Chapter 6

Christopher's face went cold, a chill settling between his brows. "I don't agree."

Cleo said, "Christopher..."

Christopher cut off his mother, Cleo. "This isn't about having a kid. You and that guy split ages ago. Are you really gonna go back and try to make him happy? Is he even worth it?"

The harsh look in his eyes made Cleo pause.

Christopher had always hated his father.

That hatred was like thorns wrapped around his heart, never fading over the years.

Besides, Cleo was too old to have a child safely now.

He didn't want Cleo to take such a risk for him.

But Cleo had made up her mind and said, "I will find Christopher's father. I will bring our little lucky star into this world."

Christopher shouted, "Mom!"

Cleo looked at Christopher and said, "Your sister's soul is still partly within you. Don't you want to see her again?"

Christopher thought of the little girl. The first word she learned to say was "brother."

Once she could walk, she always followed him around.

She was the family's little darling when she was born.

But a tragic accident took her away when she was just two years old.

That had left a deep scar in Christopher's heart.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms until they bled. The inner turmoil made his face look grim.

"Christopher, stay out of this." Cleo turned to Olivia and said, "Ms. Smith, what other conditions are there?"

Olivia replied, "Just those two. Wait for the little lucky star to arrive."

Cleo stood up and bowed to Olivia. "Then I'll leave Christopher in the care of you and the Thomas family."

Olivia nodded.

Cleo said a few more words of thanks before turning to Christopher, "Behave yourself and don't cause trouble for Ms. Smith and the Thomas family."

"I understand." Christopher's mood was low. The thought of Cleo risking her life to have a child for him made him feel stifled.

He wanted to get up and see Cleo off, but having just woken up from a three-month coma, he was too weak. He could only watch as Cleo left the Thomas Mansion, then collapsed onto the couch with a heavy sigh.

Christopher questioned, "Ms. Smith, is there really no other way?"

Olivia shook her head, though her eyes seemed thoughtful.

Just then, the Thomas family quickly brought Olivia some clothes.

The Thomas family was large. Hayden had only one son, who died young, leaving behind a posthumous son, Joshua. Joshua had two wives and a total of four sons and two daughters. The eldest had already died, leaving Aiden and Chase. Altogether, there were dozens of them.

They stood in Olivia's courtyard, arguing loudly.

Olivia's cold eyes showed no emotion as she spoke bluntly, "Get out."

She was already very annoyed by the noise.

The younger members of the Thomas family were truly clueless.

Her eyes flashed with a hint of red, making everyone's scalp tingle.

Olivia didn't even glance at the clothes, letting Christopher choose for her.

The Thomas family members left the courtyard, still trembling.

Jasper Thomas, Joshua's grandson, complained, "Why does Great-Grandpa insist we serve her? She's got such a bad temper."

Aiden admitted, "Great-Grandpa even knelt before her, calling himself her servant. Honestly, the only person who could make him kneel is his father."

Jasper grumbled, "Great-Grandpa can't be losing his mind, can he?"

After speaking, Jasper remembered the red in Olivia's eyes and felt a chill run down his spine.

Chase spoke up, "Great-Grandpa isn't losing his mind. He knelt to Ms. Smith."

He had seen Olivia's abilities firsthand.

Aiden scratched his head and asked, "How old is she, anyway?"

Chase glared at him and warned, "Aiden, if you can't say anything nice, just shut up."

Jasper rubbed his chin and said, "No matter who she is, the most important thing now is to find out her background."

Jasper added, "Besides, why does she get to decide who becomes the head of the family? What gives her the right?"

The Thomas family was already extremely wealthy, but money was fleeting.

They wanted more.

Meanwhile, Cleo found her so-called husband, Mason Taylor.

They were legally married. She was Mason's wife, and Christopher was not some illegitimate child. They had been in love at first, but somewhere along the line, Mason changed.

To give his lover a legitimate status, he publicly declared Christopher an illegitimate child, claiming Cleo had shamelessly climbed into his bed.

Seeing Mason and his mistress, Mia Wilson, looking like a perfect couple, made Cleo's heart ache with anger.

They were chatting, Mason making Mia laugh, while Mia gently caressed her swollen belly, at least four months pregnant.

Cleo couldn't hold back any longer. She walked up, her eyes red with fury, and stared at Mason. "I need to talk to you."

Mason didn't even look at her and said, "We have nothing to talk about."

Cleo said, "If you still want to divorce me and give your lover a legitimate status, you'd better come with me."

Mason's brow furrowed deeply, and he asked, "Are you threatening me?"

"It's not a threat. I just need you to do something for me." Cleo's eyes glistened with tears.

Every time she saw Mason, memories of their past intimacy and love flashed through her mind.

Mason questioned, "What is it? Just say it."

Cleo retorted, "Are you sure you want me to say it in front of Mia?"

Mason gently held Mia and said, "There's nothing she can't hear."

Cleo took a deep breath. "I want to have a child with you."

Mason's face changed abruptly. "Cleo, have you no shame?"

Mia's face also turned pale. She bit her lip, clutching her clothes, and cried, "What about the child I'm carrying? Mason, do you not want me anymore?"

Mason hurried to comfort Mia, "How could I have a child with that old woman?"

Mason shouted, "Cleo, get out of here!"

Cleo was shoved hard, nearly falling to the ground. By the time she regained her balance, Mason had already left with Mia.

The next day.

Olivia hadn't woken up yet, but the courtyard was already filled with the sound of shouting and cursing.

She opened her eyes, a burning anger in them, filling the room with an ominous aura.

Olivia, dressed in a black gown, her long hair cascading like a waterfall, no longer had her previous nonchalance. Her cold gaze was soul-piercing as she stared at the people causing a ruckus in the courtyard.

Olivia said, "Your forehead is dark, a sign of impending bloodshed. Leave now, and I might let you keep your body intact."

Mia retorted, "Who do you think you are?"

Mia, emboldened by her pregnancy, felt untouchable. "You're the one who told Cleo to find my husband to have a child, aren't you? How can you be so vicious?"

A cold smile crossed Olivia's calm eyes. "I told her to find Mason from fifteen years ago, not your husband."