Chapter 3

"Baby, what's going on? Why are you doing this yourself?"

Peyton walked to Chloe's side with a concerned expression. "You're pregnant. Don't upset yourself."

He glanced at me surrounded by the men in black and suddenly froze.

"Vivian, what are you doing back?"

Chloe asked in confusion:

"Baby, who is she?"

She stamped her foot, about to throw a tantrum, but Peyton quickly soothed her.

"Baby, she's just a childhood friend. She's been abroad for three years. We barely keep in touch anymore. Don't misunderstand."

He then looked at me.

"Vivian, perfect timing. Let me introduce you—this is my girlfriend, Chloe Foster."

I looked at him incredulously.

"Your girlfriend Chloe Foster? Then what am I to you?"

"Have you forgotten we're getting engaged next month?"

A contemptuous smile flashed across Peyton's face.

"Vivian, we both know this is a business arrangement. Since when do business marriages involve real feelings?"

"Chloe is already carrying my child. She's mine now. From now on, we each do our own thing. On the surface, we're still one family. Isn't that fine?"

I laughed at his words. Everyone knew the Williams family maintained strict standards and would never tolerate such behavior from their descendants.

"Peyton, has your brain been eaten by pigs during the years I've been gone?"

With Peyton backing her, Chloe's face grew more arrogant.

"No wonder you were so bold. You're just an arranged match, not someone truly loved."

"Baby, you know what? She hit me on the plane. Look, my face is still red."

Chloe pouted like she'd suffered a great injustice.

"How dare she?" Peyton frowned.

Chloe glared at me viciously. "Baby, stand up for me. I want to slap her back!"

She raised her hand high, but Peyton stopped her again.

"She's still the Williams family's eldest daughter. We can't hit her. Besides, what if you hurt yourself and the baby?"

Chloe's eyes shifted.

"Fine, for your sake, I won't hit her."

"Just make her kneel and apologize to me. Then I'll forgive her. Let her know who the real mistress of the Reeves family is."

Peyton's expression darkened as he nodded.

"Vivian, it seems there's been some misunderstanding between you and Chloe."

"Just do as Chloe says. Once you clear up the misunderstanding, our engagement next week will proceed as planned."

I laughed coldly.

"How about this—I'll give her one chance. If she kneels and apologizes to me, I'll consider letting her go."

Before I came back, Caroline told me how she planned to handle Chloe. That method was far harsher than anything I could imagine.

Peyton's voice turned stern:

"Vivian Williams, don't push it. Chloe is pregnant, and you hit her. You're the one at fault."

"Chloe has already been reasonable and made concessions. You should be grateful, not ungrateful."

I shook my head.

"Seems you really have lost your mind. Forget about me apologizing."

Peyton's face grew serious.

"Vivian Williams, if you insist, then I'll have to cancel the engagement."

His tone carried an unquestionable authority.

Hearing this, Chloe's eyes flashed with secret delight.

I sneered inwardly. Business marriages weren't so easily canceled.

I said coldly:

"Peyton, have you forgotten? If you don't marry me, you can't inherit the family business."

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