Chapter 2

The doctor pressed on Alice’s abdomen and checked her pulse before calling in other doctors for a consultation. Behind her, Riley and Elena grew increasingly worried. Even Alice herself was startled by the commotion. Was it possible she had some strange illness?

“Doctor, what’s wrong with me?” she asked.

“You’ll need to come with us to the ultrasound room.”

What? Was it really a tumor in her belly?

Ten minutes later, the examination results came back, and her homeroom teacher was notified to come as well.

“What? Pregnant? How is that possible?” Staring at the freshly printed ultrasound report, Alice felt her vision darken, nearly fainting.

Her teacher, Mr. Howard, immediately spoke up: “Doctor, you shouldn’t say such things. She’s just a student.”

“The ultrasound report is conclusive. It’s a solid fact. You need to notify her parents to find out what’s going on. Girls these days…” 

It felt like a thunderclap to Alice, who stood frozen in place, her face as pale as paper.

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Robert was busy, but this time the call came directly from the dean of the college, so he made time to come, albeit in a foul mood. Alice hadn’t yet recovered from the shocking news when Robert pushed her back into the car.

As they got out, they bumped into Ethan and Kate returning from their honeymoon. Alice was dragged along, brushing past Ethan.

He looked at her, tied up and being led away, and frowned. “What happened?”

“Hah! This little wretch is too young to be behaving like this—she’s pregnant before marriage! Tell us, where did this child come from?” Her stepmother, Michelle, lashed out, hitting Alice with a rattan stick. The strike left deep welts on her skin, shocking everyone around.

Ethan had a shocked expression on his face. Just a month ago, Alice was still with him—so where did this child come from?

But no matter how they pressed her, Alice could only shake her head, saying, “I don’t know, Grandpa, Dad, I really don’t know…”

“Still being stubborn, are you? You’re ruining our family’s reputation!” Michelle fanned the flames. “Just like your shameless mother, you’re a disgrace!”

In that moment, Michelle’s words dripped with venom as she relentlessly struck Alice, seemingly channeling all her hatred into the blows.

Alice collapsed to the ground, bleeding and in agony, but she remained silent, gritting her teeth. If that meant losing the child, then let it be. Just keep hitting her, she thought, ready to give up on everything.

But just as she was about to lose consciousness, the roar of car engines sounded from outside.

Everyone turned in shock to see eight black Rolls-Royces lined up, their sleek bodies glistening in the sunlight. Because she was half-crouched, Alice caught sight of a small silver skull beside one of the cars.

The sun blazed down, but the skull looked ominous and chilling.

The car doors opened in unison, and eight bodyguards in white shirts and black suits stepped out, arms crossed, standing by the vehicles with an intimidating presence.

From the first car, the back door opened to reveal a pair of shiny black shoes stepping into view.

Marcus is a man who's seen it all， but when he recognized the silver skull on the car and immediately stood up, trembling as he approached.

The man who stepped out of the car was around thirty, his tailored black suit fitting his tall frame perfectly. His chiseled features and sharp brows made the air around him feel heavy.

In the previously noisy living room, you could hear a pin drop now.

Alice looked at the man approaching against the light, his rugged face starkly defined in the sun, with piercing eyes and an aura of danger.

“Henderson…” Marcus’s voice quivered like a broken reed, “Mr. Henderson…” He nearly bent to the ground in respect.

“Is this Mr.Howell?” The man’s sharp gaze landed on Marcus’s weathered face.

“Yes, yes…” 

“May I have a word?” the man said calmly.

“Of course, please follow me to the study upstairs.”

Alice remained tied to the chair, a long gash on her face dripping blood. The eight bodyguards guarded the entire living room, making it clear that no one dared to move. Even the usually domineering Michelle fell silent.

Ten minutes later, the cold, imposing man came back downstairs, with Marcus following closely. Upon seeing Alice still tied to the chair, he nearly stumbled down the stairs. “What are you all doing? Hurry and untie Alice!”

Several servants rushed to help her, but she had already lost her strength and slumped to the ground. The man bent down to catch her, and Alice trembled slightly in his grasp.

His gaze swept over her face and body before effortlessly lifting her, as if she weighed no more than a feather. “Who hit you? Double the punishment for them!”