Chapter 4

A month later, I received an invitation to an exclusive industry gala.

The host was a famous investment firm, and the guests were all high-level executives.

Ethan asked me to be his date.

"Wear something gorgeous," he said, not even looking up from his paperwork.

I looked down at my stomach.

At four months, it was getting harder to hide.

"Can I even go looking like this?"

"Yes." He looked up, his eyes serious. "Being pregnant isn't a crime. What are you afraid of?"

On the night of the gala, I wore a loose, elegant black gown. The waistline was designed to drape perfectly, hiding my bump.

When Ethan saw me, his eyes lit up.

"You look beautiful."

The venue was filled with dazzling lights and elite guests.

As I walked in holding Ethan’s arm, we immediately drew a lot of attention.

People began whispering.

"Is that Mr. Vance's girlfriend?"

"She looks so young."

Suddenly, a familiar, annoying voice sounded behind me.

"Oh, look who it is! Chloe?"

I turned around and saw Hailey walking toward us in a tight-fitting designer dress. Her belly was quite noticeable now, and she was deliberately pushing it out.

Austin was following behind her, looking highly uncomfortable.

"Long time no see," Hailey said, eyeing me up and down. "I heard you're doing well lately?"

I remained silent, looking at her coldly.

"But then again, after getting kicked out of the Vance... oh wait, the house, you had to find a new sugar daddy, right?"

She then turned her gaze to Ethan.

"Mr. Vance, you should be careful. This Ms. Chloe is quite famous for..." She paused, lowering her voice intentionally. "...being defective."

The surrounding guests immediately started whispering.

I felt dozens of eyes locking onto me.

Hailey looked extremely pleased with herself and continued loudly, "Austin's mother told me she couldn't get pregnant even after three years of marriage."

"The doctors said she’s barren. She can never have children in her life."

"That's why Austin divorced her." She rubbed her own belly proudly. "After all, a respectable family needs to carry on their legacy."

A few low chuckles broke out from the crowd.

To make things worse, Brenda suddenly pushed her way through the guests.

"Exactly!" She pointed at me, her voice shrill. "A barren woman like her is a curse to any man who marries her!"

I stood there, feeling my face grow hot.

Not out of shame.

But out of pure rage.

Ethan was about to step in, but I held his hand to stop him.

I took a deep breath and walked right up to Hailey.

"Are you absolutely sure that child in your belly belongs to Austin?"

Hailey’s face instantly changed. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing." I smiled, then turned my gaze to Austin. "Did you know? That infertility report was fake. Your mother paid off a doctor to forge it."

Austin froze. "What?"

"The one who is actually infertile is you." I spoke slowly and clearly, making sure everyone in the room could hear me. "Low sperm motility. Do you remember your check-up three years ago? The doctor told you it would be nearly impossible for you to get a woman pregnant."

"That’s why your mother panicked. She forced you to find a younger girl to 'get lucky' quickly."

The room erupted into gasps.

Austin's face turned completely white.

Hailey went absolutely hysterical. "You’re lying!"

"Whether I'm lying or not, you know the truth in your heart." I looked at her rounded belly and smiled meaningfully. "The timeline of your pregnancy doesn't match up."

"You told everyone you're four months pregnant now. But when you first met me a month ago, you said you were three months."

"If the timeline is fake, I bet the father is fake too."

Hailey’s face flashed between green and white.

Furious, she reached out to push me.

I easily stepped aside.

She was wearing high heels, lost her balance, and fell straight onto the floor.

"Ah! My baby!" she screamed, clutching her stomach.

The crowd quickly rushed over to help.

Suddenly, a wave of intense nausea hit me, and I couldn't help but gag loudly.

Ethan’s face changed instantly. He supported me immediately.

"Call an ambulance!" his voice was filled with panic and urgency. "Save the mother and the baby!"

The air in the room completely froze.

Everyone was stunned.

Austin turned around slowly, his eyes locked onto my belly.

His voice was trembling violently.

"Ba... baby?"

"What baby?"

"Whose baby is it?!"