One Night Stand: Lady Boss In Charg

"Miss Hunter, you're pregnant."

Bella widened her eyes in disbelief and stared at the doctor. "How is that possible?"

She had never been intimate with a man. Even after dating her boyfriend for three years, the most they had done was hold hands. How could she be pregnant?

"Doctor, could there be a mistake?"

The doctor handed her the test results. "The results are accurate. The baby is already one month old. Come back for a follow-up next Wednesday."

Holding the test report, Bella walked downstairs in a daze, feeling as if she were in a dream.

It wasn't until her phone rang that she snapped back to reality.

"Bella, Brother Giselle's birthday party is about to start. Why aren't you here yet?"

Hearing her boyfriend's name, she suddenly remembered something.

A little over a month ago, she had attended a business banquet with Giselle. The event ended late, and she had drunk quite a bit. That night, she had stayed in a hotel.

It was Giselle who took her to her room. She had been drunk and had little memory of that night.

Could it have happened then? Had they crossed the line that night?

With this possibility in mind, Bella couldn't wait to find him and ask for the truth.

The First Class Club was located in a prime commercial district. When Bella pushed open the private room's door, the people inside were laughing and cheering.

She froze.

Giselle stood in the center of the room with a girl, the two of them surrounded by their friends. Their actions were intimate and ambiguous.

The girl was holding Giselle's arm, a little cream on her face, making her look even more charming under the warm yellow lights.

Bella frowned slightly.

The girl's name was Julia. She and Giselle had been childhood sweethearts. Four years ago, she had gone abroad to chase her dreams and true love.

The room was lively, and someone suddenly spoke.

"Brother Giselle, now that Julia is back, what about Bella?"

"Hah! What's Bella's status? If she weren't clinging to him, would Brother Giselle even look at her?"

At these words, all eyes turned to Giselle.

The man was handsome, leaning lazily against the sofa, his fingers gripping a wine glass with effortless elegance.

He replied casually, "She's just a friend. I never took her seriously."

Bella felt as if she had been plunged into ice.

So this was how he saw her?

She had given her whole heart to someone who, in the eyes of others, saw her as nothing but a clingy burden.

The man who had once whispered sweet words to her had never truly considered her his girlfriend.

Bella's heart clenched painfully.

She stumbled back a step and accidentally bumped into the door, making a small sound.

At once, all eyes in the room turned to her.

Seeing who it was, Giselle's gaze flickered for a brief moment.

Bella stood at the doorway, her face pale.

She met Giselle's eyes, but there was no fluctuation in his deep gaze-not even the slightest trace of guilt or regret.

Her fingers clenched tightly. She asked in a trembling voice, "What you just said... is it true?"

Giselle chuckled at her stunned expression. "What else would it be?"

The people around them exchanged glances and laughed mockingly.

"She really thought just because she followed Brother Giselle around every day, she was his girlfriend?"

"People should know their place. Families like ours care about status and background..."

"But don't be discouraged, Miss Hunter. With your looks, plenty of men would be happy to play with you."

The unscrupulous laughter around her cut through Bella like knives, making her entire body tremble with anger.

She stared at Giselle's indifferent smile, her eyes burning with unshed tears.

Clenching her teeth, she dug her nails into her palms, using the pain to steady herself.

Three years of memories flashed through her mind like a slideshow.

After a brief moment of silence, she picked up a wine glass from the table and threw it at him.

Scarlet liquid splashed over Giselle's head, dripping down his handsome face. His smile disappeared instantly, replaced by fury. The room fell into dead silence.

"Ah!" Julia shrieked. "Bella, are you crazy?"

Bella threw the glass to the floor, making everyone jump.

"Giselle, from this moment on, we are finished. We have nothing to do with each other anymore."

Though this scene caught her off guard, some things had to be cut off without hesitation.

With those words, she turned and left without a second thought.

Bang!

The loud sound of the door slamming shut left the room in eerie silence.

Giselle stared at the door in disbelief.

Bella... how dare she?

Someone nervously broke the silence.

"That woman is terrifying when she's jealous..."

"I guarantee she'll come crawling back in a few days. Everyone knows she's obsessed with Brother Giselle."

"Yeah, Brother Giselle, don't go soft when she comes begging you."

Giselle's expression darkened but softened slightly at their words.

Right. Bella liked him so much-what she said earlier was just out of anger.

Julia looked at him with concern. "Brother Giselle, your clothes are all stained. Do you want to change?"

Giselle brushed her hand away and suppressed the inexplicable irritation rising in his chest. "I'm fine."

Bella would definitely come back to him once she calmed down.

