Chapter 003

Annie Simmons, the daughter of a fallen noble family, became the most envied woman in the city when Carl unexpectedly announced their relationship three years ago. Despite objections from Michael, they even held an engagement party.

Outsiders viewed Annie as beautiful, kind-hearted, elegant, and noble. However, only Renee knew Annie's true nature. If she weren't a designer, Annie could have been an Oscar-winning actress.

With Annie's cunning mind, she surely understood Renee's implication.

Her wedding to Carl had already been postponed for three years; she was desperate to marry into the Grey family.

Sure enough...

Annie immediately stepped forward, standing in Renee's former spot and bowing respectfully.

"Michael, it was me!" she confessed. "Renee and I have similar figures and somewhat resemble each other, so people misunderstood."

However, a voice of doubt from nearby questioned her explanation. "But the internet exposed Renee's secret love diary dating back five or six years. Didn't you only meet Carl three years ago?"

Annie, skilled at sincere performances, continued her act. "I was the one secretly in love with Carl first. Those were my private thoughts. I have no idea how they were discovered."

With two clear tears rolling down her cheeks, Annie added a loving gaze and perfectly timed blush to her repertoire. It was hard not to believe her.

Renee realized that she had lost completely, both in her past and present lives. She spoke calmly, "Uncle Carl and Annie have been engaged for years. It's only natural for Annie to come to Uncle Carl's aid when he was in danger. Surely the paparazzi fabricated this scandal for attention!"

Hearing this, the curious onlookers lost interest and found the situation boring. Renee finally understood the worthlessness of her efforts in her past life. Her careful, hardworking life had merely entertained the idle rich.

Every moment in this place felt like an eternity to Renee. She stepped back, bitterness in her voice as she said, "Now that the matter is cleared up, I won't disturb the Grey family's private discussion. Everyone, I'll take my leave."

As Renee turned away, she felt a gaze like a deep abyss falling upon her. However, none of it mattered to her anymore.

……

Renee was completely unaware of how things had unfolded in the main house.

All she knew was that when Susanne returned to their guest house from the mansion, she looked visibly upset. It was likely that she had been bullied once again by other members of the Grey family.

Patrick Grey, the second son of the Grey family, lacked business acumen. Michael had long given up on him, which was why the second branch of the family was always looked down upon.

The sycophants, while outwardly respectful to Patrick and Susanne, held them in contempt behind their backs

Susanne pinched Renee's arm, not very gently.

"Are you out of your mind? It's such a golden opportunity!"

"What opportunity?" Renee shot back.

"You came home last night in a state. Did you think I wouldn't figure it out? What's so difficult about apologizing? With all the gossip going around, Carl will have to treat you well to secure his position as the heir. You're giving up your chance at a life of luxury to Annie? That girl is clearly a hypocritical gold digger." Susanne said angrily.

"Stealing someone's fiancé, drugging him, and sneaking into his bed - and it's my uncle's bed, no less. Do you really think I would have a good life after that?"

Renee pulled her arm away, not wanting to deal with her.

As a mother, Susanne hadn't done much wrong.

After Renee's father disappeared, Susanne hadn't abandoned her. Even when she remarried, her only condition was that Renee come along.

But Susanne relied too heavily on men.

In this ruthless Grey family, depending on Patrick was a surefire way to be looked down upon.

Susanne's voice choked: "It's still better than being at the mercy of everyone else! Marcus died young, and your stepfather can't compare to Carl in terms of ability. The entire Grey empire will belong to Carl in the future. If you could just be with him..."

"Mom, stop," Renee coldly interrupted.

"Honey, can't you understand me? Your stepfather is simple-minded, and I can't bear him children. No one in the Grey family respects me. Won't I have to rely on you in the future?" Susanne wiped away the tears in her eyes.

Renee bluntly said: "Then go and tell Carl to marry me! Go now!"

Susanne choked back her words, too afraid to say anything further.

No one dared to provoke Carl.

Did she really think she could?

After a moment of silence, Renee suddenly thought of something and grabbed Susanne's arm.

"Mom, do you... do you have any pills?"

"What pills?"

"Plan B," Renee reluctantly admitted.

"You... I'm too old for that. Even for that kind of thing, your stepfather has always been considerate towards me."

"Mom, the Greys must still be watching me. Can you buy these pills for me? Yesterday was my ovulation day."

Renee opened an app on her phone, looking at the marked date in red, feeling panicked.

She loved Sarah.

But she couldn't bring Sarah into this world.

Her Sarah deserved to be born into a happy family in this lifetime, not to suffer alongside her.

Susanne frowned, then sighed.

"I'll go to the pharmacy."

"Okay."

Renee let out a relieved sigh.

After Susanne left, she didn't go to buy the pills herself. Instead, she found a trusted servant and gave them some instructions.

Once the servant left, Susanne put it out of her mind, figuring everyone's attention was focused on the main hall.

Little did she know, her instructions had been overheard.

Half an hour later, Susanne entered the room carrying an opaque pharmacy bag.

"Take the pills quickly. If you wait too long, they won't be effective," she said.

Renee nodded, glancing at the box labeled "48-hour emergency contraception."

After popping out a pill, she didn't immediately take it. Instead, she instinctively touched her stomach.

Once, her beloved daughter had lived there.

So understanding, so adorable.

But she truly couldn't let Sarah experience another unwelcome birth, only to die alone and afraid in a hospital bed.

How scared Sarah must have been.

So, Sarah, please don't blame Mommy.

In this life, you must find parents who will cherish you and let you grow up happily.

Renee's face was pale as she shakily put the pill in her mouth, but she couldn't swallow it.

She had to tilt her head back and gulp water, forcing herself not to change her mind.

Though the water was warm, she felt cold all over.

As she swallowed, tears fell down her cheeks.

Carl, you've finally rid yourself of the two people you hated most: her and Sarah.

After her moment of sorrow, Renee took a deep breath and quickly stood to dispose of the box.

Suddenly, the door was forcefully pushed open, slamming against the wall and shaking the entire room.

Before Renee and Susanne could react, servants from the patriarch's quarters grabbed their arms.

Soon, Renee was brought back to the main hall.

Someone shoved her hard, and she fell to the ground.

Her body, already exhausted from last night, could barely support her as she gritted her teeth and tried to sit up.

Looking up, she met even more disgusted gazes than before.

Especially Carl's dark eyes, dangerous and cold.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, mixed with Annie's muffled sobs.

Renee glanced over. Annie's tearful eyes held a deeper meaning.

The next moment, a box of pills was thrown at Renee's feet, blister packs scattering across the floor.

Michael slammed his hand on the coffee table and demanded an explanation.

"What is this? Explain yourself!" he said.

Renee's heart trembled as she answered honestly, "Contraceptive pills."

Carl glanced sideways, his voice frosty. "Contraceptive pills? Really?" he said, in a mocking tone.

Renee lowered her gaze, and as she clearly saw the names on the box and pills, her heart skipped a beat.

The box indeed said "48-hour emergency contraception."

But the blister packs contained fertility drugs.