Chapter 17

Inside the car, Calvin scowled at her. "I gave you time off to rest and recover. What are you doing in this dump?" Alexia froze. She bit her lower lip, unsure how to respond. She couldn't say she was dragged here for an abortion. "I had something to do," she muttered vaguely. "What?" She frowned and snapped, "It's none of your business. Mr. Reed, why are you so interested in other people's affairs?" Calvin's gaze became colder instantly as he thought of how ungrateful she was. "I warned you before to stay away from Hailey. Are you ignoring my warning?" "I remember it," she responded with a sarcastic smile. "But why are you so sure I was looking for trouble and not her purposely trying to cause trouble for me?" "Watch your tone," he sneered. "You took her place, so this is the price you must pay." "I understand." Alexia's voice sounded weak. She had just narrowly escaped death, and her whole body felt so sore and limp that she didn't have the strength to argue. She couldn't stop thinking about her baby's safety. With that in mind, she lowered her gaze and tenderly stroked her belly. Upon seeing this, Calvin felt an inexplicable anger surge through him. But his expression darkened somewhat when he noticed the wound on her swelling lips. "Turn here." "What?" He lost all patience and grabbed her chin forcibly, turning her face to sterilize the wound. His action took her by surprise. But the antiseptic burned like fire, causing her to gasp in pain and immediately back away. He looked at her and held her chin tighter before leaning in closer. They were so close that his warm breath fanned her face. Alexia's cheeks flushed, and she felt a flicker of warmth toward him for a moment. Calvin couldn't help but sneak a few glances at her. Despite her swollen face and messy look, she held no admiration for him. Her serene detachment made his gesture seem almost unnecessary. "Do you know what to answer if Grandpa asks about your injuries?" "I fell and hurt myself accidentally." She realized his real reason for treating her wound was because he didn't want her to destroy Hailey's reputation. She turned her face away and said calmly, "Thank you, but I can handle it myself." Alexia couldn't help sneering as she wondered how he was attracted to Hailey. Calvin frowned and asked, "What's so funny?" "Nothing. I think you're like a little crayfish, deaf and blind. Otherwise, how could you fall for Hailey?" The words came out before Alexia could stop herself. She felt a rush of panic when she realized what she had said. His expression clouded as he demanded, "What did you say? Say it again." "Nothing." She bit her lip and answered, "I think you're so outstanding that Hailey isn't worthy of you." "Whether she is worthy or not, that's for me to decide. And watch your mouth," he warned coldly. Alexia nodded and remained silent. Meanwhile, Calvin lay back on the seat and closed his eyes to rest. It was about 8:00 pm when they arrived at the Reed residence. Victor wasn't home, so they were spared a round of questions. Alexia headed to the bathroom and soaked herself in the tub. The warm water relaxed her stiff muscles, and she felt the weight of her close encounter with death slip off her shoulders. She looked down at her abdomen and whispered, "Baby, I believe you're still there. You wouldn't leave me, right?" She decided that tomorrow she would go to the hospital for a checkup. After drying her hair, she came out of the toilet and almost ran into Calvin. He threw a bottle of ointment at her, and she caught it. Just as Alexia was about to speak, a piercing ringtone cut through the stillness. His expression darkened when he saw the displayed name and said, "Speak." "Mr. Reed…" Hailey sobbed. "I'm at your front door. Can you come out to see me?" Calvin's temper surged and coldly demanded, "Go home!" Upon hearing this, her sobs became louder. "I'm not leaving unless you come out. What's the point of going home if you don't want me anymore? I'd rather die here than leave." He didn't respond. Hailey's voice quivered with despair as she pleaded, "You promised to marry me. Are you going to break your promise? Even a death row convict can appeal. Why can't you give me one more chance?" Her wailing was so annoying that Calvin squeezed the bridge of his nose in frustration and hung up directly. Two hours later, Adrian called. "Mr. Reed, the banquet is about to begin, and I'm here at the Reed residence." "Okay," Calvin responded, took his jacket, and left the room. When he appeared, Hailey flung herself into his arms. She was smiling through tears. "Mr. Reed, I knew you wouldn't abandon me." Calvin frowned. "Why are you still here?" "I've been waiting for you." She trembled from the cold but was extremely excited. "I'm so glad you're still willing to see me!" He glared at her coldly. "I promised you that you would be my wife when the time is right. I don't want you to play tricks behind my back. Do you understand?" Hailey nodded repeatedly. "I understand. I do. But you've misunderstood me. I'm not acting out of jealousy or because of the title "Mrs. Reed". It's because…" "Because of what?" "Alexia is pregnant! We found it humiliating, so we brought her to the countryside for an abortion. But she changed her mind and ran away in the middle. My parents were mad, hence the scene you saw earlier happened…" Calvin's voice became icy cold. "What did you say? Say it again!" Although he knew Alexia was bold, he assumed she wasn't daring enough to cheat behind him unless she had a dying wish. Hailey's hand trembled as she handed him a piece of paper. "This is the result." He unfolded the paper. Fearing that he wouldn't understand, she explained, "The doctor said the normal HCG range is 0 to 5mIU/m1, but Alexia's HCG is 800 mIU/m1. It is assumed that she has been pregnant for three to four weeks." "Shut up!" Hailey instantly shut her mouth. As Calvin examined the paper, rage coursed through his body. She sure had a lot of courage to cheat on him!