Mary looked at the medicine in her hands. The liquid exuded a pungent bitterness, but that bitterness
couldnât compare to the chill in her heart at this
moment.
She lowered her head again and looked at her flat abdomen.
Not even three months had passed, so her belly had always remained inconspicuous.
Yet in these three months, she had gradually become accustomed to its presence, instinctivelyprotecting her belly when someone approached.
She had even dreamed several times, dreaming of meeting this adorable child.
Dreaming that it might be half like Ellis, half like
herselfâ¦
Now, she ultimately still couldnât protect the babyâ¦
Maryâs eyes gradually moistened, and she felt a pervasive sense of utter despair and melancholy.
She looked at Ellis once more.
She didnât know whether she should blame him⦠or how much to blame him.
After all, during those past few years, she indeed lived in a daze, dragged out by her uncle to drink andto socialize. In the eyes of others, she had long been labeled a notorious girl involved in compensated
datingâ¦
Mary lowered her head and let out a bitter laugh.
Suddenly, she said, âEllis, donât do the DNA test.â
Ellis was startled.
She looked down, not speaking, just quietly staring
ahead.
Her refusal to request a DNA test seemed to confirm even more that the child wasnât his.
But for some reason, he felt a panic deep within.
Maryâs tears fell, landing in the bowl of medicine. She said softly, âDonât do it. Iâll set you free.â
With the child gone, going through with the DNA test would be the ultimate cruelty to Ellis, wouldnât it?
She had been angry just a moment ago, wanting to let
08 22
him know the truth in a fit of rage..
But just now, she had decided to let it go.
She forced a smile, picked up the bowl of medicine, and was about to drink it.
But in the next moment, her wrist was grasped.
Mary was taken aback and looked up, only to see Ellis staring at her intently, his eyes filled withconfusion.
He didnât even understand what he was doingâ¦
Nor did he understand why he suddenly stopped herâ¦
Once he came to his senses, Ellis let go of her hand and took a step back.
Mary didnât speak but picked up the bowl again.
Just then, a voice came from the doorway. âMary!â
Mary looked up instinctively
She saw Keira and Lewis rush in, with Keira holding a man whose face was bruised and swollen-it wasAustin!
The Olsen familyâs butler followed them, also a bit disheveled. As soon as he entered, he immediately
apologized âInola Olgen M Ellic Corr
we couldnât
III
stop themâ¦ânovelbin
James immediately widened his eyes. âKeera, you, youâve gone too far! You actually, you actuallyâ¦â
He pointed at Lewis.
It was bad enough that she associated with Uncle Olsen, but she even brought that gigolo over!
It was just outrageous!
But before he could finish his accusation, he heard Uncle Olsen say in a cool, detached voice. âLet it beknown, from now on, Missâ¦
Uncle Olsen hesitated for a moment, then pointed decisively at Keira. âRemember her. Whenever shecomes, let her in without question!â
Whether she was Keira or Keera, she was still his
daughter!
The butler, not understanding why, nevertheless nodded immediately. âYes!â
It was then that Uncle Olsen approached Keira. âHow did you get here?â
But Keira was looking at Mary, and at the same time,
she saw the medicine in her hands. She rushed over
immediately, snatched the bowl away, and demanded,
âWhat is this?â
No one in the room spoke.
Keira glared at Ellis and demanded again, âWhat is
this!â
Ellisâs face was stern. âAn abortion drug.â
Keira was so angry her fingers were trembling.
She glanced at Mary, seeing her in a pathetic state, trapped on the sofa without any chance of leaving.With her eyes reddening, she turned to the other people in the room and shouted angrily, âHe made afoolish mistake, but didnât any of you think to stop
him?!â
Mr. and Mother Olsen had tried to intervene, but to no avail; upon hearing this, they could only let out ahelpless sigh.
James looked toward Uncle Olsen.
In front of so many people, this Keera had rebuked them all. Surely Uncle wouldnât indulge her, right?
Unexpectedly, Uncle Olsen just opened his mouth as if
he wanted to explain something, but in the end, he. didnât speak.
Even Ellis, with a sullen mood, remained silent.
Unable to contain himself, James burst out. âKeera, who do you think you are? Itâs not your place tomeddle in our familyâs affairs. Youâ¦â
Before he could finish, Keira ignored him and looked at Ellis. âJust because of some rumors outside,you suspect her? Have you ever asked Austin?â
Ellisâs icy gaze swept over Austin.
Upon the ground, Austin stiffened.
Ellis didnât elaborate further, nor mention that last
time he had almost beaten a man to death who had
insisted, all the while, that he indeed slept with Mary.
Without a word from him, Keiraâs chest heaved with
anger.
She turned back and kicked the bound Austin,
demanding, âSpeak! What exactly happened between you and Mary?!â
Austinâs nose was bruised, and his face was swollen from being beaten.
Looking at Keira, his eyes were fraught with panic and fear. His gaze shifted briefly toward Lewis, andupon seeing the manâs chilling stare, Austin shuddered all
over.
Who could have imagined that while he was drinking in a bar, some ferocious people would suddenlybarge in, pick him up, and, presenting that document, demand whether he was the one behind thescheme.
Austin had initially underestimated them and nodded. âYes, Mary slept with me. So what? Is she daringto do but not to admit it?ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
When Keira struck him, he stubbornly denied
everything.
Not until the man beside her suddenly stopped her, asking for half an hourâs time.
Then, during the following half hour, Austin underwent the most terrifying experience of his life!
That seemingly tall and frail gigolo had methods that were exceedingly cruel. He soaked several sheetsof paper and laid them one by one on Austinâs face.
Austin thought that as a member of the Gill family, no
one would dore low hands on him
So, he initially kept denying everything until whenever he fell silent, the other man showed no intentionof removing the paper!
The feeling of suffocation, of nearly dying, was too horrifying.
It was so terrifying that just thinking about it made him shudder all over.
He knew if he didnât tell the truth, the man would really kill him!
Even in front of Ellis, Austin knew that out of respect for the five major families, Ellis would spare hislife, otherwise, he wouldnât be able to explain to the Gill family.
But facing this manâ¦
Austin swallowed hard.
Ellis had already begun to speak slowly. âIâve asked him already, and he wonât come forward to clarifyit⦠Keera, all this youâre doing is pointless.â
Almost as soon as these words were uttered, they were followed by Austinâs cries, wailing like ahowling wolf. âIâll clarify it! Who says I wonât? Why are you