-too casual for this hour. He usually stayed in the office or study.

“Alina,” he greeted her with a warm voice-too warm. “I heard you received some news today.”

Alina didn’t answer. She only watched Daniel with wary eyes.

Daniel walked closer and sat on the edge of the bed-a relaxed posture but eyes very focused on Alina.

“The welfare inspection tomorrow,” he said, his gaze steady on Alina. “A social worker and independent physician will come to… examine your condition.”

He smiled thinly.

“I assume it was Mrs. Helen who told you?”

Alina stayed silent. But her tensed body provided the answer.

Daniel nodded with understanding.

“It’s okay,” he said in an almost gentle tone. “I’m not angry. Actually, I’m glad you know. Because we need to talk about what will happen tomorrow.”

He stood and walked to the window-the same position where Alina usually sat. He gazed at the drawn curtains

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with his hands in his pockets.

“These people-Ms. Fontaine and Dr. Halvorsen-they’re going to ask a lot of questions,” said Daniel in a conversational voice. “About your condition. About your pregnancy. About life in this house. About… us.”

Daniel turned and fixed his gaze on Alina with eyes that were suddenly serious.

“And I want you to behave well,” he said in a firm but still controlled voice. “I want you to show them that you’re fine here. That we’re fine. Because we are fine, aren’t we?”

He walked back toward Alina with slow steps.

“Don’t let them separate us, Alina. We are a family. You, me, and our baby. No one is allowed to destroy that.”

Alina listened to every word very carefully.

Inside her heart, a hope began to grow-a thin hope that tomorrow she could speak, could tell the truth, could finally be free.

But her face remained blank. Revealing nothing.

Daniel knelt in front of Alina’s chair-bringing himself to eye level with a movement that appeared gentle.

“I know this is difficult for you,” he said in a voice made deliberately soft. “The pregnancy. All the changes. But I’m here. I will always be here to protect you.”

Alina looked at Daniel with eyes that suddenly changed-eyes filled with a deep hatred.