Fated To The World's Richest Man

"You're pregnant."

Lilah Phillips felt like she'd been sucker-punched. Those unexpected words from the doctor came as a shock. She'd chalked up her morning sickness to some nasty bug she picked up.

Seeing the stunned look on Lilah's face, the doctor went on, "It's crucial to decide if you want to continue with this pregnancy. If not, there are options like abortion."

Gathering herself, Lilah responded, "I'd like some prenatal vitamins, please."

With the prescribed pills in hand, she left the hospital, her thoughts drifting back to a fiery night from a month ago. Memories of her boyfriend's strong arms, warm body, and fierce thrusts swirled in her mind, making her cheeks turn pink.

This surprise baby might not have been planned, but it was a testament to her love for her boyfriend, Iker Lewis. She was dead set on keeping it.

Coming home and opening the door to her bedroom, Lilah was met with moans.

"Oh, Iker. Yes. Keep going."

Horror gripped her. She stormed into the room, her voice quivering with disbelief. "What... What on earth is going on here?"

Iker, caught off guard, pulled the covers over himself and the mystery woman.

Lilah's heart sank when she recognized the other woman.

It was her younger sister, Adaline Phillips.

Adaline had been lost as a kid and later found. Because of that, the family had practically worshipped the ground she walked on after she came back. Everything Lilah owned was hand-me-down from Adaline. But for her sister to go after her man? That was a stab Lilah never saw coming.

"Wait, Lilah, let me explain," Adaline said, her voice shaky. "It's not what it looks like. It's just that... I have strong feelings for Iker. I couldn't help myself. If you're going to be mad at anyone, be mad at me!"

Whack!

Without thinking, Lilah's hand connected with Adaline's cheek.

Adaline looked genuinely shocked. Holding her reddened cheek, she whimpered, "Lilah, take it out on me all you want. But please, don't hold it against Iker."

Iker's heart softened when he saw Adaline in distress. He pulled her into a gentle hug. "Lilah, she's your sister. How could you react like that? What happened between us, it was just a one-off thing."

Lilah's stomach churned, and she threw up on Iker's shoes.

His expression darkened in an instant.

Regaining some composure, Lilah spat out, "Don't play the innocent game, Iker! Does calling it a 'one-off thing' make what you did any less wrong? I devoted the best years of my youth to you, and you tossed that love aside!"

Iker couldn't find the words. But Adaline jumped in, "Lilah, calm down. You've always been so reserved. Guys have needs. I was just trying to help out, okay? I promise I won't come between you two. I'm leaving."

She moved to leave but spotted a slip of paper that had fallen from Lilah's pocket. She picked it up and, after taking a look, handed it to Iker, her face a picture of surprise.

Lilah fixed her gaze on Iker, watching for his reaction.

Unexpectedly, rage took over him. "Lilah! How can you point fingers? Whose baby are you carrying? Some stranger's?"

Lilah felt her world crumbling. "Iker, I would never! Remember the night of the 9th at the Crystal Hotel last month? Or have you conveniently forgotten?"

"That's ridiculous! I was overseas for work then!" Iker roared.

He was incensed at the thought of someone else being Lilah's first.

Confusion swirled in Lilah's head. Was Iker deceiving her? Then it dawned on her: Adaline had told her to go to the hotel that night.

"It was you!"

Seeing that smug look in Adaline's eyes, it clicked for Lilah. She'd been played. In a blaze of fury, she lunged at Adaline, ready to let her have it. But Iker was faster. He moved between them, shoving Lilah aside.

Lilah crashed into a nearby cabinet, and a piercing pain shot through her stomach. An intense, wrenching feeling followed.

With her pregnancy being so early, it was a delicate time.

A slow stain of red appeared.

Fear seeping in, Lilah cried, "Someone, please, hospital!"

But Iker, instead of lending a hand, just stared coldly. Through clenched teeth, he hissed, "Maybe it's for the best, Lilah. If you terminate the pregnancy, I might think about still marrying you."

His cruelty took her breath away.

As despair took hold, Lilah could feel her connection to the baby slipping away. In a panic, she dashed out of the house. Out of nowhere, headlights bore down on her. A world of pain hit Lilah, and then everything went black.

Five years flew by.

