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Chapter 131 – Shocking News and a Significant Step
“She’s pregnant with her abuser’s child,” Julian said, his voice breaking. “The stress of this lawsuit is making her physically ill.”
I stared at him, momentarily speechless. The hospital corridor’s fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across Julian’s face, making him look gaunt and desperate.
“Abuser?” I finally managed. “Is that what she’s calling the man she willingly slept with to frame me for corporate espionage?”
Julian’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t twist this, Hazel. You know what happened.”
“Yes, I do know,” I replied coldly. “Your sister orchestrated this entire situation. She deliberately seduced that man to steal documents from my company.”
“She was manipulated! He took advantage-”
“Stop.” I held up my hand. “I’ve seen the security footage, Julian. The court has seen it too. Giselle approached him. She initiated everything.”
Julian’s face contorted with frustration. “She’s pregnant, Hazel! Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
The news was shocking, yes. But sympathy? For someone who had tried to destroy my career? Who had committed fraud and theft against my company?
“I’m sorry she’s experiencing consequences for her actions,” I said carefully. “But her pregnancy doesn’t erase what she did.”
“So you’ll continue this vindictive lawsuit even though it could harm an innocent child?” Julian stepped closer, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “What happened to the compassionate woman I knew?”
“She woke up,” I replied, meeting his gaze steadily. “And realized some people will use anything—even pregnancy–as leverage to escape accountability.”
Julian’s expression darkened. “My lawyers are preparing a settlement off sake of the baby, I hope you’ll consider it.”
For the
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“Send it to my legal team. But don’t expect mercy just because she’s pregnant. Giselle made her choices.”
“You’ve changed, Hazel.” Julian shook his head, disgust evident in his eyes. “You’ve
become cold.”
“No,” I corrected him. “I’ve become smart. Now please move. My friend is waiting.”
As I brushed past him, Julian grabbed my arm. “This isn’t over.”
I jerked away from his touch. “It was over the moment you and your family decided to target me. Good day, Julian.”
I walked away, my heart pounding but my resolve firm. Giselle’s pregnancy was unfortunate, but it changed nothing about her culpability. I refused to be manipulated by Julian’s attempt to play on my emotions.
Victoria was pale against the white hospital sheets, but her eyes lit up when I entered
her room.
“About time,” she croaked, attempting a smile. “I was beginning to think you’d gotten
lost.”
“Sorry,” I said, rushing to her bedside. “I ran into an unpleasant roadblock in the hallway. What happened? Are you okay?”
Victoria waved a hand dismissively. “Just a bad case of food poisoning. The doctors want to keep me overnight for observation because I was so dehydrated.”
I exhaled with relief. “You scared me half to death!”
“Sorry about that,” she said, looking genuinely apologetic. “They gave me something for the nausea, but I’m still feeling pretty weak.”
I took her hand, noting the IV line taped to her skin. “No more questionable street food for you.”
“Agreed.” Victoria’s expression suddenly sharpened. “Now, what was that about a roadblock in the hallway? Julian?”
I nodded, settling into the chair beside her bed. “He ambushed me. Turn out Giselle is pregnant.”
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Victoria’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”
“Wish I was.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Julian wants me to drop the lawsuit. He’s playing the innocent–baby card.”
“Unbelievable,” Victoria scoffed. “That entire family is toxic. What did you say?”
“I told him to have his lawyers send any settlement offer to my legal team, but that pregnancy doesn’t erase fraud.”
Victoria reached out, squeezing my hand. “Good for you. Don’t let them manipulate you.”
“I won’t,” I promised. “But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t shock me. A baby… that’s a big complication.”
“For Giselle,” Victoria emphasized. “Not for you. She created this situation. Every bit of
it.”
I sighed, leaning back in the chair. “I know you’re right. It just feels messy.”
“Life is messy,” Victoria said pragmatically. “But you can’t take responsibility for messes you didn’t create. Now, enough about the Graysons. Tell me about Damien.”
The change of subject brought an immediate smile to my face. “He’s been in Seoul on business. He just got back tonight.”
“And?” Victoria waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
“And nothing,” I replied, feeling my cheeks warm slightly. “We’re taking things slow.” Victoria studied my face. “But something happened. I can see it.”
