Chapter 1

Three years into our marriage, I finally became pregnant with Jasper Adams' child. He was ecstatic, and I quietly felt relieved—at last, my mother-in-law would stop her constant nagging.

That is, until the day I went to his company to bring him lunch and was mistaken by his secretary for someone trying to curry favor with the wealthy.

"You schemer, how dare you try to attract the attention of our CEO?"

She threw the food on me and tore my clothes, leading to a miscarriage right there in the office.

Before I lost consciousness, I heard her bragging to Jasper Adams, "Mr. Adams, I dealt with a woman trying to seduce you. How do you plan to thank me?"

I carried a lunchbox into the lobby of Adams Corporation. The receptionist didn't recognize me and said she needed to call Jasper Adams.

"Go ahead," I replied. "I'm his wife, Eloise Taylor, here with his lunch."

After a brief call, the receptionist nodded at me, "Ma'am, apologies for the wait. You may go up."

Seeing my slightly rounded belly and noticing my difficulty moving, she thoughtfully pressed the elevator button for me.

I thanked her as the elevator slowly ascended to the top floor. With a chime, the doors opened, but instead of Jasper Adams, a young, unfamiliar woman stood there.

I assumed she was an employee and was about to walk past her when she blocked my path. "Are you the woman here to see Mr. Adams?"

Her tone was extremely rude, prompting me to respond coolly, "I'm here to bring my husband lunch; what's it to you?"

"Get out!"

She suddenly grabbed my lunchbox and, before anyone could react, opened it and dumped the contents over my head!

The incident was so unexpected that I let out a scream, stepping back and trying to brush the food off. "What are you doing!"

She tossed the lunchbox aside, looking smug, and shouted, "I've seen plenty like you, thinking you can catch Mr. Adams' eye with your looks!"

Hearing the commotion, several employees gathered around. An older employee recognized me and turned to scold her, "Fiona Brooks! What are you doing? Apologize to the boss's wife!"

Fiona Brooks was unfazed. "What boss's wife? Our CEO doesn't even have a girlfriend!"

She looked me up and down, her gaze lingering on my simple attire. Planning to visit a park after lunch, I'd dressed casually, my hair in a messy bun. Fiona Brooks sneered and, without warning, rushed over and tore my clothes!

"Ah!"

I couldn't dodge in time, and the fabric ripped loudly, exposing most of my shoulder.

A manager who knew me quickly took off his jacket and draped it over me, dispersing the onlookers. He sternly addressed Fiona Brooks, "Fiona Brooks! Apologize now!" Then he turned to me, "I'm sorry, Ms. Taylor, she's just an intern assistant who clumsily ruined your clothes. You can change in my office."

Since this was Jasper Adams' company, I didn't want to escalate the situation, so I turned to leave. But Fiona Brooks wasn't done; she shoved the manager aside and kicked me to the ground!

"Faking it, are you? I'll teach you a lesson!"

She sat on my stomach, and I instinctively protected my belly, screaming as she slapped me. "You schemer, trying to seduce Mr. Adams. I'll make you pay today!"

The intense pain spread through my limbs, and I gradually lost the ability to fight back. Her attacks grew more vicious, and I felt a warm liquid flowing down my legs.

"Blood! She's bleeding!"

Amid the employees' gasps, Jasper Adams finally rushed over. He positioned himself between Fiona Brooks and me, holding me in his arms.

"Jasper, our baby..."

I weakly lost consciousness, and before passing out, I heard Jasper's anguished shout and Fiona Brooks' scornful voice:

"Mr. Adams, I took care of that ungrateful woman for you. How do you plan to thank me?"