Staring at the six pregnancy tests in front of her, each showing two lines indicating a positive result, Victoria trembled with anger.
Unwilling to accept the truth, she visited a traditional Chinese medicine clinic, hoping the old doctor there would give her a different diagnosis. But the result was the same... pregnant. She walked out of the clinic, wandering aimlessly down the street until she found herself sitting on a bench, staring blankly ahead as if frozen in time.
She didn't know how long she had been sitting there when a car pulled up in front of her. The door opened, and Leo Carter strode towards her with an air of confidence.
Seeing her sitting there, looking dazed and filled with despair, Leo's brow furrowed slightly. In all of New Orleans, countless women threw themselves at him, dreaming of bearing his child and marrying into the Carter family. But here was Victoria, pregnant with his child, looking utterly miserable.
Leo recalled Victoria's words: "Leo Carter, not every woman is a gold digger who wants to marry into the Carter family. Don't flatter yourself too much."
"If you quit your job at the club, I'll have a team of specialists treat your father immediately, and the surgery will be free of charge."
He stood before her, looking down with an arrogant and imperious demeanor.
Victoria's eyes lowered, her face showing little emotion despite her deep sadness. "So, even if I quit my job and terminate the pregnancy, you'll still treat my father?" She didn't wait for his answer.
She looked up, her eyes filled with pain, meeting his gaze for a few seconds.
He replied, "Wishful thinking."
"Heh. So, spare me the noble talk. You want me to have your child, and in return, you'll treat my dad's illness. It's just a fair trade, isn't it?"
Those 'expert' doctors weren't the kind you could hire just with money.
How could Victoria not see the reality of the situation?
"You can make other demands," Leo said in a deep voice.
"I don't ne—" She was about to say 'need' when a thought flashed through her mind. "If you can help me investigate my parents' car accident, I'll agree."
If having a child could ensure her father's recovery and give them justice for the 'accident,' Victoria was willing.
Though it felt unfair to the unborn child, she knew she wasn't a match for him. If he truly wanted her to have this child, he had countless ways to make it happen.
Instead of resisting, it was better to make a 'fair trade.'
"Deal," Leo agreed without hesitation.
Victoria pressed her lips together, her straight back suddenly slumping slightly. She lowered her head, staring at the floor, and said nothing more.
Powerless. It was her own powerlessness that left her unable to protect her parents and even stripped her of the right to decide whether to have a child.
She wanted to become stronger, but she didn't know where to start.
"However, you must move into the Carter Family estate."
"Give me a few days. I need some time to calm down."
Victoria sighed deeply, turning her head to watch the traffic on the road, feeling a sense of frustration.
Leo agreed to her condition. He got into his car and drove away.
As Victoria watched the car disappear into the distance, a sudden chill enveloped her, as if she were standing in an ice cellar.
Was she really just a 'tool for childbirth'? Otherwise, how could Leo be so heartless towards her? Carter Family Estate.
Upon returning to the estate, Leo met with Elder Madam Carter.
"How is that girl Victoria doing?" Elder Madam Carter's first concern was Victoria, but in truth, she was more interested in the child Victoria was carrying.
Leo's sharp, starry eyes showed a hint of coldness. "I can allow Victoria to give birth to the Carter Family's child. But any woman of mine must be a suitable match."
Leo had been contemplating a lot lately.
Moreover, his frequent interactions with Chloe Turner had revealed her to be a woman of good character and reputation. She was known in New Orleans as a woman of both talent and beauty. Marrying her into the Carter Family seemed like the best choice.
"What are you saying? What's so good about Chloe?" Elder Madam Carter was visibly displeased.
"She saved my life. Marrying her is only reasonable."
Leo had once suspected Chloe Turner, even wondering if she had anything to do with that car accident. However, after ordering George to investigate the incident again, it was confirmed that Chloe had no involvement.
"I once said that whoever bears your child, you will marry her. Does my word mean nothing?" Elder Madam Carter genuinely liked Victoria.
"Do you think she is fit for the role?"
The Carter Family was a prestigious name, and Victoria had nothing to her name. From any perspective, she was unfit to be the future matriarch of the Carter Family.
Leo cared nothing for romantic entanglements; his focus was solely on the benefits and the vision of making the Carter Family bigger and stronger. Marrying Victoria just because she was pregnant would only hold the family back.
His question left Elder Madam Carter speechless. She had to admit that for the future of the Carter Family, Chloe was indeed the better choice.
"But the child is Victoria's. What will people say when they find out?"
Leo's cold eyes flickered slightly. He had already made arrangements for Victoria and her unborn child. He then said to Elder Madam Carter, "I will..."