Outside, Bella leaned against the wall.

She had never imagined that the love she had devoted herself to would end in such a ridiculous manner.

She didn't know how much time passed.

Only when a dull ache spread in her lower abdomen did she suddenly remember-

In the chaos, she had forgotten to ask Giselle about that night.

Instinctively, she placed a hand on her abdomen, staring at the floor in a daze.

This child... came at the wrong time.

Feeling weak, Bella left the club, her thoughts a tangled mess as she made her way home.

She passed through the courtyard and pushed open the grand entrance.

The opulent crystal chandelier cast a dazzling glow on the floor, and the house was filled with laughter.

"Mom, I specially ordered this bird's nest from abroad. It's great for beauty and health. Try some."

"You're always so thoughtful, Megan."

Her mother and her sister, Megan, were chatting warmly. Her three older brothers sat nearby, looking relaxed and harmonious.

Bella glanced at them and quietly bent down to change her shoes, her heart as still as water.

Her father, Blake, noticed her. "Why are you home so late?"

At the sound of her name, Bella's mother and Megan turned to look at her, making the atmosphere slightly tense.

Her mother remained indifferent and said nothing.

Her eldest and second brothers greeted her briefly, while her fourth brother only glanced up before returning to his phone.

Bella was used to this kind of neglect. "I got held up."

Blake didn't press further. Instead, he spoke with a serious expression.

"You remember our family's marriage agreement with The Scott family, right? Both families have decided it's time to fulfill it. Given Eugene's current condition, your sister obviously can't marry him. You'll take her place."

His words struck Bella like a bolt of lightning.

"A month ago, Eugene Scott, the head of The Scott family, was in a car accident and fell into a vegetative state. The best doctors in the world couldn't wake him up... and now you want me to marry him instead of Megan?"

Bella found it amusing.

She and Megan had been mistakenly switched at birth and only returned to their respective families at the age of thirteen.

However, when Bella returned to The Hunter family, Megan did not return to her biological family.

Bella's father, mother, and her four Hunter brothers couldn't bear to part with Megan.

To avoid upsetting Megan, they sent her to Mr. Old Hunter's residence, and she only returned after starting her career.

They reassured Megan that, regardless of blood ties, they would always be a family.

When Bella first returned to The Hunter family, she had been warned not to have delusions-no matter what, the marriage alliance between The Hunter family and Eugene of The Scott family was meant for Megan.

But now that Eugene was in a coma, The Hunter family wanted her to take Megan's place?

Blake was displeased with Bella's attitude.

"Marrying Eugene is an honor for you. If Mr. Old Hunter hadn't saved Mr. Old Scott's life back then, do you think you would even have this opportunity?"

"Hah!" Bella sneered. "If it's such a great opportunity, why isn't Megan marrying him?"

Blake furrowed his brows, about to speak, when Bella's mother interrupted.

"Bella, I know you've always been jealous of Megan, but I didn't think you could be this cruel."

Bella, "?"

"Your sister isn't like you. She was raised with love and care, unlike you, who can endure hardships. With The Scott family's current situation, sending her there would be like pushing her into the fire."

Looking into her mother's furious eyes, Bella lowered her gaze with self-mockery.

Megan's biological father was a butcher, her mother a vegetable vendor-life was hard for them.

Since childhood, Bella had been responsible for all the household chores. Her adoptive parents were strict, and beatings were common.

While she suffered through freezing winters washing dishes until her hands were swollen and red, Megan was pampered by The Hunter family's maids.

While she struggled to finish chores before she could study, Megan had private tutors, piano lessons, and dance classes.

Yes, Bella could endure hardships-but only because she had no choice.

Liam, the fourth brother and a famous singer, glanced at Bella with disapproval.

"What kind of attitude is that? Marrying into The Scott family isn't a punishment."

Bella ignored him.

Liam was always close to Megan and had never liked Bella.

She retorted coldly, "What does this have to do with you?"

Liam scoffed.

"Even if Eugene is in a coma, The Scott family is still one of the most powerful families. Many women would kill for this chance. You should be grateful."

"Grateful?" Bella laughed sarcastically.

People still believed in "marriage to lift a coma" in this day and age?

She kept her face cold. "Whoever wants to marry him can do it. Don't drag me into this."

Evan, the second brother and a well-known fashion designer, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.

"Bella, you need to consider this from multiple perspectives."

Bella frowned, not understanding what he meant.

"Bella!" Blake's voice grew heavier.

"As The Hunter family's daughter, we didn't raise you for nothing. You have a duty to consider the family's future."

