Chapter 1

The murmurs of our colleagues echoed throughout the private room as they gossiped about the unfolding scene. Accustomed to seeing my boyfriend, Zachary Zolt, act completely submissive to me, his sudden rebellion led them to assume I had driven him away with constant high demands and aggression.

My best friend, Caroline Lotter, leaned back into his embrace, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Winnie. I know I shouldn't have fallen in love with Zach, but the heart wants what it wants. You're such an outstanding woman, so you'll be fine without him. But he's all I have."

Lifting her head to shoot me a pitiful look, she added, "Could you please let us be together? My baby can't grow up without a father."

That instantly silenced the room.

The new intern muttered, "Isn't she crossing the line? She even stole her best friend's boyfriend."

However, a female colleague who had always been at odds with me retorted, "That's not fair. Ms. Shandler is always so ruthless at work. What sort of man could stand such an aggressive woman?

"Zachary has taken care of her for three years, and he at least deserves credit for that. Now that he's found true love, she isn't willing to let him go?"

I watched the "star-crossed lovers" without a hint of anger, finding the entire spectacle ludicrous.

Zachary tightened his grip around Caroline with a heartbroken expression. When he turned to me, his eyes flashed with accusation.

"Winona, look at how cold you've become. Carol is apologizing so humbly, yet you won't even offer a word of forgiveness? What else do you know besides making money? You have no idea what it means to love someone!"

I was so enraged I almost laughed.

His flawless facial features were the result of three months of my own painstaking design and editing. His height, body shape, voice, and loving gaze were nothing more than data I had bought for millions from a top AI company, customized entirely for me.

I had given him a human shell, a self-learning module, and taught him everything about this world—yet the first thing he learned on his own was betrayal? And bringing a child into it, no less?

Glancing down at the pregnancy test report, I saw the estimated gestational age was around six weeks.

Coincidentally, Zachary's bionic components had been sent to the factory for maintenance service six weeks ago. At the time, he didn't even have a lower body, so what had he used to get Caroline pregnant? Sheer willpower?

Even so, I didn't expose the lie immediately. I wanted to see how far this immoral pair would take things.

"Since you two have a baby on the way, I'll oblige and let you be together. Consider this meal a farewell dinner on me. Finish eating and get the hell out of my sight."

Caroline looked stunned, clearly not expecting me to give up Zachary so easily.

Zachary was equally surprised. "Winona, I'm glad you see sense. However, the three years I wasted on you shouldn't be in vain. You must give us the apartment we lived in so Carol has a proper place to stay during her pregnancy."

The room fell silent again. Even those who initially sympathized with them thought this request went too far.

The luxury apartment in the city center was paid for in full by me, worth at least two million dollars. A cheating bastard actually had the audacity to demand my home?

I took in his self-righteous expression, sorely tempted to pry open his skull to check if his motherboard was fried.

Over the past three years, I had treated him exceptionally well. Worried he might feel different from others, I had set up an ID and a bank card for him, depositing a 30,000-dollar allowance like clockwork every month.

Beyond that, every tailored suit and limited-edition luxury watch he owned came from my pocket. In doing so, I had transformed him from a machine into a polished gentleman who never had to worry about survival.

As for Caroline, she was a student from a poor background whom I had supported through university out of pity, and later brought on as my assistant. Everything she owned, ate, and wore had been funded by me.

Now, the android I bought for millions and the ingrate I raised were colluding to seize my home.

Caroline tugged on Zachary's sleeve, twisting her face into a self-sacrificing mask.

"Forget it, Zach. Given how much Winnie loves money, she'll never give it to us. At worst, the baby and I can rent a place. As long as I'm with you, I don't mind suffering."

Hearing that sent Zachary's protectiveness into overdrive.

"No! My woman and child will never suffer!"