“It’s not necessary. Just let him think I’m that kind of person. It’d make more sense then. I’ve said everything I needed to say. Be careful on your way back.”
“Since you have everything thought out, I’ll just follow your instructions. I won’t say anything, ” Cathy agreed. Cathy then looked at Shirley, “Take care of yourself.”
Cathy turned around after she had finished speaking.
However, before she could even take a single step, Shirley’s voice came from behind.
“Cathy.”
Shirley called out to her.
Cathy stopped and turned to look at Shirley again, who smiled at her.
“Thank you,” Shirley said sincerely.
Cathy was caught off guard by her unexpected gratitude.
When she regained her composure, Shirley had already turned away.
As Cathy looked at Shirley’s figure as Shirley steered her wheelchair by herself, Cathy could not help but feel that Shirley was lonely.
In contrast, Shirley felt deeply content when she thanked Cathy earlier.
Shirley only now realized that she had never been alone.
There were still people in this world who truly cared for her.
Despite their scolding, they sincerely cared about her.
She smiled as she touched her abdomen with her hand.
It was a pity that the child had to pay for her sins.
Shirley finally experienced what anguish is when she realized that the child would soon disappear forever from her womb.
Soon after, Shirley returned to the house alone. Carter had left, leaving Camille seated alone on the sofa in the living room.
Camille’s attitude had changed after seeing Shirley again. Her hatred and disdain were less evident, especially after seeing Shirley’s crippled legs and disfigured face. Camille also felt regret and sadness.
Nevertheless, her words were still dripping with blame and dissatisfaction.
” If you hadn’t left without a word back then, you would already be the Gray family’s official daughter-in- law. Are you aware that, by returning here pregnant with Carter’s child, the child might not be legitimately recognized when born?”
In response to Camille’s sharp words, Shirley smiled confidently. “I don’t believe Mr. Gray would let that happen to his child.”
As soon as Shirley’s voice fell, a woman’s unspeakably mean voice rang from the stairs.
“You’re wrong! The child in your womb can only be regarded as a vile spawn! ”
Camille’s expression darkened upon hearing those sudden words.
Displeased, she raised her eyes and saw Ada’s mother walking arrogantly toward Shirley.
“If you don’t want this incident to blow up, Shirley, then get out of here right now. Don’t think you can become a member of this family just because you’re pregnant with that vile spawn in your womb.”
Ada’s mother narrowed her eyes, directing her piercing gaze at Shirley. “I’m telling you. If you dare to steal my daughter’s husband, not only will you be crippled, but your entire body will be paralyzed as well!”
Shirley was unfazed by such blatant intimidation. What else could she fear at this point?
Camille, however, stepped in to defend her before Shirley could speak.
Camille, her expression grave, looked at Ada’s mother and warned her.
“I suggest that you do not act irrationally. Carter’s attitude was evident earlier. If anything happens to Shirley, Ada won’t live comfortably as well.”
Naturally, Ada’s mother did not relent. “Camille, what are you talking about? My daughter has married into the Gray family officially as your daughter-in-law. Now, this stinky beggar just showed up pregnant with Carter’s child and expects to become a part of this family. Why should my daughter be subjected to such unfair treatment?”
“Unfair treatment?”
An apparent smile appeared on Camille’s face. “We both know very well that Carter and Ada married for mutual benefits. It was a marriage of convenience. Don’t you understand the meaning of that?”
“You…” Camille’s words left Ada’s mother speechless.
As Ada’s mother, still refusing to back down, contemplated what to say, Camille’s voice came again.
“Did you think that your daughter would’ve been able to become a member of this family if I hadn’t agreed to this marriage? You’d better understand the situation well. Carter has many other options. The Gray family doesn’t need to work exclusively with the Logan family.”
“And do bear in mind that a divorce could happen after marriage, especially when the marriage is merely an arrangement. So, I’d like to give you both a final piece of advice. Do not dig your own graves by acting smart.”
Ada’s mother remained speechless. Her face was flushed red from anger, irritation, and displeasure as she glared at Camille.
Camille’s expression was extremely stern at this point, and her aura was intense.
Ada’s mother could not compete with her.
When she had finished speaking, Camille cast a dispassionate glance at Ada’s mother before giving instructions to a servant nearby.
“Bring Ms. Brown to the guest room on the third floor and take good care of her. Notify Dr. Lane as well and have him visit as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The servant readily agreed and stepped forward to push Shirley’s wheelchair.
Shirley decided to remain silent at this moment, obediently allowing the servant to steer her upstairs.
Ada had actually been listening to the conversation on the second floor from the stairs. She had thought her mother to have the upper hand and was caught off guard by Camille’s retort that made her mother back down, not daring to speak another word to refute.
Ada felt unsettled as she was in an insecure position.
She pondered for a second before a smile appeared on her face.
She may not be able to challenge Shirley directly, but she could use an alternative method.
Shirley was escorted to the guest room designated by Camille.
Shirley had barely been to the Gray family’s villa in Glendale. Therefore, she could not be sure if it was a coincidence as the room was furnished in a style she liked as if it were specifically arranged for her.
Soon after Shirley entered the room, Dr. Lane arrived.
Dr. Lane was a family doctor of the Gray family who specialized in all fields.
Following Camille’s instruction, he gave Shirley a thorough body checkup.
At first, Shirley had assumed Camille requested an examination because Camille did not believe Shirley to be pregnant. However, Shirley had not expected Camille to request the doctor to inspect her legs and her facial wound.
Dr. Lane was an excellent general practitioner, but after studying Shirley’s leg injury and facial wound, hesitation showed on his face.
Despite this, Shirley did not feel unsettled; she was well aware of the circumstances.
Furthermore, even though she could not be certain of the condition of her legs, she was confident that Adam could handle the wound on her face.
Camille noticed Dr. Lane’s reluctance. Keeping Shirley’s emotions in mind, Camille deliberately requested to speak with the doctor at the entrance of the room instead.
At this moment, Carter came over and saw Camille and Dr. Lane in a discussion. He quickened his pace and hurried toward them.
With Carter present, Dr. Lane provided an honest explanation of Shirley’s condition.
“The wound on Ms. Brown’s face is extremely deep. She has a low chance of healing the scar. As for the leg injury, the chances of recovery are also slim. Ms. Brown might have a better chance if she sought out and consulted a specialized doctor.”
In response to Dr. Lane’s words, Carter furrowed his eyebrows.
“What about the baby in her womb?” Camille asked.
When Carter heard that question, he awoke from his daze to hear the answer.
“Based on the preliminary examination, the baby’s condition in Ms. Brown’s womb is normal, but we’ll have to wait until a detailed pregnancy examination is performed for the specifics.”
Carter’s eyebrows unconsciously furrowed further after hearing the doctor’s explanation.
Shirley’s words from earlier still echoed in his ears.
She had claimed that the child in her womb would be the first to be harmed by the poison if the poison was not removed from her body as soon as possible.
Carter could not help but feel upset when he thought about this.
After greeting Camille, he walked into Shirley’s room on his own, closing the door behind him.
Shirley was sitting on the balcony, seemingly leisurely gazing at the scenery outside of the window. When she heard the familiar footsteps behind her, she began speaking without even turning her head.
“The development of the anti-toxoid test reagent cannot be postponed. You could afford the delay, but this little thing in my womb could not.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.