Chapter 5
Frederick said, “Gabrielle had health issues early on that left her unable to have children.
“She was afraid Preston would father an illegitimate child, so she convinced him to get a vasectomy.
“Preston only agreed to make her feel better, thinking it was for show. But Gabrielle caught on to his act and secretly arranged for him to have a real vasectomy when he went in for a follow–up checkup.”
I was so shocked by the news that my scalp tingled. “If Gabrielle can’t have kids, then what about the baby she’s supposedly carrying?” I asked.
“She’s faking it. I’m sure it won’t be long before she suddenly has an ‘accidental‘ Miscarriage,” Frederick said.
Frederick let out a low chuckle.
He went on, “So, the two kids you gave birth to are the only children Preston will ever have.
“The Scott family would never let someone who can’t carry on the bloodline become their heir.
“Gabrielle Made sure Preston would never have a
successor.”
On my very first day at Frederick’s villa, he gave me full access to all his art galleries, handed me the keys. and told me to do whatever I wanted with them.
He even put together a top–notch team for me. dedicated to curating my work.
They were there solely to showcase my art, Making sure everything was perfect.
I couldn’t help but worry. “What if my work isn’t well
received? What if I end up ruining the gallery’s reputation?”
Frederick shrugged it off. “Focus on creating. Leave the rest to Me.”
Out of nowhere, I remembered back when I first got Married and got an invitation to show my art at a gallery in Auphia.
Preston Mocked, “You’re a nobody artist from here. Why would anyone overseas care about your, work? Seriously, watch out. It’s probably a scam.”
Frederick took me to get styled, and the total cost was enough to buy a house in Gretoville.
When I saw the dizzying string of zeros on the bill, I felt a bit uneasy.
He smiled and said, “No need to feel embarrassed. After all, your beauty is my pride.”
I remembered how, on my birthday, I wanted to buy a two–hundred–dollar dress.
Preston frowned and snapped at me, “Since when did you become so vain? Are you planning to hook up with Some guy out there?”
Staring at the stunning woman in the mirror, I almost didn’t recognize myself.
It turned out that as long as I was well treated, I could be as radiant as Gabrielle.
Frederick gave me connections, resources, introduced Me to top mentors, and even set up art exhibitions for
Me.
My name started to get noticed all over the country.
My work kept racking up awards.
My latest piece, Rebirth, even took home the highest
I felt like a pearl that had been hidden away, finally shining bright under the spotlight for the first time.
Frederick looked at me with growing pride in his eyes, clearly pleased with what he saw.
He brought me along to every kind of event, never hesitating for a second.
He’d introduce me to everyone, saying, “She’s the artist behind Cloud Chasing, the piece that sold for 300 Million dollars. And she’s my wife.”
Frederick would show me off to everyone, introducing Me to his circle of friends.
On the contrary, Preston acted as if I were a total stranger every time I brought him lunch at the office.
One time, I overheard his old buddy ask, “Is she your new Maid?”
He didn’t say a word to correct him.
Everyone else started chiming in with compliments.
“No wonder she’s Mrs. Scott. She’s got real class. She and Mr. Scott are a match made in heaven.”
“Mrs. Scott looks like she was born into a rich family. That kind of noble vibe? You can’t fake it. She’s had it
since she was a kid.”
I smiled and glanced around at all the familiar faces.
Most of them were people I’d met at that party before.
But none of them recognized Me.
A few days later, Frederick threw me a lavish wedding.
Everyone who was anyone in Gretoville got an invite, except Preston.
The whole city knew that Frederick, who’d been single
for thirty years, was finally off the market.
Three days later, the paparazzi who’d been tailing us for days “accidentally” caught a shot of us from behind as we took the kids to the hospital.
That night, Frederick’s grandfather, Nathan Scott, chewed him out over the phone.
Nathan shouted, “Why did you keep something this huge from Me?
“If the butler hadn’t caught the news, I’d be the last person in Gretoville to know.
“Bring my two healthy grandsons over. I want to see them.”
The Scott family’s butler personally drove over to pick up the kids and me.
That night, the news sent shockwaves through the entire Gretoville social circle.
[The Scott Group’s succession battle is over. Frederick from the third branch already has two sons.]
When Preston saw the news, he slammed his wine glass to the floor. It shattered into pieces.
“How the hell could Frederick have kids?” he yelled,
stunned.
He’d secretly drugged Frederick himself to make sure he couldn’t have children.
Preston clutched his phone, pacing back and forth in disbelief.
He stared at the photo, fixated on the woman Frederick was shielding in his arms, her back to the
camera.
He’d heard she was the CEO of a cosmetics brand that was all the rage lately.
But that silhouette gave him a damn familiar feeling.
Gabrielle clung to him, acting all sweet and needy.
“Honey, the baby’s being fussy again,” she pouted.
Preston suddenly realized what was going on, panic. flashing across his face.
He anxiously shooed Gabrielle away, barely waiting a second before grabbing his phone to call me.
He thought he still had me.
I just gave him two babies.
He didn’t think he had lost.
He was sure I loved him so much that I would
understand how tough things had been for him.