Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Savannah Turner was pregnant.
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Currently, she sat in the treatment room on a small chair, her eyes fixed on the report in her hand, finding it nearly impossible to believe what she was seeing.
The doctor, sporting a beaming smile, looked at her and said, “Congratulations, Ms. Turner! Who would have thought that the company’s health checkup would reveal such a significant surprise? The baby is in excellent health. Is the child’s father here? I’d like to offer him some advice.
“H–He’s busy working. Savannah struggled to find her voice and replied with difficulty, “Doctor, could you help me keep it confidential from my workplace?”
“Huh?” The doctor was confused.
An hour later, Savannah left the hospital and returned to work.
As she stood in the elevator, her hand resting on her still–flat abdomen, her thoughts were still in a whirlwind. She could scarcely believe that she, who had once believed herself to be unable to conceive, was now carrying Channing Muir’s child.
Just then, as the elevator doors opened, Lucas Lorenzo, an assistant, rushed over upon seeing her.
“Anna, where have you been all this time? Your phone was off, and Mr. Muir has been trying to reach you!”
“I’m heading there right now.”
Savannah usually had her phone glued to her hand, but the revelation of her pregnancy had been so overwhelming that she had lost track of everything else.
Hence, she lowered her hand from her abdomen, took a deep breath, and swiftly entered the CEO’s office. She gazed at the tall, handsome man in a black suit seated behind the desk, his face exuding an air of depth and allure, and softly addressed him. “Mr. Muir.”
After h
humming in acknowledgment, Channing continued to sign the intricate documents in his hand. His eyes didn’t waver in her direction. “Is the gift for the Yates family’s birthday party tonight ready?”
Indeed, that evening marked the birthday celebration of the eldest daughter of the Yates family, who was already married.
However, Savannah’s relationship with the Yates family was tangled, particularly after the car accident a decade ago. The Yates family regarded her as a sworn enemy. A decade ago, she had narrowly escaped being trafficked to the red–light district by Edgar Yates, the son of the Yates family, and forced into a life of prostitution.
In the past, Savannah would have dutifully fulfilled her responsibilities and obeyed Channing’s order, even if she had to endure the Yates family’s harassment.
But that day, she refused Channing…
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“Mr. Muir, is it possible for me not to attend? Savannah struggled to speak. “I’m not feeling well-
“Savannah.” Channing cut her words short, his gaze finally descending upon her. “Do you think that what I said was a discussion or an order?”
Savannah’s response came after a brief pause. “I understand.”
It was an order.
With a pallid face, Savannah lowered her head.
Yet as if he believed this wasn’t enough, Channing stared her straight in the eyes and coldly reprimanded. “Savannah, remember your place. Although you’re my wife, we’re bound by a contract. I don’t appreciate your defiance of my orders.”
A shiver coursed through Savannah’s body, and the pain in her heart was akin to a sharp, piercing dagger. It left her breathless.
Nevertheless, she was utterly helpless, no matter how agonizing the pain became.
Channing was speaking the truth.
She wasn’t Channing’s true love; she was just the daughter of a housekeeper; she was the one, who, in a twist of fate, had been mistaken for a means to an end by Channing in an unexpected moment. It was because of that incident that she had a physical relationship with a man who was like a deity, someone she would never have crossed paths with.
Later, in a bid to protect the Muir family’s reputation and escape the constant pressure of matchmaking and family expectations, Channing proposed a five–year contract marriage with her.
At that time. Savannah was in a dire situation, with no support from any quarter. Her mother had exacerbated her misery by stopping her father, Walter Turner’s, medical treatment at the hospital and refusing to cover the expenses.
So, in exchange for the coverage of the exorbitant monthly medical bills, she had agreed to the arrangement.
Savannah and Channing had registered their marriage and gone through with it. She was his assistant during the day and his wife at night.
Over the past three years, Channing had been in control, and Savannah had constantly reminded herself not to get too deeply entangled in this marriage because that man had a first crush who held his heart.
