Chapter 4

Charlotte Vance's POV

Another man's voice asked, "Then what about that marriage certificate with her..."

"Pfft, fake." Julian sneered. "I had a prop master from the set make it. How could I ever actually marry her? My only lawful wife is Chloe. Charlotte is nothing more than a stepping stone for me—a marriage of convenience where we each get what we want. Once I've drained every last bit of value from her, I'll kick her to the curb."

The recording cut off abruptly.

My hands trembled violently as I opened the photos.

They had been sent by Chloe Somerset.

In the photos, Julian lay fast asleep shirtless on a hotel bed, while Chloe, wearing a sexy slip nightgown, snuggled into his chest, flashing a peace sign at the camera.

The final photo came with a smug message from Chloe: "Charlotte, thanks for taking care of Julian and helping him secure resources for the past seven years. By the way, I heard your father is Arthur Vance? Such a shame he just passed away. My dad is working on a new energy project lately and is running a bit short on funds. Since you've inherited a hundred-billion-dollar fortune, Charlotte, why don't you invest a few billion to support your 'brother-in-law's' venture?"

Every word was a dagger, oozing with sheer arrogance.

But what truly shattered me was the final medical forensic report.

Starting seven years ago, Julian would hand me a "vitamin pill to regulate my endocrine system" every single day.

He said that because I worked late nights during my early acting days, my endocrine system was a mess, and I needed to nourish it properly, otherwise it would be hard to have children in the future.

Every night before bed, he would personally shake the capsule out of the bottle, place it in my palm, and watch me swallow it.

Yet, this report, issued by a world-class toxicology lab, clearly stated: *The chemical residue of this medication contains high levels of hidden hormonal drugs that destroy the female reproductive system.*

*Long-term consumption (for more than three years) will lead to irreversible endometrial atrophy, premature ovarian failure, and complete loss of fertility.*

Those vitamin pills he gave me since our "wedding night" were nothing but a cup of sterilizing poison from the very start!

He didn't just swindle my affection and my wealth; he had personally stripped away my right to be a mother!

"Urgh—"

I rushed into the bathroom, clinging to the toilet as I threw up violently.

I threw up everything I had eaten for dinner until there was only stomach acid, bile, and finally, a mouthful of fresh blood.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror—pale, bloodshot-eyed, looking like a hollow ghost—my tears finally spilled over.

"Julian Sterling... Chloe Somerset..." I gritted my teeth, a whimper like a dying beast escaping my throat, every single word accompanied by a soul-tearing agony.

At three in the morning, a deathly silence filled the villa.

I splashed cold water on my face, completely washing away all of my weakness and tears.

I picked up my phone and searched for a number I had deliberately blocked for seven years.

It belonged to Harrison Croft.

The head of the top-tier Croft Group, and the mastermind behind the rival entertainment company that used to be my biggest competitor.

And more importantly, he was the only younger close friend of my late father, Arthur Vance.

I sent him a single sentence: "See you tomorrow."

In less than ten seconds, the screen lit up with his reply: "Okay."