“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Emma muttered, feeling like she’d just met a creep. She made a beeline for the operating room, eager to get away.
Just then, Clara walked up and caught part of the conversation. With a sharp look, she remarked coolly, “So, you’re pregnant.”
“What nonsense?! That’s not true!” Emma’s heart skipped a beat at Clara’s cold words.
She knew she had to keep her pregnancy under wraps, so she hesitated at the door of the operating room.
“Miss Bennett…” Eric froze when he noticed Clara.
Assuming Eric was addressing her, the panicked Emma grabbed his arm and quickly pulled him away from the hospital.
“Had it not been for you, Clara wouldn’t have found out I’m pregnant!” Emma snapped, ready to tear into him.
However, Eric spoke seriously, “Miss, the baby you’re carrying is my boss’. If you keep and go through with the baby, my boss will give you whatever you want.”
Emma was dumbfounded, her thoughts racing. The baby’s from that casual fling with a fine guy at the bar. Could he be the boss?
“Who’s your boss?” she probed, suspicious.
“My boss…” Eric hesitated, remembering Michael’s instruction to keep things quiet. He quickly added, “He practically owns half of Oakridge, but I’m not allowed to reveal his name.”
“You’ve lost it.” Emma scoffed, not buying any of it.
As she turned to walk away, Eric saw he had no choice. He knocked her out and carefully placed her in the car.
Thirty minutes later, Emma woke up on a swanky yacht, surrounded by a feast of fancy snacks. She tried a few and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious they were.
Given the Bennett Family’s financial struggles, they couldn’t afford any help, and Emily had been stuck cooking. Emma, who had always been picky, was totally over the usual meals.
This was Emma’s first time aboard a yacht, and she eagerly explored every corner. The chic wardrobe was stocked with the newest Milan fashion. Brimming with Disney dolls, the pink bedroom was like something straight out of a fairy tale. The bathroom sparkled with diamonds, and even the sink had jewels in it.
Emma wondered, Whoever owns this yacht must be insanely wealthy—maybe even richer than the Goodman Family.
As she took in all the luxury, Eric showed up and asked, “Miss, do you get it now?”
Provoked, Emma nodded eagerly. She tested Eric, “So, is this yacht my new place?”
“Yes, as long as you take good care of the baby,” he replied, handing her the keys and a credit card.
He continued, “You’re free to stay here, and the staff will be at your service. Plus, the boss will give you one million a month to spend.”
“Wow, your boss is really generous!” Emma remarked, her eyes lighting up as she took the keys and card. She then asked, “What about after the baby is born?”
Inwardly, she was thinking, Is this deal really worth it? A yacht and some cash—am I getting a good deal?
Eric explained, “My boss can’t meet you right now, but he’ll talk about marriage with you once you’ve had a proper introduction.”
Michael was interested in marrying Emma, but he couldn’t make any promises at the moment since he was still technically married to Clara, and the divorce was still up in the air.
“Got it,” Emma acknowledged, already plotting her next move. If marriage isn’t on the table, getting a hefty allowance payout for the baby will be more than enough to make Mom and Dad sit up and take notice.
Before he left, Eric made sure to get Emma’s full name.
However, Emma wasn’t about to give her real name as she didn’t even know Michael’s name. Instead, she just gave Eric a fake one. Eric left her a phone so she could use WhatsApp to contact Michael whenever she wanted.
Emma wasted no time and sent a voice message to her only contact on WhatsApp. Her voice dripped with sweetness. “Darling, I’m really impressed with what you’ve set up for me.”
Michael nearly spilled his coffee when he got the message. He thought, The girl from that night doesn’t sound this sweet. Is my memory playing tricks on me?
Once everything was taken care of, Eric updated Michael. “All set. Miss Bennett is very pleased.”
Surprised, Michael asked, “Her last name is Bennett, too?”
Eric replied, “Yes, she told me her name is Jade Bennett.”
Recalling the vanilla scent from their earlier meeting, Michael thought, The name seems to match her style.
He then recalled Clara, who had gone to the hospital earlier but had yet to return, and asked, “Where’s Clara?”
“Miss Bennett’s grandma had a sudden heart attack and passed away. She went to the Bennett Residence, probably to stir up trouble,” Eric explained, adding that he had brought in a private investigator to handle both issues.
“Let’s head to the Bennett Residence,” Michael stated, nodding to Eric.
Eric agreed, “Sure thing.”
Clara showed up at the Bennett Residence, looking around but not spotting Emma. She quickly headed to Emma’s room, only to find it empty.
Clearly annoyed, Emily asserted, “Why are you poking around? There’s nothing here for you!”
However, Clara’s intense stare made Emily uneasy. She wondered, Does she know about what happened? I tried to put her on the bed, but somehow, I ended up there instead. She shouldn’t have seen anything, right?
Clara’s gaze was cold as she demanded, “My grandma just died. I need to see Emma now!”
“Why are you looking for my daughter when your grandma has passed away? Are you blaming her for your grandma’s death?” Emily shot back, her eyes full of disdain.
“Yes! She’s the one who killed my grandmother!” Clara’s voice was filled with rage, and her lips were bleeding from being bitten so hard.
Emily didn’t offer any explanation. Instead, she mockingly retorted, “Your grandma was old; it was her time to go. Don’t blame my daughter for it. Without her, that old lady would’ve died eventually.”
“Ah—let go of me!” Clara yelled, clutching Emily’s wrist tightly and making Emily cry out in pain. Still, her grip only tightened as she showed no mercy.
Having practiced traditional medicine since childhood, Clara quickly found the pressure point, weakening Emily’s hand.
Emily crumpled to the floor, and Clara crouched to face her, threatening, “You’d better be careful with what you say, or your affair with Mr. Harris will be splashed all over the news tomorrow!”