Just as he finished speaking, Megan's soft voice rang out.

"Dad, don't say any more. If my sister doesn't want to, then forget it. I'll do it."

She stood there in a soft pink dress, hands clasped nervously, her wide eyes full of innocence-like she had mustered all her courage to speak.

Her words barely fell when Chester, the eldest brother, objected.

"No! Megan, you can't marry him."

He anxiously pulled Megan to his side, then glared at Bella.

"How could you be so heartless? You're forcing your sister into this?"

Blake's face darkened.

"Bella, you know The Hunter family is facing a crisis. Without The Scott family's help, we will suffer great losses."

Bella's expression turned even colder.

She had joined The Hunter family's company before she even graduated.

Officially, she was Chester's secretary, but behind the scenes, she had been strategizing for him.

Over the years, she had helped the company not only stabilize but surpass competitors.

This current crisis was due to Chester ignoring her advice and investing in a risky project.

The project required long-term investment and substantial funding, causing a financial strain.

She never expected The Hunter family to solve their problems by sacrificing her.

She had thought that if she treated them well, they would eventually accept her as family.

Just as they had accepted Megan.

But now, she realized that no matter how much she gave, they had never truly considered her one of them.

The first person they thought to sacrifice was her.

Taking a deep breath, she demanded, "The Hunter family's financial losses are because of your poor decisions. Why should I pay the price?"

Blake, seeing her resistance, narrowed his eyes and softened his tone.

"Didn't you want to save that maid? Eugene's medical team is the best in the world. If you marry into The Scott family, you'll have a chance to get her treated."

Bella froze.

She had been raised by Mr. Old Hunter, but it was Nanny Mandy who had truly cared for her.

Two years ago, Nanny Mandy had suffered a fall and had been in a coma ever since.

Bella had spent years searching for a cure, but nothing had worked.

Eugene's accident had led The Scott family to gather the best medical experts in the world.

If Nanny Mandy had even the slightest chance of waking up, Bella wouldn't let it slip away.

Looking at her indifferent mother, Megan's fake innocence, and her father's cold calculations, Bella felt an unbearable chill in her heart.

Her disappointment reached rock bottom.

After a long silence, she finally spoke, biting her lip so hard it almost bled.

"Fine. I'll marry him."

She would use The Scott family's medical resources to save Nanny Mandy.

And she would also use this chance to escape The Hunter family's clutches.

Hearing her agreement, her father's tense face relaxed, and her mother finally smiled.

"I knew you were a sensible girl. Our family is counting on you."

The Scott family's wealth and reputation were unparalleled.

Marrying into their family would bring The Hunter family immense benefits, far beyond Mr. Old Scott's promised business deals.

Bella's father was basking in joy when her voice rang out again.

"But I have one condition."

Her father chuckled.

"We're all family. Just say what you want. There's no need for conditions."

Bella looked at his fake smile, clenched her fists, and stated each word clearly,

"I want three percent of the company's shares."

The Hunter family wanted to form a marriage alliance with The Scott family, yet they couldn't bear to let Megan marry into it-how could they expect to have it both ways?

For years, Bella had pulled The Hunter family's business back from the brink of bankruptcy, creating wealth far beyond the three percent of shares she was asking for.

As soon as she spoke, the expressions of everyone in the room changed.

Bella's mother frowned in discontent. "Why do you need shares? Have we ever let you go hungry or deprived you of anything?"

"Hah!" The fourth brother, Liam, sneered. "Bella, you're just ungrateful. It hasn't even been that long, and you're already eyeing shares?"

The second brother, Evan, glanced at Bella but remained silent.

The eldest brother, Chester, relaxed his frown and said, "Bella, these shares will be ours in the future anyway. There's no need to rush."

Blake nodded with a smile. "That's right, Bella. We're all family. The family will always take care of you."

Bella looked at the fake smile on his face and replied with a trace of mockery in her voice.

"No shares, no marriage. Find someone else."

If they could force her to marry a comatose man for their benefit today, how good could they possibly be to her in the future?

In fact, when she had first returned, The Hunter family had treated her fairly well.

But it didn't take long before their attitude changed.

Even when she did nothing, they assumed she was targeting Megan.

If Megan showed even a hint of sadness or distress, Bella would immediately be blamed. Any explanation she gave was dismissed as an excuse.

Perhaps, in the end, blood ties could never surpass years of shared affection.

She had felt deeply disappointed, yet she had still yearned for familial love.

But today, she suddenly realized-she considered them family, but they did not consider her the same.

Maybe she was destined to be alone in this life, and that was fine too.

