Just as Alexia walked out of the living room, her phone started ringing. It was an unknown number, and she answered with a puzzled tone, "Hello?"

"Are you Christine Jordan's daughter?"

"Yes, I am. What's the matter?"

"Your mother fainted. She's being rushed to the hospital. You need to come quickly."

In an instant, her mind went blank. 

Once she regained her senses, she hurriedly stumbled out of the house.

The Reed residence was in a remote area. She waited ten minutes outside but couldn't hail a taxi, and no hailing services were available.

A car slowly approached her when she was about to lose her mind.

The car stopped, and Victor stepped out with his cane. He grinned upon seeing her. "Lexi, why are you standing here? Are you waiting for Calvin?"

"Grandpa, can you have your driver take me to the hospital? My mother has fainted, and it's hard to get a taxi here…" Alexia's eyes 

No matter how many times Hailey tried, the calls wouldn't go through.

Calvin turned to look at her and asked, "What's the matter?"

"Her phone is turned off," she replied. "Mr. Reed, do you think Alexia backed out? She's always plotting something. I suspect she's doing this on purpose to mess with you."

He sneered, "She wouldn't dare!"

She shuddered with fear and quickly nodded. "Yes, you're right. She probably got stuck in traffic."

Five more minutes passed, and there was still no sign of Alexia.

Calvin's expression darkened, and his patience wore thin. "Let's go."

It seemed that Alexia truly had a death wish to stand him up again.

"Where?" Hailey was stunned.

"To the office."

After hearing his response, she panicked and clung to his sleeve. "Mr. Reed, aren't we getting the marriage certificate?"

"What do you think?" His face was devoid of emotions.

"Mr. Reed…" Tears welled u

Inside the room, Alexia was exhausted and accidentally fell asleep on the sofa.

Bang! 

Suddenly, a loud and piercing noise broke the silence.

She jolted awake from her sleep. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw a man towing over her, peering down with a cold and sinister gaze.

His expression was menacing, like a grim reaper about to claim her soul.

Alexia felt a sudden chill run through her, and a terrible sense of foreboding gripped her heart.

Calvin's eyes were piercing and filled with rage. "Who gave you the guts to cheat on me like this?"

"What do you mean?" She was dumbfounded.

"It's such a waste that you're not an actress!" He threw the piece of paper at her face. "Tell me, whose child is in your belly?"

In an instant, she froze and felt her blood turn cold as her body trembled.

Calvin had found out about her pregnancy. But how?

She lowered her gaze and saw the blood test report on the floor. She realized right away that Hailey must've told him.

Calvin's eyes were filled with chilling hostility as he stepped closer and grabbed her chin tightly. "First, you got pregnant with another man's child. Then, you got closer to my grandfather and used the life-saving favor from before to steal Hailey's marriage on the wedding day, forcing me to marry you. Do you plan to wait until the eight-month contract is up and then tell Grandpa you're pregnant so you can stay in the Reed family and continue hogging the title of 'Mrs. Reed'?"

Alexia struggled to speak, her voice faltering, "I didn't."

He chuckled coldly. "Your scheming is quite impressive. Now, go and get rid of the bastard in your belly immediately!"

Hearing his words, her eyes widened, and she reflexively hugged her stomach.

"No! I won't abort my baby…" Her voice was trembling. "Calvin, please let me keep it! I promise I'll leave as soon as the time is up!"

Calvin's eyes were filled with rage as he yanked her arm. "Do you think I'd believe you?"

"I won't go! Calvin, let go of me!" Alexia struggled to fight back. "This is just a contract marriage. You have no right to interfere in my personal matters, and you certainly can't force me to abort my child!"

"Once you're in the Reed family, you must obey whatever I say and have no right to refuse." His tone was cold.

As he finished speaking, he issued a stern command, and several bodyguards entered the room, hauling her away.

Alexia resisted with all her strength and clutched the doorway tightly.

But how could she equal the men's strength?

Her face was filled with despair. As she was about to be dragged out of the room, she urgently grasped Calvin's arm. "Wait! I can end our contract."

He narrowed his eyes on her and questioned, "What kind of trick are you playing now?"

She looked at him earnestly. "You suspect I'll use this baby to stay in the Reed family and continue being your wife, right? If that's the case, I'll divorce you right now, but you must let me keep the baby."

Calvin's expression darkened as he glanced at her.

