Chapter 4

Chapter 4

With an emotionless gaze, Gideon cast a fleeting glance at her before averting his eyes.

After what felt like an eternity, Margaret pursed her lips and rose slowly, the focus of everyone’s attention weighing heavily upon her. Each step she took felt like traversing a path strewn with razor-sharp blades, causing both her feet and heart to ache.

With her head bowed, she closed her eyes. As she stood beneath the harsh spotlight, it felt like her dignity had been completely shattered.

“Ms. Wilcox.” Roxanne turned suddenly, her voice soft as she leaned in with a smile, whispering into Margaret’s ear, “You don’t want the papers to get a picture of you looking all serious. How about a smile?”

Roxanne’s words pierced Margaret’s heart like a dagger.

Trembling, Margaret pursed her lips and forced a smile, though her eyes remained downcast.

Once more, the audience erupted into applause.

Roxanne smiled with satisfaction as she glanced at Gideon. Upon noting his stoic expression, she was relieved.

A reporter asked Margaret, “Ms. Wilcox, since you’ve come this far relying on the Lambert family’s support, do you have any words for them?”

Another reporter quickly added, “Please, just a brief statement, A few words will suffice.”

Suddenly, a flurry of reporters thrust their microphones toward Margaret, each vying for the chance to capture her response for their news

coverage.

Margaret kept her head down, gritting her teeth without saying anything.

“Everyone.” Roxanne stepped forward with a warm smile, as if worried Margaret would say something she shouldn’t. Gently, she pulled Margaret aside before announcing. “I have an important announcement to make. Our wedding is scheduled for the 15th of this month. We hope to see you all there. Invitations will be sent to your homes shortly.”

’15th of this month… Wedding Margaret pondered as she turned her head slowly, fixing her gaze on Gideon’s face..

Uncertain if it was merely a trick of the light, she had a feeling Gideon’s eyes were meeting hers, too.

Margaret’s breath quickened, her hands clenched tightly as she turned away from the bustling hall.

After a few hurried strides, she distanced herself from the party, leaning against the wall as she gasped for air, her gaze fixed dazedly on the space before her.

Half an hour later, Margaret stood alone on the quiet street, her expression now resolute as she dialed a number.

The voice on the other end

e other end answered promptly, cold as ever. “Hello.”

“Only 300 thousand dollars, and I’ll terminate the pregnancy,” Margaret stated firmly.

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Gideon’s low laughter filled the silence. “Oh, Margaret, and here I thought you had some backbone.”

Margaret’s grip on the phone tightened, her fingertips gradually losing color. Tears welled up, blurring the night view before her eyes. “I don’t need backbone in your presence,” she murmured, her voice tinged with desolation, realizing she had no escape.

She refused to accept money from the Lambert family, and 300 thousand dollars was a trivial sum to Gideon. It was more than enough for her

色

SEND GIFT

Chapter 4

to pursue her studies abroad, and she knew she couldn’t yield. She had to be cruel enough to end things completely.

Then, that’s it, Gideon sneered in her heart before ending the call.

In less than two minutes, her phone pinged with a notification. The money had been deposited into her account.

Margaret stared at the digits on the screen, a chill settling over her. Leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes.

After a while, she reopened her eyes, composing a text message with only two words: [Thank you. Then, she tapped on her phone’s contact list, her finger hovering over the “Delete” button. For a long moment, she hesitated, before finally pressing it.

In an instant, Margaret felt a profound emptiness engulf her heart. Steeling herself, she straightened her posture, booked a ticket to Atharia,

and left.

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