Chapter 4

Vivienne’s face turned deathly pale.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Julian frowned, staring at me in confusion.

I zipped up my handbag and turned toward the main entrance.

"Nothing much. Just suddenly remembered that kidney donation takes a real toll on your body. Take care of your health, Mr. Brock."

I paused at the doorway and flashed him a tight smile.

"After all... once certain things are gone, they're gone for good."

Without waiting for his response, I stepped out of the mansion.

I stood on the gravel driveway, drawing in a long, deep breath.

The spring breeze carried a slight chill, heavy with the overly sweet scent of white roses from the garden.

It was sickeningly sweet.

Just like the three-year illusion Julian built for me, a dream made entirely of Vivienne’s shadow.

Now, the dream was over.

I pulled out my phone and shot a quick message to Marcus.

[Any updates?]

His reply popped up instantly.

[Got a lead on Dr. Meyers financial records.]

I locked my phone and flagged down a cab at the main gates.

"Where to?" the driver asked.

"The Brock Estate in Ridgeview."

That was the ancestral home of the Brock family.

More importantly, it was where Julian's mother lived, the real power behind the Brock empire.

An hour later, the car stopped in front of a massive grand estate.

I rang the gate bell.

The butler, Arthur, opened the door.

Surprise flickered across his face before fading into a polite smile.

"Ms. Reed? What brings you here?"

"Arthur, I need to see Mrs. Brock."

Arthur hesitated.

"Mrs. Brock is currently receiving guests in the tea room. Perhaps you could wait in the side parlor…"

"It's urgent," I cut him off. "It concerns the future of the Brock bloodline."

Arthur studied my face for a long second.

"Please wait here."

He stepped inside and returned a few minutes later, holding the door open.

"Mrs. Brock will see you."

I followed him down the long corridor.

Mechanical marble floors, classic wooden accents, and tall bay windows overlooking a courtyard pool.

Three years ago, my palms were sweating when I first set foot here, terrified of making a single mistake.

Now, I felt completely calm.

Inside the lounge, Victoria Brock sat gracefully by a polished mahogany table.

She was in her early fifties, impeccably maintained, wearing a dark emerald dress with her hair pinned in a flawless chignon.

She lifted her eyes as I entered.

Her gaze was cold, unreadable, and sharp enough to strip a person bare.

"Ms. Reed. I hear you have urgent business?"

I sat down on the armchair across from her.

"Yes. Mrs. Brock, I'm pregnant."

Victoria's hand paused for a fraction of a second as she poured water from a porcelain kettle.

"Julian's?"

I pulled the ultrasound printout from my bag and slid it across the wooden table.

"Six weeks. Twins."

Victoria set the kettle down, picked up the paper, scanned it once, and laid it back on the table.

She picked up her cup and blew gently on the steaming water.

"And? What exactly are you looking for by coming here today, Ms. Reed?"

"I want the Brock family to recognize these children."

Victoria offered a thin, amused smile.

"Ms. Reed, I understand your motives. You're a young woman who spent three years with Julian, looking for a secure future. That's only natural.

"But you must know that even if you bear these children, you will never marry into this family."

She paused, setting her cup down with a soft click.

"Here is my offer, one hundred million dollars, plus a house abroad.

“Once the children are born, the Brock family will cover their education and upbringing, but you will cut all ties. Deal?”