The Green family's monthly gathering was an unbreakable tradition.
Brice intended to take me to the Green's old mansion.
I couldn't refuse him.
He not only invested a significant amount of money into the Yates Group but also leveraged his connections and resources to bring in several major clients for the struggling business of the Yates Group.
My father was so grateful to Brice that he practically flattered Brice.
In front of my parents, Brice said coldly, "The money and the business were given for Leyla's sake. If I hear even a whisper of you coercing her for your own benefit…"
His gaze swept over my parents' faces. "The Yates Group may have risen today, but I can make it vanish from the city overnight."
My mother's face turned pale with fear, and she repeatedly assured him that I was their most cherished and that they would never dare to hurt me again.
Just days ago, she had scolded me for being useless. But with Brice backing me now, I had suddenly become their most cherished.
How ironic it was!
Leaving the Yates home, Brice held my hand and didn't let go.
As the car pulled into the courtyard of the Greens' old mansion, I immediately noticed Bowen's flashy silver sports car.
The moment Brice and I stepped into the living room, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense.
Brice's parents sat on the sofa and looked grim.
James, Brice's grandfather, sat at the head and leaned on his cane. His eyes were closed, and he gave no hint of his emotions.
To my surprise, Rosie was seated next to Bowen.
She wore a simple white dress and looked pitifully delicate.
Bowen was protectively beside Rosie and announced with excitement, "Rosie is pregnant." It's the eldest grandson of the Green family. I can't let the baby of the Green family stay homeless."
The last trace of sentiment in my heart was gone as soon as I heard those words.
It turned out that I could be in despair in an instant.
As I watched Bowen, who was now utterly devoted to Rosie, he felt like a stranger.
He was not the young man who had once danced with me and vowed to marry no one else.
James slowly opened his eyes and said in a commanding tone, "The Green family doesn't welcome just any woman."
Rosie trembled, and tears immediately fell. "Grandfather, I truly love Bowen…"
"Shut up!" James's cane struck the floor hard. "I only recognize the baby born to Leyla as one of the Green family. I refuse to acknowledge any other illegitimate children."
Bowen became anxious. "Grandfather, this is the modern age. How can you still be so stereotyped! Leyla and I were arranged to be engaged by the families. There's no love! Rosie and I truly love each other!"
Brice's father, Ivan Green, slammed the table and said, "You scoundrel! If Brice hadn't cleared up the mess for you, the Green family's reputation would have been utterly destroyed by you!"
Bowen was somewhat not convinced, but he dared not argue back with Ivan.
He turned to look at Brice and me. "Leyla, come over here." Bowen beckoned to me. He seemed to be summoning a pet. "You will be my wife and the mother of my baby. Rosie will need your care in the future, so don't make a fuss this time."
He really dared to imagine. How could he expect me to take care of his pregnant mistress?
Seeing that I wasn't moving, Bowen became impatient. "Leyla, don't be ungrateful. I've already given you the position of my wife. What more do you want?"
Rosie, seizing the moment, came over with teary eyes. She humbly lowered herself in front of me. "Ms. Yates, I won't fight you for the title. I just want to stay with Bowen. After my baby is born, you can be its mom. I truly love Bowen. Please take pity on me…"
With that, Rosie emotionally held my hand and looked so humble.
I shook her hand off in disgust. But she suddenly let out an exaggerated cry, stumbled backward dramatically, and fell to the floor heavily. "Ah! My belly… It hurts so much!"
