Chapter 44: Go to the Hospital, Abort the Child

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Go to the Hospital, Abort the Child

Luke Lockwood shot to his feet, his knuckles white as he seized her arm and began dragging her forward without a word.

A murderous rage surged in his eyes, his expression even more sinister and terrifying than before. The chill radiating from him was almost enough to freeze a person solid.

"Luke, what are you doing?"

A potent fear shot through Ivy Joyce’s heart. She grabbed his arm, fighting with all her might to break free.

"To the hospital. To abort the baby."

Luke Lockwood’s tone was as cold as ice, without a hint of hesitation.

Harold Warner, clutching a file, hurried over from the end of the long hallway. He was startled to stumble upon the scene.

As Luke Lockwood brushed past him, he tossed him the car keys. "Get the car," he commanded, his voice cold and hard.

Only then did it fully dawn on Ivy Joyce: he wasn’t joking.

The color instantly drained from her face, leaving it as white as a sheet of paper.

"No! I won’t! This is my child, and you have no right to make me get rid of him!"

She had schemed and plotted to get pregnant with Luke Lockwood’s child, hoping to use the baby to secure her status and climb the ladder in one fell swoop.

Without this child, Luke Lockwood would never want her again.

"It’s not up to you!"

Luke Lockwood didn’t slow in the slightest, gripping her wrist as he strode toward the elevators.

When they reached the elevator, Ivy Joyce braced herself against the doors with all her might, refusing to take a single step inside.

Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at Luke Lockwood, her voice choked with sobs. "Luke, this is your own flesh and blood. How can you bear to get rid of him? I promise, once the baby is born, I’ll give him to you and Vesper Grayson to raise. I’ll never bother you again..."

In the past, such a display of weakness and concession might have made Luke Lockwood hesitate.

But after reading the file Vesper Grayson sent and seeing Ivy Joyce’s true, hypocritical colors, the last shred of warmth he felt for her had vanished without a trace.

"Ivy Joyce, you brought this all on yourself!" Luke Lockwood’s eyes were dark and sinister. "Who told you to break the rules and provoke her behind my back? If it weren’t for you, she never would have found out about us. By now, she would have been my rightful wife!"

The memory of the mockery and bone-deep disgust in Vesper Grayson’s eyes was like a thousand needles piercing his heart, the pain so intense he could barely breathe.

Ivy Joyce tearfully argued, "But you were the one who said you were sick of her! I... I just wanted to make you happy..."

But he was the one who had first grown tired of Vesper Grayson. He had come to despise her domestic life, her days spent revolving around the stove. He hated that their life, 365 days a year, was as placid as still water, without a single ripple of excitement or passion. He himself had given her the opening she needed.

If his resolve had been strong enough, how could she ever have succeeded?

"You’ve completely destroyed my happiness!"

Ever since Vesper Grayson had left, he had been living in agony, his life spiraling out of control. And it was all thanks to Ivy.

’He had to correct this mistake and put everything back on the right track.’

Luke Lockwood shot a cold glare at Harold Warner. "What are you standing there for? Get over here and help!" he snapped.

Not daring to delay, Harold Warner immediately stepped forward. He forcefully pried Ivy Joyce’s fingers from their death grip on the elevator doors and shoved her inside.

Down in the underground parking garage, Harold Warner quickly unlocked the car and unceremoniously shoved Ivy Joyce into the back seat.

Looking at Luke Lockwood’s face, which was as hard as stone, Ivy Joyce finally understood that there was no room for negotiation. A strange calm washed over her. After the car started, her sobs gradually subsided. She no longer cried or struggled, lapsing into a dead silence.

Just as she was being held and pushed toward the operating room, she used the last of her strength to clutch the hem of Luke Lockwood’s jacket.

"Luke Lockwood, you bastard! I curse you! May you die without any heirs!"

Luke Lockwood’s expression was frigid. He ruthlessly pulled his jacket free and watched as she was pushed into the operating room.

’Since Vesper doesn’t want to raise this child, I’ll just wait until she accepts me again,’ he thought. ’Then we can have a child of our own.’

’Only Vesper is worthy of bearing my child!’

...

Aaron Sawyer had repeatedly reminded her that a girl should be demure and always make a good impression on men.

But in the end, Vesper Grayson couldn’t suppress her curiosity. She quietly slipped into an office across the hall, just wanting a sneak peek of the man from the rumors so she’d know what to expect at their meeting tonight.

She had no idea how long she waited, but at last, the door to the CEO’s office at the far end of the hall swung open.

Her eyes widened, and she stared intently at the doorway, subconsciously holding her breath.

Just then, a shrill voice suddenly erupted from behind her.

"Vesper Grayson, what are you doing in my office!"

Gwen Grayson clicked in on her high heels, her eyes immediately landing on Vesper Grayson pressed against the one-way glass, looking suspicious.

When Vesper completely ignored her, Gwen Grayson rushed forward, spun her around by the shoulder, and snapped, "I’m talking to you! Didn’t you hear me?"

Vesper Grayson frowned, impatiently shaking her hand off. "You’re so annoying. I didn’t know this was your office."

’She’d just picked a random spot with a good view, hoping to catch a glimpse of Elias Hawthorne’s legendary good looks. Who would’ve thought she’d stumble right into Gwen Grayson’s territory?’

Gwen Grayson crossed her arms, looking Vesper up and down with suspicion.

"Don’t tell me... you’re trying to steal my client files, are you?"

Vesper Grayson couldn’t be bothered to waste her breath on her. She turned her head and looked back toward the CEO’s office. A tall, slender figure stood with his back to her, shaking hands and speaking with Milton Grayson.

’Turn around! Come on, turn around...’

"Vesper Grayson, I knew you were up to no good!" Gwen Grayson stepped in front of her, a taunting smirk playing on her lips. "What, are you afraid I have more client resources than you? Worried you won’t be able to hold on to your Vice President title? At least you’re self-aware enough to know your footing here is still shaky. Not just anyone can be a VP, you know..."

’So annoying.’

"Move. You’re blocking my view," Vesper Grayson cut her off coldly.

Gwen Grayson froze. "What?"

Vesper Grayson didn’t explain, simply pushing her aside.

Unsteady in her high heels, Gwen Grayson stumbled back a few steps, nearly falling over.

She let out a small cry, her shock instantly turning to humiliated fury. "Vesper Grayson, are you insane?!"

By the time Vesper Grayson looked back, the man had already crossed the hall, his figure disappearing into an elevator.

Thanks to Gwen’s little scene, she hadn’t even managed to see his face in profile. A wave of frustration she couldn’t suppress washed over her.

’In her entire life, she had never detested someone so much.’

Vesper Grayson spun around, glaring down at her. "I think you have a persecution complex," she said, her tone sharp. "You should get your head checked. If you can’t afford it, I’ll cover the bill for you."

’Is she openly calling me crazy?’

Gwen Grayson’s face flushed with rage. "You’re the one who’s insane! Get out of my office now!"

Since the man was already gone, Vesper had no desire to stay.

Vesper Grayson gave a slight arch of her eyebrow, then turned and walked out without giving Gwen a single backward glance.

Furious, Gwen Grayson swung her fists wildly at the empty air.

"Vesper Grayson, I hate you!"