Richard stood at the edge of the bed lighting a cigarette as he turned to his assistant with a cold expression. "Find out who drugged me."
"Yes, Mr. Richard." The man bowed and walked out.
Richard glanced back at the girl still sound asleep on his bed, her face peaceful and innocent. "I'm sorry. I had no other choice," he murmured. "I will take responsibility for you."
With that, he left the room, exited the hotel, and slid into the back of his waiting car.
"Mr. Richard, here is the CCTV footage from last night," Pedro said, handing him a phone.
Richard's jaw tightened as he watched his adopted sister slip something into his wine. "How dare she," he growled.
"To the mansion," he ordered.
"Sir, should I inform your mother?" Pedro asked.
"No need. I need to get this done with." Richard paused, then added, "Did you find out any information about the girl from last night?"
"Yes, sir. Here is her file."
Richard scanned the document, his brows rising in surprise. "She's a college student?"
"Yes, sir. She's the adopted daughter of the Larson family. Her adopted mother dotes on her son while Claudia has to work to pay for her own tuition and take care of her brother."
"The money I gave her should be enough for a lifetime," Richard muttered. "Let's go."
Back at the Larson house
First person pov
I stood trembling as my mother glared at me.
"Mom, please, I can't marry Mr. Williams. He's known for molesting young girls and killing them."
"And so what? He's offering a whopping sum of one million dollars," my mother snapped, slapping me hard across the face.
"Mom, let's just tie her up and send her to Mr. Williams' bed," Lucas suggested with a sneer.
"No, please! Mom, I'm begging you!" I cried.
"It's no use, big sis. Marry Mr. Williams obediently, okay?" Lucas taunted.
"You must marry him. It's the only way to save your brother's business," my mother said firmly.
"No, please,I'm pregnant!" I screamed.
"You little bitch!" Lucas shouted, delivering a hot slap that made my vision blur.
"You little harlot! How dare you!" my mother yelled, slapping me again.
"We're going to the hospital to get rid of that bastard in your womb," my mother continued coldly.
"No, please! Nooo!" I screamed as Lucas dragged me toward the car.
"Shut up! You think you can ruin my plans?" Lucas snarled.
"You're getting rid of this bastard today," my mother declared.
I cried, begged, and screamed, but nothing stopped them. They dragged me out of the car and into the hospital.
"Mom, please! I can still work and earn money for Lucas. Please don't harm my child!" I sobbed.
"Hahaha," Lucas laughed. "You're marrying Mr. Williams. That's final."
"You're getting rid of that bastard you're carrying. I won't let you spoil my plans," my mother said, dragging me into the doctor's office.
At the hospital
Pedro stood frozen in the hospital hallway, eyes wide. Isn't that Claudia? She's pregnant… I need to inform Mr. Richard about this. I have a feeling this is his child.
He quickly dialed the number.
"Hello, Mr. Richard."
A cold voice answered. "Pedro, are you done?"
"Yes, sir, but…"
"Is there a problem?"
"I found the girl from two months ago… and I think she's pregnant."
"What?"
"She is pregnant," Pedro repeated.
"What do you mean she's pregnant?" Richard asked sharply.
"I just saw her mom and brother drag her into the hospital for an abortion."
"What?" Richard's voice rose. "Find out who's responsible and how many months along she is," he ordered before hanging up.
"Richard, who's pregnant?" Lia asked, strolling into his study wearing nothing but a lace nightie and holding a cup of coffee.
"What are you doing here?" Richard snapped, clearly annoyed.
"Come on, Richard, stop acting dumb. And you still haven't answered my question," she replied.
"It's none of your business. Now get out of my study," he barked.
"Why are you treating me this way?" she screamed.
"If you don't like the way I'm treating you, then leave my house," Richard shot back.
"You'll regret this, Richard," Lia hissed, stomping out.
His phone rang again. Richard answered immediately. "Speak."
"Sir, she's two months pregnant, and she doesn't have a boyfriend," Pedro reported.
"Two months?" Richard repeated. He had slept with her two months ago. Did that mean the child was his?
"But why is she getting an abortion?" he asked.
"Her family wants to marry her off to an old man for a dowry of one million dollars to save her brother's business," Pedro explained.
"What?" Richard was shocked.
"They're forcing her to get an abortion so it doesn't ruin their plan."
"Hold them up. I'm on my way," Richard said, dashing out of the study.
Lia who was hiding behind the study couldn't be her ears as she paced in the hallway, her mind racing. Pregnant? Which stupid bitch was trying to steal my man? Wait… I hope it's not that girl from two months ago the one who ruined my plans. No, it can't be.
She pulled out her phone. "Hello? Investigate someone for me," she said before hanging up.
First person
Back in the hospital, I struggled against my mother's grip. "Mom, you can't hurt my child!"
"Why can't I hurt this fatherless bastard?" my mother sneered.
"He's not fatherless. Richard Robinson is the father."
"Hahaha! You think you can fool us?" Lucas laughed.
"I'm not lying, Mom, please!"
"Why would someone like Richard ever look at a lowlife like you?" my mother snapped.
"Mom, let's stop wasting time. Mr. Williams will be here soon to pick her up," Lucas reminded her.
"Nooo! Mom, please! I'm your daughter too!" I begged.
"You're just an adopted fool!" my mother thundered.
They dragged me toward the operating room.
"How dare you try to harm my child?" a deep voice suddenly thundered through the hallway.
Everything fell silent.
I looked up, my eyes widening. "Richard," I whispered.
My mother and Lucas snapped out of their shock.
"Hmm… Mr. Richard," Lucas said with a nervous grin, trying to extend his hand.
Before he could finish, Richard's fist landed hard on his face.
"How dare you try to harm my child?" Richard growled.
"Mr. Richard, are you sure you're not making a mistake here?" Lucas asked, holding his jaw.
"Yes, Mr. Richard, she's just a loose girl who got pregnant before marriage," my mother added quickly. "As her mother, I don't want her to keep the bastard."
A hot slap cracked across her face, sending her crashing to the floor.
Without another word, Richard walked straight to me, scooped me into his arms, and carried me out of the hospital.