4

True enough, I left the folder on the desk. "When we left, I was in such a hurry that I forgot to bring it with me," exclaimed Yvonne. "I am aware of your intense dislike for me and your desire for me to screw this up so Benjamin won't be happy with me. However, I didn't think you would exact revenge on the business. Do you realize how important your job is today, Miss Stewart? Do you believe that what you did was equitable to Benjamin and the other employees of the company? 

At the sound of the disturbance, Mr. Collins also came out of the private room. Confused by the circumstances, he enquired, "What's going on?" 

After giving Hazel a fierce look, Benjamin turned to face Mr. Collins and apologized profusely, saying, "My helper brought the wrong business plan by mistake. How about we reschedule the meeting for tomorrow? Since we are the ones who made this error, MC Enterprise will pay appropriately." 

Mr. Collins left after expressing his anger on his face and realizing there was nothing more he could say. 

Benjamin punched the blank pieces of paper, veins showing through his palms. "You better give me a reasonable explanation," he said. 

Even though Hazel hadn't followed up on the project from today, she was aware of the significance of the collaboration with Mr. Collins. 

Benjamin's level of anger was not out of the ordinary. 

Despite not being at fault, Hazel dared not meet Benjamin's gaze. 

"I just followed Miss Taylor's instructions and delivered the folder that she stated," Hazel said, bending her head slightly. I had no idea what was in the folder. Miss Taylor, in my opinion, is fully aware of what transpired. I don't think you're foolish enough, Mr. Lucas, to fall for this." 

"Hazel Stewart, what do you mean by that?" When Yvonne heard those words, she gestured to Hazel's nose with her finger. "Are you charging me for putting the blank paper in the box to frame you?" she yelled, clearly angry. Regardless of my age, I recognize the importance of this project. In addition, I adore Benjamin dearly. Why would I meddle in his commercial affairs and create difficulties for his project?" 

"We did not complete the job today, and the company has suffered as a result. "You will be solely responsible for your error," Benjamin sternly stated. 

"From tomorrow onwards, you can stop coming to work." 

"What?" Hazel was stunned. At last, her eyes met Benjamin's. "You told me that unless I voluntarily leave, you will not ..." 

Benjamin said, "You have already caused enough damage to the company," and he threw the blank paper to the floor. "I allowed you to remain in the company on the condition that you behave yourself," he said, sounding cold and demanding. 

"Haha ..." Hazel at last realized what was wrong. All Benjamin wanted to do was fire her. 

"Benjamin, do you hate me that much?" was her thought as she realized that he was obviously indifferent to the reality of the situation. 

Tears trickled down Hazel's face, one after the other. 

In actuality, she was already aware of Benjamin's response. 

Benjamin, in fact, answered her question categorically. 

Hazel sobbed uncontrollably before burst out laughing. "Benjamin, she's not the pure and kind woman you think she is," she said, gesturing to Yvonne. She is the one with the cleverness and planning here, not me." 

"Benjamin." Yvonne sobbed uncontrollably as she leaned against Benjamin's body. 

Benjamin put Yvonne's arm around him. 

He continued to walk past Hazel without saying anything more. 

Hazel watched the running forms of Benjamin and Yvonne until tears clouded her vision. 

She lost her balance abruptly, and her entire body collapsed to the floor. Benjamin released Yvonne's hand before they had gone very far. 

Yvonne wanted to hold his hand forever, but Benjamin instantly threw her hand away. 

"Benjamin ..." Yvonne was so indignant she couldn't even comprehend the situation. 

"Yvonne," Benjamin turned to face her and spoke firmly. "I want to ensure that something similar never occurs again. Personal matters cannot be handled at the expense of the business." 

Yvonne wanted to explain herself, but she bit her lower lip and nodded pitifully as she noticed the seriousness in Benjamin's eyes. 

*** 

Hazel was lying on a hospital bed when she came to. 

Zen was the man seated beside her. Zen leaned forward and softly said, "Hazel, you're finally awake," as soon as he noticed that she had woken. What is your emotional state? Yesterday, you passed out. I received a call from Mr. York informing me that you were staying at Hotel J." 

Hazel gave a head nod. "It could have been from low blood sugar from eating less these days," she reasoned. In addition, yesterday's tantrum caused me to lose my cool."The doctor said to Hazel,..." That was where Zen stopped. 