At Eleywood Airport, a woman, dressed in a sleek black top and a deep red skirt with a slit, wheeled a suitcase. She turned heads wherever she went.

Those oversized black sunglasses hid most of her face, but they couldn't hide her stunning features. Her tall frame, perfect complexion, and confident strides were captivating.

"I'm here." Lilah's voice was steady, even as she spoke into her phone. "Trust me, I know my way around."

That easygoing smile was back, but her eyes? They were steel.

Five years back, Lilah had gone through the heartbreak of losing her child after only seven months. With the support of the person who had saved her, she went overseas to heal and learn.

But now, a job opportunity brought her back to Eleywood.

And she had scores to settle.

Flagging down a taxi, Lilah was about to hop in when something caught her eye.

There was a young boy, maybe about four, standing in the road. Lost. Scared.

And there was a speeding car headed right for him.

Lilah's suitcase hit the pavement. She rushed toward the boy.

The tires let out a piercing screech as they skidded across the pavement.

The car's brakes screamed, and Lilah felt the harsh grind of the road against her skin.

But she had the boy. He was safe in her arms, the car having missed them by mere inches. The scrapes on her didn't matter. She was only worried about the boy.

This little guy, with his chubby cheeks and big, frightened eyes, stared up at her.

Lilah felt a tug at her heart. If her own child were still alive, it would be about the same age as this boy.

How could someone be so careless to let a child wander into traffic like that?

Had she not been there, things might've taken a grim turn.

"Where are your parents, honey?" Lilah inquired softly.

Jerrold Harris, the child, just shook his head.

"Can you see them nearby?" she continued, her voice as gentle as possible. "Or do you know their number?"

His large, round eyes glistened with confusion.

A pang of concern hit Lilah.

Now what?

With the child appearing clueless, and leaving him wasn't an option, she felt stuck.

The taxi driver's honk broke her thoughts. "Ma'am, you coming? I can't wait here forever."

She was due for a crucial meeting. Yet, she couldn't abandon the boy. She had to think fast. "How about you come with me for now?"

The boy's hesitant eyes scanned her face. Sensing his uncertainty, she offered, "How about we go to the police? They'll help you find your family. Sounds good?"

But in response, Jerrold quickly latched onto Lilah's hand, gazing up at her with tear-filled eyes.

Her heart swelled with compassion. All she wanted was to protect him.

So, she scooped up the boy and headed to the car.

As they drove away, a group of bodyguards swarmed the area, unable to find the boy.

Spotting a formidable figure walking toward them, they lowered their gaze in trepidation.

"Where is he?" Gerard Harris asked. His rugged features were striking, but his voice was icy, sending shivers down the spines of the guards.

The security team leader was petrified. "We've looked everywhere, sir. Your son is nowhere to be found."

Gerard's eyes darkened, signaling an impending storm.

The guards stood still, paralyzed with fear.

"Don't bother coming back if you can't find him!" he growled.

On the other side of town, Lilah had reported the child's situation at the police station and checked into a hotel with him. But as they were settling in, the room door burst open. A throng of bodyguards rushed in, seemingly recreating a scene from an action-packed movie!

Lilah instinctively stepped back, clutching the boy closer. Her eyes darted over the intruders, finally settling on their leader. He was undeniably handsome: tall, with a strong build, and a face carved with striking features.

He donned a black suit, tailored to perfection, which gave off an aura of refinement and authority.

His deep, piercing eyes exuded an intimidating presence, making it clear he was used to command.

The child, sensing the tension, burrowed closer into Lilah, but the man didn't hesitate to snatch him away.

"Who are you?" Lilah demanded, her voice edged with anger.

Gerard ignored her question, his stern face showing a hint of frustration as he lightly smacked the child's butt.

Jerrold's soft cries filled the room, and tears streaked his cheeks, making his nose turn pink.

Outraged, Lilah lunged at the man. But with a swift movement, he sidestepped, capturing her wrists and pinning her to the wall.

The atmosphere in the room grew tense.

From this proximity, Lilah found that the man's features were even more striking. His eyes, dark and unfathomable, captured her attention momentarily.

"Miss..." Jerrold's delicate voice cut through the silence.

Everyone in the room turned their attention to the child.

Gerard's face betrayed his surprise. His son, who typically reserved his words even with him, was now addressing a woman he'd just met?

