Chapter 4

Derek and Julian exchanged a glance, a flicker of undetectable triumph in their eyes.

“Of course, Honey, don’t worry. I’ll make sure to manage the company perfectly for you.”

The fish had taken the bait!

I nodded and had my assistant bring over a document I had prepared earlier.

“Honey, this is a power of attorney for some company and family matters. Please sign it, so it’ll be easier for you to handle things.”

In reality, I had prepared two documents.

One was the power of attorney for managing company and family affairs; the other was the divorce agreement.

I stacked the two documents together, revealing only the title of the power of attorney and the signature line at the bottom.

Derek, thinking he had completely fooled me, quickly picked up the pen and signed his name on the last page.

As I took back the agreement, a huge weight finally lifted from my heart.

Derek, your good days are over!

You and Julian, one by one, I won’t let any of you off!

Just then, the hospital room door slammed open. Eleanor and Valerie Pierce strutted in, brazenly.

Valerie caressed her belly, her voice delicate. “Sister, I heard you gave birth. We specially came to see you.”

She walked to my bedside, deliberately jutting out her slightly swollen belly, and whispered mockingly in my ear, “Sister, you truly are an idiot. Do you think Derek loves you? He’s always loved me.”

“I’m carrying his child too. Once I give birth, I’ll be the rightful Mrs. Thorne.”

“And you, you’ll only be fit to hold your bastard child and be thrown out of the house.”

Eleanor Pierce smugly stepped forward and whispered in agreement, “Aurora Hayes, Aurora Hayes, your mother was so shrewd back then, but it’s a pity she gave birth to an idiot like you.”

“But, seeing how pitiful you are, if you kneel down now with that bastard child and beg us, I might just soften my heart and throw you and your child a crumb, allowing you to stay in the Hayes family and enjoy life.”

I trembled with rage, roaring, “Get out! Both of you, get out!”

But Valerie didn’t retreat. Instead, she stepped closer, pressing her belly against my arm, a twisted smile on her face. Then, her body suddenly went limp, and she fell straight backward.

“Ah! Sister, you… how could you push me? My stomach…” She clutched her belly, her face ashen, sitting on the floor, crying bitterly.

“Valerie!”

Derek’s face instantly changed. He rushed forward, clutching Valerie to him with a pained expression.

He turned back, glaring at me fiercely, and sternly rebuked,

“Aurora Hayes, you poisonous woman! Valerie came to see you out of kindness, and you dared to lay such a cruel hand on her!”

“Are you so intolerant? Can’t you even tolerate a pregnant woman!”

I hadn’t even touched her!

“I didn’t…” I tried to explain, but Julian interrupted me, his face cold. “Shut up! Still daring to talk back?”

“I don’t think you need to stay in recovery anymore. You’re just too idle, enjoying too much luxury, which gives you the energy to throw tantrums here.”

“Since you love making a fuss so much, how about we send you to that notorious ‘re-education’ facility for disobedient women on the city’s west side, to learn some manners!”

Julian said, reaching out to grab me and the baby in my arms.

I desperately shielded my baby, shrinking back in terror.

That facility on the west side of the city was a place specifically used to punish disobedient women in Harbor City. People who went in there rarely emerged unscathed.

“Don’t touch me!” I shrieked, desperately hugging my child, retreating repeatedly.

Derek also took a step forward, blocking my escape, his face full of cold indifference.

“Aurora Hayes, don’t make us use force.”

They cornered me against the wall. I had nowhere left to go, and my heart sank deeper and deeper.

Just when I thought my child and I were doomed, the hospital room door was violently pushed open again.

“Stop! Who dares touch my woman and my child!”

Caleb Vance rushed in, his face ashen, shielding me and the baby in my arms completely.

“Dr. Vance?” Julian froze for a moment, then his expression darkened. “This is our family matter. What does it have to do with an outsider like you?”