“Who the hell wants to sleep with you a second time? If I hadn’t been so drunk, I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole.” With that parting shot, Erick swaggered out, clothes in hand.

This was the Thorpes’ house.

No one would bat an eye at her plight. Even if she appealed to Erick’s parents or Jorge, their loyalty would lie with Erick.

A seed of hatred took root in Carole’s heart, spreading like a cancer.

As evening fell, Carole emerged, dressed and resolute. She clutched a key in her hand, pilfered from Erick during his drunken stupor the night before.

A servant crossing her path felt a chill run down their spine. Though Carole appeared unchanged, there was something chilling about the smile that played on her lips.

An hour’s drive brought Carole to a suburban apartment. The purloined key granted her silent entry, and she slipped inside like a shadow.

Inside, a frail young woman on the sofa recoiled in fear at the sight of an intruder, her innocent eyes wide with apprehension.

“Who are you? How did you get in here?” she inquired.

“Are you the marrow donor?”

Carole scrutinized the woman. Her features were delicate and charming, the kind men fawned over. She possessed a pair of captivating eyes, though not as enchanting as Ellie’s.

“What did Talon promise you? I can offer you double.”

Ellie was four months into her pregnancy, and the fetus was thriving. Jerome wasted no time organizing a party to toast Kaiden and Ellie’s impending parenthood.

“I’m thrilled that Kaiden is going to be a father,” Edwin remarked, his gaze drawn to Ellie’s growing bump. Edwin had come to terms with the fact that the girl who once held his heart was now someone else’s wife. He accepted that Kaiden was the better man for Ellie, believing she deserved nothing less.

The gathering included Kaiden, Jerome, and other wealthy heirs with deep-rooted friendships. In a gesture to include Ellie, they also invited Daniel.

“Was my invitation lost in the mail, Mr. Howell? Are you looking down on me?” Katharine’s voice cut through the chatter. Her newly cropped hair and striking red lips exuded a formidable presence.

Jerome froze for a moment when he saw Katharine arriving with Daniel. He quickly apologized, saying, “I thought you were busy with work. My apologies for the oversight, Katharine.”

Her presence was unexpected, to say the least.

“If you have time to play, why wouldn’t I?” Katharine retorted.

Jerome smiled wryly. “Are you here to have fun, or to back Ellie up?” Katharine glanced at Ellie but didn’t deny it.

The guests were primarily heirs to Critport’s most influential families. Since Ellie had been accepted into the Lambert family, her opportunities to mingle with such circles had been limited. Today, however, provided the perfect stage for her to interact with them.

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