Chapter 5

Celine POV

When the recovery livestream began, I was seated next to Sutton.

The camera pointed directly at the hospital bed. The Lily Medical Fund logo hung behind Sutton.

Lily's toy was placed at the head of the bed, as if this child truly wanted to leave her last possession to her.

Mr. Davis stood outside the camera frame, reminding me in a low voice.

"Don't mention that Lily's liver was given to someone else. Don't mention the original surgery order. And don't mention that your mother died at the hospital."

I looked at the cue cards without speaking.

The host first congratulated Sutton on her successful post-surgery recovery, then guided the conversation to the Lily Medical Fund.

Sutton's eyes reddened. Facing the camera, she said softly. "That I can live is because Celine and Lily gave me the opportunity to continue saving people."

She didn't say "steal."

She said the donor liver was something I voluntarily gave up.

The camera immediately turned to me. The host asked with a smile. "Miss Ashford, as Lily's mother, what would you like to say to everyone now?"

Mr. Davis's gaze bore down on me.

Liam stood outside the camera frame, also watching me.

I was silent for a few seconds before speaking. "Every dollar in the fund needs to be accounted for clearly. Lily's name cannot be misused."

Sutton's expression changed for a moment.

She reached for the stuffed animal at the head of the bed, wanting to hold it in front of the camera. I grabbed the stuffed animal first.

"That belongs to Lily."

Sutton's tears immediately fell. "I just wanted to keep something in memory of the child. She didn't get to wait for surgery. I wanted everyone to know that her death had value."

The livestream comments started flooding in.

Some cursed me for being cold-blooded.

Some said I was persecuting someone who just had surgery.

Liam approached, his voice very low. "Let go. Don't make a scene during the livestream."

I looked up at him. "This stuffed animal is what Lily brought to the hospital before surgery. Do you remember?"

Liam froze briefly.

The next second, he still said. "Cooperate with the livestream first."

The donation segment began. The host announced that the Lily Medical Fund would open a new recovery program, and Sutton would be the public welfare spokesperson.

I interrupted directly. "The fund was originally for children waiting for transplants. Who changed the fund's purpose?"

Mr. Davis immediately had staff cut the camera.

Sutton covered her wound, her face pale. "Celine, I can step down. Don't hate me just because Lily is gone."

Liam supported her and ordered me. "Get out."

I didn't move. I picked up the authorization statement on the table and saw that it had already changed the Lily Medical Fund into supporting funds for Sutton's recovery public welfare project.

I slammed the page on the table.

"When she was alive, you stole her donor liver. Now that she's dead, you're taking her money to give to Sutton?"

Liam's expression was ugly. "This is for PR purposes. I'll make up the money to you later."

"I don't want your money." I stared at him. "Remove Sutton's name."

Sutton said quietly. "Liam, if we remove it now, the public will confirm that I really did steal the child's liver."

Liam was silent for a few seconds, then handed the document to his assistant. "Proceed as originally planned."

After the livestream ended, I immediately rushed to the morgue.

Staff stopped me. "Lily cannot be cremated for now."

My voice turned cold. "Why?"

They handed me a research authorization form.

The signatory was Liam.

The authorization stated that Lily's pathological materials would be used for pediatric liver failure research, continuing the child's unfinished wishes.

I took the document to find Liam.

Sutton was still resting in the hospital room. Liam looked at the document and only frowned. "The research can help more children."

I looked at him. "When Lily was alive, you decided for her who would get the donor liver. Now that Lily is dead, you're still deciding for her how her body is used?"

Liam's face paled at that.

Sutton said softly from the bed. "If we withdraw now, the public will think Celine won't even show that last bit of decency."

Liam held the document but didn't withdraw the signature.