Hazel sensed something was wrong and believed she had contracted a serious illness. She replied, "Just tell me what it is, I can bear it." Ultimately, her physical condition had not been optimal lately. 

Zen announced, "You're pregnant." His tone was devoid of any happiness. Rather, it was brimming with concern and care. "You are three weeks pregnant, and your health is really bad, according to the doctor. It is unlikely that you will be able to keep this child if you do not look after yourself." 

"I'm pregnant?" Hazel believed she had misheard Zen. "Are you serious?" she inquired once more, demonstrating her concerns. 

Zen observed Hazel's tense state and grinned pitifully. "I'm serious." 

Hazel's face lit up with a smile as the news of her pregnancy registered in her head. 

Her face had turned back to normal as she extended her hand to touch her belly. 

Is this pregnancy, Hazel wondered. 

For three weeks... 

That was the night Benjamin came to me, inebriated, and asked for a divorce. 

Benjamin had hardly touched her in the previous three years. When he did, it was always while intoxicated. 

And each and every time that occurred, Benjamin would make her take the morning-after medication. 

Hazel would spit it out after Benjamin left, only seeming to eat it on the surface. 

It had always been her dream to become pregnant at some point. 

Benjamin might not love her, but he would certainly be a little more attached to her because of this child. 

Additionally, his grandmother assured her that once she became pregnant with his child, she would be able to keep Benjamin by her side. 

Hazel said, "I have to tell Benjamin about this," as she made an effort to find her phone. 

Zen studied Hazel's content expression. Hazel, please consider this before you make that phone call, he had to tell her the harsh reality. 

Zen's words caused Hazel to somewhat relax. Her smile froze slowly. 

Benjamin might not want the child, despite her extreme happiness over this. 

She could not have told Benjamin about this carelessly before finding out about Benjamin's position. If not, Benjamin might make her murder the child. 

Benjamin was there when Hazel arrived home unexpectedly at night. 

With a bowl of instant noodles in front of him, Benjamin took a seat at the kitchen table. 

Hazel said, "Let me cook something else for you," in her subconscious. This isn't sufficiently healthful." 

"You're still alive? Benjamin dropped his head to eat his noodles, "I thought that with your weak body, you would have died from anger." He said this coldly. 

At that moment, Hazel was opening the refrigerator door. Her heart ached as she stopped moving. 

Benjamin finished his meal, picked up his coat, and headed out. 

"Where are you going?" Hazel nervously trailed after him. 

"That's none of your business." 

"Benjamin ..." Hazel extended her arm to touch her abdomen. With a determined expression, she bit her bottom lip and questioned hesitantly, "Do you like children?" 

She was aware that she shouldn't be so concerned and that she shouldn't approach the situation directly. 

She was eager to hear Benjamin's thoughts on the matter, though. 

"Children?" Benjamin looked at Hazel's belly as he turned his head. "Don't tell me you're pregnant," he growled. 

"I ..." That was when Hazel realized she was confused. 

"I haven't touched you much in the last three years. I also made you take the morning-after pill each time. You can forget about attempting to trick me with a child." 

"What if, and I mean what if." With caution, Hazel enquired, "What if I'm pregnant?" 

"Then stop it right away!" Benjamin exclaimed. "You're not fit to bear my child." After saying that, he turned around and walked away. 

Benjamin sat in his Bentley with the windows down, enjoying the darkness of the night. 

His figure was illuminated by the streetlights, and the lit cigarette he held between his fingers glowed like a star. 

Something said earlier by Hazel popped into his mind. 

Hazel's question, in Benjamin's opinion, was merely intended to test him. He believed that Hazel was a woman who had married him by unethical means. 

She was considering pretending to be pregnant after finding out that, despite their three years of marriage, he had not developed feelings for her. 

If Benjamin had declared his intention to procreate, there was every reason to believe that Hazel would find a way to conceive his child. 

"That woman is nasty and cunning," he thought to himself. 

He could not have allowed her to carry his child. 

He felt foolish for constantly falling into Hazel's traps and for oddly going back to his house to see if she had returned and was okay. 

Benjamin lifted his cigarette and took a long drag, clearly annoyed.