Chapter 1 Let's Head Home

My engagement party with Laurence Roberts turned into a public announcement of his relationship with Kristina Fletcher, an actress.

Laurence tossed his engagement ring at my feet; his words were like daggers, sharp and wounding. "Eliana, your family's bankrupt. What makes you think you can still marry me? Take this ring and consider it your severance pay, a parting gift from me."

Kristina clung to his arm, laughing with a flirtatious sway. "Miss Harper, don't blame Laurence for being realistic. After all, who wants to be a charity case?"

All the guests on the scene watched as I became the object of ridicule.

Silently, I picked up the ring and turned away, only to bump into a solid chest.

Standing behind me was Liam Roberts, the ruthless and cunning patriarch of the Roberts family, who had somehow appeared without my noticing.

Taking the opportunity, I fell into his arms, and in a moment of desperation, I spoke words that stunned everyone, "Liam, I'm pregnant. You have to be responsible."

...

The room fell into a deathly silence.

The air seemed vacuumed out, leaving only the sound of a piece of paper gently fluttering onto the table.

Laurence's freshly peeled shrimp dropped into his plate with a splatter, staining his expensive shirt.

His jaw went slack, eyes bulging as his gaze frantically darted between Liam and me.

Kristina's grip on Laurence's arm froze, her red-painted nails digging into his skin.

All eyes turned to the man at the center of the storm.

Liam remained expressionless, his gaze fixed on the crumpled ultrasound sheet in his hand. His long fingers held the edge of the paper.

I knelt at his feet, palms sweaty, and clutched the hem of his tailored trousers, afraid to let go.

It was my last gamble.

If I lost, not only would I be branded with eternal shame, but the Harper family's final breath would be snuffed out by me.

I looked up, tears sliding down my cheeks, splashing onto Liam's leather shoes.

I saw his Adam's apple bob slightly.

"Liam..." I spoke again, my voice trembling even more. "I don't want to ruin your relationship, but the baby..."

"Enough!" Laurence leapt up, knocking over the chair behind him. The chair clattered loudly against the floor.

He rushed over and yanked my arm with such force that it felt like my bones might shatter.

"Eliana Harper! You lunatic! You made up such a disgusting lie just to get back at me, huh?"

His eyes were slightly red, spittle flecking my face. "How could you be pregnant with Uncle Liam's child? Uncle Liam wouldn't even cast you a glance. You disgraceful woman, messing around with some random man and then trying to pin it on Uncle Liam."

As he barked, he raised his hand and was about to slap me, hard.

Instinctively, I closed my eyes, curling up.

Yet, the expected pain didn't come.

A large hand intercepted Laurence's wrist mid-air.

Liam remained seated, unchanged, except for the hand gripping Laurence's wrist. "Dare to touch her, and you'll regret it." His voice was quiet, yet it froze Laurence in place.

Laurence's hand trembled, his face turning pale, "Un-Uncle Liam, she's lying. How could this be..."

Liam released his hand, casually picking up a wet wipe from the table to clean his fingers that had touched Laurence earlier.

Then, he folded the ultrasound sheet and tucked it into his suit pocket. He stood, towering over me, and I was slumped on the floor.

His hand reached out to me. "Get up."

I was taken aback, looking at him through tear-blurred eyes.

Liam bent down, grasping my wrist, pulling me up from the floor.

Then, under the astonished gaze of everyone, he wrapped an arm around my waist.

His warm palm, through the thin fabric, sent a shiver through me.

Beside us, Kimberly Roberts, Laurence's mother, seeing her son at a disadvantage, finally couldn't hold back and cursed, "Eliana Harper, you disgraceful woman! How dare you..."

She didn't finish her line, silenced by Liam's dark gaze.

Liam scanned the table's occupants, his gaze landing lastly on the pale-faced Kimberly. "Who did you say was disgraceful, Kimberly?" he asked.

Kimberly shivered, her arrogant sharpness instantly vanishing. "L-Liam, that's not what I meant. I'm just worried you'll be fooled by this cunning temptress..."

"From now on," Liam interrupted her, his tone brooking no argument, "Eliana will stay at the Roberts Manor to take care of the baby. I'll have the wedding arranged. The eighth of next month is a brilliant day."

With that, he didn't spare anyone another glance, turning to leave with me in tow. "Let's head home, Eliana."