Chapter 1, Concealing a Peerless Beauty

"Charlotte, after I'm gone, go... find that child. No one will stop you anymore."

The once stunningly beautiful face of Mrs. Violet was now unrecognizable, ravaged by illness. Looking at her daughter, who was crying beside the bed like a pear blossom drenched in rain, her eyes were filled with regret.

It is often the case that people only realize many things when they are on the brink of death. Unfortunately, it's usually too late by then.

Wiping away the tears from her face, Charlotte Violet forced a smile and looked at her mother, shaking her head. "Mom, I won't look for the child, okay? Please, don't leave me..."

Her father had left suddenly and without explanation shortly after her mother was diagnosed with cancer six years ago. The two of them knew all too well what they had gone through during these years.

Mrs. Violet's breath was now very weak, and speaking was a great effort. After a long pause, she spoke again, "Go... find him, the child's father... his name is... Channing MacArthur. But, promise me, you cannot... use your true appearance to meet him, Charlotte... promise me, Mommy..."

She gripped Charlotte Violet's hand tightly, as if using up the last of her strength.

"Mom, why?"

Why couldn't she use her real appearance? From childhood, her mother had always been proud of how much she resembled her, inheriting her extraordinary beauty.

But after that incident, her mother had used her exceptional makeup skills to hide her appearance.

And this concealment lasted for six years!

But now, the hand holding hers had fallen limp, and no one would answer her anymore...

No one told her why her mother didn't want her to reveal her true appearance. Over the years, she had asked her countless times, but each time, she was scolded, with her mother promising to tell her someday.

But... would that day ever come?

In C City, in an upscale villa area, Channing MacArthur had just finished a transoceanic conference call. As he opened the door to his study, he heard unfamiliar footsteps.

He turned his head slightly, looking towards the door. His deep, penetrating gaze swept over Charlotte Violet.

She appeared to be in her mid-thirties, with average features, wearing black-framed glasses, and her skin was sallow. She wore a faded plaid shirt, gray sweatpants, and black sneakers, exuding a simple, clean, yet rustic vibe.

"I'm the new housekeeper," Charlotte Violet said, lowering her head, explaining herself, feeling somewhat nervous.

According to the information she had found online, this man was 27 years old and already the head of the Ning family. The Ning family's business spanned multiple industries; simply put, they did whatever was profitable.

As for Channing MacArthur, he was described online as the top-tier among the rich, handsome, and successful men.

He was someone she could only dream of being close to.

But, this man was the father of her child, the owner of that "sperm."

She couldn't describe the shock she felt when she searched his name online and saw the extensive introductions and news articles about him.

Back then, because her mother needed urgent medical treatment and she was young, she followed her mother's lead throughout the process. She vividly remembered that a few days after her college entrance exam, her mother asked her if she would be willing to pay a lifetime's price for her medical treatment.

Without hesitation, she agreed.

Later, her mother applied makeup, transforming her into someone else, and even changed her name. Then, they went to the hospital for a procedure.

Afterward, they were taken to a prestigious hospital where her mother's condition improved significantly.

There, she carried a child for ten months and gave birth to a boy. But before she could even see him, he was taken away. She was only 18 at the time.

Having never attended university and needing to care for her mother, she reached 23 without any special skills.

She had no skills, but for her mother, she had no complaints.

What she couldn't understand was why, after that day, her mother forbade her from showing her true face and took her to a different place, never returning home.

Looking at the luxurious mansion and the man in front of her, she was even more confused:

With such a background and such an outstanding man, why did he need a child in that way, and why did he choose her?

If it was her original appearance, she could understand that they wanted her good genes, but in reality, her mother had already altered her appearance with makeup.

But she knew she might never get the answers.

This time, she had no other intentions; she just wanted to see the child. If she could stay by his side and take care of him, she would ask for nothing more. He was her only family in the world.

Since she lacked any skills, she had thought of many ways to enter the Ning household, but none worked. When she heard that they were looking for a housekeeper, specifically to take care of Gordon MacArthur, she saw it as her only chance.

She had considered using her looks to attract Channing MacArthur, but she didn't want to go against her mother's wishes. More importantly, she didn't want to have too much interaction with men. She hadn't planned to find a man for the rest of her life.

Her father had left her mother in such a critical situation, which made her lose faith in men...

Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, she saw him in a white shirt and black pants, a simple and casual outfit that did nothing to diminish his striking features. He was exceptionally handsome, but cold and intimidating.

"Hmm." Channing MacArthur's gaze moved away from Charlotte Violet, and he walked down the stairs to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he grabbed a bottle of cold water, took a few sips, and responded indifferently.

Their first meeting, as father and child, was strange and emotionless.

"Mr. MacArthur, Miss Duncan is here," a servant reported from the doorway.

"Shaochen." A gentle, melodious voice called out.

Charlotte Violet wasn't one to pry, but she glanced casually and was startled when she recognized the woman's face...

She had seen this woman before!

Back at the hospital, outside the operating room, she had peeked out of curiosity.

It was she who had brought the "sperm."

Although it was just a brief encounter, she had a good memory, and such a beautiful woman was not common in her life, so she couldn't forget her.

But, why was she here?

And it seemed she had a special relationship with Channing MacArthur...

Could she be his lover? Impossible!

No lover would let another woman bear their man's child, but...

Her mind was in turmoil.