Chapter 1

"Push harder!" the medical team encouraged. Cynthia Lynch cried out in pain as her baby entered the world with powerful wails. The medical team exclaimed excitedly, "It's here—a beautiful baby boy! He looks just as handsome as Mr. Beaver!" Cynthia lay exhausted on the hospital bed, her face pale as she gazed at her newborn. He was tiny, with fair skin and strong lungs. He had also inherited Zachary Beaver's striking features. She managed a weak smile and reached out to hold her baby. Just then, a beautiful woman stepped forward, picking up the baby before Cynthia could even touch him. She said, "Cynthia, thank you for giving birth to my child. I'll take him now." Then, she lay back on a mobile hospital bed nearby. Under the bright hospital lights, the woman's face was identical to Cynthia's—it was her twin sister, Janice Lynch. Cynthia watched helplessly as her baby was taken away by Janice. The sound of his cries tore at her heart as she whispered, "Janice, I-I want to keep him..." "What?" Janice stared at her in disbelief for a full three seconds before responding, "Cynthia, do you realize what you're saying? You're only 19 and single. How would you explain where this baby came from? Do you want everyone to know about you and Zachary? "Do you want to disappoint our parents and bring shame to our family? Or do you want your child to grow up being called a bastard?" The sharp, relentless questions hit Cynthia like a series of daggers, leaving her pale and trembling. She had grown up in a small town and only moved to the city last year, where she had that fateful encounter with Zachary Beaver, resulting in this pregnancy. Zachary did not know about Cynthia's existence, believing she was Janice instead. Then again, she never dared to tell him. For these nine months, it was Janice who pretended to be pregnant. Eventually, Janice would also be known as the mother of Zachary's child. If the truth came out now, Cynthia knew everyone would condemn her. The light in her eyes dimmed, and her hopes faded into the dark. Janice placed a comforting hand on Cynthia's shoulder, saying, "Listen, Cynthia. The baby will be well-cared for as the legitimate heir to the Beaver family. I'll raise him as my own, together with Zachary. Don't worry; go back to the countryside and live your life in peace. This is the best decision for you and the baby. Trust me." With those words, she glanced at the medical team. One of them then approached with a syringe in hand. "Janice, what is that?" Cynthia asked, alarmed. "Don't worry, it's just a painkiller," Janice said, assuring her. "Get some rest, and when you wake up, this will all be behind us." As the doctor administered the injection, Cynthia's consciousness began to fade. Afterward, she was wheeled behind a curtain while Janice and the baby were taken out. Outside the delivery room, an impressively tall and distinguished man had just arrived. Zachary stood there in an immaculate suit, his sharp features and commanding presence explaining why he consistently ranked among the world's wealthiest individuals and most eligible bachelors. He was the youngest CEO to achieve such status. Janice's eyes lit up at his arrival and called out, "Zachary, you're here." She glanced down at the baby and added weakly, "This is our son. The pain was almost unbearable, but I'm so happy to have your baby." She paused before continuing, "Zachary, please don't break off our engagement for our child's sake." A year ago, Zachary insisted on ending their engagement. However, an encounter with someone he thought was Janice changed everything. The woman he spent the night with was actually Cynthia, who had just arrived from her small town. Nonetheless, Janice was not about to let the chance slip away. After all, this baby was her only ticket to become Mrs. Beaver. Zachary's gaze fell on the infant, and he recalled that night when someone had set him up. He remembered how he had roughly forced himself on her and said, "Alright. Let's register our marriage tomorrow."