As Gerard's grip loosened, the boy quickly scampered to Lilah, clinging to her leg.

Lilah carefully set the boy aside and faced Gerard squarely. "Are you his father? It's one thing to misplace him, but to strike him upon your reunion? That's no way to treat a child."

Gerard's assistant nearby gulped nervously, stepping forward to mediate. "Miss, there's been a misunderstanding. Today's incident was an anomaly. Mr. Harris deeply cherishes his son. His earlier reaction was out of sheer panic and concern."

Lilah's eyes narrowed as she pondered. The surname "Harris" seemed familiar to her.

But observing the man's genuine concern and the brigade of guards at his disposal, she surmised he must indeed care deeply for the boy.

Pushing her thoughts aside, Lilah turned to the child. "Darling, is this your father? Now that he's here, you should go with him."

Jerrold, however, hesitated. He approached Gerard and gestured toward Lilah's scraped elbow.

Lilah chuckled awkwardly, realizing the boy wanted his stern father to attend to her wound.

"No need, little one. I can take care of it," she reassured, crouching to caress his soft hair.

Yet, Jerrold persisted, tugging insistently at Gerard's pant leg.

Gerard's gaze flickered between his son and Lilah, noting her gentle demeanor toward the child and contrasting defiance toward him. This intrigued him further.

"Fetch the first-aid kit," Gerard instructed, his voice devoid of emotion.

He had learned of her injury on their journey here, which she sustained while rescuing his son. An obligation weighed on him because of it.

In a hotel of such caliber, first-aid supplies were expected. As Gerard began to disinfect the wound, Lilah was taken aback.

From this proximity, she could truly appreciate how striking he was. His chiseled features were accentuated by sharp eyebrows and deep-set eyes. The refined bridge of his nose and the enticing shade of his lips painted a picture of allure.

However, despite his good looks, he maintained an air of distance and dignity.

A soft gasp escaped Lilah when the disinfectant touched her skin.

"Perhaps I should handle it myself," she suggested.

Raising his eyes, Gerard responded, "My apologies. My experience is limited to treating injuries during military service. I promise to be gentle."

His intense gaze met hers, rendering her momentarily speechless. She nodded, allowing him to continue.

True to his word, Gerard's touch became lighter.

Jerrold observed the entire process intently. Only after Lilah's wound was dressed did his tense expression ease. Yet, his hesitance to leave her side was palpable as they prepared to depart.

Straightening up, Gerard addressed her, his tone still cold, yet intriguing. "My gratitude for aiding Jerrold. Consider me in your debt. Should you require assistance in the future, don't hesitate to reach out."

He extended a business card to her.

The assistant standing nearby blinked in surprise. Their boss typically preferred monetary solutions. To offer a personal favor was unusual, especially considering the sway and influence Gerard held over the city.

As Lilah accepted the card, their fingers brushed. A jolt of unspoken electricity passed between them, leaving her with a lingering sensation.

Her breath hitched momentarily as her eyes settled on the name. Her posture straightened in recognition.

Gerard Harris.

He was the helmsman of the illustrious Harris family, which held the reins of a leading financial dynasty in Eleywood.

Beyond their business prowess, the Harris lineage was known for producing luminaries in both politics and law.

And Gerard stood at the pinnacle.

The realization dawned on her that the child she had saved belonged to the Harris lineage, leaving her in a quandary about her feelings: gratitude or apprehension.

"I see," Lilah responded simply.

A palpable silence ensued.

Surely it was time for them to depart?

The atmosphere in the room grew taut with tension.

Taking a deep breath, Lilah offered, "Should I escort you to the door?"

A fleeting emotion, one she couldn't quite place, flickered in Gerard's profound eyes. He gave a restrained nod, scooped up his son, and made his exit.

She deliberately averted her eyes, choosing not to meet the lingering, yearning gaze of the child.

Once they had departed, the room's ambiance shifted from tension to an overwhelming sense of solitude. Just then, her phone buzzed, signaling a new message.

"L.P, this is Adaline Phillips, CEO of the Phillips Group. Are you available for a meeting?"

Adaline Phillips!

The unexpected message from Adaline piqued her interest, especially since Lilah's current mission in Eleywood was fueled by vengeance!