But now, the worst had occurred.
“I’ll remember my place.” Savannah suppressed her trembling, her legs feeling as if they were made of lead, and she walked out of the office.
In the blink of an eye, night had fallen.
The Yates family was one of the top three families in Drieso. Therefore, even for its member’s simple birthday celebration, they hosted it at one of the grandest hotels. The guests in attendance were all
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exceptionally prestigious, each one more ostentatious than the next.
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However, at the hotel entrance, Savannah was dressed in the most modest and plain work attire she wore during the day. After entering the venue, she wished she could vanish entirely from sight.
Unfortunately, by her side stood Chaming, who held immense power and radiated like a star in the night sky.
Her disguise, though effective, ultimately proved futile.
Soon, gesticulating and pointing gazes converged on Savannah from all directions, and words like “daughter of a murderer” kept echoing in her cars, draining the color from her face.
Zendaya Yates, the eldest daughter of the Yates family, stood at the center of the crowd, holding her husband. Jerome Cook’s hand. Upon witnessing the situation, she couldn’t help but furrow her brows,
Due to Channing’s presence. Zendaya couldn’t take any overt actions. She could only maintain a forced smile and say, “Channing, it’s been a while… But today, your presence alone is sufficient. Why have you brought along unrelated people?”
“There are no unrelated people.” Channing added with a hint of aloofness, “If I recall correctly, Savannah spent her childhood at the Yates residence.”
This was because Savannah’s mother, a housekeeper, worked in close proximity to the Yates residence. Young Savannah was quite mischievous and often roamed around.
One day, she accidentally wandered into the Yates residence, where she was discovered by the kind–hearted Paul Yates. From that day on, Savannah was allowed to visit the Yates residence frequently, practically growing up alongside the Yates siblings.
Even Zendaya had treated Savannah better than her own biological brother, Edgar.
As she thought back to their shared childhood, Zendaya’s expression stiffened momentarily. She quickly turned her face away and responded, “The past is the past. Today is my birthday, and I want to share some good news with everyone. I don’t want to spoil the mood.”
“What’s the big news you’re about to share, Zendaya?”
“Tell us; what’s the exciting announcement at your birthday party?”
“Don’t leave us in suspense any longer! We’re all eager to know!”
Immediately, a group of socialites and affluent women surrounding Zendaya started buzzing with impatience, their faces reflecting their anticipation.
“All right, all right. Looks like I can’t keep you waiting any longer. Zendaya chuckled in response.
She then took Jerome’s hand and gracefully ascended the stage, clutching a microphone with teary eyes. “Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends and family, I’m deeply thankful for your presence at my birthday party today. On this special occasion, I have some wonderful news to share with all of you. I am expecting a baby!”
She went on, “The journey to this moment has been filled with challenges and anticipation, but now,
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alongside my beloved husband Jerome, I look forward to cherishing and safeguarding our future happiness with our child. I invite you all to be a part of this joyous journey,
After her heartfelt speech, Zendaya and Jerome embraced each other amid the thunderous applause of the audience, tears of joy streaming down their faces.
However, amidst the crowd, Savannah, upon hearing Zendaya’s pregnancy announcement, found herself frozen in place, her heart skipping a beat.
As Savannah gazed at the three–month ultrasound image of the baby displayed on the large screen, lost in thought and unable to contain her emotions, a cold and indifferent stare fixed upon her.
Channing locked his gaze on her and inquired, “Do you like children a lot?”
“Babies are indeed adorable…”
Savannah’s mind drifted back to the doctor’s report she had received earlier that day. Perhaps due to the warm atmosphere surrounding Zendaya and Jerome, she gathered the courage to meet Channing’s eyes. “Mr. Muir, what if we also considered having a child-
“Absolutely not!” Channing’s lips curled slightly, interrupting her, and he enunciated his words clearly. “Savannah, I have no desire to have children with you.”
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