Chapter 1

I had just closed a massive deal and was taking a rare day off at home, chatting with my housekeeper, Maria.

Suddenly, she grabbed my hands, her face filled with deep emotion as she praised me.

"Ma'am, you are truly an angel. You're so busy with work, yet you still make sure to take such good care of your cousin."

She looked at me, her eyes full of admiration.

I froze for a second.

"Mr. Miller is such a wonderful man, too. Not only is he amazing to you, but he treats your family so well! He's even taking your cousin to her prenatal appointments himself!"

She paused, then added with a smile.

"I heard she's having a boy!"

"Don't worry, Ma'am. I'll make sure to prepare the post-pregnancy organic meal preps and premium supplements using only the finest ingredients, just like you ordered!"

But wait.

Since when did I have a pregnant cousin?

Maria was still listing off expensive organic brands and high-end catering services.

I couldn't hear a single word.

Seeing my expression change, she gently pulled my sleeve, looking worried.

"Ma'am? Are you okay? Are you just tired? Did... did I say something wrong?"

She stood there, suddenly anxious and fidgeting.

I looked at her and asked, "Which cousin?"

Maria blinked, confused.

"Mr. Miller told me she's your distant cousin from your hometown. He said her parents passed away early, and she's been struggling to make it in the city alone. He said you wanted him to look after her."

Seeing the coldness in my eyes, Maria asked cautiously.

"Ma'am... did I run my mouth?"

"No," I replied, forcing my emotions down as I transferred ten thousand dollars to her account via PayPal.

"You've been working hard lately. Go buy yourself something nice."

She gasped, waving her hands in a panic.

I forced the phone into her hand, making her accept it.

"You deserve it. Just... don't tell Ethan I asked about this. He's sensitive. I don't want him to feel like he didn't handle my family matters well."

Maria nodded quickly. "I get it, I get it. Men like Mr. Miller have a lot of pride."

I looked out the window, my heart sinking.

For the past few years, the two most important men in my life were the husband I built from scratch, and the father who raised me.

Years ago, Ethan was just a broke college kid.

I was the only daughter of the Vance family, the sole heiress to the Vance empire.

I had always been the golden girl -- Ivy League graduate, taking over the family business at a young age. But I fell for Ethan.

We met during a hostile corporate bid. Back then, he was just a low-level project manager at a small firm, yet he had the guts to publicly argue with me over a pitch.

Two stubborn people slowly fell in love. I brought him home to my father.

I promised my dad, "He has nothing right now, but in less than ten years, he will be the brightest star in the business world."

And Ethan did it. He worked harder than anyone.

With the resources I handed him on a silver platter, he secured a solid foothold in the company within just a few years.

Even though he was always busy, he was always gentle and attentive to me.

He would quietly leave late-night snacks in my office when I worked overtime.

He would bring me hot chocolate when I was on my period.

Back then, his eyes were full of stars whenever he looked at me.

I opened my banking app on Snapchat. My heart turned to ice.

Over the past six months, there had been dozens of large transfers from our joint account.

The largest one was three months ago -- five million dollars.

I knew that amount too well. It was the seed money I personally approved for his new project.

Now, it seemed that money had gone somewhere else.

I called my assistant, my voice shaking uncontrollably.

"Leo, track the GPS on Ethan's Bentley. Find out where it is right now."

Half an hour later, Leo called back, his tone hesitating.

"Olivia... the car is currently in the parking lot of St. Jude's Women's Hospital."

He paused, adding carefully, "I also checked his corporate card. He booked a top-tier luxury VIP suite and a premium postpartum care package at a private maternity clinic. The due date is next month. The registered mother is Chloe Jenkins."

Hearing that name, my chest tightened.

She went to the same college as Ethan.

After graduation, Ethan personally recruited her into the marketing department as his direct subordinate.

A month ago, she submitted her resignation, claiming health issues.

Ethan had sighed to me at the time, "What a waste of talent."

I hadn't thought much of it then.

Now, looking back, the warning signs were everywhere.