Chapter 1 A Severe Blow

“Verian Mont, 21 years old, a graduate from North City University, never been in a relationship, healthy…” The man sitting across her closed the file after reading the document. His eyebrows twitched, and he asked, “Are you sure you want to be a surrogate?” Verian Mont clutched the hem of her dress with looks of worry and anxiety. Then, she said, “I’m very sure. I need this money.” “How much do you need?” Startled, she muttered softly and said, “10…10 million.” His frown deepened. “This must be kept a secret. Thus, you are not allowed to leave this place throughout the 10 months of pregnancy until birth. Also, you are prohibited from contacting anyone. Are you able to do it?” Verian Mont’s knuckles turned white from clenching her fists too hard. She took a deep breath. Trembling, she said, “I…, I will promise you, but on one condition.” “Say it.” “After signing this agreement, I want 10 million to be deposited into this account as soon as I get pregnant. I need it urgently.” ‘Hah, I really met a girl who only wanted money’. A hint of disdain flashed across his eyes. “Alright, no problem. Please get ready. The benefactor will arrive at 8 p.m. tonight. He is very demanding, so it will be best if you could get pregnant in one month. Otherwise, forget about the 10 million.” … It was about 8 p.m. when Verian Mont was guided into a pitch-dark room in a villa. The room was so quiet that one could hear the clock ticking. Moments later, the door suddenly opened. A man walked in through the darkness. It was so dark that she could not see the man’s figure. She was about to hug herself tightly but was hurled onto the bed by a huge hand instead. “10 million. You’re surely a bold one.” His cold sneer echoed through the silence and pierced her heart like a dagger. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly. With trembling lips, she said, “Stop the bullshi*t!” The man let out a cold hum in disdain… ‘Mont Enterprise will be saved as long as I get through tonight. Then, father won’t be sent to jail because he can’t afford to pay the debts.’ … The bright rays of the sun shone through the curtains into her eyes, which woke her up. The man from yesterday had already left. The maid in the villa came in and said sternly, “Master will come every night until you get pregnant. If you are not pregnant after one month, you may pack up and leave.” Verian Mont clenched her fist tightly. She will conceive a child, she will. A month later, her pregnancy test came back positive. “Master already ordered someone to deposit 10 million into your account. You may now rest and focus on caring for the unborn baby!” Verian Mont was unsure whether to laugh or cry. Agitated, she grabbed the maid’s hand. “I want to call my father and ask if everything is alright. I want to ask if he received the 10 million. Please, I beg you. Can you help me out? I swear I won’t say anything! I swear… I beg you…” The middle-aged maid pitied her. She frowned slightly, but her heart wavered, and she said, “What do you want to tell him? I can send a message for you, but only once!” … 10 months later, Verian Mont was lying on the bed in the villa, sweating profusely. Ear-splitting screams echoed throughout the house. The female doctor stood calm and composed as she induced the labor. “Harder, push a little harder. The baby’s head is coming out!” Verian Mont gritted her teeth, and with one final push, she gave birth to the baby. Loud cries filled the room. The female doctor quickly placed the baby in the incubator. “Take the baby away immediately.” As Verian Mont lay on the bed soaked in blood with tears and sweat streaking down her petite face, she weakly said, “Please let me look at the baby…” However, her request was ignored. The baby in the incubator was instantly taken away. She did not even know whether the baby was a boy or a girl. A luxurious, limited-edition, black Maybach was parked outside the villa. The man in the car frowned slightly as he saw the baby in the incubator who was still covered in blood. “President Fudd, the baby looks very much like you.” The man’s voice was cold and deep. “Why do you think we look alike? Go to the hospital now.” “Yes.” Verian Mont stumbled off the obstetric table as she stood up. Looking out of the window, she was only left with the view of a black car’s shadow. … Verian Mont was sent back to her family the day after she gave birth without even getting a chance to recover. Verian Mont stood outside the door. In her head, she tried to come up with reasons to explain her 10-month disappearance. Then, she took a deep breath. As she was about to press the doorbell, she realized the door was unlocked. She nudged open the door and realized that there was no one in the living room. ‘That’s weird. No one is home? Aunt Sheen and Wanelle should be home even if dad went out to work.’ As she was about to head upstairs, two familiar silhouettes flashed across the corridor. The woman lightly thumped her fist on the man’s chest. She grumbled coyly, “I hate you. When are you going to marry me! Don’t tell me you’re still thinking of Verian Mont? She disappeared without a word for 10 months…” “How is it possible that I’m still thinking about her? I only hooked up with her because she was the daughter of the Mont family. She’s no fun at all compared to you.” The man lowered his head and whispered ambiguously into the woman’s ear. Standing downstairs, Verian Mont turned pale. She was staring daggers at the man and woman upstairs. The man who was talking to her stepmother’s daughter was none other than her boyfriend, Jensen. She was only gone for 10 months, and her boyfriend was hooking up with her sister, Wanelle!