"Take the medicine."

Alfred Dave tossed over a white medicine box, his voice deep, cold, and devoid of any warmth.

Eva Ray lowered her eyes, it was an emergency contraceptive pill.

As expected, he could not bear it.

He could not care less about whom he marries, as long as it pleases his parents. But marriage was his bottom line.

Anything else, don’t even think about it.

When he saw her lost in her thoughts, Alfred bent over, staring straight at her, his gaze icy.

"What, being Mrs. Dave is not enough for you? You're looking to ride on our child's coattails? Eva, don't forget our agreement."

Yes, they did have an agreement.

The Dave family helped her grandmother have heart surgery, in exchange, she agreed to marry and promised, after her grandmother recovers, she would initiate a divorce.

Eva raised her eyes, giving a bitter smile, "Alfred, whether you believe it or not, what happened last night was an accident. I had no idea such a thing would occur."

An accident?

Alfred let out a scoff.

"So you're saying, by chance, I drank the drugged wine, and then by chance, you came to my room to bring me hangover soup —"

He lifted his hand, gripping Eva's chin, forcing her to tilt her head up. His voice cold as ice, he hit her directly, "Let me ask you. Would you believe in these coincidences?"

He had always thought that Eva was gentle and quiet, not someone who would stir up trouble.

But to his utter surprise, this seemingly innocent woman had managed to scheme against him!

Spiking his drink, seducing him into bed.

One incident after another.

Yesterday evening, he and Eva went back to the old house for dinner, had a few drinks, then he started feeling drowsy and went to his room to rest.

Later, he realized that something was terribly wrong. He was feeling unbearably hot, just as Eva brought him some soup to sober him up.

Such a delicate woman standing before him, the effects of the drugs hit him hard and fast. He held onto Eva’s hand, under her terrified gaze, he passionately kissed her.

And then… a night of wild abandonment.

"In the end, I am the victim too." Eva's eyes were clear, she tried to hold back her tears, but they fell down her cheeks nonetheless. "I really didn't know anything, I am even more..."

Eva wanted to say, compared to his "discomfort", she felt even worse.

It was her first time last night. Alfred was like a madman, utterly unrestrained. She was so worn out, she couldn’t even get off the bed, and was currently draped in a blanket, half-sitting on the bed.

"You brought this upon yourself!"

Alfred gripped her chin forcefully, Eva's fair skin instantly turned red, "Don’t think you can act recklessly just because my grandparents love you. The thing I hate the most in my life is someone scheming against me!"

His words were ruthless, his gaze sharp like an invisible ice-cold knife, plunging deep into Eva's heart.

Eva winced in pain, she slapped his hand away, "How many times do I have to tell you, I didn't drug you!"

Eva's eyes, clearly divided into black and white, were filled with tears. They ran down her cheeks like pearls, moving anyone who saw her into compassion.

Yet to Alfred, it was nothing but disgust.

She had deceived the elderly with her innocent and harmless facade.

Alfred laughed coldly, "What difference does it make? You've achieved your goal."

She was left speechless.

In his heart, she was a woman full of cunning schemes.

Eva's gaze dimmed. She said no more, splitting the medicine and swallowing it decisively.

"I've taken the medicine. Be assured, I've not forgotten our agreement."

Every breath she took was filled with pain. Eva forced herself to finish, "I won't cling on to you. After my grandmother recovers from her surgery, I'll tell my grandparents that I want a divorce."

"Good, you've come to your senses."

Leaving behind a cold remark, Alfred turned and left.

Seeing the man's determined figure, Eva curled up, drawing her legs inwards.

It hurt so much!

From when they first met at eighteen, it had been seven years. Yet, Alfred knew nothing.

Eva still remembered the first time she saw him.

She came to Uston city to attend university and was invited to the old residence for a meal by Grandma Dave.

In the evening, Grandma Dave asked her to call Alfred from the backyard.

As the sun was setting, the afterglow fell on the young man's fragmented bangs, casting a gentle and captivating glow all over him.

The young man was unabashedly vibrant, swinging his sweat on the basketball court. With every leap and shot, his scapula and arm sketched an impressively slim and attractive line.

At that moment, Eva's heart throbbed.

Yet... this affection was merely a one-sided wish.

Eva wiped away her bitter tears, tugged at the corner of her mouth, and told herself not to think about it.

No wishful thinking.

...

A month later.

In the hospital.

The doctor looked at the lab report: "You're pregnant."

Eva widened her eyes, in disbelief.

Pregnant? How could that be?!

She was certain that…

The doctor noticed her unusual expression and asked, "An unexpected pregnancy?"

It took Eva a while to regain her senses, her voice sounding dry, "I took an emergency contraceptive..."

"Contraceptives do have a failure rate, pregnancy is also a normal scenario." The doctor, responsible as always, elaborated in detail, "The ingredients in contraceptives these days are very safe, even if you took them, it wouldn't greatly affect the fetus, just make sure to keep up with prenatal checkups."

Eva couldn't remember what the doctor said afterward. Her mind was blank as she collapsed weakly on a bench in the hallway.

She originally came to the hospital to visit her grandmother, but when she realized her period hadn’t arrived on time and wondered if it was due to the after-effects of the contraceptive, she decided to get checked out.

But she didn't expect...

The heavens surely played a cruel joke on her.

Alfred had always thought of her as manipulative, someone who could stop at nothing for money and reputation. So, what about now?

What did this child mean to him?

Was this the end result of her scheming?

Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Alfred personal assistant.

Ironically, she had her husband's assistant's number but not her husband's.

Alfred never contacted her directly. Even if there was something, the personal assistant would be the one to communicate.

Like now, notifying her to return to the old mansion for dinner.

Eva composed herself, and by the time she arrived at the old mansion, Alfred was already there.

He lifted his eyelid and looked at Eva emotionlessly as if she was a complete stranger.

Grandmother Dave lovingly served her some dishes, incessantly muttering, "Eva, you're too thin. You must eat more. With your intense daily studies and constant trips to the hospital—look at you, you've become so skinny."

Eva stared at the ever-growing pile of meat and vegetables in her bowl and suddenly started to feel uncomfortable, furrowing her eyebrows slightly.

This scene fell right into Alfred eyes, and he said, unenthusiastically, "Grandma, someone doesn't appreciate your kindness. Why insist on serving her?"

"Ugh..."

Feeling nauseous, Eva accidentally let out a noise.

Alfred frowned, moving his chair aside, fearing that Eva might make a mess.

Eva took a deep breath, trying to suppress her nauseous feeling, but then she caught a glimpse of Alfred overly disgusted look in the very next moment.

"Ugh—"

She couldn't help it any longer. Eva hurriedly pushed back her chair and rushed off to the restroom.

Grandmother Dave was stunned for two seconds before suddenly her eyes lit up, "Is Eva pregnant?"