Her comments merely fueled his anger more. Only he had the final say in their divorce, so why was she rushing to divorce him?

"Just a few days ago, you were begging to stay in the Reed family, and you're changing your mind for your illegitimate child?" he scoffed. "It seems your mother doesn't hold as much weight in your heart as this child."

"My child is also a life." Alexia's eyelids trembled before she determined, "Not everyone is as cold-blooded and cruel as you. She'd understand my decision."

If she aborted the child, she would never be able to conceive again. Hence, she wanted to keep it.

"It's not up to you," Calvin stated coldly. "You must abort this baby. As for the divorce, you have no say in it."

Suddenly, Alexia looked up at him and grinned, intending to provoke him. "Didn't you always want to marry Hailey? Now is a fantastic opportunity. Are you hesitant because you've fallen for me and don't want to divorce anymore?"

"Are you still dreaming, or just delusional?" He smirked.

It was ridiculous to think that he had fallen for a woman who was carrying another man's child.

Then, he said coldly, "Be at the civil affairs office at 9:00 am tomorrow."

With that, he turned and left.

As soon as Calvin left, Alexia's legs gave out, and she sank to the floor, gasping for air.

Her provocation had succeeded.

However, she wasn't happy at all. It was her mother's dream for her to marry into the Reed family, but she was giving it up so easily.

She'd let her mother down.

After wiping her face, Alexia leaned back on the sofa and fell asleep without charging her phone.

Meanwhile, outside the Reed residence, Calvin called Hailey. "Bring your social security card tomorrow and be at the civil affairs office by 9:00 am."

"What?" Hailey was taken aback before carefully asking, "Mr. Reed, why do I need to bring my social security card to the civil affairs office tomorrow? Are we getting married?"

"Yes." 

"Oh my gosh!" she screamed. "Mr. Reed, you're actually going to marry me! I'm so happy!"

Calvin scowled on the other line, displeased with her loud voice.

After cooling down, she realized she was too loud and instantly apologized, "I'm sorry, I was just so thrilled that I lost my composure. But you haven't divorced Alexia yet. Can we get married?"

He replied deadpan, "I'll divorce her first, then marry you."

"Okay, I understand. Don't worry, Mr. Reed. I'll make sure to look my best tomorrow. I will not embarrass you!"

Hailey hung up the phone enthusiastically. 

Maya's strategies had worked flawlessly. Indeed, no man could stand being cheated on, especially someone as prideful as Calvin.

The thought of becoming "Mrs. Reed" tomorrow made her face light up with excitement.

She couldn't sleep any longer and went to put on a face mask as she hummed happily while choosing an outfit for her big day.

…

The next morning, Alexia woke up at 7:00 am.

It was already bright outside.

After washing up, she began collecting her belongings. Aside from a few clothes, there wasn't much to pack. When she got everything in her suitcase, she went downstairs.

The journey from the Reed residence to the civil affairs office was an hour, so the timing was ideal.

When Benjamin heard her footsteps in the living room, he glanced up and greeted her. "Mrs. Reed, breakfast is ready."

"I have something to do, so I won't be eating."

"We are having roast duck for dinner. Please come home early, Mrs. Reed."

Unfortunately, she wouldn't be returning to the Reed residence tonight.

Alexia smiled and said, "Thank you, Benjamin."

The only warmth she had felt in the Reed residence was from Victor and Benjamin.

After looking at the time, she stepped out of the house.

Just as Alexia walked out of the living room, her phone started ringing. It was an unknown number, and she answered with a puzzled tone, "Hello?"

"Are you Christine Jordan's daughter?"

"Yes, I am. What's the matter?"

"Your mother fainted. She's being rushed to the hospital. You need to come quickly."

In an instant, her mind went blank. 

Once she regained her senses, she hurriedly stumbled out of the house.

The Reed residence was in a remote area. She waited ten minutes outside but couldn't hail a taxi, and no hailing services were available.

A car slowly approached her when she was about to lose her mind.

The car stopped, and Victor stepped out with his cane. He grinned upon seeing her. "Lexi, why are you standing here? Are you waiting for Calvin?"

"Grandpa, can you have your driver take me to the hospital? My mother has fainted, and it's hard to get a taxi here…" Alexia's eyes welled up with tears as she spoke.

Hearing this, Victor helped her into the car and ordered the dri

Chapter 19