Chapter 5 Having a Baby

The Jacobson Manor, living room. "Grandma, it's getting late. I need to go to the hospital to bring meals to my parents," Vivian Donovan said, trying to excuse herself after being forcibly brought to the Jacobson estate. Madam Mary Jacobson smiled kindly. "I've already arranged for your parents to be transferred to our family's private hospital, where they're being properly cared for by dedicated staff. You can rest easy." Hearing this, Vivian's delicate brows furrowed. She shot up from her seat and demanded, "Grandma, you took my parents without permission—what, are you trying to blackmail me?" "What on earth are you thinking, child?" Madam Jacobson replied, not angry but amused. "This is all part of the fate between you and my grandson. You know Bernard's grown up now, still hasn't had a woman by his side. So I had no choice but to resort to drastic measures and slipped him a love potion. I originally intended to pair him with Ms. Blackwell, but fate had other plans—and somehow, it ended up being you. Though, I must say, you're not bad at all." Now Vivian finally understood why Bernard had been drugged. So it was karmic retribution from a past life with that wretched man! "I—" Before Vivian could speak, an elderly butler with silver hair entered. "Madam, Mr. Bernard has arrived." "Tell that reckless boy to get in here." "Yes, Madam." The butler bowed and exited. Moments later, Bernard Jacobson entered, dressed in a sleek silver-gray suit. His sharp gaze landed on Vivian, then shifted to his grandmother. "Grandma." "Still have the nerve to come back?" Madam Jacobson chided playfully. Then she pointed at Vivian. "Just in time—I'll introduce you to someone…" But Bernard cut her off. "Grandma, not so fast. Let me introduce my girlfriend first." "Girlfriend?" Madam Jacobson blinked, clearly taken aback. Vivian was even more shocked, her heart aching with injustice. If only Madam Jacobson knew more about her own grandson, she wouldn't have lost her innocence! "Come in," Bernard called toward the door. All eyes turned to the entrance. Soon, a woman in a sky-blue cinched-waist pleated skirt stepped in on high heels, head slightly lowered. But that figure—why did it look so familiar? "This is my girlfriend, Lilith Whitehead," Bernard introduced to his grandmother. At the name "Lilith Whitehead," Vivian's mind went blank. She froze. As she stared at Lilith, Lilith lifted her head and looked back. Their eyes met—two sisters, both stunned, both silently asking the same question. Why is she here? What is she doing here? "Isn't this Miss Lilith Whitehead, Westmoor's celebrated beauty and talent? What trick did you use this time to get this young lady to pretend to be your girlfriend?" Older people see deeper. Madam Jacobson hit the nail on the head. "Hello, Madam Jacobson," Lilith greeted politely. "A week ago, I was in a car accident. Lilith saved me. When she pulled me from the vehicle, I gave her the Jacobson family's heirloom ring. Grandma, you know what that ring represents." As he spoke, Bernard raised his left hand, showing the ring on his finger. Vivian looked at the black diamond ring—and suddenly remembered. No wonder she found a ring in her pocket after saving Bernard that day. It must've been Bernard who slipped it into her pocket when he was rescued. But the next day, after Lilith appeared, the ring was gone. She had been puzzled about where it went—now it seemed clear. Lilith must've known Bernard was the rightful owner and stole it! Vivian stood up. "That ring is—" "Vivian? How surprising to see you here!" Suppressing her inner shock, Lilith swiftly grabbed Bernard's wrist, interrupting Vivian mid-sentence. "Vivian, this is the man I told you about—the one I ‘risked my life' to save." Then, turning to Bernard, she added, "Bernard, this is Vivian Donovan. She's a friend I met while doing food delivery as part of my life experience." Her shameless lies made Vivian's stomach churn. For a moment, Vivian wanted nothing more than to expose Lilith's vile, hypocritical mask. But after a moment's thought, she held back. The only proof she had saved Bernard was that ring, her name on the hospital records, and the surveillance footage. But Lilith had calmly stolen the ring and deceived Bernard—she must've checked the footage and covered her tracks thoroughly. The security footage was probably already destroyed by the Whiteheads. If Vivian spoke up now, even if she laid bare her soul, she'd have no evidence. Instead, she'd only drag herself into scandal. Better to bide her time. "Is that so?" Bernard's narrow, sharp eyes studied Vivian, growing ever more inscrutable. "Vivian, what a coincidence. Didn't expect to see you here. Do you know Bernard too?" Lilith asked, remembering Bernard had mentioned his grandmother arranged a match. Could it be that the arranged bride was Vivian? But how did she know the Jacobsons? Lilith's heart twisted with unease. Vivian ignored the theatrics and turned to Madam Jacobson. "Grandma, since Mr. Jacobson already has a girlfriend, I have no place here. I'll take my leave now." She was testing Madam Jacobson's reaction to plan her next move. Facing the formidable and ruthless Bernard, and the Whitehead family, who could threaten her adoptive parents at any moment, Vivian had to be cautious. As she turned to leave, Madam Jacobson stood and grabbed Vivian's hand. "Don't rush, dear. Sit down for a moment." She pulled Vivian back to the seat, then turned sharply to Bernard. "You, you reckless boy—come with me!" "Yes, Grandma." Bernard followed, but not before giving Vivian a long, meaningful look. The door creaked shut behind them. Lilith could no longer contain her fury. She rushed forward in two steps and hissed, "You bitch—" *Slap, slap.* Before she could finish, Vivian raised her hand and struck Lilith twice across the face. "All you do is compete in the ‘Championship of Shamelessness,' isn't that right? Oh, wait—you also steal credit and play the innocent. Am I right, *sister*?"