I hesitated, then confessed, “We almost… didn’t take things slow. At my apartment.” “Hazel Ashworth!” Victoria sat up straighter, wincing slightly. “Details, please!”
“There’s not much to tell. Things got heated, but I pumped the brakes.” I traced patterns on the hospital blanket. “I wanted to be sure when it happens, it’s about us- not about erasing Julian or proving something to myself.”
“That’s… surprisingly mature,” Victoria admitted. “And how did Mr. Perfect take it?”
“Like the gentleman he is,” I said, unable to suppress a smile. “He said 1.
wait until I
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was ready.”
“Damn,” Victoria sighed. “Where do I find one of those?”
We chatted until a nurse came to check Victoria’s vitals and administer more
medication. By the time I left the hospital, it was late, and I was exhausted. The news about Giselle weighed on me more than I wanted to admit.
When I reached my apartment, I found myself dialing Damien’s number without thinking.
“Hazel?” he answered immediately. “How’s Victoria?”
“Food poisoning,” I replied, slipping off my shoes. “They’re keeping her overnight, but she’ll be fine.”
“That’s a relief.” His voice was warm, soothing. “You must be tired.”
“Exhausted,” I admitted. “And… I ran into Julian at the hospital.”
There was a brief pause. “What did he want?”
I sank onto my sofa, closing my eyes. “Giselle is pregnant. Julian wants me to drop the
lawsuit.”
“I see.” Damien’s tone was carefully neutral. “And how do you feel about that?”
“Conflicted,” I admitted. “Not about the lawsuit–she’s still guilty regardless of her pregnancy. But the situation is more complicated now.”
“Complicated doesn’t mean you’re wrong,” Damien said softly. “You’re entitled to seek justice, Hazel.”
His affirmation lifted a weight I hadn’t realized I was carrying. “Thank you for saying
that.”
“I’m only speaking the truth.” I could hear rustling in the background. “Would it help if I came over? Just to talk?”
The offer was tempting, but I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me. “It’s late, and you just got back from Seoul. I’ll be fine.”
“If you’re sure,” he said, though he sounded reluctant. “Get some rest.
tomorrow.”
check on you
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True to his word, Damien called carly the next morning. By afternoon, he’d arranged for breakfast to be delivered to my door the following day-“to make up for our missed dinner, his note said.
What I didn’t expect was for Damien himself to arrive with the delivery.
“Good morning,” he said when I opened the door, looking unfairly handsome in casual pants and a light sweater. He held up a bag from my favorite café. “I brought
sustenance.”
“You’re full of surprises,” I replied, stepping back to let him in. I was acutely aware of my morning appearance–sleep–tousled hair and simple pajamas.
“Good ones, I hope.” He set the bag on my kitchen counter and began unpacking containers of coffee, pastries, and fruit.
“The best kind,” I admitted, coming up beside him. “How did you know this was exactly what I needed?”
Damien turned to me, his expression softening. “Because I pay attention to you, Hazel.” The simple statement sent warmth flooding through me. I reached up to touch his face, and he leaned into my palm.
“How’s your grandfather?” I asked, remembering his concern.
“Stable,” Damien replied. “The doctors think it was just exhaustion this time, but…” He hesitated, his eyes searching mine. “He’s asking about you.”
I blinked in surprise. “About me? But we’ve never met.”
“I’ve told him about you,” Damien admitted. “Quite a lot, actually.”
“Oh.” The revelation that Damien discussed me with his revered grandfather made my heart skip. “Good things, I hope.”
“The best things.” Damien took my hand in his. “Hazel, I’d like you to meet him. This weekend, if you’re free.”
The significance of this invitation wasn’t lost on me. Meeting Grandfather Sterling wasn’t just meeting family–it was being introduced to one of the most influential people in the country.
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“I…” I hesitated, thinking of my packed schedule. The court case against Giselle was heating up, and I had a business trip to Milan coming up. “This weekend?”
“If it’s too soon-
”
“No,” I interrupted, making a decision. “This weekend works. I’ll rearrange some things.”
The smile that spread across Damien’s face was worth any scheduling headache. “Really?”
“Yes,” I confirmed, surprising myself with how much I meant it. “I’d like to meet him.”
Damien smiled and nodded, his eyes filled with eager anticipation, confirming, “Alright, the weekend it is.”
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