Wenley Corporation's building towered into the clouds in New Jersey's central business district.
Janice strutted into the president's office.
Max looked up from the document that he was reading, and his usual chilly expression was on his face. "I've said this before, you're not allowed to step into my office without my permission."
Janice was unhappy about being berated. She walked over in her high heels, then unceremoniously plopped herself on Max's lap, and conveniently wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Max Wenley, you're my man. Why can't I visit you? What kind of boyfriend doesn't keep his girlfriend company for a few consecutive days?"
Even though Max's expression didn't change, Janice could tell that he was angry. She became anxious and stood up abruptly in her high heels.
"Max Wenley! You are going to lose me if you continue to act like this."
"President Wenley!"
Max's secretary, Jake, knocked on the door and entered. When he saw Janice, he hastily apologized. "I'm sorry, President Wenley. I shan't disturb you for now."
Max frowned, his anger becoming increasingly obvious. "What is it?"
Jake glanced at Janice and said, "I received news from the hospital that Miss Zanders was taken away by Madam, and that the operation failed."
"I understand," Max replied.
Jake wanted to make use of this opportunity to leave, but Janice stopped him.
"What happened to Miss Zanders?"
Janice raised an eyebrow and asked Jake once more, "What surgery is Shannon undergoing?"
Jake lowered his head even more when he heard this. He gave Max a pleading look, but Max simply looked down, as though he didn't hear the question.
"Speak!" Janice thundered.
"It was… an abortion." Jake quickly left the office after he said this. Janice was an important person that he couldn't afford to offend.
"Shannon is pregnant?" Janice gradually put down her hands, which had been crossed over her chest. She slammed the wooden table with her red manicured hands, causing a loud bang, anger rising in her eyes.
"Max Wenley, do you remember what you promised me?"
Hearing this, Max stood up slowly and glared coldly at Janice. "I don't like disobedient women."
Then, he left the office.
Janice's eyes were filled with resentment as she watched the man's departing figure.
…
Shannon, who had been taken away by Sandra, was housed in a privately-owned nursing home.
Five doctors and ten nurses surrounded and examined her.
"Madam, Miss Zander's baby is very healthy. Please rest assured." The doctors quickly left the room.
Shannon observed Sandra, who was seated on a chair and replying to her messages. She hesitated for a long time before saying, "Mrs. Wenley, there's something I want to discuss with you."
Appearing to be impatient with Shannon, Sandra stood up abruptly and said without even looking up, "There's no need for a discussion. Once the baby is born, you should take the money and leave. During this period of time, you'd better not have any other thoughts."
Bam! The door was closed.
Shannon sat limply on the bed and swept her gaze across the array of machines. Finally, she gave up and huddled into the bed.
She had just closed her eyes when she heard her door open again.
Thinking that Sandra had returned, Shannon opened her eyes, only to see Janice instead.
Shannon subconsciously shielded her stomach.
Her action was not overlooked by Janice.
"Shannon, I can tell that you're a smart person from the very fact that you agreed to divorce Max. However, I'm really disappointed that you chose to remain pregnant with Max's child." Janice removed her sunglasses, revealing her pretty countenance.
Shannon grabbed the bedsheets under her, trying her best to appear less flustered.
"Oh, this woman is so pitiful. She's just treated like a birthing machine." A low voice from outside, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching, traveled into the room. Janice's expression changed, and she put on her sunglasses again.
"Shannon, you're no match for me. Naturally, the child in your stomach isn't either."
She then left hurriedly, not wanting to be discovered by Shannon's nurse.
After confirming that she had really left, Shannon released her grip on the bedsheets. Her palms were covered in cold sweat.
"Hey, who is that person who just left?" The nurse strode over anxiously. It was only when she opened the door and confirmed that Shannon was still there that she heaved a sigh of relief.
Shannon replied calmly, "She came to the wrong room."
Her reply alleviated the nurse's worry.
However, when Shannon recalled how Janice threatened her, she couldn't feel at ease. She glanced outside the window and looked at the weather.
"Take me out for a walk. It's too stuffy here, and it's making my stomach queasy."
She had to escape. She couldn't stay here any longer.
Even if she managed to keep her baby under her mother-in-law's protection, she would still end up being separated from her child. It was imperative that she escaped!
The nurse shot a doubtful look at Shannon. "You want to go out for a walk?"
"That's right. I have to stay here for more than six months. You can't keep me cooped up in this room, right?" A layer of cold sweat covered Shannon's palms.
Fortunately, she had the trump card in her belly, so the nurse agreed.
Shannon strolled around in the garden of the nursing home. However, she wasn't in the mood to appreciate these well-maintained flowers that were exquisite and expensive. Her heart was completely focused on her escape plan.
"Miss Zanders, we've been walking around for half an hour. You should go back and rest." The accompanying nurse was getting impatient.
How could she go back and rest?
Finally, when the entrance of the nursing home was right in front of her, Shannon bit her lip and mustered her courage. She supported her belly, as she bent down.
"Ah… My stomach hurts… It really hurts…"
She wailed loudly, a sheen of perspiration covering her forehead from her forceful cries.
The nurse looked over and was scared. Shannon was a VIP sponsored by the Wenleys. The nursing home couldn't afford for anything to happen to her.
She immediately held Shannon, wanting to help her back to the room.
However, Shannon sank onto the ground. "My stomach hurts, I can't walk anymore. Quick… quickly get someone to help."
"But…"
"There's no buts. This is the heir of the Wenley family. If anything happens to him, can you bear the responsibility?" Shannon was also in a panic. If the nurse didn't leave, there was no chance she could escape.
The nurse pursed her lips, then finally turned and left.
At this moment, Shannon could only feel her heart racing, as though it was going to jump out of her mouth the very next moment.
Finally, there was no one around. She suddenly got up, then ran out of the nursing home.
The entrance was just there.
A hundred meters…
Fifty meters…
"She's going to escape. Quick, catch her!"
The nurse's alarmed voice sounded from behind. Shannon quickened her pace.
However, a few security guards suddenly came out of the guard house near the entrance.
Shannon panicked. She turned and ran towards the crowd in the garden.
Then, she quickly found the changing room and changed into a nurse's uniform. She also put on a cap and mask, as she blended into the crowd.
…
At this moment, Sandra had already arrived at the nursing home. She had rushed over after receiving the call, and when she realized that they couldn't even spot Shannon using the surveillance cameras, she looked up and slammed her hand on the table.
"I paid you a hefty sum of money, but you actually let her escape!"
When Max arrived, all he saw was the chaos in the nursing home.