Seeing her refusal, Blake softened his tone.

"Bella, Eugene may be in a coma now, but he's still part of The Scott family. A life of unimaginable wealth and privilege is just waiting for you..."

He paused.

"Don't worry. Even after you're married, we'll always be a family. No one will be able to touch your position in the company."

"Hah!" Bella chuckled.

Did they really think they could use the excuse of family to trade her marriage for their own benefit?

"I'll marry when the share transfer is finalized."

Leaving that statement behind, Bella turned and went upstairs.

"Bella, are you getting too bold?"

Bella's mother slammed her teacup on the table in anger. "I knew it! A child we didn't raise would never have any gratitude!"

Liam sneered. "Mom, you knew her personality already, didn't you? She always looks like the world owes her something. What can you expect from her?"

Evan frowned slightly as he watched Bella's retreating figure.

For some reason, the look on her face just now left an uncomfortable feeling in his heart.

Chester furrowed his brows. "What does Bella mean by this?"

Blake remained silent, his face dark.

Megan's eyes flickered slightly before she spoke sincerely, "Dad, Mom, if it's too difficult, I'll marry instead. It's okay..."

Bella's mother was the first to object. "No way. Eugene's accident has thrown The Scott family into chaos. You can't marry him now."

Eugene wasn't the only heir of The Scott family.

Now that he was unconscious, the outside world speculated that he was not only in a vegetative state but also physically disabled.

The family members Eugene had previously suppressed were now eager to make their moves.

If Eugene woke up, all would be well. But if he didn't, he would become a discarded pawn-a target at the center of a storm.

Blake looked at Megan's sincere expression and his face softened. "It's fine, Megan. Don't worry. We'll persuade your sister later. Your career can't be affected right now."

Bella returned to her room.

Her room was at the far end of the third floor, small, with a north-facing window that barely let in any sunlight.

She once overheard the maids saying this used to be a storage room.

When she first returned to The Hunter family, her room had been next to Megan's, bright and sunny.

But one day, Megan casually complained that the piano room was too far away, and Bella's mother had immediately had Bella move out so Megan could use the space for her piano.

Bella hadn't minded.

No matter what, this room was still far better than the one she had in the home of Megan's biological parents.

Just as Bella sat down, Chester came upstairs.

He wore a warm smile.

"Bella, we actually don't want to force you to marry, but Mr. old Scott proposed fulfilling the engagement. We couldn't refuse..."

Bella found his smile filled with hypocrisy.

"Oh, so you don't want me to marry, or you don't want Megan to marry?"

Chester cleared his throat. "Big Brother knows you've always been understanding, always putting the family first. Megan is really popular in the industry right now, and she's at a critical stage in her career. If she gets married now, it'll affect her greatly..."

Bella was curious.

"The engagement was originally between Eugene and Megan. If Mr. old Scott wants it honored, does it not matter which one of us marries him?"

"The old man didn't specify."

Mr. old Scott only asked if they agreed to the marriage and if they had any conditions.

"Besides, technically speaking, the engagement was originally between you and Eugene. Megan was just an accident."

Bella stared at him for a few seconds before suddenly laughing.

"When I first returned, didn't you all take turns warning me not to have any designs on Eugene? That the future lady of The Scott family could only be Megan?"

Chester rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Well, the situation has changed."

Bella frowned slightly as she looked at him.

She couldn't understand how they could be so shameless.

When Eugene was at the peak of his power, the engagement belonged to Megan.

Now that Eugene's fate was uncertain, they wanted her to marry him instead-without a hint of hesitation.

The Hunter family never saw her as one of their own.

And yet, she had always treated them as family. Even towards Liam, who treated her the worst, she had still been willing to help.

Perhaps Bella's mockery was too obvious in her gaze.

Chester avoided her eyes. "Bella, think about it carefully. Marrying into The Scott family benefits all of us."

With that, he left.

"Hah! Big Brother, talking to her is useless."

Liam stood with his hands in his pockets, sneering.

"This Bella is just ungrateful. She's nothing like our real sister. Look at Megan-she always thinks of us first."

If it weren't for Megan helping him revise his composition, he wouldn't have shot to fame in the entertainment industry with just one song.

"Eugene is already like that, and she still won't marry him? She won't lose a piece of flesh! She'll even become Mrs. Scott for nothing! What's so unfair about that?"

Chester sighed. "Maybe she has her own thoughts."

"Hah!" Liam scoffed. "What thoughts could she possibly have? I heard from a friend in our circle today-Bella just got dumped by that Hardy family guy. She's just in a bad mood and taking it out on us!"